Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

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

Spec score

3.4 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Spec lead

6.6 / 10

iPhone 17 Pro Max specs

A19 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, and battery.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 Pro Max
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 498 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy	A19 ProLeads
Memory	12GB	Not published
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie
Camera hardware	200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawideLeads	48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)
Optical zoom	5xLeads	4x
Front camera	12MP	18MP Center Stage
Battery	5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playback	up to 39 hours video playbackLeads
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	Not published
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 (USB 3), 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 camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, and battery.

Questions

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

iPhone 17 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, and battery.