{
    "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/compare/apple-iphone-17-air-vs-samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra/",
    "generated": "2026-08-10T22:16:53+00:00",
    "source": "WhatMobilePK.com",
    "currency": "PKR",
    "headline": "Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra",
    "answer": "The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the stronger phone of the two, scoring 94 against 64 on our combined specification score. It leads on performance, camera and battery & charging. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the cheaper of the two at PKR 423,999 against PKR 429,999.",
    "phones": [
        {
            "name": "Apple iPhone 17 Air",
            "slug": "apple-iphone-17-air",
            "brand": "Apple",
            "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/mobile/apple/apple-iphone-17-air/",
            "image": "https://whatmobilepk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ChatGPT-Image-Feb-5-2026-11_34_35-AM-1024x683.png",
            "price": {
                "amount": 429999,
                "currency": "PKR"
            },
            "updated": "2026-02-05T06:39:23+00:00",
            "scores": {
                "performance": 34,
                "camera": 82,
                "battery": 36.7,
                "display": 100,
                "memory": 87.5,
                "value": 66.7,
                "overall": 63.7
            },
            "specs": {
                "Design & build": {
                    "Release date": "September 19, 2025 (official global availability)",
                    "Dimensions": "156.2 × 74.7 × 5.64 mm",
                    "Weight": "165 g",
                    "Water resistance": "IP68 — Dust tight and water resistant (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, expected)"
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Screen size": "6.5 inches",
                    "Resolution": "2736 × 1260 pixels (~460 ppi)",
                    "Panel type": "Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz",
                    "Protection": "Ceramic Shield 2 (front & back)"
                },
                "Performance": {
                    "Chipset": "Apple A19 Pro",
                    "CPU": "Hexa-core Apple CPU (A19 Pro)",
                    "GPU": "Apple GPU (part of A19 Pro)",
                    "Operating system": "iOS 26 (Apple’s current OS for 2025 iPhones)"
                },
                "Memory & storage": {
                    "RAM": "12 GB",
                    "Internal storage": "256 GB (base), options up to 1 TB",
                    "Card slot": "No expandable storage"
                },
                "Camera": {
                    "Main camera": "48 MP wide (single camera)",
                    "Selfie camera": "18 MP TrueDepth front camera",
                    "Video recording": "4K video recording support (standard-range)"
                },
                "Battery & charging": {
                    "Battery capacity": "Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion (≈3149 mAh typical)",
                    "Wired charging": "MagSafe wireless + USB-C wired charging supported"
                },
                "Connectivity & extras": {
                    "SIM": "eSIM only (no physical SIM tray)",
                    "Wi-Fi": "Wi-Fi 7 (via Apple N1 chip)",
                    "Bluetooth": "Bluetooth 6 (via Apple N1 chip)",
                    "NFC": "Yes",
                    "Sensors": "Face ID (TrueDepth), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass",
                    "USB": "USB-C"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra",
            "slug": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra",
            "brand": "Samsung",
            "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/mobile/samsung/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra/",
            "image": "https://whatmobilepk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ChatGPT-Image-Dec-25-2025-12_46_51-PM-683x1024.png",
            "price": {
                "amount": 423999,
                "currency": "PKR"
            },
            "updated": "2025-12-28T05:19:21+00:00",
            "scores": {
                "performance": 97.8,
                "camera": 98,
                "battery": 73.3,
                "display": 100,
                "memory": 100,
                "value": 100,
                "overall": 94.2
            },
            "specs": {
                "Design & build": {
                    "Release date": "Expected March 02, 2026 (Pakistan)",
                    "Weight": "214 g",
                    "Water resistance": "IP68 dust tight & water resistant"
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Screen size": "6.9 inches",
                    "Resolution": "1440 x 3120 pixels (~498 ppi)",
                    "Panel type": "Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Capacitive Touchscreen .120Hz, HDR10+, ~2600 nits peak",
                    "Protection": "Corning Gorilla Armor 2 w/ DX anti-reflective coating"
                },
                "Performance": {
                    "Chipset": "Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)",
                    "CPU": "Octa-core (2×4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6×3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)",
                    "GPU": "Adreno 840",
                    "Operating system": "Android 16 OS(One UI 8.0)"
                },
                "Memory & storage": {
                    "RAM": "12/16 GB",
                    "Internal storage": "256/512 GB, 1 TB",
                    "Card slot": "No"
                },
                "Camera": {
                    "Main camera": "200 MP (wide, OIS)  • 10 MP (telephoto)  • 50 MP (periscope telephoto, 5× optical zoom)  • 50 MP (ultrawide)",
                    "Selfie camera": "12 MP (wide)",
                    "Video recording": "8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR"
                },
                "Battery & charging": {
                    "Battery capacity": "Li-ion non-removable 5000 mAh",
                    "Wired charging": "60W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), 4.5W reverse wireless"
                },
                "Connectivity & extras": {
                    "SIM": "Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)",
                    "Wi-Fi": "Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct",
                    "Bluetooth": "v5.4",
                    "NFC": "Yes",
                    "Sensors": "Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass, Fingerprint (under-display ultrasonic), Gyro, Proximity, UWB support",
                    "USB": "USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG"
                }
            }
        }
    ],
    "verdict": {
        "winner": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra",
        "margin": 30.5,
        "decisive": true,
        "categories": [
            {
                "category": "performance",
                "label": "Performance",
                "weight": 25,
                "basis": "Gaming score where available, otherwise chipset tier plus usable RAM.",
                "scores": {
                    "apple-iphone-17-air": 34,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra": 97.8
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra"
            },
            {
                "category": "camera",
                "label": "Camera",
                "weight": 20,
                "basis": "Camera Score where available, otherwise sensor resolution and lens count. Megapixels alone do not measure image quality.",
                "scores": {
                    "apple-iphone-17-air": 82,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra": 98
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra"
            },
            {
                "category": "battery",
                "label": "Battery & charging",
                "weight": 18,
                "basis": "Cell capacity in mAh weighted with rated wired charging output.",
                "scores": {
                    "apple-iphone-17-air": 36.7,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra": 73.3
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra"
            },
            {
                "category": "display",
                "label": "Display",
                "weight": 15,
                "basis": "Pixel density, refresh rate and panel technology.",
                "scores": {
                    "apple-iphone-17-air": 100,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra": 100
                },
                "leader": null
            },
            {
                "category": "memory",
                "label": "Memory & storage",
                "weight": 12,
                "basis": "Highest advertised RAM and internal storage configuration.",
                "scores": {
                    "apple-iphone-17-air": 87.5,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra": 100
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra"
            },
            {
                "category": "value",
                "label": "Value for money",
                "weight": 10,
                "basis": "Combined spec score divided by current Pakistani retail price.",
                "scores": {
                    "apple-iphone-17-air": 66.7,
                    "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra": 100
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra"
            }
        ],
        "unscored": []
    },
    "differences": [
        "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra costs PKR 6,000 less.",
        "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra packs a 1,851 mAh larger battery.",
        "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers 4 GB more RAM.",
        "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 152 MP higher-resolution main sensor."
    ],
    "faq": [
        {
            "question": "Which is better, Apple iPhone 17 Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes out ahead on our combined spec score, leading by 30.5 points. It wins on performance, camera, battery & charging, memory & storage and value for money. Apple iPhone 17 Air can still be the better buy if your priorities sit elsewhere or if you find it at a lower street price."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the price of Apple iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in Pakistan?",
            "answer": "Apple iPhone 17 Air is listed at PKR 429,999 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at PKR 423,999. That makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper by PKR 6,000. Retail prices move often, so treat these as indicative."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which has the better camera, Apple iPhone 17 Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores higher in our camera assessment. Apple iPhone 17 Air uses a 48 MP main sensor against 200 MP on Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, though sensor size and processing matter more than resolution alone."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which phone has the better battery, Apple iPhone 17 Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on battery. Apple iPhone 17 Air carries a 3149 mAh cell and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra a 5000 mAh cell."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which is better for gaming, Apple iPhone 17 Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the stronger gaming phone here. Apple iPhone 17 Air runs the Apple A19 Pro while Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)."
        }
    ],
    "methodology": "Category scores are derived from published hardware specifications using one formula applied to every device. Categories without sufficient published data are excluded from the total rather than estimated. No paid placement, no editorial weighting.",
    "license": "Facts may be quoted with attribution to WhatMobilePK.com (https://whatmobilepk.com/)."
}