Club Benefits
Tech in general is getting much more expensive, and the best phones prove that. For almost two months, I’ve been using the Galaxy S26 Ultra — one of the most expensive flagship models you can buy right now. It's backed by a suite of powerful cameras, extra-long battery life, and a Privacy Display unlike anything previously seen, so it’s no wonder it commands a $1,299 price tag.
But lately, I’ve been wondering what it would be like to go back to a budget phone. I’m not referring to the mid-range models around $500 that I’ve praised in the past, like the Pixel 10a. I’ve explored the flagship vs. budget phone conversation before — specifically with the iPhone X and Honor 7X back in 2018 — but a lot has changed since then.
That’s why I swapped my Galaxy S26 Ultra for the $199 Galaxy A17 to see exactly what you’re losing when you pay $1,100 less. Here’s what I found.
Article continues belowBiggest Surprises
You can actually get a brand-new phone for under $200
In an era where budget often means a $499 Pixel 10a, it continues to surprise me that you can still find phones for under $200 from reputable makers. I say this because if you search online for phones at this price point, you’ll often come across names like BLU, NUU, and HMD — brands that only hardcore phone buffs like myself recognize, but the typical consumer likely hasn't.
That’s why it’s still remarkable to find a sub-$200 phone from a brand you know and trust. What’s particularly impressive about the Galaxy A17 is that, for the cost, it includes many of the modern conveniences found in more expensive models — such as 5G connectivity, a fast display refresh rate, and a massive screen.
If that’s not enough, I’m genuinely surprised it even manages to keep the microSD card slot.
Better-than-expected software support
When a manufacturer releases a phone this cheap, you usually expect minimal software support. Yet, the Galaxy A17 proves me wrong; Samsung isn't just pledging one, two, or three years of support — it's promising a whopping six years.
That is actually on par with what Apple offers for its iPhones, which is outstanding considering many budget phones from lesser-known brands don't even get a single year. What this means is that the Galaxy A17 will continue to receive the latest Android releases and security patches for over half a decade.
Premium construction
If you put the A17 face-up on a table next to the S26 Ultra, you might be fooled at a cursory glance. I’ll be the first to admit that Samsung has done an incredible job emulating its flagship design language because the shimmering finish of the plastic casing feels surprisingly solid. It doesn't creak, it doesn't feel like a toy, and it even features an IP54 rating for basic dust and water resistance.
Biggest Trade-Offs
Sluggish performance is the tax you pay
I want to make it clear that the Galaxy A17 can handle almost all the basics, from browsing the web and scrolling through reels to taking photos. While it can perform the same tasks as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the A17 simply takes longer to execute them—and that’s the biggest trade-off in this flagship vs. budget phone debate.
It’s like moving from a Ferrari to a Corolla; both cars will get you to your destination, but the experience is entirely different. Unfortunately for the Galaxy A17, which is powered by an Exynos 1330 chip, everything feels sluggish. I found myself particularly annoyed by the significant amount of shutter lag it exhibits.
Cameras are purely functional
There’s a good reason why the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the best camera phone around. Not only does it offer more utility with its quadruple camera setup, but the performance of each individual lens is what truly widens the gap between flagship and budget phones.
At first glance, the Galaxy A17's triple camera system gives it the same modern appeal as many flagships — but don’t be fooled, as the similarities end there. For the average user, I suppose the snapshots pulled from this system will suffice, but they don't meet my standards. I’m talking about washed-out colors, heavily pixelated zoom shots, and low-light photos that are predictably dark.
Laughably short battery life
I can't recall a time in the last year when a phone has failed to last me a full day. However, the Galaxy A17 is regrettably the only phone I’ve tested to do exactly that. It's worth noting that it averaged only 7 hours and 52 minutes in our Tom’s Guide battery drain test — whereas the Galaxy S26 Ultra reached a massive 16 hours and 10 minutes on the same test.
I will say that the Galaxy A17’s 25W charging speed does a decent job of replenishing the battery in a short time. But when I’m away for an extended period without a charger, the lack of endurance forces me to reconsider watching videos or playing games on the go.
A weak display
Watching videos is another area where there is a clear distinction between budget and flagship models. Although the specs look attractive on paper — a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED with a 90Hz refresh rate — this is also one of the dimmest panels I’ve tested in years. While it functionally gets the job done like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, its weak viewing angles and 657-nit peak brightness hardly make for a dazzling experience.
No luxury features
I test many of the best electric cars around and, just like with vehicles, there’s a clear divide between a base trim and a luxury model. That gap is evident in the Galaxy A17, as it ditches many of the conveniences I’ve come to enjoy on flagship phones.
I’m referring to dedicated telephoto cameras with optical zoom, wireless charging, and niche features like the S Pen and Privacy Display. Living without these extras for a week reminded me that while you're paying for the name, you're also paying for the seamlessness that defines the flagship experience.
Bottom Line
I really hate knocking budget phones because, at the end of the day, it all boils down to convenience. Could I make the Galaxy A17 work as my daily driver? Absolutely, especially since it’s just as functionally capable as the Galaxy S26 Ultra when it comes to the essentials.
But when you’re used to capturing outstanding photos the moment you press the shutter, playing graphically intensive games with ease, and performing processor-intensive tasks like rendering 4K video clips, it’s hard to settle for anything less. As I mentioned earlier, the Galaxy A17 is like a basic commuter car, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a supercar. Both will get you to the same destination, but one is going to get you there much faster — and in style.
While the $1,100 savings is tempting, it's a strong reminder that the S26 Ultra's price tag doesn't just buy you specs: it buys you time and peace of mind. If you can live with the lag, the A17 is a triumph of value, but for those of us who live on our phones, the flagship remains an essential tool rather than just a luxury.
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