Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A55
Starting at
£234.03£356.69 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the Galaxy A55 and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy A55 starts at £234.03, £974.97 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Exynos 1480 (4 nm) on the Galaxy A55, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Battery: 5000 mAh on the Galaxy A55, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The Galaxy A55 and iPhone 17 Pro Max each bring strong features suited to different types of users. The Galaxy A55 offers a large battery, expandable storage via microSDXC, and dual physical SIM slots, making it ideal for users who want flexibility in storage and connectivity. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a larger and higher resolution screen with a Super Retina XDR display and more RAM, which suits users who prioritise a premium screen and powerful multitasking. Camera setups differ too, with the Galaxy A55 having a higher resolution front camera and the iPhone 17 Pro Max slightly lower main camera megapixels.
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Battery size, software updates and physical design influence how durable a phone feels in daily use. Their battery capacities differ slightly, impacting how long they might last on a charge.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy A55 has a 5000 mAh battery, which is a solid capacity for lasting through a full day of typical use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max lists two battery capacities, 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, reflecting variations within the model. This means the iPhone may have similar endurance depending on the exact unit. Both provide sufficient battery sizes for daily activity, but the Galaxy A55's fixed 5000 mAh capacity is straightforward for those wanting a clear expectation.
Operating System
The Galaxy A55 runs Android, which is known for customisation and a broad app ecosystem. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses iOS, which offers tight integration with Apple services and a consistent experience across devices. Your choice here depends on which platform you prefer or already use.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Processor power, RAM, and storage options shape how smoothly a phone handles tasks and stores data. The Galaxy A55 and iPhone 17 Pro Max have different chipsets and RAM amounts, with storage varying by model.
Chipset and RAM
The Galaxy A55 features an Exynos 1480 chipset with 8 GB RAM, which supports everyday apps and multitasking comfortably. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro chipset paired with 12 GB RAM, better suited for users who run demanding applications or keep many apps active simultaneously.
Storage Options
Galaxy A55 models come in 128 GB and 256 GB storage sizes, which suit users with moderate storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more extensive options from 256 GB up to 2 TB, catering to users who store large amounts of media, apps or files directly on their device.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you enjoy videos, photos, and everyday tasks. Both phones have a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling, but their sizes and resolutions vary significantly.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy A55 has a 6.6 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2340, offering clear visuals suitable for watching videos and browsing. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger 6.9 inch screen and higher resolution at 2868 x 1320, providing more display space and sharper detail, ideal for users who watch a lot of high-quality content or prefer a larger viewing area.
Screen Type
The Galaxy A55 uses a Super AMOLED display, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR screen, which also delivers excellent brightness and contrast. Both screens support 120 Hz refresh rates, making animations and scrolling feel fluid.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Camera quality is important for capturing photos and video calls. While both phones have strong cameras, their front and main camera megapixels differ.
Front Camera
The Galaxy A55 has a 32 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for detailed selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has an 18 megapixel front camera, which still delivers sharp images but with fewer megapixels compared to the Galaxy A55.
Main Camera
The Galaxy A55 features a 50 megapixel main camera, capturing high-resolution photos. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48 megapixel main camera, offering slightly fewer megapixels but still capable of detailed photography. Both cameras suit users who want good photo quality for everyday moments.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Additional features like SIM options, connectivity, and physical size can influence daily convenience and compatibility with your needs.
SIM and Storage Expansion
The Galaxy A55 supports dual physical SIM cards and has a microSDXC slot for expandable storage, ideal if you want to use two numbers or increase storage with a memory card. The iPhone 17 Pro Max supports a physical SIM plus eSIM but does not offer a microSD slot, focusing on built-in storage.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy A55 measures 161.1 mm tall, 77.4 mm wide, and 8.2 mm deep, weighing 213 g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is slightly taller at 16.34 cm, wider at 7.8 cm, and thicker at 0.88 cm, weighing 233 g. The iPhone's larger size suits those wanting more screen space, while the Galaxy A55 is a bit lighter and slimmer.
Connectivity and Port
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks. Both use USB-C connectors, providing compatibility with modern charging and data cables.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A55 or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A55 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £234.03, £974.97 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.6 inch)
What our customers say
Customers of the Galaxy A55 praise its condition, describing it as looking like a new phone. They find transferring data straightforward, with Samsung's software making the process easy. Many highlight the good camera quality, the usefulness of expandable storage, and the convenience of dual SIM and eSIM support. Users appreciate its performance as an upgrade that handles apps smoothly and offers a clear, fast display. Some mention the phone is a good value for its features and is suitable for everyday use.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro Max show customers are happy with its condition and battery health, often describing it as excellent or like new. Users find moving apps from an iPhone easy, and many appreciate the phone's quality and performance. Some note occasional call issues but still recommend the device. The range of storage options is noted by customers who want larger capacities. The phone suits those who want a premium iOS experience with strong multitasking and a large screen.
Overall, the Galaxy A55 appeals to those who want flexible storage, dual SIM use, and a solid all-rounder, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max suits users looking for a larger, high-resolution display, more RAM, and iOS integration.
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
Galaxy A55 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 1480 (4 nm) on the Galaxy A55, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy A55 is cheaper refurbished, from £234.03 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Galaxy A55 has 5000 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
The Galaxy A55 has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy A55 gets updates until Mar 2029. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A55 comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
