iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung S25 Ultra
The best choice between the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra depends on key feature preferences:
Display
- Both have 6.9-inch displays with 120Hz refresh rates.
- Samsung offers slightly higher resolution (3120×1440) vs iPhone’s (2868×1320).
- iPhone has a marginally brighter panel (1899 nits) and better anti-reflective coating for outdoor visibility.
Camera
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Triple 48MP cameras including main, ultrawide, and 5x telephoto; 18MP Center Stage selfie.
- Samsung S25 Ultra: Quad camera system with 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto; 12MP selfie.
- Samsung offers more versatile shooting modes and advanced AI editing tools.
- iPhone excels in low-light photography and color accuracy for skin tones.
Performance
- iPhone 17 Pro Max has the new A19 Pro chip with 40% better sustained performance and leads in synthetic benchmarks (Geekbench 6, video transcoding, GPU).
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra uses Snapdragon 8 Elite, very powerful but slightly behind iPhone in raw processing benchmarks.
Battery
- iPhone 17 Pro Max offers longer battery life (~17h 54m) compared to Samsung (~14h 27m).
- Samsung charges faster with 45W wired vs iPhone’s 25W wireless Qi 2.2 charging.
Software & Features
- iPhone runs iOS 26 with new Liquid Glass design and some upgraded features but limited AI.
- Samsung runs Android 16 with One UI 7, offering richer software experience, multitasking, S Pen support, and more AI-based utilities like Writing Assist, Audio Eraser, and Samsung DeX desktop mode.
Price
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Approx ₹1,09,990
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: Approx ₹1,69,990
Summary
- For raw power, battery life, and refined camera color accuracy, iPhone 17 Pro Max leads.
- For camera versatility, AI features, multitasking, and price, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins.
Overall, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is considered the more premium flagship with better performance and battery, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a more versatile camera system and richer software features at a lower price point.
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Detailed comparison table of the main features of the iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9 inches, 2868 x 1320 pixels, 120Hz, 1899 nits brightness | 6.9 inches, 3120 x 1440 pixels, 120Hz, 2600 nits brightness, better anti-reflective coating |
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear Cameras | Triple 48MP (main, ultrawide, 5x telephoto) | Quad 200MP (main), 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage selfie camera | 12MP selfie camera |
| Battery Capacity | 5088 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Battery Life (Video Playback) | ~17h 54m | ~14h 27m |
| Charging | 25W wireless Qi 2.2, MagSafe | 45W wired fast charging |
| Operating System | iOS 26 | Android 16 with One UI 7 |
| Special Features | Better low-light camera, superior color accuracy, A19 Pro performance | More versatile camera setup, advanced AI tools, S Pen support, better display customization |
| Price (approx in India) | ₹1,69,990 | ₹1,09,990 |
FAQs: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Q: Which phone has the better display?
A: Both have large 6.9-inch AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. Samsung offers a higher resolution (3120×1440) and slightly brighter panel with advanced anti-reflective coating, while the iPhone has superb maximum brightness for daylight visibility and true-to-life color accuracy.
Q: How do the cameras compare?
A: The Samsung S25 Ultra features a 200MP main sensor with multiple telephoto lenses for versatile zoom up to 10x optical. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has triple 48MP cameras with excellent low-light and color accuracy, and up to 8x optical zoom. Samsung excels in zoom range and AI editing, iPhone leads in video stabilization and color fidelity.
Q: Which offers better battery life and charging?
A: The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger battery life rating (about 18 hours video playback) and efficient power management. Samsung charges faster (45W wired) but has shorter battery endurance (about 14.5 hours).
Q: What about performance?
A: iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on Apple’s new A19 Pro chip with 40% improved sustained performance, while Samsung uses Snapdragon 8 Elite. Both are flagship-level powerhouses capable of handling intensive tasks and gaming smoothly.
Q: Which software offers a better experience?
A: iPhone 17 Pro Max uses iOS 26 offering a slick design and smooth ecosystem integration. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra runs Android 16 with One UI 7 and includes powerful multitasking, S Pen support, and richer AI features, favored by power users.
Q: Which is better value for money?
A: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced lower and offers a versatile camera and bigger feature set for the price. iPhone commands a premium, offering better battery life, performance, and ecosystem integration.
Q: Do both phones support 5G and latest connectivity?
A: Yes, both support 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4 with all modern connectivity standards.