TL;DR (quick verdict)

You want the best zoom + S Pen + Android AI tools? → Galaxy S25 Ultra.

You want top silicon, longer update horizon, and Apple’s video chops? → iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Both deliver brighter 120 Hz screens, bigger batteries, and heavy emphasis on on-device AI.

What’s new this week

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, bringing a major design refresh, bigger batteries and a camera revamp (including a horizontal “camera plateau”). Displays hit up to 3,000 nits and still run 120 Hz ProMotion; the Pro Max starts at $1,199 with preorders opening this week and sales slated for Sept 19 in first-wave markets. iOS 26 debuts alongside, with UI and camera/video upgrades.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, on shelves since Feb 7, 2025 with a starting price around $1,299, remains the Android flagship to beat thanks to a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED, 200 MP main camera, long-zoom versatility and integrated S Pen—plus a suite of Galaxy AI features in One UI 7.

Display: brighter than ever, both at 120 Hz

iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120 Hz ProMotion, peak brightness targeting 3,000 nits. Early hands-on reports keep sizes at 6.3/6.9 inches for the Pro/Pro Max respectively.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ resolution and 120 Hz adaptive refresh, with slimmer bezels year-over-year.

Takeaway: Samsung still offers the sharpest panel (native QHD+), while Apple’s color calibration and new peak-brightness claim will appeal to outdoor users and video editors.

Cameras: Apple’s big redesign vs Samsung’s mega-zoom

iPhone 17 Pro Max: New full-width camera plateau houses upgraded 48 MP sensors across the board, with a larger telephoto sensor enabling up to 8× optical-quality zoom. Front camera jumps to 18 MP with “Center Stage” intelligence for framing. Video gains Dual Capture (front + rear simultaneously) and Pro-level formats (ProRes RAW, genlock).

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Quad system led by 200 MP main, 50 MP ultra-wide, plus dual telephotos for short and long optical zoom; Samsung pushes improved Nightography and subject-aware AI processing. Shoots up to 8K video; the S Pen remains a unique framing/remote trigger tool.

Takeaway: For pure zoom reach and high-res flexibility, S25 Ultra keeps the crown. For video workflows and color-consistent stills, the iPhone 17 Pro Max looks exceptionally strong—especially with Dual Capture and Pro formats baked in.

Performance & AI: A19 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy)

iPhone 17 Pro Max: New A19 Pro (3 nm) targets higher efficiency and AI throughput; iOS 26 introduces a refreshed “Liquid Glass” UI and deeper computational photography/video features. Apple’s extended software support remains a key reason creators choose Pro iPhones.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Runs Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (regions may vary), with an enlarged vapor chamber and thermal upgrades. Galaxy AI brings features like Now Brief and Audio Eraser, and broader on-device summarization, translation, and image tools.

Takeaway: Expect the iPhone to lead sustained single-thread performance and long-term updates, while the S25 Ultra offers the widest AI feature set and customization on Android.

Battery & charging: bigger cells, different philosophies

iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple touts its largest iPhone battery yet and claimed endurance up to 39 hours on the Pro Max; faster MagSafe (Qi2.2) at 25 W is part of the update.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W wired charging and wireless reverse charging; thermal changes aid sustained performance for long gaming sessions.

Takeaway: Samsung wins on charging speed and capacity; Apple counters with efficiency gains—we’ll want standardized tests to see whose endurance claim holds in mixed use.

Connectivity & SIM: eSIM expansion vs tried-and-true options

Apple is pushing eSIM-only models to more countries with the iPhone 17 family, a policy shift that continues to phase out physical SIM trays in many markets. Samsung retains traditional SIM/eSIM flexibility depending on region and model.

Design & build: bold camera bar vs squared Ultra with S Pen

iPhone 17 Pro Max: New horizontal camera bar and a return to aluminum for thermal and sustainability reasons; the range-wide design refresh is Apple’s biggest since 2019.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Subtly refined frame (titanium), slimmer bezels and the integrated S Pen remain signature Ultra traits.

Software, updates and ecosystems

iOS 26 pairs with Apple’s services (Final Cut on iPhone workflows, AirDrop, iCloud, watchOS integration). Creators often value the plug-and-play reliability for ProRes, AirDrop to Macs, and app optimization.

One UI 7 on Android offers deeper customization, desktop-style DeX, richer file access, and Galaxy AI utilities baked throughout the system. Power users who live in Google’s ecosystem or want S Pen precision will feel at home.

Price & availability (2025)

iPhone 17 Pro Max: Starts $1,199; preorders this week, general sale Sept 19 in first-wave countries.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Starts $1,299; available since Feb 7, 2025 in most markets.

Spec snapshot

iPhone 17 Pro Max (highlights): 6.9" 120 Hz OLED; A19 Pro; new 48 MP triple camera with larger telephoto (up to 8× optical-quality zoom); 18 MP selfie; bigger battery with improved MagSafe; iOS 26; eSIM-only in more regions.

Galaxy S25 Ultra (highlights): 6.9" QHD+ 120 Hz AMOLED; Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy; 200 MP main + 50 MP ultra-wide + dual telephotos; 5,000 mAh with 45 W; S Pen; One UI 7 with Galaxy AI.

Bottom line

If you’re camera-centric and love the S Pen, Samsung’s S25 Ultra still feels like the most complete do-everything Android phone. If you’re all-in on video workflows, want Apple’s A-series performance and longer OS support, the iPhone 17 Pro Max becomes the new default choice. Prices are close; availability favors Samsung (already in market) while Apple’s preorder wave lands this week.