Samsung may face a tougher challenge with its next flagship phone after Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 family, including the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The new iPhones feature upgraded cameras, brighter displays, faster charging, and advanced hardware that set high expectations for competitors.
Rumors suggest Samsung plans to rename its next base-model phone as the Galaxy S26 Pro. This could invite direct comparisons with other “Pro” smartphones, such as Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro. The current Galaxy S25 performs well against standard models, but the S26 Pro may need upgrades to compete effectively.
The iPhone 17 Pro features a triple 48MP camera system, a peak display brightness of 3,000 nits, faster charging, and a new Action Button for hardware control. By contrast, the Galaxy S25’s camera includes a 50MP main lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, while rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 Pro may see only minor changes.
Despite this, the Galaxy S26 Pro could remain competitive due to its lower starting price, which is expected to be around $899 / £899, compared to $1,099 / £1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro. Analysts suggest that modest upgrades to the camera, RAM, and charging speed could strengthen Samsung’s position.
Samsung has a strong foundation with the Galaxy S25’s design, display, and chipset, giving the company room to improve and still undercut higher-priced rivals. The coming months will reveal whether the Galaxy S26 Pro can meet expectations in a market now dominated by Apple’s latest iPhone lineup.
