Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Phones
$1,299List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Phones
$1,199List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
- Leads 8 of 10 rankable overall specs; iPhone 17 Pro Max takes 2.
- Weight: 219 g vs 231 g
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Capacity: 5,000 mAh vs 4,850 mAh
iPhone 17 Pro Max is $100 cheaper. Pay the difference only if weight matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Premium $1,299 starting price
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
Your other devices
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| WeightBody | 219 g (7.72 oz) | 231 g (8.15 oz) |
| ChipsetPlatform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) |
| RAMMemory | 12 GB (16 GB option) | 12 GB |
| Max optical zoomRear camera | 5x optical zoom (10x optical quality, 100x Space Zoom) | 5x optical zoom (up to 25x digital zoom) |
| CapacityBattery & charging | 5,000 mAh | 4,850 mAh |
Showing 5 of 48 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Reasons to choose it
- Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm custom Galaxy performance
- Upgraded 50MP ultra-wide and dual 50MP telephoto sensors with 200MP main
- Corning Gorilla Armor 2 anti-reflective display and built-in S Pen stylus
Worth considering
- Premium $1,299 starting price
- Wired charging remains at 45W
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Reasons to choose it
- A19 Pro chip with class-leading single-core and GPU compute
- All-48MP triple rear camera array with 5x optical zoom and 24MP Center Stage front camera
- Exceptional battery life up to 35 hours video playback
Worth considering
- Premium starting price ($1,199)
- Large 6.9-inch frame requires two hands for most tasks
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Samsung: What to watch for
- Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Apple: What to watch for
- Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which is cheaper, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max costs $100 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max has this deal-breaker: no stylus. No pen input for handwritten notes or markup.
Which is better for photos, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
For photos, buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Leads 3 of 4 rankable photos specs; iPhone 17 Pro Max takes 1. Main: 200 MP vs 48 MP Fusion
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 48 specs tracked here, 38 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.