Jason Hiner and Kerry Wan/ZDNET
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Apple this month announced its new iPhone 17 lineup at the Awe-Dropping Event in Cupertino, California. After years of playing it safe, the company is experimenting with the design of its phones.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max sports its most noticeable (and maybe controversial) design changes in years. By contrast, its closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, retains its signature look. The two flagship phones feature versatile camera setups, plenty of power, and a slew of features. Each will suit a specific type of user.
Also: Why I’m breaking the 5-year iPhone upgrade cycle – and I’m not alone
If you’re wondering which of the two Apple or Samsung phones should be your next daily driver, let me break it down for you. Here’s how the new Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max compares to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Specifications
Apple iPhone 17 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraDisplay6.9″ AMOLED with 120Hz, 3000 nits peak6.9″ QHD AMOLED 120Hz, 2600 nits peakWeight233 grams218 gramsProcessorApple A19 ProSnapdragon 8 EliteDimensions78 x 163.4 x 8.75mm77.6 x 162.8 x 8.2mmStorage256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB256GB, 512GB, 1TBBatteryN/A5000 mAhCamera48MP Fusion / 48MP Ultra Wide / 48MP telephoto / 18MP front200MP wide / 50MP telephoto (5x) / 10MP telephoto (3x) / 50 MP ultrawide / 12MP frontPrice$1,199$1,299
You should buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
1. You record a lot of videos
iPhones have been the go-to smartphone for video recording for a long time, and Apple is taking it a step further with the iPhone 17 Pro series. The new Pro models support ProRes RAW video recording capabilities, allowing filmmakers to have greater creative freedom over their recordings. You can record 4K Dolby Vision videos at up to 120 fps via the main camera and up to 60 fps on the other two sensors.
Also: You can buy Apple’s new devices this week: iPhone 17, Watch 11, AirPods Pro 3 and more
Apple also upgraded the front camera to 18MP with Center Stage support. It also supports “ultrastabilized videos” from the selfie shooter, which would be useful for creators around the world. If you are someone who wants a smartphone for shooting videos, an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max is the phone to go for.
2. You have MagSafe-compatible accessories
If you are an iPhone user, you probably have MagSafe-compatible accessories, and these will only be compatible with the new iPhones. For the unaware, MagSafe is more than just wireless charging. I have a magnetic tripod that I love using with my iPhone 16 Pro, as well as a magnetic power bank, which offers more convenience than a wired power bank.
If you opt for a Galaxy S25 Ultra, none of them will work with your new phone. To keep your old MagSafe investments intact and usable, you should go with the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
3. You need 2TB of storage on your phone
For all the creators out there, Apple has not only improved video recording capabilities but also provides space to store them locally on your phone. A 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max might not impress many, but if you are a creator, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will serve you better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which maxes out at 1TB of storage. However, you’ll need to spend $1,999 to get a 2TB variant.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
1. You want the best screen on a smartphone that we’ve tested so far
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display has spoiled me. It features the best screen on a smartphone currently, thanks to the anti-reflective and anti-smudge properties. When compared to my current iPhone 16 Pro, it is easier to view and read outdoors.
In comparison, I always have to wipe my iPhone’s screen when shooting a video or trying to navigate outdoors. There’s no such issue on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Samsung has truly taken its smartphone screen game to the next level with its flagship this year. That said, the iPhone 17 Pro introduces a new anti-reflective display, but we’ve yet to test it.
2. You want a more complete AI feature set
Samsung’s Galaxy AI is more robust than Apple Intelligence, based on my experience with the two this year. While Apple Intelligence offers some nifty features like notification summary and writing tools, Galaxy AI is better and easier to use, thanks to its sidebar and Android customizations.
Also: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was nearly unusable for me – until I downloaded this one app
Need to add an email invite to the Calendar app? Swipe from the sidebar, tap on AI Select, and you have a one-tap option ready to add that event to your Calendar app. I also love Instant Slow-Mo videos at a press and hold, as well as Samsung’s object eraser tool, which works better than Apple’s Clean Up. The Cupertino company might improve its AI game this year but Samsung’s Galaxy AI offers a more complete AI user experience as of now.
3. You want the S Pen
Samsung has repositioned the S Pen and removed its features over the years. However, Galaxy Note fans still like jotting down quick ideas and notes on their smartphones. If you like the idea of writing on your phone’s display, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the only flagship phone to offer that experience. Remember, you no longer get features like a remote camera shutter button, but it still comes in handy at meetings.
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