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Apple announced its new iPhone 17 lineup at the Awesome event in Cupertino, California last month. After playing it safe for years, the company is once again experimenting with the design of its phones.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the most noticeable (and perhaps controversial) design change in years. In contrast, its closest rival, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, retains its signature look. Both the flagship phones have versatile camera setups, plenty of power, and a host of features. Each will be suitable for a specific type of user.
Also: I tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this feature alone justifies the upgrade from the 16
If you’re wondering which phone from either Apple or Samsung 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 max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
| Display | 6.9″ AMOLED with 120Hz, 3000 nits peak | 6.9″ QHD AMOLED 120Hz, 2600 nits peak |
| weight | 233 grams | 218 grams |
| processor | Apple A19 Pro | snapdragon 8 elite |
| DIMENSIONS | 78 x 163.4 x 8.75 mm | 77.6 x 162.8 x 8.2 mm |
| storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery | N/A | 5000 mAh |
| camera | 48MP Fusion / 48MP Ultra Wide / 48MP Telephoto / 18MP Front | 200MP wide / 50MP telephoto (5x) / 10MP telephoto (3x) / 50 MP ultrawide / 12MP front |
| price | $1,199 | $1,299 |
You should buy Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
1. You record a lot of videos
iPhones have long been the smartphone of choice for video recording, and Apple is taking it a step further with the iPhone 17 Pro series. The new Pro models support ProRes RAW video recording capabilities, giving filmmakers more creative freedom on their recordings. You can record 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120 fps via the main camera and up to 60 fps on the other two sensors.
Also: I compared the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max: Here’s which one to buy
Apple has upgraded the front camera to 18MP with center stage support. The selfie shooter now supports “Ultrastabilized video”, which will be useful for creators around the world. If you want a smartphone for shooting videos, then the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max is the phone for you.
2. You have MagSafe-compatible accessories
If you’re an iPhone user, you probably have MagSafe-compatible accessories, and these will only be compatible with the newer iPhones. For those unaware, MagSafe is more than just wireless charging. I have a magnetic tripod that I like to use with my iPhone 16 Pro, as well as a magnetic power bank, which offers more convenience than a wired power bank.
If you choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra, none of them will work with your new phone. To keep your old MagSafe investment intact and useful, you should choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
3. Your phone requires 2TB of storage
For all creators, Apple has not only improved video recording capabilities but also provided space to store them locally on your phone. The 2TB iPhone 17 Pro Max may not impress many people, but if you’re a creator, the iPhone 17 Pro Max will serve you better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which maxes out at 1TB of storage. However, to get the 2TB variant, you will have to spend $1,999.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
1. You want the best screen on a smartphone we’ve tested so far
The display of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has spoiled me. It has the best screen of any smartphone currently, thanks to anti-reflective and anti-smudge properties. Compared to my current iPhone 16 Pro, it’s easier to see and read outside.
In comparison, I always have to wipe my iPhone’s screen when shooting video or trying to navigate outside. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has no such problems, and Samsung has really taken its smartphone screen game to the next level with its flagships this year. As mentioned, the iPhone 17 Pro features a new anti-reflective display, but we haven’t tested it yet.
2. You want a more complete AI feature set
Based on my experience with both this year, Samsung’s Galaxy AI is stronger than Apple Intelligence. While Apple Intelligence offers some great features like notification summaries and writing tools, Galaxy AI is better and easier to use because of its sidebar and Android customization.
Also: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was almost unusable for me – until I downloaded this one app
Need to add an email invitation to the Calendar app? Swipe in from the sidebar, tap AI Select, and you have a one-tap option ready to add that event to your Calendar app. I also like the instant slow-mo video on press and hold, as well as Samsung’s Object Eraser tool, which does a better job than Apple’s Clean Up. The Cupertino company may be upping its AI game this year but Samsung’s Galaxy AI offers a more complete AI user experience by far.
3. You need an S Pen
Samsung has repositioned the S Pen over the years and removed features. However, Galaxy Note fans still love to jot down quick thoughts 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 this experience. Remember, you no longer get features like the remote camera shutter button, but it still comes in handy in meetings.
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