← Back to Smartphones
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the premium option here, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 brings a unique foldable experience. In real-world use, the Z Fold6's 7.6-inch display makes multitasking a breeze, while the iPhone 17 Pro's camera system with a 48MP triple setup is a game-changer for photography enthusiasts. The key difference lies in their design and functionality. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro boasts the brightest display at 3000 nits, ideal for outdoor use, but its charging requires a separate purchase for maximum speed, which can be a downside.
📱 Display: 6.3" vs 7.6"🔋 Battery: 4252 mAh vs 4400 mAh⚖️ Weight: 7.27 oz vs 8.43 oz
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
★4.8
(108)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
Check Amazon Price→
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3
(535)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
Check Amazon Price→
Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" CoverWinner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
12GB LPDDR5X
Storage
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OISWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
7.27 oz (206 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
8.43 oz (239 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
iOS
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
★4.8(108)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3(535)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(108)Best Buy | ★4.3(535)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates |
Processor | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 12GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover) |
Resolution | 2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi) | Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | 1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover) |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV) |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | 3x Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 30x Space Zoom |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8) |
Battery | 4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed) | 4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher | Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) | IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
Dimensions | 5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm) | Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm) |
Weight | 7.27 oz (206 g) | 8.43 oz (239 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Rating:★4.8(108)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.3" (6.27" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2622 x 1206 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.6), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent)
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 40x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
Front Camera:18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4252 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 33 hours video playback (30 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber)
Dimensions:5.89" x 2.81" x 0.32" (149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.27 oz (206 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • Brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- • Triple 48MP camera system with new 4x tetraprism telephoto
- • A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and vapor chamber cooling
- • Excellent battery life (up to 33 hours video playback)
- • Fast 40W wired charging and 25W wireless charging
✗ Cons:
- • Charging requires purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately for max speed
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US models)
- • Telephoto aperture (f/2.8) is narrower than the main lens, impacting low-light zoom
- • Heavier than the standard iPhone 17
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Rating:★4.3(535)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
RAM:12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover
Screen Type:Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover)
Resolution:Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+)
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Peak Brightness:2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Front Camera:Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8)
Battery:4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)
Wired Charging:Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Weight:8.43 oz (239 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX
✓ Pros:
- • Refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors
- • Both Main and Cover displays hit a massive 2,600 nits peak brightness
- • Galaxy AI features are deeply integrated for productivity and translation
- • Class-leading 7-year software update commitment
- • IP48 rating provides verified water resistance and limited solid object ingress protection
✗ Cons:
- • Charging speed remains capped at 25W wired / 15W wireless
- • Camera hardware is largely unchanged from previous generation
- • Under-display camera (4MP) quality is still noticeably inferior to standard selfies
- • No integrated slot for the S Pen
- • IP48 is not fully dust-tight (sand/fine dust can still damage the hinge)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is the better buy for most people - its incredible 3000 nits peak outdoor brightness crushes the Z Fold6's 2600 nits. That said, grab the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 if you need a larger screen for productivity - it's also at 8.43oz compared to the iPhone's 7.27oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro if: you love photography with its 48MP triple camera, enjoy the brightest screen at 3000 nits, or want a compact design that fits easily in your pocket.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 if: you need a larger display for multitasking, enjoy a unique foldable design, or want a battery that lasts up to 34 hours of video playback.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro excels if you value brightest 6.3-inch display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is better if you prioritize refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.