Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
Samsung is preparing to unveil its next-generation flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26 series, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra expected to go head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. With leaks already surfacing ahead of the rumoured February 25, 2026 launch, the upcoming Samsung flagship appears ready to challenge Apple across several key areas.
Here are five expected upgrades where the Galaxy S26 Ultra may outperform the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
1. Display Innovations
The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an anti-reflective coating. Samsung, however, is expected to take things further with the Galaxy S26 Ultra by introducing an in-built privacy screen, designed to hide sensitive information when the device is viewed outdoors or from wider angles.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is tipped to feature a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, powered by Samsung’s new M14 panel, which is expected to deliver brighter visuals and improved colour accuracy, along with enhanced anti-reflective coating.
2. Performance and Processing Power
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max is powered by the A19 Pro chipset, paired with a vapour cooling chamber for sustained performance. Samsung is reportedly countering this with its Exynos 2600 processor, which could become the world’s first 2nm chipset, offering improved performance and energy efficiency.
In select markets, Samsung may instead use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, which is expected to deliver a noticeable performance leap over its predecessor.
3. Camera Capabilities
Apple equips the iPhone 17 Pro Max with a triple 48MP camera system, covering wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. Samsung is expected to retain its powerful quad-camera setup on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, featuring a 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, 12MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x periscope telephoto.
Beyond hardware, Samsung is expected to significantly improve image processing, focusing on more natural skin tones and better colour accuracy.
4. Faster Charging and Better Wireless Support
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely to house a 5,000mAh battery, similar to its predecessor, but with an upgrade to 60W fast charging, surpassing the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 40W charging support.
Additionally, Samsung is expected to introduce Qi2 wireless charging, allowing compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe accessories, a move that could attract iPhone users considering a switch.
5. Advanced AI Features
Samsung is expected to place a strong emphasis on AI-driven features with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, including deeper integration of Gemini Live and on-device AI tools. Reports suggest the choice of San Francisco as the launch location highlights Samsung’s AI-first strategy.
Meanwhile, Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still seen as trailing behind, although Apple is reportedly working on a major Gemini-powered Siri upgrade.
