Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 2,800,202 | 2,521,699 | +11.0% |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A19 Pro | — |
| Display | 6.9" 120 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 5,000 | 4,800 | +4.2% |
| Rear cameras | 200+50+50+12 MP | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 12 GB / 256 GB | 12 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 16 GB / 1024 GB | 12 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 219 | 222 | -1.4% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · Under-display | 5G · No - Face ID | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,299–$1,649 | $1,199–$1,599 | +8.3% |
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 11% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Apple A19 Pro).
- iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra advantages
- Raw performance (+10%)
- Battery capacity (+4%)
- Camera resolution (+76%)
iPhone 17 Pro Max advantages
- Affordability (+8%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Value for money
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you choose?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — Samsung Android 15 smartphone (2025) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 5000 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 2,800,202 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,299.
iPhone 17 Pro Max — Apple iOS 19 smartphone (2025) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A19 Pro, 4800 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,521,699 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 11% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Apple A19 Pro). iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (2,800,202 vs 2,521,699 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite against the Apple A19 Pro. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra carries a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Batteries are 5,000 and 4,800 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 200+50+50+12 MP versus 48+48+48+LiDAR MP, with 12 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 12 GB / 256 GB and 12 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the more affordable at about $1,199 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra better than the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the overall edge, though iPhone 17 Pro Max wins in specific areas worth weighing. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 11% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Apple A19 Pro).
What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 11% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Apple A19 Pro). iPhone 17 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Which is better value?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.