Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max458 PPI #17
Samsung Galaxy S26409 PPI #26
368 PPI521 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max3000 nits #8
Samsung Galaxy S262600 nits #17
2000 nits4500 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max100% #1
Samsung Galaxy S26100% #1
100%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26120 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: no visible difference — Both screens exceed the retina threshold at 30cm. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has 12% higher pixel density (458 vs 409 PPI), but this only becomes visible below 19cm.
- Brightness: advantage Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is 33% brighter in SDR (1000 vs 751 nits), a noticeable difference for outdoor readability. HDR peak: 3000 vs 2600 nits.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.9" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1320×2868 | 1080×2340 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 409 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm | 21cm |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits | 751 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 3000 nits | 2600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:2,000,000 | 1:1,000,000 |
| Year | 2025 | 2026 |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 | Samsung Galaxy S26 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.9" (Better) | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1320×2868 (Better) | 1080×2340 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 (Better) | 409 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm (Better) | 21cm |
| Panel Type | OLED | AMOLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 110:239 | 6:13 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 1 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits (Better) | 751 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 3000 nits (Better) | 2600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:2,000,000 (Better) | 1:1,000,000 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% |
| Year | 2025 | 2026 (Better) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has 458 PPI compared to 409 PPI for the Samsung Galaxy S26.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max requires 19cm vs 21cm for the Samsung Galaxy S26 to reach retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 · 458 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Samsung Galaxy S26 2026 · 409 PPI · 6.3" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 · 458 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Samsung Galaxy S26 2026 · 409 PPI · 6.3" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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