Galaxy S26 Ultra Scores Lower Than Even iPhone 16 Pro Max in DxOMark Camera Rankings

The latest camera evaluation by DxOMark has placed the iPhone 17 Pro ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in overall camera performance, highlighting the continued competition between the flagship smartphones of Apple and Samsung. According to the benchmark results, Apple’s latest Pro model delivered more consistent results in several imaging categories despite Samsung introducing a powerful 200-megapixel sensor in its device.

DxOMark evaluated both smartphones across multiple camera performance metrics, including image capture, video recording, zoom, exposure, colour accuracy, and autofocus capabilities. The analysis found that the iPhone 17 Pro performed strongly in colour rendering, exposure balance, and video quality. Reviewers also noted that the device maintained a strong dynamic range and delivered reliable subject tracking, which helped it achieve a higher overall score in the rankings.

While the Galaxy S26 Ultra also impressed reviewers with its camera hardware, particularly its advanced zoom system, it faced some inconsistencies during testing. The device features a quad-camera setup that includes a 50-megapixel periscope lens and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens designed to enhance long-range photography. These features enabled the smartphone to deliver strong zoom performance and high-resolution images in many scenarios.

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However, DxOMark’s evaluation suggested that the Galaxy S26 Ultra sometimes applied more aggressive sharpening and contrast during image processing. This occasionally reduced the natural texture of images and led to less consistent results across consecutive shots. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro was found to produce more natural colour tones and stable exposure, creating a more predictable and balanced photography experience.

In terms of scores, the Galaxy S26 Ultra achieved 157 points in DxOMark’s camera rating, marking a noticeable improvement over the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which previously scored 151 points. Despite this progress, the device still trails the iPhone 17 Pro, which secured 168 points and ranked higher on the leaderboard. The Samsung flagship also fell behind other premium smartphones such as the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, which recorded scores of 161 and 163 respectively in the benchmarking platform’s rankings.

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