- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 2 months, 2 weeks ago by
.
-
-
This is the matchup tech fans have been waiting for all year. Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra are here, both pushing the limits of what a flagship phone should be. But only one can take the crown. After putting both through a grueling 7-round face-off covering price, design, display, cameras, performance, battery, and software, I’ve got a winner.
Samsung set the bar high earlier this year with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, praised for its Galaxy AI tools, versatile camera system, and productivity features. Apple responded with a redesigned iPhone 17 Pro Max — a phone that impressed with raw power, endurance, and a refreshed look. Here’s how they stack up.
Price and Availability
Both phones are available now. The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched on February 7, 2025, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max went on sale September 19, 2025.Apple has the pricing edge in the U.S.: the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with 256GB of storage, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra begins at $1,299. Both offer 512GB and 1TB options, but Apple goes further with a massive 2TB model.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max
Design
Apple takes the win here without breaking a sweat. The iPhone 17 Pro Max sports a striking two-toned redesign, contoured edges, and a sturdier build thanks to its aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield 2. It feels premium, solid, and just right in the hand.By comparison, Samsung stuck to its tried-and-true design language with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It now features a titanium frame for added durability, but the flat edges make it feel sharp, and the look feels dated next to Apple’s refresh.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max
Display
Both phones feature 6.9-inch panels with smooth 120Hz refresh rates — perfect for gaming, streaming, and multitasking. Titles like Diablo Immortal look silky smooth on both.In lab testing, the iPhone reached a peak brightness of 1,899 nits, narrowly beating the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 1,860 nits. While the difference is hard to see outdoors, Apple adds an anti-reflective coating that cuts down glare significantly — something Samsung doesn’t match.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max
Cameras
This is where things get exciting.The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with three 48MP lenses (main, ultrawide, and 5x telephoto) plus an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera. The Galaxy S25 Ultra counters with a 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto, and a 12MP selfie shooter.
Samsung’s camera app stands out with pro-level manual modes and powerful AI tools like Instant Slo-Mo, Generative Edit, and Sketch to Image. When it comes to zoom, Samsung dominates: shots at 10x and beyond retain sharper details, and it goes all the way up to 100x zoom, while Apple caps out at 25x.
In everyday shots, Apple delivers richer, moodier colors and unbeatable low-light performance, producing sharper, more detailed nighttime photos. Its Center Stage selfie cam is also more versatile for framing.
Still, when considering versatility, zoom power, and creative shooting tools, the Galaxy S25 Ultra pulls ahead overall.
Winner: Galaxy S25 Ultra
Performance
Apple’s new A19 Pro chip is a powerhouse. Combined with a new vapor cooling system, it pushed the iPhone 17 Pro Max ahead of Samsung in multiple tests.In Geekbench 6, Apple scored 3,871 (single-core) / 9,968 (multi-core), beating Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which posted 3,031 / 9,829. In video transcoding with Adobe Premiere Rush, the iPhone finished in just 22 seconds, while the Galaxy took 52 seconds.
For gaming, Apple’s GPU produced 46.6 fps in 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited, compared to Samsung’s 42.4 fps. Both phones feel lightning fast in everyday use, but Apple has reclaimed the performance crown.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max
Battery Life and Charging
Apple’s efficiency shines again. In Tom’s Guide’s battery benchmark test, the iPhone 17 Pro Max lasted 17 hours and 54 minutes on a single charge, far outlasting the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 14 hours and 27 minutes (on the newer test version).Samsung claws back some ground in charging speed. Its 45W fast charging hit 37% in 15 minutes and 71% in 30 minutes. The iPhone reached 35% and 64% in the same time. However, Apple introduced 25W wireless charging with Qi 2.2, which is faster than Samsung’s wireless solution.
Overall, if you want longevity, Apple is your phone.
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max
Software and AI
Apple’s iOS 26 feels refreshed with its new Liquid Glass design language, Call Screening, Live Translation, and a revamped camera app. But the AI features are surprisingly limited, and Apple Intelligence still feels like it’s playing catch-up.Samsung’s One UI 7 on Android 16 is overflowing with features, especially for power users. With the S Pen, multitasking options, and Galaxy AI tools like Writing Assist, Note Assist, Audio Eraser, and cross-app actions, Samsung clearly leads in productivity. Add in Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience, and Apple simply can’t compete here.
Winner: Galaxy S25 Ultra
Verdict
After seven rounds, the overall winner is the iPhone 17 Pro Max.Apple’s flagship edges out Samsung’s thanks to its lower price, stunning new design, brighter display, monster performance, and record-breaking battery life. These categories tipped the scales firmly in Apple’s favor.
That said, the Galaxy S25 Ultra still shines in areas that matter to many users. Its camera system, software features, and AI tools are unmatched, making it a better fit for photography enthusiasts and productivity-heavy users.
But if we’re talking about the best all-around phone of 2025, the crown belongs to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.