Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are two of the most cross-shopped phones right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's biggest-battery iPhone to date, combining the 6.9-inch screen with the A19 Pro and a full 48 MP triple camera. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's do-everything flagship with a 200 MP camera, built-in S Pen, titanium frame and a 6.9-inch display.
Quick verdict
Galaxy S25 Ultra scores 58 to iPhone 17 Pro Max's 44 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size. iPhone 17 Pro Max remains the right call for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the smartphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple's biggest-battery iPhone to date, combining the 6.9-inch screen with the A19 Pro and a full 48 MP triple camera.
Best for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's do-everything flagship with a 200 MP camera, built-in S Pen, titanium frame and a 6.9-inch display.
Best for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size
Key differences
- Display type: iPhone 17 Pro Max OLED (ProMotion LTPO) vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Dynamic AMOLED 2X — a preference, not a scored win
- Chipset: iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple A19 Pro vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Elite — a preference, not a scored win
- Rear cameras: iPhone 17 Pro Max Triple (wide + ultrawide + 4x telephoto) vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) — a preference, not a scored win
- Operating system: iPhone 17 Pro Max iOS vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Android (One UI) — a preference, not a scored win
- Promised OS updates: iPhone 17 Pro Max 6 years vs Galaxy S25 Ultra 7 years — Galaxy S25 Ultra is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | OLED (ProMotion LTPO) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Screen size | 6.9" | 6.9" |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP |
| Rear cameras | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 4x telephoto) | Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto) |
| Battery | 4,832 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 40 W | 45 W |
| Weight | 233 g | 218 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating system | iOS | Android (One UI) |
| Promised OS updates | 6 years | 7 years |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,199 | $1,299 |
Display: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 52 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 52
iPhone 17 Pro Max: OLED (ProMotion LTPO). Galaxy S25 Ultra: Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Neither is scored, but panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw. On screen size the two match exactly (6.9").
On refresh rate the two match exactly (120 Hz).
Performance: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 60 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 60
For chipset, iPhone 17 Pro Max uses Apple A19 Pro whereas Galaxy S25 Ultra goes with Snapdragon 8 Elite. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. On RAM the two match exactly (12 GB).
On base storage the two match exactly (256 GB).
Camera: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 54 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 82
Galaxy S25 Ultra offers 200 MP of main camera while iPhone 17 Pro Max stops at 48 MP; the 152 MP gap matters because megapixels matter less than sensor size, but a higher count allows more cropping and detail in daylight.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Triple (wide + ultrawide + 4x telephoto). Galaxy S25 Ultra: Quad (wide + ultrawide + 3x + 5x telephoto). Neither is scored, but extra lenses add telephoto reach or ultrawide flexibility.
Battery: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 56 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 78
Galaxy S25 Ultra offers 5,000 mAh of battery while iPhone 17 Pro Max stops at 4,832 mAh; the 168 mAh gap matters because more capacity generally means more screen-on time between charges.
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on wired charging with 45 W versus 40 W, a margin of 5 W. In practice faster wired charging shortens top-up time when you are in a hurry.
Design: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 0 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 19
Galaxy S25 Ultra is better on weight at 218 g against 233 g, a 15 g difference; lower is better because a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Water resistance is identical at IP68.
Software: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 24 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 72
For operating system, iPhone 17 Pro Max uses iOS whereas Galaxy S25 Ultra goes with Android (One UI). This is a preference rather than a scored win: the OS decides your app ecosystem and how the phone fits with your other devices.
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on promised OS updates with 7 years versus 6 years, a margin of 1 years. In practice longer update support keeps the phone secure and resale value higher.
Value: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra Score: iPhone 17 Pro Max 24 · Galaxy S25 Ultra 9
iPhone 17 Pro Max is better on launch price (USD) at $1,199 against $1,299, a $100 difference; lower is better because the launch price is the fairest baseline because street prices vary by region.
Pros and cons
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Pros
- Largest iPhone battery ever
- 6.9-inch ProMotion screen
- 48 MP telephoto
- Better launch price (USD) ($1,199)
Cons
- Weaker main camera (48 MP)
- Weaker battery (4,832 mAh)
- Weaker wired charging (40 W)
- Weaker weight (233 g)
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera
- Built-in S Pen
- Dual telephoto lenses
- Better launch price (USD) ($1,299)
Cons
- Weaker main camera (200 MP)
- Weaker battery (5,000 mAh)
- Weaker wired charging (45 W)
- Weaker weight (218 g)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max for…
Heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system. It stands out for largest iphone battery ever, 6.9-inch promotion screen, 48 mp telephoto.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for…
Power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size. It stands out for 200 mp main camera, built-in s pen, dual telephoto lenses.
Final verdict
Galaxy S25 Ultra scores 58 to iPhone 17 Pro Max's 44 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size. iPhone 17 Pro Max remains the right call for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another phone
Frequently asked questions
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max better than Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On the VersusAnything Score, Galaxy S25 Ultra finishes ahead 58 to 44. That makes Galaxy S25 Ultra the better overall pick for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size, while iPhone 17 Pro Max is still the right choice for heavy users who want the longest battery life and the best iPhone camera system.
What is the biggest difference between iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The largest gap is display type: iPhone 17 Pro Max lists OLED (ProMotion LTPO) while Galaxy S25 Ultra lists Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw.
Which is cheaper, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra?
iPhone 17 Pro Max is cheaper on launch price (USD): $1,199 against $1,299 for Galaxy S25 Ultra. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Galaxy S25 Ultra over iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better fit for power users who want the most complete Android phone regardless of size. Its strongest points are 200 mp main camera, built-in s pen, dual telephoto lenses.
Sources
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple product page (manufacturer)
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung product page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.