Apple has introduced its latest iPhone 17 series smartphones, bringing new competition to Google and Samsung.
The iPhone 17 series showcases substantial updates from the iPhone 16, with the primary highlight being the enhancements in camera technology. How does this stack up against Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy devices?
The pro version of the iPhone has undergone the most notable camera upgrades, so let’s assess the pro variants of each brand’s most recent offerings. Specifically, how do the new iPhone 17 Pro’s cameras compare to those of the Google Pixel 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
iPhone 17 Pro vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S25
We will have to wait for hands-on testing of the 17 Pro, but its specifications already suggest a significant enhancement in camera quality.
Rear cameras
Apple has steadily increased the megapixel count on each of the iPhone’s three rear camera lenses with every new release. The iPhone 17 Pro is the inaugural model to feature a 48MP upgrade across all three rear cameras—main, ultra wide, and telephoto.
Moreover, the iPhone 17’s telephoto lens now boasts an impressive 8x optical zoom capability.
Apple’s Fusion camera system interlinks multiple cameras within each lens, resulting in the iPhone 17 Pro having a total of 8 “real” camera lenses.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro sports a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens.
Despite this, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra maintains its supremacy in the camera arena with four actual lenses: a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 5x telephoto lens.
For those who prioritize megapixels, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra appears to be in the lead.
Selfie camera
The iPhone 17 Pro has also seen a long-anticipated improvement to its front-facing camera with the introduction of the new 18MP Center Stage camera.
Center Stage provides added functionalities to complement the robust rear cameras, like video stabilization for selfies and automatic framing adjustments for group photos. These features are powered by the iPhone 17’s newly enlarged, square sensor on its selfie camera.
On paper, though, the Pixel 10 Pro seems to have the advantage here. Google’s device features a 42MP front-facing camera, outdoing the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 12MP selfie camera.
Apple’s enhanced sensor will require real-world evaluation before dismissing the iPhone 17 Pro in this segment.
Which is superior?
If you’re on the fence and plan to decide based on the finest camera for your needs, there’s still much we won’t know until we can try them out.
Preferences are subjective; some may prefer one camera’s output over another, irrespective of quality. Another device might present a favored color profile.
Apple may have the edge in video functionality, based on previous iPhone models. Samsung could be the go-to for image quality, while Google offers robust image processing capabilities.
If you were aiming to make a decision prior to the official launch of the iPhone 17 Pro, you may have to wait until iPhone launch day, September 19, when a multitude of reviews will be accessible.