Disclaimer: The iPhone 17 has just been announced, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 is expected in early 2026. This comparison is based on official iPhone 17 specs and the latest, most credible rumors for the Galaxy S26.
The battle for smartphone supremacy in 2026 is heating up. Apple has officially unveiled its iPhone 17 lineup, featuring a new ultra-slim “Air” model and a 120Hz ProMotion display on all models for the first time. Meanwhile, rumors suggest Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series will focus on refining its design and camera, with some models potentially adopting a new horizontal camera layout similar to the new iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 17: Official Specs and Features 📱
Apple’s new lineup, announced on September 9, 2025, includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new, super-thin iPhone 17 Air that replaces the Plus model.
- Design and Display: All four models now feature a smooth 120Hz ProMotion display. The standard iPhone 17 gets a slight screen size increase to 6.3 inches with thinner bezels. The Pro models have reportedly switched from titanium back to a refined aluminum frame.
- Camera: The front-facing camera on all models has been upgraded to a much sharper 24MP sensor. The Pro models are rumored to feature a new 48MP telephoto lens, pushing the optical zoom capabilities further.
- Performance: The Pro and Air models are powered by the new A19 Pro chip, while the standard iPhone 17 uses the A18 from the previous year’s Pro models. Pro models are also rumored to feature up to 12GB of RAM.
Samsung Galaxy S26: The Latest Rumors 🤖
Expected in early 2026, the S26 line is rumored to consist of the S26 Pro (the new base model), S26 Edge, and S26 Ultra.
- Design and Display: Leaked dummy units suggest a significant design shift. While the Ultra may retain a vertical camera layout, the rumored S26 Edge appears to feature a wide, horizontal camera bar, a design that closely mirrors the new iPhone 17 Pro. The phones are also expected to adopt the Qi2 wireless charging standard, which includes a magnetic connection similar to Apple’s MagSafe.
- Camera: The S26 Ultra is rumored to feature a new 200MP main camera sensor for even better detail. The S26 Pro may see its ultrawide camera upgraded from 12MP to a new 50MP sensor.
- Performance: The phones will likely be powered by the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor in some regions and a new Exynos chip in others, with RAM options potentially going up to 16GB.
Early Verdict
The 2026 smartphone battle appears to be one of converging design and competing AI ecosystems. Samsung seems to be taking design cues from Apple’s new horizontal camera bar, while Apple has finally brought the 120Hz display to its standard models, a long-time Samsung advantage. The ultimate deciding factor for many users will likely be the software and AI features each brand brings to the table.
Step 2: Offer Next Step
We have now begun the final Hardware & Smart Devices category. The next topic on our list is a look at the GPU battle between Nvidia’s RTX 50 series and AMD’s RDNA 4. Shall I prepare that for you?