The Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max both have 6.9-inch, 120Hz displays, but the Galaxy has the higher listed resolution and an extra rear telephoto camera, while Apple offers storage configurations up to 2TB. In the US 256GB launch-price comparison, the iPhone was $100 less; AT&T’s displayed retail starting prices show the same $100 gap before carrier financing or trade-in terms. Neither spec sheet establishes a universal winner: platform preference, storage needs and camera use matter more.
At a glance: the main differences
| Specification | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9 inches; 2,868 × 1,320; 120Hz | 6.9 inches; 3,120 × 1,440; 120Hz |
| Listed processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Rear cameras | Three 48MP cameras, including a 4× periscope telephoto | 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 5× periscope telephoto and 10MP 3× telephoto |
| Listed storage options | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| US 256GB launch price | $1,199 (Tom’s Guide) | $1,299 (Tom’s Guide) |
Specifications and launch-price figures in this table are from Tom’s Guide’s comparison; Apple’s listed iPhone camera and storage details are also in its official iPhone 17 Pro Max technical specifications. The sources do not establish a current manufacturer-direct price or a controlled performance or photo-quality winner.
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Displays: same size and refresh rate, different resolution
Tom’s Guide lists a 6.9-inch display and 120Hz refresh rate for each phone. Its listed resolution is 3,120 × 1,440 for the Galaxy and 2,868 × 1,320 for the iPhone. That makes Samsung’s panel higher-resolution on paper, but resolution alone does not determine which screen looks better in everyday use.
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Performance: chip names are not a head-to-head result
The comparison lists Apple’s A19 Pro in the iPhone and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy in Samsung’s phone. Those names identify different chips, not the outcome of a controlled test between these specific models. Tom’s Guide’s discussion of earlier-generation benchmarks and pre-release expectations does not establish measured head-to-head performance for the S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
#1 Best Overall
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Cameras: compare the zoom choices, not megapixel totals
The rear-camera layouts offer different focal-length options. Apple lists a 48MP Pro Fusion camera system with a 48MP ultrawide and 48MP telephoto; Tom’s Guide identifies the telephoto as 4×. Samsung’s listed setup has a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5× periscope telephoto and a separate 10MP 3× telephoto.
On paper, the Galaxy gives you distinct 3× and 5× telephoto modules, while the iPhone’s listed telephoto is 4×. That may help you choose based on the framing you use most, but megapixel counts and camera count do not establish which phone takes better photos. The cited specifications do not include a controlled image-quality comparison.
Rank #2
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Video and front camera details
Apple specifies an 18MP Center Stage front camera. It lists 4K Dolby Vision recording up to 60 frames per second and ProRes recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second with external recording. These are Apple’s stated capabilities; they do not by themselves establish a video-quality advantage over Samsung.
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Apple lists iPhone capacities of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB. Tom’s Guide lists the Galaxy S25 Ultra at 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. If you know you need more than 1TB built in, the iPhone is the only one of these listed configurations that reaches 2TB; otherwise, compare prices for the storage tier you actually need rather than paying for unused capacity.
Rank #3
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- Versatility: This phone belt holder includes a built-in money pocket and one card holder, which can hold up to 2 bills and two cards, making it an ideal choice for people who want to keep their essentials together
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Battery and charging: manufacturer claims differ from lab tests
Apple rates the iPhone 17 Pro Max for up to 39 hours of video playback and up to 35 hours of streamed video playback. Apple says results depend on network configuration and other factors and will vary. These are manufacturer estimates, not directly comparable to a third-party test result.
TechRadar reports Future Labs testing of 17 hours 54 minutes for the iPhone and 14 hours 27 minutes for the Galaxy. Those are results under that publication’s test protocol, not guaranteed runtimes for every user. TechRadar also reports that the Galaxy charged faster by cable in its charging test, while the iPhone charged faster wirelessly; the result is specific to its test conditions.
Rank #4
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For the iPhone, Apple states up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with a 40W-or-higher adapter and USB-C cable, both sold separately. Its MagSafe route is up to 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W-or-higher adapter and MagSafe Charger, also sold separately. Apple’s figures are stated charging capabilities, not a claim about every charger or real-world charging session.
Price: the US launch comparison and AT&T’s displayed retail prices
Launch-price comparison
Tom’s Guide gives US launch prices of $1,199 for the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro Max and $1,299 for the 256GB Galaxy S25 Ultra: a $100 launch-price difference, with the iPhone lower. These are launch figures, not a guarantee of current pricing or stock. The comparison also lists other storage-tier launch prices, but those should not be treated as today’s offers.
Best Value
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AT&T retail starting prices
AT&T’s product pages, accessed October 7, 2026, displayed retail starting prices of $1,199.99 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max and $1,299.99 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Those are carrier-specific displayed retail starting prices, not manufacturer-direct prices. AT&T also presents installment and eligible-trade-in offers subject to conditions, so a promotional monthly amount is not equivalent to the outright retail price. Check the offer terms, eligibility and current price before buying.
The available price information does not establish current manufacturer-direct prices, stock status, prices outside the US, or retailer offers beyond AT&T’s cited page.
Which phone makes sense for you?
Choose by platform and ecosystem
If you prefer iOS or already rely on Apple devices and services, that preference may outweigh small spec-sheet differences. If you prefer Android or Samsung’s interface and features, the Galaxy may fit better. Neither phone is the right choice for every buyer independent of platform.
Match the hardware to your priorities
- Consider the Galaxy if its higher listed display resolution or separate 3× and 5× telephoto options match how you use a phone. Those specifications do not prove a universal screen or camera-quality win.
- Consider the iPhone if you want a listed 2TB storage option, Apple’s specified video features, or the iOS platform.
- For battery life or charging, compare results from the same test protocol and conditions; manufacturer playback estimates and independent lab runtimes measure different things.
- For price, compare the current outright price at the same storage capacity. Treat carrier installments and trade-in promotions as conditional offers rather than equivalent retail prices.
Tom’s Guide specs and launch-price comparison: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Apple’s official specifications: iPhone 17 Pro Max – Tech Specs. AT&T’s displayed phone pricing: iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra. TechRadar’s test comparison: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
