Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lines up the September 2025 iPhone 17 with the January 2025 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec score

2.3 / 10

iPhone 17 specs

A19

Spec lead

7.8 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, and battery.

Spec sheet

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
Spec	iPhone 17	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Display	6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2622×1206, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 498 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on
Chip	A19	Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyLeads
Memory	Not published	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GBTie	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie
Camera hardware	48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop	200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawideLeads
Optical zoom	No optical telephoto	5xLeads
Front camera	18MP Center Stage	12MP
Battery	up to 30 hours video playback	5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playbackLeads
Charging	50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter	45W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads
Weight	177 gLeads	218 g
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window	7 years of OS and security updates
Launch price	Not listed	$1,299 launch price
Software	iOS 27	Android 15, One UI 7 at launch
Biometrics	Face ID	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Who should buy which

Choose the iPhone 17 if you want iOS 27. It leads on display and weight.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want Android 15, One UI 7 at launch. It leads on chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, and battery.