iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro: Which One Should You Buy in 2026?
The age-old question, updated for 2026: Apple, Samsung or Xiaomi? All three giants have played their trump cards this year, and the differences have never been more intriguing.
The iPhone 17 features Apple Intelligence and a revamped design. The Samsung Galaxy S26 enhances Galaxy AI with top-of-the-range hardware. And the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro proves that you can get a 200 MP camera and an AMOLED screen for less than the cost of an iPhone case.
This comparison isn’t about choosing «the best» in the abstract — it’s about choosing the best for you, depending on your budget, your priorities and the ecosystem you already use. And if you’re in Tenerife, all three cost less than back home thanks to the IGIC.
The Three Contenders at a Glance
| Specification | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S26 | Redmi Note 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price at Macy's Digital | 899 € | 1.099 € | 319 € |
| Screen | 6.3″ 120 Hz OLED, ProMotion | 6.2″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz | 6.67″ AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Main Camera | 48 MP, Sensor Fusion | 200 MP, OIS | 200 MP, OIS |
| Ultra-Wide-Angle Camera | 48 MP | 12 MP | 8 MP |
| Front camera | 24 MP, Face ID | 12 MP | 16 MP |
| Battery | ~3,800 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Charge | 30 W with cable + MagSafe | 25 W + 15 W wireless | 45 W with cable |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP64 |
| Operating System | iOS 19 | One UI 7 (Android 16) | HyperOS 2.0 (Android 15) |
| Embedded AI | Apple Intelligence | Galaxy AI | Xiaomi AI (basic) |
| Weight | 174 g | 162 g | 190 g |
The first surprise: the Xiaomi and the Samsung have the same main camera resolution (200 MP), but the Samsung costs €780 more. Is it worth the extra cost? Let’s find out.
Design and Construction: Three Distinct Philosophies
iPhone 17
Apple has taken a striking new direction with the iPhone 17. The rear camera module is now a horizontal aluminium bar that runs the full width of the phone — a significant aesthetic change that sets it apart from any previous iPhone. The body combines aluminium with the «mechanically ventilated» rear panel that Apple has introduced this year. Impeccable build quality, as always.
Galaxy S26
Samsung remains committed to minimalist elegance. The S26 is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor (162 g), with flat titanium edges and a virtually bezel-less screen. The back is matt and hardly shows any fingerprints. Objectively speaking, it is the most comfortable of the three to hold.
Redmi Note 15 Pro
The Redmi doesn’t try to compete on premium materials — it’s made of plastic with a textured finish and a reinforced frame. But it doesn’t feel cheap. It’s the largest and heaviest of the three (190 g), which makes sense given that it houses the largest battery. The build quality is solid for the price.
Design verdict: If premium build quality and compactness are important to you, Samsung is the winner. If you value the Apple ecosystem and its iconic design, go for the iPhone. If you don’t mind what the body is made of and would rather invest in a good case, go for Xiaomi.
Screen: All Three Are Excellent (But Not the Same)
Good news: all three mobiles feature 120 Hz AMOLED displays. By 2026, there are no longer any poor-quality displays in this range. But there are some caveats.
The Galaxy S26 It has the brightest screen and the one that looks best in sunlight, featuring Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, which remains the industry benchmark. The colour reproduction is exceptional and the QHD+ resolution allows you to see every detail.
The iPhone 17 It features ProMotion (adaptive 120 Hz) and the industry’s most accurate colour calibration. If you work with photos or videos and need colour accuracy, Apple remains the benchmark. The maximum outdoor brightness exceeds 2,000 nits.
The Redmi Note 15 Pro It impresses with a peak brightness of 1,800 nits and vibrant colours. It doesn’t quite match Apple’s colour accuracy or Samsung’s extreme brightness, but the difference is only noticeable when comparing them side by side. For everyday use — social media, videos, web browsing — it’s outstanding.
Screen verdict: Samsung > Apple > Xiaomi, but all three are excellent. You really notice the difference in extreme HDR and in direct sunlight.
Cameras: Where Price Makes the Difference
This is the area where the price difference is most noticeable.
iPhone 17 (€899)
Apple doesn’t win on megapixels (48 MP compared to Samsung and Xiaomi’s 200 MP), but on computational processing. The A19’s Photonic Engine produces consistently good photos in any lighting conditions, particularly in night mode and in low light. Video remains Apple’s biggest strength — 4K Dolby Vision recording with cinema-grade stabilisation.
The 24 MP front-facing camera with Face ID is the best of the three for video calls and natural-looking selfies.
Galaxy S26 (€1,099)
The 200 MP main sensor produces photos with an extraordinary level of detail. Samsung’s image processing has improved enormously: colours are more natural than in previous generations (goodbye to oversaturation) and the night mode rivals Apple’s. 8K video recording is possible, although 4K at 60 fps remains the most practical option.
Galaxy AI adds features such as generative editing and real-time translation of text in photos — genuinely useful tools.
Redmi Note 15 Pro (€319)
200 MP sounds impressive, and in good light the results are genuinely good. But when the light levels drop, the difference compared to Apple and Samsung becomes clear. The night-time processing is acceptable but not magical, the 8 MP ultra-wide-angle lens is barely functional, and video is limited to 4K at 30 fps without the advanced stabilisation found on the other two.
That said: photos taken in good light — which is what you’ll be doing most of the time whilst on holiday in Tenerife — are stunning for a mobile phone costing €319.
Performance Samples by Scenario
| Setting | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S26 | Redmi Note 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos with good lighting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Night mode | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4K video | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Selfies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ultra wide-angle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Zoom | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Chamber’s verdict: iPhone for video and consistency. Samsung for versatility and detail. Xiaomi for «more than decent photos at a fraction of the price.»
Performance and Software: Three Worlds
Gross Power
The Apple A19 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite are on a par in terms of raw performance — both breeze through any everyday task and handle demanding games with ease. The Dimensity 7300 Ultra The Xiaomi’s is a step down, but let’s be honest: for the 95%’s users (social media, web browsing, streaming, photos), the difference is imperceptible.
Artificial Intelligence
This is where 2026 makes a real difference:
Apple Intelligence (iPhone 17): notification summaries, text rewriting, image generation with Image Playground, and Siri enhanced with contextual understanding. Runs on the device to ensure privacy.
Galaxy AI (S26): real-time call translation, generative photo editing, voice recording summaries, and an improved Circle to Search feature. Samsung offers more visible AI features than Apple.
Xiaomi AI (Redmi Note 15 Pro): basic AI features — translation, writing assistant, automatic photo enhancements. Functional, but not on a par with Apple or Samsung.
Updates
- iPhone 17: 5–6 years of iOS updates guaranteed
- Galaxy S26: 7 years of OS and security updates (Samsung’s commitment from 2024)
- Redmi Note 15 Pro: 2 years of Android updates + 4 years of security updates
Software verdict: If software longevity matters, Samsung now matches or surpasses Apple. If you want the smoothest and most cohesive smartphone, go for the iPhone. If you’re not concerned about updates beyond 2–3 years, Xiaomi will do the job.
Battery and Charging: Xiaomi Takes the Lead
Here’s the trio’s surprise:
| Metric | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S26 | Redmi Note 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | ~3,800 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Estimated actual usage | 8–9 hours SOT | 8–9 hours SOT | 10–11 hours SOT |
| Wired charging | 30 W | 25 W | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | MagSafe 25 W | 15 W | ❌ No |
| 0 → 50% | ~30 mins | ~30 mins | ~25 mins |
| Charger in a box | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
The Redmi Note 15 Pro has the largest battery and the fastest wired charging y The charger is included in the box. Apple and Samsung make you buy the charger separately (€25 for the Apple USB-C 20W charger at Macy’s Digital).
In practice, the iPhone optimises power consumption so well that its 3,800 mAh battery performs as well as the Samsung’s 4,000 mAh battery. But neither of them comes close to the Xiaomi’s 10–11 hours of screen time.
Battery verdict: Xiaomi is the clear winner. If battery life is your top priority, the Redmi Note 15 Pro is unbeatable.
Full price list at Macy’s Digital Tenerife
Here are the prices of each ecosystem in the shop, from the most affordable option to the top-of-the-range model:
iPhone range
| Model | Macy’s Digital Price | Strikethrough RRP |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 128 GB | 499 € | |
| iPhone 14 128 GB | 599 € | |
| iPhone 14 Plus 256 GB | 699 € | - |
| iPhone 15 128 GB | 659 € | |
| iPhone 17e 256 GB | 689 € | |
| iPhone 17 256 GB Lavender | 899 € | |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max 256 GB | 1.399 € | |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max 1 TB Silver | 1.949 € | - |
Samsung Galaxy range
| Model | Macy’s Digital Price | Strikethrough RRP |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 512 GB Black | 1.099 € | |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra 256 GB Violet | 1.369 € | |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra 512 GB | 1.399 € |
Xiaomi range
| Model | Macy’s Digital Price | Strikethrough RRP |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 15 Pro 256 GB / 8 GB | 319 € |
For more Xiaomi models, please ask in-store or visit macysdigital.com/xiaomi/moviles-xiaomi/.
Which One Should You Buy? A Quick Guide by Profile
Buy the iPhone 17 (€899) if…
- Whether you already use a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods — the Apple ecosystem is its greatest strength
- You shoot a lot of video and want the best quality without any hassle
- You value the software’s privacy and consistency over customisation
- Do you want a mobile phone that will work perfectly for 5–6 years with updates?
Buy the Galaxy S26 (€1,099) if…
- You want the most comprehensive hardware: a better screen, more RAM, more storage
- You find the Galaxy AI features (call translation, generative editing) useful
- Do you prefer Android with maximum customisation and performance?
- You need Samsung DeX to use your mobile as a computer
- Do you want 7 years of guaranteed updates?
Buy the Redmi Note 15 Pro (€319) if…
- Your budget is €300–350 and you want to get the most for your money
- The battery and fast charging are your top priority
- You mainly take photos in good light (holidays, outdoors, social media)
- You don’t need advanced AI features or the Apple/Samsung ecosystem
- Do you want a top-notch mobile and save the €580–780 difference for something else?
The Smart Choice Nobody Mentions
If you’re keen on Apple but don’t want to spend €899, the iPhone 17e for €689 It’s a brilliant mid-range option: an Apple chip, a complete ecosystem, a decent camera and 256 GB of storage. And if you’re switching from Android and want to try Apple for the first time, the iPhone 14 for €599 It’s still a great phone in 2026.
🏝️ Great value in Tenerife: Three for less
The Canary Islands apply a 7% rate of IGIC rather than the 21% rate of VAT on the mainland (or the 20% rate in the United Kingdom and the 19% rate in Germany). This translates into real savings on the three mobile phones:
| Model | Price in Tenerife | Estimated price for mainland Spain (21% VAT) | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 256 GB | 899 € | ~1.017 € | ~118 € |
| Galaxy S26 512 GB | 1.099 € | ~1.244 € | ~145 € |
| Redmi Note 15 Pro 256 GB | 319 € | ~361 € | ~42 € |
Estimates based on the same base cost, including local tax.
The saving on the Galaxy S26 is particularly significant: €145 off is practically the equivalent of a free pair of Galaxy Buds 4 (€179 at Macy’s Digital). And the saving on the iPhone 17 covers the cost of a 20W USB-C charger (€25) and a pair of AirPods 4 (€139), with plenty left over.
Important information regarding customs: The iPhone 17 (€899) and the Galaxy S26 (€1,099) exceed the €430 duty-free allowance per person for air travellers within the EU. If you’re travelling as a couple, the combined allowance is €860 — enough to cover the iPhone 17. For the Galaxy S26, you’d have to declare the excess (€669) and pay the relevant VAT in your country on that amount. The Redmi Note 15 Pro (€319) falls well within the allowance without any issues.
Travellers from the United Kingdom: The allowance is £390 per person (~€457). The Redmi fits comfortably within this limit. The iPhone 17 and the Galaxy S26 exceed the limit and would require a declaration of the excess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these mobile phones work in any country if I buy them in Tenerife?
Yes. The three models sold at Macy’s Digital are European versions with full support for 4G/5G bands across the EU, the UK and most other countries. They do not need to be unlocked.
Which one has the best resale value?
The iPhone, without a doubt. iPhones retain their resale value significantly better than Samsung or Xiaomi. An iPhone 17 will be worth proportionally more in 2–3 years’ time than a Galaxy S26 bought at the same time.
What if I need repairs outside Tenerife?
All three come with a manufacturer’s warranty valid throughout the EU. Apple and Samsung have extensive after-sales service networks in most European countries. Xiaomi offers an official after-sales service, but with less geographical coverage.
Is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth it over the iPhone 17?
The Pro Max (€1,399) adds a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, a larger screen (6.9″), an A19 Pro chip, a titanium body and ProRes recording. If photography and video are your priority, it’s definitely worth it. If not, the standard iPhone 17 more than meets users’ 90% needs.
Which is better for gaming?
The iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 are on a par — both can handle any current game at maximum settings. The Redmi Note 15 Pro performs well with mid-range games (PUBG, Genshin Impact on medium settings) but doesn’t match the performance of the other two at maximum settings.
Can I buy accessories for all three at Macy’s Digital?
Yes. The shop stocks cases, screen protectors, chargers and headphones compatible with all three brands. Apple USB-C chargers start at €25 and AirPods 4 start at €139.
Where to Buy
Macys Digital Tenerife 📍 CC Parque Santiago 3, Unit 165–167, Av. de Las Américas, 38650 Playa de las Américas 🕐 Mon–Sat 10.15 am–9.30 pm · Sunday 12:00–14:30 📞 +34 603 116 005 / +34 922 792 693 🌐 macysdigital.com
Final Verdict
There is no single clear winner — there is a winner for every type of buyer:
The iPhone 17 (€899) It is the most well-rounded smartphone on the market. It doesn’t lead the field in any single specification, but the overall experience — smooth performance, camera, ecosystem, battery life — is superior. It’s the safe choice.
The Galaxy S26 (€1,099) It’s the most powerful and feature-packed model on paper. Better display, more RAM, more storage, and more prominent Galaxy AI. It’s for those who want the very best Android has to offer and are willing to pay for it.
The Redmi Note 15 Pro (€319) It’s the real game-changer. It offers 80% of the experience you’d get from the other two for 30-35% of the price. If you’re a practical sort and would rather spend the difference on a holiday, accessories or simply put it into savings, it’s a smart choice.
And if you buy them in Tenerife, all three work out cheaper than at home. It’s as simple as that.
For more information on each model, see our individual reviews: iPhone 17 Pro Max, Best Xiaomi Redmi 2026 and our Complete Guide to Smartphones 2026.
Prices verified on macysdigital.com. Availability subject to change. Comparative prices for mainland Spain are estimates based on the IGIC/VAT differential.