The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scored 1.4 in the latest Stiftung Warentest smartphone evaluation, placing it ahead of the iPhone 17 Pro Max which received a 1.5 rating.
The test, published April 24, 2026, assessed four new smartphones including Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series and Apple’s iPhone 17e. The Galaxy S26 Ultra earned top marks for battery life and overall stability, with particularly strong performance in core functions.
While the iPhone 17 Pro Max achieved the best camera score at 1.2, the Galaxy S26 Ultra trailed slightly at 1.3 in that category. The Samsung device’s superior endurance proved decisive in the overall ranking.
Samsung shares top position with older iPhone model
The Galaxy S26 Ultra ties for first place with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which also scored 1.4 due to better battery performance than its successor. This continues a pattern where Samsung and Apple devices dominate the upper rankings, filling the first 24 spots in the test list before competitors like Google, Nothing, or OnePlus appear.
For more on this story, see Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra erstmals 200 Dollar günstiger.
iPhone 17e ranks fourth despite being newer model
The iPhone 17e secured fourth place in the evaluation, benefiting from its A19 chip, efficient modem, and MagSafe ring. Apple states the device will support upcoming iOS 27 AI features without issue. Stiftung Warentest noted that hardware improvements have plateaued in recent years, with AI functions currently influencing scores only indirectly through photo quality enhancements.
What does the 1.4 rating mean in Stiftung Warentest scoring?
In Stiftung Warentest’s grading system, 1.0 is the highest possible score indicating excellent performance, with lower numbers representing better results. A 1.4 rating falls into the „very quality“ category, just above the „good“ threshold of 1.5.
Why did the iPhone 17 Pro Max lose to the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max lost primarily due to shorter battery life, which testers rated only as „good.“ Despite having the best camera score in the test at 1.2, this advantage was offset by the Samsung device’s superior endurance and overall stability scores.
