iPhone 17 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Supremacy
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery health and consistently fast performance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its superior battery cycle count (2000 vs 1000) and slightly faster charging, combined with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, provide a more robust and enduring experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone 17 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3523 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3523 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 09 | 2025, January 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 19 | Available. Released 2025, February 03 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum alloy frame, aluminum alloy back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield) | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Dimensions | 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm (5.91 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Armor 2, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~498 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~92.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) | Adreno 830 (1200 MHz) |
| OS | iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 26.1 | Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Laser AF, Best Face, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | - |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 | HDR, HDR10+ |
| Single | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Market-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 3998 mAh - Nano SIM model· Li-Ion 4252 mAh - eSIM only model | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Black, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Gray, Titanium Jade Green, Titanium Jet Black, Titanium Pink Gold |
| Models | iPhone18,1, A3256, A3523, A3522, A3524 | SM-S938B, SM-S938B/DS, SM-S938U, SM-S938U1, SM-S938W, SM-S938N, SM-S9380, SM-S938E, SM-S938E/DS |
| Price | € 1,242.00 / $ 1,400.00 / £ 1,069.00 / ₹ 134,900 | € 895.00 / $ 859.98 / £ 799.99 / ₹ 110,498 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 1.26 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 47:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 44:54h endurance, 2000 cycles |
| Energy | Class A | Class B |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class C |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
- Higher peak display brightness for outdoor visibility
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Optimized software experience with iOS
- Lower battery cycle count (1000)
- Slower wired charging speed
- Less flexible operating system (iOS)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Superior battery cycle count (2000)
- Faster wired charging speed
- More versatile Android operating system
- Lower peak display brightness
- Potential for software bloatware
- Dependence on Qualcomm for chipset supply
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display, reaching 1417 nits, falls short of the iPhone 17 Pro’s 1012 nits in measured peak brightness, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. Both devices are expected to utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. While the iPhone’s brightness is higher, Samsung’s panel likely benefits from its color science and potentially wider color gamut. The impact of these differences will be most noticeable in direct sunlight and when viewing HDR content.
Camera Comparison
While detailed camera specs are unavailable, the focus should be on sensor size and image processing. Both manufacturers are likely to employ large sensors with advanced optical image stabilization (OIS). Samsung historically leans towards vibrant, saturated images, while Apple aims for more natural color reproduction. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will play a crucial role in processing images, potentially offering improved low-light performance and dynamic range. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on both devices, the quality of the main and ultrawide sensors will be the defining factor.
Performance
Both the Apple A19 Pro and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite are built on a 3nm process, promising significant efficiency gains. However, the architectural differences are key. The iPhone 17 Pro’s hexa-core CPU contrasts with the S25 Ultra’s octa-core configuration (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M). Samsung’s Oryon cores, designed in-house, aim to deliver a balance of performance and efficiency, potentially offering an edge in multi-threaded tasks. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s higher clock speeds suggest a focus on raw processing power, which could translate to faster app launches and smoother gaming. The S25 Ultra’s LPDDR5x RAM will also contribute to faster data access.
Battery Life
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a significant advantage in battery cycle count, rated for 2000 cycles compared to the iPhone 17 Pro’s 1000. This indicates a longer lifespan before noticeable battery degradation. While the iPhone 17 Pro achieves a 47:00h endurance rating and 15:23h active use, the S25 Ultra’s 44:54h endurance and 14:49h active use are competitive. Samsung’s 45W wired charging (65% in 30 min) is faster than Apple’s 50% in 20 min via PD3.2, and the S25 Ultra’s Qi2 support ensures compatibility with the latest wireless charging standards. Both offer 4.5W reverse wired charging, useful for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro if you prioritize seamless ecosystem integration, a refined software experience, and are heavily invested in Apple’s services. Its 1012 nits peak brightness is ideal for outdoor visibility. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you demand maximum battery longevity, faster charging speeds, and the flexibility of the Android operating system, particularly if you’re a power user who pushes their device to its limits.