Galaxy S25 Ultra VS iPhone 17 Pro Max

The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes out ahead overall, scoring 95 to the Galaxy S25 Ultra's 94. Priced at $1199 against $1299, the choice between them is as much about budget as specs, and each phone leans toward a slightly different buyer.

For raw speed the Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the lead, with an AnTuTu score of 3,122,734 against 2,590,567, driven by its Snapdragon 8 Elite. Both feel quick in everyday use, but the gap shows up in demanding games and heavy multitasking where the faster chip pulls ahead.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra pairs a 200MP main camera with 5x optical zoom and a 12MP front sensor. The iPhone 17 Pro Max answers with 48MP, 4x zoom and a 18MP selfie camera. The Galaxy S25 Ultra reaches further with its longer optical zoom, which helps for portraits and distant subjects.

Battery favours the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with a 5088mAh cell against 5000mAh. For refills the Galaxy S25 Ultra is quickest at 45W, spending less time tied to a charger.

Both use high refresh rate OLED screens. The Galaxy S25 Ultra measures 6.9" and peaks at 2600 nits, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 6.9" and reaches 3000 nits. Screen size and outright brightness are where they separate most.

Overall the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the one we would steer most buyers toward. One runs iOS and the other Android, so your existing apps, watch and ecosystem may matter more than the spec differences. Consider the iPhone 17 Pro Max instead if longer battery life matters more to you.