Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17

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

Spec lead

7.8 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Spec score

2.3 / 10

iPhone 17 specs

A19

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

Spec sheet

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

Who should buy which

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.

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

Questions

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

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