iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Display, Cameras, Battery, Price Compared
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra go head-to-head with stunning displays, AI-powered performance, advanced cameras, and long battery life. Here’s a full comparison of design, specs, and pricing in India.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Premium smartphones compared on display, performance, cameras, and price.
Apple and Samsung have once again intensified their rivalry in the premium smartphone market. With Apple unveiling the iPhone 17 Pro Max at its “Awe Dropping” event and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra already on sale, consumers now have two of the most advanced devices to choose from. Here’s a detailed comparison across design, performance, cameras, battery, and pricing.
Display and Design
The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with peak brightness of 3,000 nits, ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, and Always-On support. Apple has introduced Ceramic Shield 2 on both sides, offering enhanced durability against scratches and drops.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra also sports a 6.9-inch display, using Dynamic AMOLED 2X with peak brightness of 2,600 nits and a variable 1Hz–120Hz refresh rate. Its screen is protected by Gorilla Armor 2, and the design includes subtle rounded edges for a refined look.
Performance and AI
Apple powers its flagship with the A19 Pro chipset and iOS 26, supported by a 16-core Neural Engine for advanced AI functions like offline translation, screenshot recognition, and Apple Intelligence features. A vapor chamber cooling system ensures sustained performance.
Samsung counters with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 1TB storage. It integrates Galaxy AI and Google’s Gemini assistant, while offering seven years of software updates, highlighting its longevity.
Cameras
The iPhone 17 Pro Max introduces a triple 48MP “Fusion” camera system, including a new tetraprism telephoto lens with 8x optical zoom. Enhanced by the Photonic Engine, the cameras deliver improved low-light performance. The 18MP front camera adds dual-capture video and adaptive framing.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra pushes raw power with a 200MP primary sensor, alongside telephoto lenses offering 3x and 5x optical zoom, plus a 50MP ultra-wide camera. A 12MP selfie camera completes the setup, with Samsung focusing on resolution and zoom flexibility.
Battery and Charging
Apple claims its flagship offers the longest battery life in iPhone history, with 50% charge in 20 minutes using a 40W USB-C adapter.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, supporting 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare. While both ensure all-day performance, Apple emphasizes efficiency, whereas Samsung delivers versatile charging options.
Connectivity and Extras
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, UWB, and upgraded AirDrop via the new N1 wireless component.
- Samsung matches with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS, 5G, and adds S Pen support, appealing to productivity-focused users.
Pricing in India
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: ₹1,29,999 (256GB), ₹1,41,999 (512GB), ₹1,65,999 (1TB)
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: ₹1,49,900 (256GB), ₹1,69,900 (512GB), ₹1,89,900 (1TB), ₹2,29,900 (2TB)
- Samsung clearly undercuts Apple across all storage variants, potentially swaying price-sensitive premium buyers.
Verdict
The choice comes down to priorities: the iPhone 17 Pro Max shines with AI-driven features, cinematic video, and ecosystem integration, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out with unmatched camera resolution, zoom range, and longer software support. Both devices represent the pinnacle of smartphone innovation in 2025.
