Benchmark Comparison: Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple has long maintained a stronghold on single-threaded performance with its chipsets, and the latest A19 and A19 Pro models continue this tradition. However, this dominance is now facing a significant challenge from the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, which will feature Qualcomm’s advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. Recent benchmark comparisons suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s lead over this new competitor is minimal, potentially paving the way for Qualcomm to reclaim the performance crown with the anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro.

A19 Pro Marginally Edges Out Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in Benchmark Testing

As we approach the launch of the Galaxy S26 series, new test results from Geekbench 6 have emerged. The performance cores of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy now operate at a frequency of 4.74GHz, up from the previous 4.61GHz. In a head-to-head comparison with the A19 Pro, it becomes clear that Apple’s flagship chipset achieves a mere 3.54% performance advantage in single-core tests. Meanwhile, the enhanced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 boasts a notable 17.6% lead in multi-core performance due to its additional cores and clock speed upgrades.

Geekbench 6 Single-Core Performance Results

Galaxy S26 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5): 3, 761
iPhone 17 Pro Max (A19 Pro): 3, 894 (3.54% faster)

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Performance Results

Galaxy S26 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5): 11, 454 (17.6% faster)
iPhone 17 Pro Max (A19 Pro): 9, 741

Galaxy S26 Ultra Benchmark Results Comparison

Interestingly, during a previous Geekbench 6 benchmark, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s scores fell short of the performance levels we recorded on the REDMAGIC 11 Pro with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. At that time, our single-core and multi-core results were rated at 3, 696 and 11, 654, respectively. The improved results from the Galaxy S26 Ultra in the current testing suggest significant performance optimizations have been implemented by Samsung.

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max Benchmark Comparison

As we await the release of consumer units, a comprehensive comparison of performance metrics will be essential. While the capabilities of the Galaxy S26 Ultra have impressed so far, it is crucial to remember that Geekbench 6 results represent just a fraction of a device’s overall performance. Due to the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 operating at higher temperatures compared to its standard variant, we must also consider its sustained performance potential. Although the Galaxy S26 Ultra employs a vapor chamber for cooling, the challenge of maintaining optimal thermal performance at these increased frequencies will be a key focus for Samsung’s flagship device.

News Source: Geekbench 6

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