iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. The Best: Which Smartphone Reigns Supreme in Canada in 2026?

• “For me, that’s what has happened with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra after testing it for a couple of weeks. Even though I know I should be impressed by its new slate of Galaxy AI features, overclocked chipset, and flexible cameras, I can’t help but think that Samsung’s most...”

• “The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes AI on phones to the next level with the ability to perform actions across multiple apps at once. It also delivers a superior camera experience along with crisp HDR video, plus fantastic Snapdragon 8 Elite performance and super long battery life.”

• “The Samsung S25 Ultra deftly manages to meld the consistent Galaxy S series aesthetic with all that made previous Ultras notable, including the S Pen.”

• “When I wake the phone, I'm greeted with the new Now Bar at the bottom of the lock screen. I like the carousel interface, which shows a shortcut to my Now Brief and information from other background apps like directions from Google Maps or the live score of an NBA game.”

• “The newest iteration of Samsung’s flagship smartphone builds on the success of previous generations. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra brings the AI photography features of the S24 Ultra, with a modest redesign of the outer body, as well as a slight improvement to one of the four...”

• “The S25 Ultra has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display glass, which is its most secure biometric authentication method. The sensor works quickly and consistently. Face unlock is available, too, but it isn't secure enough for sensitive applications such as banking.”

• “On the topic of cameras, I've yet to properly test the photographic potential of the S25 Ultra. But from the Galaxy S25 Ultra photo comparisons I and my colleagues have already taken, this is looking like one it'll be another entry on our best camera phones guide from Samsung.”

• “Samsung is often criticized for slow hardware innovation, but my experience with the S25 Ultra shows that there is more to a great phone than just specs alone.”

• “The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s design is instantly recognizable as a Samsung flagship, with a refined aesthetic that blends familiarity with subtle upgrades.”

• “Since the S25 Ultra’s 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, an upgrade from the 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor in the S24 Ultra, is the major hardware change for this year’s best Galaxy phone cameras, I thought I’d try to see how much more detail it provides with street art.”

• “The phone itself makes a strong first impression. At 218g and 8.2mm thick, it strikes a balance between solid and refined. The titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass scream durability, while the matte Titanium Black finish keeps fingerprints at bay.”

• “Whether you’re exploring expansive open-world games or engaging in fast-paced multiplayer matches, the S25 Ultra delivers lag-free, immersive gameplay that meets the expectations of even the most demanding gamers.”

Loved8

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  Unified design that doesn't skimp on Ultra appeal

  — TechRadar
• +

  Biggest screen of the lineup

  — TechRadar
• +

  Somehow, Samsung has managed this slimmer, lighter, and squarer makeover without losing space for the S Pen, which alone is an achievement worth celebrating.

  — TechRadar
• +

  That tracking might sound scary if Samsung hadn’t worked closely with silicon partner Qualcomm to ensure that the Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite for Galaxy has a silicon core that's devoted to your Personal Data Engine, and if it weren't for Samsung’s liberal use of its Knox...

  — TechRadar
• +

  Impressive AI agent upgrades

  — Tom
• +

  Bigger and brighter display

  — Tom
• +

  Great Snapdragon 8 Elite performance

  — Tom
• +

  Very long battery life

  — Tom

Criticised8

• −

  Generative AI doesn't always deliver

  — TechRadar
• −

  Samsung still shies away from total photo-reality

  — TechRadar
• −

  No Qi2 magnets built in

  — Tom
• −

  Now Brief feature underwhelms

  — Tom
• −

  S Pen loses Bluetooth

  — Tom
• −

  Samsung did cut some corners with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The S Pen no longer has Bluetooth. And the newly added Qi2 charging support forces you to buy a compatible case. No magnets here.

  — Tom
• −

  As I wrote last year, other Android phones have moved well past 45W. The RedMagic 10 Pro supports up to 100W charging and comes with an 80W charger in the box. It took just 36 minutes to achieve a full charge.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  As usual, there's an S Pen included, and an integrated slot to house it in. Somewhat controversially, Samsung has removed the Bluetooth functions from the S Pen this year, so you can't use it as a remote camera button or to control a slideshow—according to Samsung, the...

  — Lifehacker

Buyer voices2

• “Nice 8.5 last week and now a security update”

  — eu.community.samsung.com

• “S25+ still hasn't receive oneUI 8.5 update”

  — eu.community.samsung.com

• “The Pixel 9 Pro XL sets new records for having the brightest screen around and has the longest battery life in a Pixel, but the minor camera and processing performance leaves more to be desired — especially when it's $100 more.”

• “The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the biggest and best Android smartphone on the market today. It offers an amazing user experience and is capable of matching the best smartphone cameras in the world, in any environment.”

• “Here’s the good news, though. The Pixel 9 Pro XL does it. Google went all-out for its ninth-generation flagship Pixel phone in ways I wasn’t expecting. Not everything is perfect, but the result is a phenomenal smartphone that’s well-made, powerful, and a joy to use.”

• “The short answer is yes — absolutely — and here’s why.”

• “For what it’s worth, though, Google’s Gemini-powered features are really good. Where many of them felt incomplete on the Pixel 8 Pro, like the artifact-laden Magic Editor, missing Zoom Enhance (which enjoyed a long-overdue launch on the same day as the Pixel 9 series), and...”

• “The 8 Pro did have some AI skills, like object removal and Best Take, but it was just the beginning. If its predecessor was just Google dipping its toe in the AI water, the 9 Pro XL is Google doing a full triple somersault with a pike off the top diving board into the AI...”

• “The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a finely crafted handset made with top-notch materials and thoughtful design. Its basic shape is similar to that of the iPhone and Galaxy phones, so it doesn't immediately stand out from the crowd.”

• “What I do appreciate about its AI features are the smaller, thoughtful integrations throughout the device. I love how the on-device Gemini adds a cinematic effect to the wallpaper and how the new Weather app offers a concise summary, helping me quickly prepare for the day...”

• “At various times during the three months, I relied on the 9 Pro XL as my primary entertainment device, using it to catch up on TV shows or watch YouTube. It didn’t let me down at all, offering about as immersive an experience as you can get on a smartphone.”

• “Google blocking an AI-made zero-day exploit sounds like a glimpse into the future”

• “Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The good the bad and the ugly. (self.pixel_phones)”

• “For the Pixel 9 Pro, we talked in our review about the camera, size choice, battery life, display, design, and performance all being top notch. But again, you could argue for most phones that they are excellent in those categories too. So it does come down to the little things.”

• “The camera bar on the pixel 9 pro xl is smooth and simple. The phone has a soft matte finish. This gives it a nice feel and look. Out of all the phones in the Pixel line, the pixel 9 pro xl might be the best-looking one. You can pick from different colors for the pro xl.”

Loved16

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  New AI features that work well

  — Tom
• +

  Long battery life for a Pixel phone

  — Tom
• +

  First and foremost, I love the redesigned camera hump on the back of the phone because it’s much more pronounced than ever before.

  — Tom
• +

  Despite this, at least it’s still sporting the same matte glass surfaces as before to give them that always clean, smooth look.

  — Tom
• +

  During its Made by Google event, the company made an outrageous claim that the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 6.8-inch Super Actua display reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. I didn’t think it was ever going to get close to that in our testing, but I was mistaken.

  — Tom
• +

  But it doesn’t end there either because this OLED panel looks marvelous with its rich color tones and wide viewing angles that barely show any distortion when I look at it from an angle.

  — Tom
• +

  Hands down, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the brightest screen we’ve ever tested — reaching a blinding peak of 2,469 nits, a substantial improvement over the 1,526 nits of the Pixel 8 Pro. And you know what?

  — Tom
• +

  The Pixel's wireless charging rate is also improved, maxing out at 23W when used with the second-generation Pixel Stand (or 12W with standard Qi chargers). For comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro can wirelessly charge at 18W using the second-generation Pixel Stand or 12W using Qi.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  You'd think Google crammed a spotlight under the glass. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, a 600-nit improvement over the Pixel 8 Pro’s 2,400-nit peak.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  These tools make the Pixel 9 Pro XL a true AI powerhouse, especially as apps like Gemini continue to evolve.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  Ask any reviewer or professional creator — the Pixel 9 Pro XL still has the best smartphone camera available in the U.S.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  The Tensor G4 might not lead benchmarks, but it powers through daily tasks and advanced AI workloads with ease.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  The Pixel 9 Pro XL is premium in hand, with a sleek matte finish and the iconic camera bar. It’s instantly recognizable and solidly built.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  Only power users who game for 8+ hours might drain it faster. But for everyone else, this battery is dependable and durable.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  You can even use facial recognition for banking apps — something most Android phones can’t offer.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  With 10-bit HDR video, cinematic blur, and next-gen stabilization, it rivals professional cameras in many everyday situations.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips

Criticised7

• −

  Only minor camera performance improvements

  — Tom
• −

  Frankly, I’m annoyed that we’re getting back-to-back price hikes because the Pixel 8 Pro launched at $100 more than its predecessor last year with its $999 starting cost. And now with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it’s up by yet another $100 to a starting price of $1,099 in the US.

  — Tom
• −

  There’s a total of four colors at launch: obsidian, porcelain, hazel, and rose quartz. I do miss the bay option for my Pixel 8 Pro, but I do like the rose quartz color of my Pixel 9 Pro XL review unit because of its lighter tone.

  — Tom
• −

  Apart from the camera arrangement, the design of the Pixel 9 Pro XL makes it look eerily similar to the iPhone 14 Pro Max due to the polished metal trims that are now flat as opposed to contoured.

  — Tom
• −

  Unfortunately, running traditional benchmarks on the device presented some challenges. I was unable to install Geekbench 6 via the Google Play Store, and when I sideloaded the app, it crashed constantly and failed to run through an entire test.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  The Pixel 9 Pro XL's 16GB of RAM gives me hope that Google will trickle down new Gemini features to other devices. I don't approve of companies artificially limiting older phones to protect the sales of newer hardware, and I expect Google to do the right thing.

  — Android Police
• −

  Performance and Thermal Stability: Daily use stays smooth, but Samsung and iPhone flagships deliver faster speeds and better sustained performance over time.

  — Boomset