Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
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.
The S26 Ultra has the S26 series' AI-powered Call Screening, which identifies unknown callers and summarizes why they called.
Good to know: Samsung describes it for the series; has to be switched on manually.
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.
As part of the Galaxy S26 series, the S26 Ultra offers Gemini and Perplexity alongside Bixby and can handle multi-step tasks in the background, such as booking a taxi with Gemini.
Good to know: Samsung describes this for the whole S26 series; 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 Ultra at 31 hours of video playback from a 5000 mAh battery.
Good to know: Video playback rating.
Only checked for one of them
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, including the S26 Ultra, gets seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
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); the page also lists Galaxy S26 Ultra with a 5000 mAh battery and 31 hours of video playback. Bixby understands natural-language requests to change device settings or search the web.
Read the source