Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs iPhone 17 Pro: What kind of phone should $1,100 buy you in 2025?
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Intro
The foldable vs traditional flagship battle is back, and in 2025, it’s more refined than ever. With Samsung officially unveiling the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Apple expected to launch the iPhone 17 Pro this fall, we’re once again looking at two devices that represent wildly different design philosophies—and both now offer more power, more AI, and longer-lasting software support than ever before.
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 introduces a more durable, refined design, larger screens, and a full suite of Galaxy AI tools. Samsung has also confirmed it will come with the Exynos 2500 in select markets—a major shift from previous Flip models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to bring its own visual overhaul, a new A19 Pro chip, and some of the most powerful cameras Apple has ever built.
Let’s see how these two premium phones stack up, and which one makes more sense for your 2025 upgrade.
Let’s see how these two premium phones stack up, and which one makes more sense for your 2025 upgrade.
Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs iPhone 17 Pro expected differences:
| Galaxy Z Flip 7 | iPhone 17 Pro* |
|---|---|
| Foldable clamshell | Traditional body |
| 6.9", AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.3", OLED, 120Hz |
| Exynos 2500 | Apple A19 Pro |
| 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Descent to good cameras | More versatile and powerful camera system |
| 6-7 hours of battery life | 6-7 hours of battery life |
| 25W wired | 27W wired |
| One UI 8 + Galaxy AI | iOS 26 + Apple Intelligence |
| $1,099 starting price | ~$1,199–$1,299 starting price |
*Expected
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Samsung folds space, Apple refines it
The Z Flip 7 brings meaningful design improvements. It still folds into a compact square, but now features thinner bezels and a much larger 4.1-inch "FlexWindow" cover display that stretches edge-to-edge. The main screen remains at 6.9 inches but uses a new inner Ultra Thin Glass layer with improved shock dispersion and better crease minimization.
In practice, the crease is still there — but it's slightly less distracting. Combined with the symmetrical hinge design and flatter silhouette, the Flip 7 feels more polished and durable than ever.
The iPhone 17 Pro, meanwhile, is expected to maintain its titanium build but introduce softened edges and a new rear camera layout. Leaks suggest vertically stacked lenses inside a pill-shaped bump, likely to better accommodate larger sensors and reduce thermal strain.
One major difference is in the durability. The Z Flip 7 comes with IP48 certification, while the iPhone 17 Pro will most probably be IP68 certified. The former is decent protection for water splashes and light dust, but the latter is much better protected against water damage.
In practice, the crease is still there — but it's slightly less distracting. Combined with the symmetrical hinge design and flatter silhouette, the Flip 7 feels more polished and durable than ever.
One major difference is in the durability. The Z Flip 7 comes with IP48 certification, while the iPhone 17 Pro will most probably be IP68 certified. The former is decent protection for water splashes and light dust, but the latter is much better protected against water damage.
Display Differences
The Z Flip 7 uses a 6.9-inch AMOLED main display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The outer display is now 4.1 inches with the same 120Hz refresh rate — finally matching the main screen. This "FlexWindow," as Samsung calls it, now supports full-screen message replies, Google Maps navigation, and Galaxy AI-powered features like Interpreter Mode and Suggested Replies.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to use an M14 LTPO OLED panel made by Samsung, with ProMotion 120Hz refresh and a rumored 3,000-nit peak brightness. Apple may also trim the bezels with new BRS (Border Reduction Structure) technology and shrink the Dynamic Island using metalens optics for Face ID and the front camera.
Performance and Software
Galaxy AI vs Apple silicon — the battle continues
Samsung has confirmed the Flip 7 will use the Exynos 2500 (3nm). While this chip brings improved NPU performance for Galaxy AI features and better power efficiency, it likely won't outperform Apple’s A19 Pro — expected to offer leading single-core and GPU performance once again.
Apple's iOS 26, officially revealed at WWDC, brings a more dynamic interface with Liquid Glass effects and a reworked Clear Look mode. Functional upgrades include real-time Live Translate, Call Screening, and Smart Replies powered by Apple Intelligence.
As for software support, Samsung and Apple both offer 7 years.
The Z Flip 7 ships with 12 GB of RAM and Android 14-based One UI 8. Galaxy AI tools include Interpreter Mode on the cover screen, Circle to Search, Generative Edit, and Note Assist.
Apple's iOS 26, officially revealed at WWDC, brings a more dynamic interface with Liquid Glass effects and a reworked Clear Look mode. Functional upgrades include real-time Live Translate, Call Screening, and Smart Replies powered by Apple Intelligence.
As for software support, Samsung and Apple both offer 7 years.
Camera
The Z Flip still won't be able to match Pro iPhones
Samsung hasn’t changed the Flip 7 camera hardware: it still includes a 50 MP main and 12 MP ultra-wide camera, plus a 10 MP selfie shooter inside. That’s not bad, and in our Z Flip 6 testing, the main camera performed well in daylight with pleasing colors and good sharpness. However, video stabilization and night mode still lagged behind top competitors.
On the other hand, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Pro will once again be one of the best camera phones on the market. It’s expected to come with a 48 MP main sensor, a new 48 MP ultra-wide with macro capabilities, and a 48 MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom.
More importantly, the main sensor is rumored to be the custom Sony IMX903, larger than before (1/1.14" vs. 1/1.28") and featuring a stacked architecture. That means it can absorb more light and process image data faster, improving both dynamic range and low-light clarity.
Additionally, the new ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) lens coating should reduce glare and artifacts in nighttime shots—a common issue on previous iPhones. Apple may also finally enable 8K video recording, closing the gap with Android competitors.
Last but not least, the front camera is rumored to jump to 24 MP, which could significantly boost detail in selfies and FaceTime calls, especially in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Battery Life and Charging
Samsung adds capacity, Apple adds efficiency
The Galaxy Z Flip 7 gets a modest battery upgrade to 4,300 mAh — up from 4,000 mAh on the Flip 6. Samsung pairs this with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Our Flip 6 battery tests showed decent battery life estimates, and the larger cell could help push the Flip 7 past 7 hours of screen-on time.
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to stick with a ~3,700 mAh battery, but Apple is likely optimizing battery life through a more efficient chip and display tech. It is said to support 27W wired charging and 15W wireless charging via MagSafe. There are also some rumors stating that the iPhone 17 Pro will support 7.5W reverse wireless charging.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick overview of the expected Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs iPhone 17 Pro specs:
| Galaxy Z Flip 7 | iPhone 17 Pro * |
|---|---|
| Size, weight Unfolded: 165.1 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm Folded: 85.1 × 71.9 × 14.9 mm 187 g | Size, weight 149.6 × 71.5 × 8.3 mm - 199 g |
| Screen 6.9" OLED 4.1" cover screen 120Hz main display | Screen 6.3" OLED - 120Hz |
| Processor Exynos 2500 3nm | Processor A19 Pro 3nm |
| Versions: 12/256 GB 12/512 GB - LPDDRX5 | Versions: 12/256 GB 12/512 GB 12/1 TB LPDDR5 |
| Cameras: 50 MP main 12 MP ultra - 10 MP front | Cameras: 48 MP main 48 MP ultra 48 MP 5X zoom 24 MP front |
| Battery: 4,300 mAh | Battery: ~3,700 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 25W wired 15W wireless | Charging: USB-C 27W wired 15W wireless via MagSafe |
*Expected
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Summary
With official details now available, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 looks like the most refined Flip yet — slimmer, smarter, and more durable. A larger cover screen is finally here, and Galaxy AI is now fully integrated into both displays.
However, Samsung’s use of the Exynos 2500 chip raises some question marks. We can't know how it will perform until we get to test it. Exynos chips are known for being less ideal than Qualcomm's Snapdragon silicon, but maybe the Exynos 2500 will be an exception.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a serious upgrade in the camera department, although Apple Intelligence might still be far from closing the AI gap with Android.
At $1,099, the Flip 7 offers a unique experience in a more compact form factor. But for $1,199, the iPhone 17 Pro could deliver unmatched camera power and top-tier performance.
Whichever way you fold — or don’t — you’ll be choosing one of the most powerful pocket computers of 2025.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a serious upgrade in the camera department, although Apple Intelligence might still be far from closing the AI gap with Android.
At $1,099, the Flip 7 offers a unique experience in a more compact form factor. But for $1,199, the iPhone 17 Pro could deliver unmatched camera power and top-tier performance.
Whichever way you fold — or don’t — you’ll be choosing one of the most powerful pocket computers of 2025.
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