iPhone vs Samsung Galaxy: Specs Comparison
The two phones most people are choosing between in 2026, with every spec that actually moves the buying decision — screen, performance, battery, camera, and ecosystem. Verified against our 69-device specs database.
Why iPhone vs Galaxy is the comparison that matters
Apple and Samsung together ship the overwhelming majority of premium smartphones sold globally. Inside the high-end tier, almost every consumer cross-shop comes down to one decision: stay on iOS, or move to Android — and Galaxy is the default Android comparison because Samsung is the only manufacturer with the camera, display, and software cadence to go shoulder-to-shoulder with iPhone year after year. Pixel, OnePlus, and Xiaomi are excellent in pockets, but for spec parity at the very top, Galaxy is the comparable.
Flagship: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
Both ship in the ~$1,200 range with 256 GB of storage and represent each manufacturer’s best phone of the cycle.
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.9″ LTPO OLED | 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2868 × 1320 | 3120 × 1440 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 505 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | ~19.5:9 | ~19.5:9 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz (ProMotion, 1–120 Hz LTPO) | 120 Hz (1–120 Hz LTPO) |
| Weight | ~227 g | ~218 g |
| Dimensions | 163 × 77.6 × 8.75 mm | 162.8 × 77.6 × 8.2 mm |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| Battery | ~4685 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Rear cameras | Triple 48 MP (main + ultrawide + 5× telephoto) | Quad 200 MP main + 50 MP ultrawide + 10 MP 3× + 50 MP 5× telephoto |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP TrueDepth | 12 MP |
| Operating system | iOS 26 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
Open the full iPhone 17 Pro Max page or the full Galaxy S25 Ultra page for the complete spec sheet, including viewport size, devicePixelRatio, and ruler calibration shortcuts.
Mid-range: iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S25
Same generation, ~$800 price tier, and the most common upgrade path for buyers who don’t need a Pro/Ultra camera array.
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.3″ OLED | 6.2″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 | 2340 × 1080 |
| PPI | 460 ppi | 416 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Weight | ~177 g | ~162 g |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB |
| Battery | ~3692 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Operating system | iOS 26 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
When to choose iPhone
- You already own AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, or a Mac and value Continuity / Handoff / AirDrop.
- You produce video on the phone — ProRes, ProRAW, Cinematic Mode, and the broader iOS video editing ecosystem are still ahead.
- You care about software-update longevity. Apple supports current models for 5–6 years; Samsung now matches this on flagship lines but has historically lagged.
- You exchange iMessages with a US-heavy contact list.
- You want predictable resale value 2–3 years out.
When to choose Galaxy
- You want maximum hardware flexibility — S Pen, USB-C with full DisplayPort alt mode, Samsung DeX desktop mode.
- You shoot a lot of long-zoom photos. The 5× periscope plus 200 MP main give Ultra a reach iPhone can’t match optically.
- You prefer a sharper, brighter display and a faster fingerprint sensor (under-display ultrasonic on Galaxy vs Face ID only on iPhone).
- You want flexibility on app stores, sideloading, and default apps that iOS still restricts.
- You’re deep in Google services (Drive, Photos, Workspace) where Android integration is tighter.
What about cameras specifically?
The honest answer is that both flagships produce excellent stills in good light and very good stills in low light. The differences appear at the edges: Galaxy reaches further (5× periscope, 200 MP main with high-res crops), iPhone holds colour and exposure more consistently across stills and video, and ships better default editing tools. If you mostly post to Instagram and shoot family photos, either is more than enough. If you shoot wildlife, sports, or document scanning, Galaxy’s telephoto matters. If you cut video on the phone, iPhone wins.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a sharper display, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On paper the Galaxy S25 Ultra wins on raw pixel density (505 PPI vs 460 PPI) and resolution (3120 × 1440 vs 2868 × 1320). In practice both displays are well above the threshold where the human eye can resolve individual pixels at typical viewing distance, so most people will not notice the difference outside of VR headsets or extreme close-up text.
Is iPhone or Galaxy better for battery life?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a larger battery (5000 mAh vs ~4685 mAh) but iPhone 17 Pro Max squeezes more screen-on time per mAh thanks to Apple’s tighter integration of A19 Pro silicon and the LTPO panel. Real-world endurance is essentially a tie — both reliably make it through a heavy day with 20–30% to spare.
Which has the better camera system?
For photo flexibility, Galaxy S25 Ultra still wins on hardware reach — the 5× periscope plus a 200 MP main give it more zoom range than iPhone’s triple-lens stack. iPhone 17 Pro Max wins on video colour science, ProRes/ProRAW workflows, and consistent skin tones across the camera array. Pick by use case.
Should I switch from iPhone to Galaxy (or vice versa)?
Switching costs are non-trivial: iMessage / FaceTime, AirPods auto-pair, Apple Watch, Continuity Camera, and the App Store / Play Store divide all create friction. As a rule, only switch if a specific Galaxy-only or iPhone-only feature is decisive for you — otherwise the day-to-day flagship experience is similar enough that staying in your existing ecosystem usually wins.
How accurate are these specs?
Display specs (size, resolution, PPI, refresh rate) come from our verified device database covering 69+ devices. Weight, dimensions, battery, storage, and camera details are pulled from Apple and Samsung’s official spec sheets at launch. We update entries as manufacturers publish revisions or as new SKUs ship.
Want to drill down into a specific model? Browse the full device specs database — 69 devices with screen size, resolution, PPI, refresh rate, viewport, and a one-click ruler launch for each.