Every year, like clockwork, two tribes of smartphone fans sharpen their keyboards and prepare for war: iPhone vs Samsung. And in 2025, the battle has landed squarely between the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Now, the S26 Ultra is only a few months away (hello, January/February leaks), but right now the real question is this: if you’re upgrading in late 2025, which one of these beasts is worth your money?
Let’s take a look.
Design & Build
Let’s start with the obvious: how these things actually look and feel in your hand.
Apple has done a bit of a backpedal this year. Last year’s iPhone 16 Pro came wrapped in titanium, but the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are back to aluminum. Apple claims the new A19 Pro chip runs hotter and needs better thermal management. Translation: the titanium couldn’t keep it cool, so now we’re back to aluminum.
Samsung, meanwhile, stuck with titanium on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, complete with a vapor chamber cooling system, and their Snapdragon 8 Elite chip barely breaks a sweat. So if you’re someone who plays a lot of games or edits videos on your phone, Samsung might already be looking more appealing.
But materials aside, the iPhone 17’s new Cosmic Orange color is a stunner. Every photo and video I’ve taken makes it pop in a way Samsung’s safer, muted colors just don’t.
So, design verdict? Samsung’s sturdier, Apple’s flashier. And if you want your phone to make a statement every time you pull it out of your pocket, the iPhone 17 might have the edge.
Protecting the iPhone 17 with Pitaka
Now, here’s the thing: as gorgeous as that Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro is… it scratches easier than a budget airline seat tray. I was genuinely tempted to run it caseless this year, but after one week of babying it, I caved and splurged on a Pitaka iPhone 17 Pro case.
I went with the Sunset colorway, though they also do a really nice Moonrise version. Both are made from aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which sounds fancy because it is. They’re ridiculously slim, to the point where it doesn’t even feel like you’ve got a case on, but it adds just enough protection to save your phone from scratches and those “oh no” table drops.
If you want to pick one up, here’s a link to get 10% off. Honestly, if you’re buying the iPhone 17 Pro, it’s one of those rare accessories that doesn’t just look the part, but fixes real-world annoyances too.
Display & Usability
Both Apple and Samsung are basically at the top of the game when it comes to displays.
The iPhone 17 Pro has slightly more rounded edges this year, which makes it feel more comfortable in the hand compared to Samsung’s boxier Galaxy S25 Ultra. That said, Apple’s gone a bit heavier; you really notice it if you switch between the two. Pick up the iPhone 17 Air, though, and suddenly you’re holding what might be the most comfortable iPhone they’ve ever made.
Then there’s glare. Samsung’s anti-glare treatment on the S25 Ultra is chef’s kiss. Take it outside in direct sunlight, and you can still see what you’re doing without squinting. The iPhone 17 Pro’s display is bright, but reflections are still noticeable in the wrong conditions. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you spend a lot of time outdoors, Samsung definitely pulls ahead here.
Performance & Software Experience
Here’s the thing: in 2025, both of these phones are overkill for 99% of people. Whether it’s the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 or the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, you’re not going to pick one up and say, “oof, this feels slow.” They’re both ridiculously fast.
So instead of synthetic benchmarks, let’s talk about what actually matters for normal people: the software experience.
iOS vs OneUI
Apple’s iOS still feels cleaner and more polished, but it comes with its fair share of quirks. Example: try using the Control Center in landscape mode, then flip back to portrait, things just don’t line up nicely. Small gripe, but annoying if you notice it.
On the flip side, Samsung’s OneUI feels a little heavier, but it gives you far more control. Notifications are a great example. On Android, you can long-press to change notification settings on the fly. On iOS, you’re diving into menus like it’s 2015 all over again.
Everyday Usability Differences
- Universal back gesture on Android = genius. Why Apple still hasn’t copied this is beyond me.
- Dual clocks on Samsung when you’re traveling = lifesaver if you’re bouncing between time zones. iPhone? Nope, you’re on your own.
- App scaling: Samsung lets you shrink icons on that big S25 Ultra display. iPhone Pro Max? Same giant icons, wasted space.
AI & Assistants
This is where things get interesting in 2025.
- Apple’s Siri is… well, Siri. Still useful for timers and the occasional “set an alarm,” but not much else.
- Samsung’s leaning heavily into Google Gemini, and it shows. Gemini Live lets you actually talk to your phone in a way that feels closer to an assistant than a voice-activated search bar.
The kicker? You can run Gemini on an iPhone, too. So the AI advantage isn’t locked to Samsung, but it definitely feels more naturally baked into the S25 Ultra.
Cameras: The Real Deal
Let’s be honest for a second: nobody (and I mean nobody) is actually using 100x zoom on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, or even 40x on the iPhone 17 Pro. Tech reviewers love to pixel-peep these features, but in the real world, you’re not framing your kid’s school play from three football fields away. You’re just trying to capture life as it happens.
And on that front? Both of these phones are phenomenal.
If you own the S25 Ultra, you have one of the best phone cameras ever made. If you own the iPhone 17 Pro, same deal. For everyday moments, like your kids blowing out birthday candles, your partner laughing at a bad joke, or just that random sunset that stops you in your tracks, both phones nail it.
The Subtle Differences
But here’s where they start to separate:
- Samsung: I get more shots where the focus slightly misses the subject. Not a dealbreaker, because you can fix a lot of it afterwards by editing the focal point, but it happens.
- iPhone: Video zoom transitions are smoother. On Samsung, shifting between lenses can cause a jarring color shift, especially noticeable in big green fields or blue skies.
- iPhone 17 Front Camera: Big win this year. The new square sensor can shoot both portrait and landscape without rotating the phone. Add in intelligent framing (it zooms out automatically when someone else enters the shot), and it feels like one of those upgrades that’s instantly useful. Expect to see every other brand copy this in 2026.
So yeah, the marketing hype always makes it sound like one phone is leagues ahead of the other. But truthfully, they’re both so good it comes down to the tiny things.
Battery & Charging
Here’s the unsexy truth: both of these phones will get you through a full day. But how they do it (and how they top back up) is where things split.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung still wins when it comes to wired charging speed. Plug it in with the right charger and you’re topping up at a pace the iPhone simply can’t match. For anyone who lives their life glued to the socket, that’s a lifesaver.
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
Apple fires back on the wireless side. With Qi2 charging, the iPhone 17 wirelessly charges faster than Samsung’s latest Ultra. Add to that the continued convenience of MagSafe (magnets snapping accessories perfectly in place), and the iPhone feels more modern in day-to-day charging.
Battery life itself? Honestly, I’d give the iPhone 17 Pro the edge here. Thanks to the new Adaptive Power Mode, it seems to stretch battery in smarter ways throughout the day. On the S25 Ultra, I sometimes found myself dipping into low power mode earlier, especially with heavy camera use.
iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: What Sets Them Apart
Okay, so design, performance, cameras, and battery, they’re all close enough that you could happily live with either phone. But here’s where the real separation happens: the extras.
Samsung vs Apple: Extra Features Compared
Watch the Full Video
Prefer to see these two phones in action? I’ve put together a full hands-on iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comparison over on my YouTube channel. You’ll see side-by-side footage, camera tests, and my honest first impressions after weeks of real-world use.
So… Which Is the Best Flagship Phone in 2025?
And here we are, the million-dollar (well, £1,200) question. Which phone is the best flagship phone to buy in 2025?
Answer: neither.
Buy whichever flipping phone you actually want to use. Seriously. The internet loves to argue iPhone vs Samsung like it’s some sort of sports rivalry, but the truth is: both are incredible, both have quirks, and both will capture your life beautifully.
I’ve had some of my most treasured photos and videos taken on a Galaxy Ultra. I’ve had even more on iPhones. At the end of the day, when I’m looking back 20 years from now at my kids growing up, I’m not going to care which phone took the shot; I’ll just be grateful it did.
So stop stressing, stop comparing spec sheets like you’re buying a used car, and buy the phone that fits your budget, your ecosystem, and your day-to-day life.
More From Pete Matheson
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