Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S25
Starting at
£475.30£799.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S25 starts at £475.30, £733.70 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- Battery: 4000 mAh on the Galaxy S25, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.2 inch.
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 Pro Max both offer strong performance and modern features but suit different users. The Galaxy S25 has a smaller 6.2 inch screen with Full HD resolution, making it more compact and easier to use one-handed. It has a 4000 mAh battery and runs Android, which appeals to those who prefer more customisation. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger 6.9 inch screen with higher resolution, offering a more immersive display for video and gaming. Its battery capacity is higher, which may extend usage between charges. Storage options on the iPhone go up to 2TB, ideal for heavy media users. Both phones have 12 GB RAM and unlocked 5G connectivity. Choose the Galaxy S25 for a lighter, smaller device with a high-resolution front camera or the iPhone 17 Pro Max for the biggest screen and more storage choices.
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a larger battery capacity of 4823 mAh or 5088 mAh, which can help it last longer between charges. The Galaxy S25 has a 4000 mAh battery, which still supports a full day of use but may require more frequent charging if you use power-hungry apps or features.
Operating System
The Galaxy S25 runs Android, offering flexibility for customisation and app choices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses iOS, known for its smooth integration with other Apple devices and a consistent user experience. Your preference for Android or iOS will shape how you use each phone over time.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance includes processing power, memory, and storage options. Both devices have 12 GB of RAM, suitable for multitasking and demanding apps. Their chipsets differ, which may influence specific app performance and efficiency.
Processor Choice
The Galaxy S25 features the Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite built on 3 nm technology, which is designed for efficiency and speed. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro chip, optimised for iOS. Both offer strong performance for gaming, streaming, and productivity, with the choice depending on your preferred ecosystem.
Storage Variants
The Galaxy S25 is available with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage, which suits users with moderate to high storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers larger options up to 2 TB, making it suitable for users who store large amounts of media, apps, or files locally.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content and interact with your phone. Both devices have 120 Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling, but they differ in size, resolution, and display technology.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a much larger 6.9 inch display with a resolution of 2868x1320 pixels, providing a spacious, sharp view ideal for watching videos and multitasking. The Galaxy S25's 6.2 inch screen at 1080x2340 pixels is more compact, making it easier to handle one-handed and fit in pockets.
Display Technology
The Galaxy S25 uses a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, which is known for vivid colours and good energy efficiency with adaptive refresh rates. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR display, which emphasises brightness and colour accuracy, appealing to those who prioritise image quality for photos and video.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Camera quality and front-facing sensors shape your photography and video calls. Both phones have high-resolution main cameras but differ notably in front camera resolution.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S25 offers a 50 MP front camera with an f/1.8 aperture, which is well suited for detailed selfies and clearer video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has an 18 MP front camera, offering good quality images but with fewer megapixels, which might suit users who prefer more natural tones over higher resolution.
Main Camera Detail
The Galaxy S25 has a 50 MP main camera, capturing fine detail for photos. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48 MP main camera, which also delivers high-quality images. Both cameras are capable for everyday photography but the slight difference in megapixels may appeal to users focused on pixel-level detail.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Other factors include physical size, weight, SIM options, and charging connectors. These details influence how the phone feels in daily use and how you connect it to other devices.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy S25 is smaller and lighter with dimensions of 146.9 mm height, 70.5 mm width, 7.2 mm depth, and a weight of 162 g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger and heavier at 163.4 mm height, 78 mm width, 8.8 mm depth, and 233 g. The Galaxy suits those who want a compact phone, while the iPhone suits users who prefer a larger device with a bigger display.
SIM and Connectivity
The Galaxy S25 supports dual physical SIM cards, ideal for users who want two separate phone numbers or carriers on one device. The iPhone 17 Pro Max combines a physical SIM with an eSIM, which provides flexibility for managing multiple lines without needing two physical cards.
Charging Connector
Both devices use USB-C connectors, ensuring compatibility with widely available charging cables and accessories.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S25 or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S25 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £475.30, £733.70 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 a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.2 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who choose the Galaxy S25 appreciate its condition and performance, often noting the device looks like new with no visible flaws and has battery health at 100 percent. Many highlight the camera quality and the processor's speed, saying it feels like a brand new phone. Some users mention the battery lasts all day and the device is compact and easy to handle. A few customers have experienced issues with network compatibility or device locking but overall, the Galaxy S25 suits those who want a smaller phone with a high-resolution front camera and solid performance.
Customers of the iPhone 17 Pro Max find it works well and is in good condition, with battery health also reported at 100 percent. The larger screen and good quality display are appreciated, as is the ease of moving apps from older iPhones. Some customers mention minor call connectivity issues or wish for more storage, but most value the device for its size and iOS experience. The iPhone suits those looking for a bigger screen and high storage capacity.
Both phones have strong reviews for battery life and condition, making them good choices depending on whether you prefer Android or iOS, a smaller or larger screen, and specific storage or camera needs.
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Battery: 4000 mAh on the Galaxy S25, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Galaxy S25 is cheaper refurbished, from £475.30 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Galaxy S25 has 4000 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
The Galaxy S25 has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy S25 gets updates until Feb 2032. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S25 comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
