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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Time to compare Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 with Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.3★ vs 4.8★
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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)
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
★4.8
(126)•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)
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Comparison: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3(535)Amazon
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
★4.8(126)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(535)Amazon | ★4.8(126)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC) | Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) |
RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover | 6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover) | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+) | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover) | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz) |
Peak Brightness | 2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV) | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x Space Zoom | Up to 40x |
Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 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 | Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8) | 18MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell) | 5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed) |
Wired Charging | Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB | 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 Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | 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 | 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) | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm) |
Weight | 8.43 oz (239 g) | 8.22 oz (233 g) |
Biometrics | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition | Face ID |
Extras | Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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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)
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Rating:★4.8(126)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:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz)
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/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos
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, 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:5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 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:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm)
Weight:8.22 oz (233 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Always-On display; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- • Triple 48MP camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom
- • A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM and vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance
- • Excellent battery life (up to 39 hours video playback)
- • Faster 40W wired charging and 25W wireless charging
✗ Cons:
- • Large and heavy form factor (233 g)
- • Fastest charging speeds require purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately
- • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)
- • Expensive starting price
- • Camera bump is significantly larger due to new tetraprism lens
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4.3★ vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6: 4.8★), Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 suits buyers who need Refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors, Both Main and Cover displays hit a massive 2,600 nits peak brightness
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max suits buyers who want Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), Triple 48MP camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 excels if you value refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is better if you prioritize brightest iphone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). 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.
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