If you possess a significant budget and are in pursuit of premium flagship smartphones, this year, Apple and Samsung provide enticing options.
I’m referring to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. These represent the most sophisticated and expensive non-foldable devices from Apple and Samsung. Although many smartphones may appear alike, these two models have distinctive variations.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Price
The initial distinction is their pricing. The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199, whereas the Galaxy S25 Ultra begins at $1,299.
However, there exists a pricier variant of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. With the maximum storage configuration, it is priced at $1,999. In contrast, the highest storage option of the S25 Ultra is $1,659. There is a rationale for this, which we will examine shortly.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Specs
iPhone 17 Pro Max specifications:
– 6.9-inch display with 2868×1320 resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
– 3,000 nits peak brightness
– A19 Pro chip
– 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB storage options
– Battery rated for up to 33 hours
– Rear cameras: 48MP wide/48MP ultrawide/48MP telephoto with 8x optical zoom
– Front camera: 18MP
Galaxy S25 Ultra specifications:
– 6.9-inch AMOLED display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and 3120×1440 resolution
– 2,600 nits peak brightness
– Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
– 256GB/512GB/1TB storage options
– 5,000mAh battery
– Rear cameras: 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom
– Front camera: 12MP
Both devices feature similar display sizes, resolutions, and refresh rates, but the iPhone’s screen brightness is superior. The elevated cost of the iPhone can be attributed to its 2TB storage choice, unlike Samsung’s 1TB, which benefits mobile photographers and videographers.
Samsung provides the S-Pen stylus with every S25 Ultra, which has an integrated charging compartment and operates seamlessly with apps. A stylus is not included with any iPhone models from Apple.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Design
The Galaxy S25 Ultra maintains a design reminiscent of its predecessors, featuring a vertical camera arrangement and curved edges, available in seven colors. The iPhone 17 Pro Max introduces a new look with a rectangular camera protrusion termed the “plateau,” offered in three color variations.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Performance and battery life
Performance cannot yet be directly compared as the Pro Max remains untested. They house different chipsets: Samsung incorporates the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while Apple utilizes the A19 Pro. Battery performance also varies; Apple’s is rated for up to 33 hours, whereas Samsung’s is rated for up to 31 hours but lasted approximately 27 hours during testing.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Cameras
Without evaluating the iPhone 17 Pro Max, it is uncertain which device has superior cameras. The Pro Max features three 48MP lenses with up to 8x optical zoom, alongside an 18MP front camera. Samsung’s primary camera is 200MP, with two 50MP lenses and a 12MP front camera. Samsung provides up to 100x digital zoom, yielding commendable results up to 30x during tests. We will discover how the iPhone measures up once it undergoes testing.