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 taking part in it protected, 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 digital camera setups, loads of energy, and a slew of options. Every will go well with a particular kind of consumer. 

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

For those who’re questioning which of the 2 Apple or Samsung telephones must be your subsequent each day driver, let me break it down for you. This 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 report lots of 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 larger artistic freedom over their recordings. You’ll be able to report 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient movies at as much as 120 fps by way of the principle digital camera 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 digital camera to 18MP with Middle Stage help. The selfie shooter now helps “ultrastabilized movies,” which might be helpful for creators all over the world. If you’d like a smartphone for capturing movies, an iPhone 17 Professional or iPhone 17 Professional Max is the telephone to go for.

2. You’ve gotten MagSafe-compatible equipment

If you’re an iPhone consumer, you in all probability 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 gives extra comfort than a wired energy financial institution.

 For those who go for a Galaxy S25 Extremely, none of them will work along with your new telephone. To maintain your previous MagSafe investments intact and usable, it is best to go together with the iPhone 17 Professional Max.   

3. You want 2TB of storage in your telephone 

For all of the creators on the market, Apple has not solely improved video recording capabilities but in addition offers house to retailer them domestically in your telephone. A 2TB iPhone 17 Professional Max won’t 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 have to spend $1,999 to get a 2TB variant.

You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely if…

1. You need one of the best display on a smartphone that we have examined up to now

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra‘s show has spoiled me. It options one of the best display on a smartphone at present, due to the anti-reflective and anti-smudge properties. When in comparison with my present iPhone 16 Pro, it’s simpler to view and browse open air. 

As compared, I at all times need to wipe my iPhone’s display when capturing a video or making an attempt to navigate open air. There is no such problem on the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and Samsung has actually taken its smartphone display sport to the following stage with its flagship this yr. That stated, the iPhone 17 Professional introduces a brand new anti-reflective show, however we have but to check it.

2. You desire 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 yr. Whereas Apple Intelligence gives 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 e-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 Instantaneous Gradual-Mo movies at a press and maintain, in addition to Samsung’s object eraser instrument, which works higher than Apple’s Clear Up. The Cupertino firm would possibly enhance its AI sport this yr however Samsung’s Galaxy AI gives 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 through the years. Nonetheless, Galaxy Word followers nonetheless like jotting down fast concepts and notes on their smartphones. For those who like the concept of writing in your telephone’s show, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is the one flagship telephone to supply that have. Keep in mind, you not get options like a distant digital camera shutter button, nevertheless it nonetheless turns out to be useful at conferences.

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