Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
3 questions both answer, side by side. Every answer is backed by the dated sources at the bottom.
Side by side
Can your phone screen unknown and spam calls for you?
On iPhone, Screen Unknown Callers can ask callers from unsaved numbers why they're calling before your phone rings, and a spam filter moves spam calls to a separate list.
Good to know: An iPhone setting, not specific to iPhone 17; not active while roaming.
Galaxy S26's AI-powered Call Screening identifies unknown callers and summarizes why they called.
Good to know: Has to be switched on manually; languages vary.
Can your phone's AI assistant do things in your apps for you?
Siri AI on iPhone 17 can take actions in apps like Messages, Music and Reminders, such as editing a message you just sent.
Good to know: Rolling out in English.
Galaxy S26 offers Gemini and Perplexity alongside Bixby and can handle multi-step tasks in the background, such as booking a taxi with Gemini after you review the details.
Good to know: Maker's description; features vary by region and language.
How long does a new phone's battery last?
Apple rates iPhone 17 at up to 30 hours of video playback (27 streamed); 10 minutes of charging gives up to 8 hours of video.
Good to know: Video playback rating; fast top-up needs a high-wattage adapter.
Samsung rates Galaxy S26 at 30 hours of video playback from a 4300 mAh battery.
Good to know: Video playback rating; S26+ is rated at 31 hours.
Only checked for one of them
Can you edit a photo on your phone just by describing the change?
Galaxy S26's Photo Assist adds or changes things in a photo from a typed description, and marks the saved result as AI-generated.
Good to know: Samsung says accuracy of the generated output isn't guaranteed.
Can your phone translate a phone call live?
iPhone 17 has Live Translation in the Phone and FaceTime apps for one-on-one calls.
Good to know: Listed languages only.
How many years of updates does a new phone get?
Samsung says the Galaxy S26 series gets seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from its global launch.
Good to know: Counted from the February 2026 launch; timing may vary by carrier.
How we know (4 sources)
Apple Support, "Manage unknown callers on iPhone": under Screen Unknown Callers you choose Never, Ask Reason for Calling (the caller is asked why they're calling before your phone rings) or Silence. Calls aren't screened while roaming, and screening turns off for 24 hours after an emergency call. A spam filter and an Unknown Callers filter move such calls to separate lists.
Read the sourceiPhone 17 overview and specs (read Oct 23, 2026): Siri AI, powered by Apple Intelligence, answers open-ended questions and takes actions in apps like Messages, Music and Reminders (rolling out in English). Live Translation in Phone and FaceTime works for one-on-one calls in listed languages. Up to 30 hours of video playback (27 streamed); 10 minutes of charging gives up to 8 hours of video with a high-wattage adapter.
Read the sourceSamsung's US launch release for the Galaxy S26 series: seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from global launch. Alongside Bixby, it offers agents including Gemini and Perplexity, and can handle multi-step tasks in the background, such as booking a taxi with Gemini. AI-powered Call Screening identifies unknown callers and summarizes why they called (needs manual activation; languages vary). General availability from March 11, 2026.
Read the sourceUS Galaxy S26 and S26+ page (read Oct 23, 2026): from $899.99 before trade-in. Photo Assist edits photos from a text description and marks the result as AI-generated. Galaxy S26 has a 4300 mAh battery rated at 30 hours of video playback (S26+ 31 hours). Bixby understands natural-language requests to change device settings or search the web.
Read the source