The iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 are the standard flagships from the two largest phone platforms. Most buyers will choose by ecosystem first, but the hardware differs in the camera layout, display features and documentation.
iPhone values come from Apple's iPhone 17 specification page and Galaxy values from Samsung UK's comparison article, both re-read on 2026-11-02. This replaces v2.0.0's reliance on Apple's unlabeled compare page.
Key differences at a glance
- Rear cameras: 48 MP main and 48 MP ultra wide on the iPhone, no separate telephoto lens; 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra wide and 10 MP 3× telephoto on the Galaxy.
- Front camera: 18 MP Center Stage against 12 MP.
- Display: 6.3-inch OLED with ProMotion up to 120 Hz and Always-On against 6.2-inch FHD+ at 120 Hz.
- Storage: 256 or 512 GB on both.
- Battery: Apple claims up to 30 hours of video playback; Samsung lists 4000 mAh and up to 29 hours.
Specification comparison
| Feature | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED; ProMotion up to 120 Hz; Always-On | 6.2-inch FHD+, 120 Hz |
| Chip | A19 | Snapdragon Elite 8 for Galaxy (3 nm) |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion main and 48MP Fusion ultra wide; 2× option from the main sensor, no separate telephoto lens | 50 MP wide, 12 MP UW, 10 MP 3× tele |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12 MP |
| Storage | 256/512GB | 256/512 GB |
| RAM | Not stated in the cited source | 12 GB |
| Battery | Up to 30 hours video playback (Apple claim); capacity not stated | 4000 mAh; up to 29 hours video playback (Samsung claim) |
| Weight | 177 g | Not stated in the cited source |
Shaded cells mean the cited sources did not state the value. We do not fill gaps from memory.
Cameras
The Galaxy's 3× telephoto gives optical reach the iPhone 17 lacks; Apple instead offers a 2× option from its 48 MP main sensor and a 48 MP ultra wide, which suits wide scenes and close-ups. The iPhone's 18 MP Center Stage front camera has more resolution than the Galaxy's 12 MP. Video on the iPhone is listed as 4K Dolby Vision up to 60 fps; Samsung's comparison page does not list video modes.
Display and design
Both screens refresh up to 120 Hz. The iPhone is slightly larger (6.3 against 6.2 inches) and lists Always-On and up to 3,000 nits outdoors; Samsung's page lists FHD+ resolution. Apple lists 177 g; Samsung's page omits weight.
Performance and memory
Apple lists the A19 chip; Samsung lists Qualcomm's 3 nm chip for Galaxy with 12 GB of RAM. Apple does not publish RAM on its specification page. We do not compare performance without measurements.
Charging, connectivity and support
Apple lists MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W, a USB 2 port, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Samsung's comparison page omits charging speed and wireless versions. Neither cited page states a software support period, so check each company's current policy.
Strengths and limitations
iPhone 17
Strengths
- Higher-resolution ultra wide and front camera; stated weight.
Limitations
- No telephoto; RAM not stated.
Galaxy S25
Strengths
- Telephoto camera and stated 12 GB RAM.
Limitations
- Weight not stated on the cited page.
Pricing not verified
Prices were not on the cited pages; check the manufacturer or a retailer.
Which should you choose?
- Selfies and ultra wide: iPhone 17 — 18MP front and 48MP UW
- Optical zoom: Galaxy S25 — 3× telephoto
Our verdict
The iPhone lacks a telephoto in this list; the Galaxy has one. Check independent tests for image quality.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 17 have a telephoto lens?
No separate telephoto lens. Apple lists a 48 MP main camera with a 2× option and a 48 MP ultra wide. The Galaxy S25 has a 10 MP 3× telephoto.
Which has the bigger screen?
The iPhone 17, at 6.3 inches against 6.2 inches.
Which records better video?
Apple lists 4K Dolby Vision up to 60 fps for the iPhone 17. Samsung's cited page does not list video specifications, so we cannot compare them.
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How this was checked
Specifications compiled on 2026-11-02 from the sources below. The cited sources were re-opened and the key table values re-checked on 2026-11-02.
Apple iPhone 17 specification page and Samsung UK support article re-read on 2026-11-02; table updated from them.
Disclosure: AYORAHUB did not hands-on test these products or services. Nothing on this page is a lab measurement, benchmark or review score; analysis explains what the cited specifications mean in practice.
- iPhone figures now come from Apple's iPhone 17 specification page instead of the unlabeled compare page used in v2.0.0.
- Samsung's page writes the chip as 'Snapdragon Elite 8 for Galaxy'; Qualcomm markets it as Snapdragon 8 Elite. Samsung's page omits weight.
- Battery claims use each maker's own test method and are not directly comparable.
Sources
- iPhone 17 – Technical Specifications — Apple (manufacturer/official)
- Differences between the Galaxy S25 series and S24 series — Samsung UK Support (manufacturer/official)