iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: I tested both phones, and here’s the winner

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Apple introduced its new iPhone 17 lineup in September on the Awe-Dropping Event, and it was met with a lot fanfare. After years of enjoying it secure, the corporate is as soon as once more experimenting with the design of its telephones. 

The iPhone 17 Professional Max sports activities its most noticeable (and perhaps controversial) design change in years. In contrast, its closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, retains its signature look. The 2 flagship telephones characteristic versatile digicam setups, loads of energy, and a slew of options. Every will go well with a particular sort of consumer. 

Additionally: I tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this feature alone justifies an upgrade from the 16

If you happen to’re questioning which of the 2 Apple or Samsung telephones needs to be your subsequent each day driver, let me break it down for you. Here is how the brand new Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max compares to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Specs

You should purchase the Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max if…

1. You document numerous movies

iPhones have been the go-to smartphone for video recording for a very long time, and Apple is taking it a step additional with the iPhone 17 Professional collection. The brand new Professional fashions help ProRes RAW video recording capabilities, permitting filmmakers to have better inventive freedom over their recordings. You possibly can document 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient movies at as much as 120 fps by way of the primary digicam and as much as 60 fps on the opposite two sensors. 

Additionally: I compared the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max: Here’s which one to buy

Apple additionally upgraded the entrance digicam to 18MP with Middle Stage help. The selfie shooter now helps “ultrastabilized movies,” which might be helpful for creators around the globe. If you’d like a smartphone for capturing movies, an iPhone 17 Professional or iPhone 17 Professional Max is the cellphone to go for.

2. You could have MagSafe-compatible equipment

In case you are an iPhone consumer, you most likely have MagSafe-compatible equipment, and these will solely be appropriate with the brand new iPhones. For the unaware, MagSafe is extra than simply wi-fi charging. I’ve a magnetic tripod that I really like utilizing with my iPhone 16 Professional, in addition to a magnetic energy financial institution, which affords extra comfort than a wired energy financial institution.

 If you happen to go for a Galaxy S25 Extremely, none of them will work together with your new cellphone. To maintain your outdated MagSafe investments intact and usable, it’s best to go together with the iPhone 17 Professional Max.   

3. You want 2TB of storage in your cellphone 

For all of the creators on the market, Apple has not solely improved video recording capabilities but in addition supplies house to retailer them regionally in your cellphone. A 2TB iPhone 17 Professional Max may not impress many, however if you’re a creator, the iPhone 17 Professional Max will serve you higher than the Galaxy S25 Extremely, which maxes out at 1TB of storage. Nonetheless, you may must spend $1,999 to get a 2TB variant.

You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely if…

1. You need the most effective display screen on a smartphone that we have examined thus far

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra‘s show has spoiled me. It options the most effective display screen on a smartphone presently, due to the anti-reflective and anti-smudge properties. When in comparison with my present iPhone 16 Pro, it’s simpler to view and skim outside. 

As compared, I all the time need to wipe my iPhone’s display screen when capturing a video or making an attempt to navigate outside. There is not any such subject on the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and Samsung has really taken its smartphone display screen sport to the subsequent stage with its flagship this 12 months. That stated, the iPhone 17 Professional introduces a brand new anti-reflective show, however we have but to check it.

2. You need a extra full AI characteristic set

Samsung’s Galaxy AI is extra strong than Apple Intelligence, primarily based on my expertise with the 2 this 12 months. Whereas Apple Intelligence affords some nifty options like notification abstract and writing instruments, Galaxy AI is best and simpler to make use of, due to its sidebar and Android customizations.

Additionally: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was nearly unusable for me – until I downloaded this one app

Want so as to add an electronic mail invite to the Calendar app? Swipe from the sidebar, faucet on AI Choose, and you’ve got a one-tap possibility prepared so as to add that occasion to your Calendar app. I additionally love Immediate Sluggish-Mo movies at a press and maintain, in addition to Samsung’s object eraser software, which works higher than Apple’s Clear Up. The Cupertino firm would possibly enhance its AI sport this 12 months however Samsung’s Galaxy AI affords a extra full AI consumer expertise as of now.

3. You need the S Pen

Samsung has repositioned the S Pen and removed its features over time. Nonetheless, Galaxy Observe followers nonetheless like jotting down fast concepts and notes on their smartphones. If you happen to like the thought of writing in your cellphone’s show, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is the one flagship cellphone to supply that have. Keep in mind, you not get options like a distant digicam shutter button, however it nonetheless is useful at conferences.

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