Electronics
This comparison covers the base 256GB Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17 models sold in South Korea. Ultra, Pro and FE models are excluded. Prices are official Korean launch prices.
KRW 1,254,000
Official Korean launch price for the unlocked 256GB model, before discounts or trade-in benefits.
Price source ↗
KRW 1,290,000
Official Korean launch price for 256GB. Apple's sales page listed KRW 1,450,000 on September 15, 2026.
Price source ↗Photos: Kyu3a / Wikimedia Commons ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗ / AzureSaturn / Wikimedia Commons ↗ · CC0 1.0 ↗ · Information and sources
A good fit for people who want a light phone with 3× telephoto photography and DeX. It weighs 10g less than iPhone 17 and supports a faster wired data-transfer standard.
A good fit for frequent selfies, video calls and ultrawide photography, and for people who use MagSafe accessories. Even the base model has a display with up to 120Hz refresh, making scrolling and transitions smooth.
In the same test table, the S26 lasted longer for video and gaming, while iPhone 17 lasted longer for web browsing. The reviewer praised the S26's portability but had reservations about charging and the camera setup.
A hands-on review of the S26 Exynos model includes iPhone 17 results from the same testing outlet. Updated in April 2026.
The reviewer used the same English messages to test delivery notices, booking confirmations and sales calls. iPhone 17 led in the first two scenarios, and sales calls were a tie, but the reviewer found that both lacked sufficiently relevant response options.
In March 2026, the test used the same number, unregistered on both phones, and English scripts. It did not measure Korean-language performance.
No comparison reviews match these criteria.
| Feature | Galaxy S26 256GB | iPhone 17 256GB |
|---|---|---|
| Portability and display | At 167g and 7.2mm thick, it is relatively light and thin for its size. Its approximately 6.3-inch AMOLED display supports up to 120Hz, combining smooth scrolling with portability. | It weighs 177g and is 7.95mm thick, with an approximately 6.3-inch display offering up to 120Hz ProMotion. Its 2622×1206 resolution is denser than the S26's 2340×1080. |
Both have high-refresh-rate displays. The S26 is 10g lighter, while iPhone 17 has a higher resolution. 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ | ||
| Photos and video | It has a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP 3× optical telephoto camera. A dedicated telephoto lens lets you zoom in on distant people or buildings, and it supports recording at up to 8K 30fps. | It offers a 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide and 18MP Center Stage front camera. Its 2× zoom uses the main sensor. Features include framing adjustments for group selfies and video calls, and 4K Dolby Vision recording at 60fps. |
The S26 has a dedicated telephoto lens; iPhone 17 differs with its high-resolution ultrawide camera and front-camera features. 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ · Apple ↗ | ||
| Task performance | The Korean model has 12GB of memory. In PhoneArena's test of the Exynos model, it scored 3,186 single-core and 10,944 multi-core in Geekbench 6. | It uses the A19 chip and scored 3,527 single-core and 8,798 multi-core in the same outlet's Geekbench 6 test. Its single-core result was higher than the S26's. |
iPhone 17 scored higher in single-core tests and the S26 in multi-core tests, so the performance advantage depends on the task. 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ · PhoneArena ↗ | ||
| Battery and charging | In PhoneArena's tests, it lasted 15 hours 48 minutes browsing the web and 8 hours 54 minutes playing video. It reached 59% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in 1 hour 16 minutes. | In the same tests, it lasted 16 hours 47 minutes browsing the web and 7 hours 19 minutes playing video. It reached 67% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in 1 hour 16 minutes. |
iPhone 17 lasted longer for web browsing and the S26 for video playback. Full charging times were the same. PhoneArena ↗ | ||
| Unlocking and charging accessories | It unlocks with an in-display fingerprint sensor. It supports 15W wireless charging, another specification that differs from iPhone 17. | It unlocks with Face ID and has a built-in magnet array. MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging at up to 25W make magnetic mounts and charging accessories easy to attach. |
The S26 uses fingerprint recognition; iPhone 17 uses facial recognition and built-in magnets for accessories. 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ · PhoneArena ↗ | ||
| Computer connections and long-term use | USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Samsung DeX support wired file transfers and work on an external display. Official security-update support runs through February 28, 2033. | It uses USB-C, but data transfer is USB 2 at up to 480Mb/s. You can continue using familiar Apple-device features such as FaceTime. The official specifications do not state a support end date. |
The S26 offers more connection options for transferring large files by cable or working with DeX. 삼성전자 ↗ · Apple ↗ | ||
The figures below are model-specific battery-test results, not sales volumes or market shares.
PhoneArena standard battery test · S26 Exynos / iPhone 17 · Updated April 2026
In tests from the same outlet, iPhone 17 lasted 59 minutes longer. This does not represent total real-world daily screen-use time.
PhoneArena ↗PhoneArena standard battery test · S26 Exynos / iPhone 17 · Updated April 2026
In tests from the same outlet, the S26 lasted 95 minutes longer. This result can be useful if video makes up a large share of your usage.
PhoneArena ↗If you are sensitive to phone weight and often zoom in on distant subjects, use DeX or transfer files by cable, the S26's differences will be noticeable in daily use.
Trade-offs Its front and ultrawide camera setup and magnetic-accessory convenience differ from iPhone 17. A telephoto lens does not guarantee better results in every photographic situation.
iPhone 17 suits frequent group selfies and video calls, familiar Apple-device workflows, and continued use of magnetic mounting and charging.
Trade-offs It has no dedicated telephoto camera, and its wired data-transfer standard is slower. Its official listed selling price differs from the launch price, affecting your current purchase budget.
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