iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S25: All expected differences
Apple is finally catching up to Samsung on several fronts.
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The Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 17 Pro both aim to be the “right-sized” flagship of 2025 — compact, powerful, and premium.
Samsung’s $799 Galaxy S25 is one of the slimmest and lightest flagships you can buy. It comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a bright 2,600-nit display and a tried-and-true triple-camera setup.
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, expected to launch this fall for around $1,000–$1,050, takes bigger swings. We expect to see a new half-glass, half-aluminum body, vapor chamber cooling, and a triple 48 MP camera system. Add in the rumored faster 35W wired charging, and the upcoming iPhone Pro starts sounding like a good investment.
But Apple is lagging behind when it comes to the latest innovation in the world of smartphones — AI. As it currently stands, Samsung is leagues ahead in that regard, so the question for buyers is whether the iPhone's upgrades justify a $300–$400 premium.
Samsung’s $799 Galaxy S25 is one of the slimmest and lightest flagships you can buy. It comes with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a bright 2,600-nit display and a tried-and-true triple-camera setup.
But Apple is lagging behind when it comes to the latest innovation in the world of smartphones — AI. As it currently stands, Samsung is leagues ahead in that regard, so the question for buyers is whether the iPhone's upgrades justify a $300–$400 premium.
iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S25 expected differences:
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| New horizontal camera bump | Largely same design as S24 |
| 48MP telephoto camera | 10MP 3X telephoto |
| A19 Pro chip with vapor cooling | Snapdragon 8 Elite, no vapor chamber |
| 12 GB RAM | 12 GB RAM |
| Improved Wi-Fi 7 via Apple chip | Wi-Fi 7 via Qualcomm |
| New glass/aluminum body | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and aluminum frame |
| Heavier, thicker | Slimmer, lighter |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Samsung keeps the compact crown, Apple experiments with durability
The Galaxy S25 is one of the most compact Android flagships in years: at 7.25 mm and 162 g, it undercuts nearly every rival in size and weight. The iPhone 17 Pro moves in the opposite direction, reportedly thickening to 8.7 mm and closing in on 200 g.
Apple’s justification is durability. Titanium is out; a new half-aluminum, half-glass construction is in, designed to improve drop resistance while maintaining MagSafe and Qi2 charging support. It’s a bold change, but it makes the Pro noticeably bulkier than Samsung’s featherweight design.
Apple’s justification is durability. Titanium is out; a new half-aluminum, half-glass construction is in, designed to improve drop resistance while maintaining MagSafe and Qi2 charging support. It’s a bold change, but it makes the Pro noticeably bulkier than Samsung’s featherweight design.
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8.7 mm | Thickness 7.25 mm |
| Dimensions ~146.6 x 71.5 mm | Dimensions 146.9 x 70.5 mm |
| Weight Around 200 grams | Weight 162 grams |
The Galaxy S25 colors are more muted: like Mint, Icy Blue, Navy, and Silver Shadow. Apple is expected to go bolder with the iPhone 17 colors, including a copper-orange hue and a special Liquid Glass-inspired iridescent option.
Neither phone comes with much in the box — you’ll find a USB-C cable, documentation, and little else.
Display Differences
Both phones deliver smooth 120Hz displays, but the difference is in the details. Samsung’s 6.2-inch AMOLED panel hits 2,600 nits in testing — among the brightest compact panels we’ve seen. Apple, according to reports, will stick with 2,000 nits, the same as last year’s Pro.
Apple was said to be testing a new anti-reflective coating for added durability, but unfortunately scaling issues may have shelved that feature. Bezels should slim slightly on the iPhone 17 Pro, though, thanks to Border Reduction Structure tech, but the Galaxy S25 will probably remain the smaller, more compact device overall.
Apple was said to be testing a new anti-reflective coating for added durability, but unfortunately scaling issues may have shelved that feature. Bezels should slim slightly on the iPhone 17 Pro, though, thanks to Border Reduction Structure tech, but the Galaxy S25 will probably remain the smaller, more compact device overall.
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3" | Size 6.2" |
| Brightness ~2,600 nits (peak) | Brightness 2600 nits (peak) |
*Expected/rumored
As for bezels and biometrics, the S25 relies on an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and basic Face Unlock, while Apple continues with Face ID housed in the Dynamic Island, which may remain the same size.
Performance and Software
Snapdragon vs A19 Pro: the clash of a new generation
Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is already one of the fastest chips available, and paired with 12 GB RAM across all trims, the Galaxy S25 feels as snappy as it gets. Apple’s counterpunch comes with the A19 Pro, fabbed on TSMC’s N3P node, and — crucially — backed by a vapor chamber cooling system. This could help Apple sustain performance in gaming and pro apps, an area where iPhones have historically throttled.
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Chip A19 Pro | Chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Process 3nm | Process 3nm |
| RAM, Storage 12/256 GB 12/512 GB 12/1 TB LPDDR5X RAM NVMe storage | RAM, Storage 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/1 TB LPDDR5X RAM UFS 4.0 storage |
On software, Samsung leans into Galaxy AI: Circle to Search, voice controls, Log video editing, and more. Apple’s iOS 26 introduces its flashy “Liquid Glass” look alongside practical tools like Call Screening, Live Translate, and Smart Replies. Still, Apple Intelligence remains behind Samsung’s Gemini-based features in both scope and maturity, Siri 2.0 is still not ready.
Camera
Apple finally upgrades the telephoto camera
Samsung reuses the same camera hardware as the S24, which remains competent and one of the best performers in our camera tests. Software improvements like Log video, Audio Eraser, Expert RAW, help make the camera system on the S25 feel more modern.
But Apple is rumored to take a big step with the iPhone 17 Pro, which is expected to ship with three 48 MP sensors: wide, ultra-wide, and a new telephoto. There is also a possibility we will finally see 8K video and dual-camera recording. If that wasn't enough, we will also likely see a brand new 24 MP selfie camera.
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.8 24 mm 1/1.28" sensor size | Main 50 MP, f/1.8 24 mm 1/1.56" sensor size |
| Ultrawide 48 MP, f/2.2 13 mm 1/2.55" sensor size | Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13 mm 1/2.55" sensor size |
| Telephoto 48 MP 5X zoom (85mm) Unknown sensor size | Telephoto 10 MP, f/2.4 3X zoom (67mm) 1/3.94" sensor size |
Battery Life and Charging
Apple's biggest jump in battery capacity
The Galaxy S25 holds steady with a 4,000 mAh battery and 25W/15W charging — a conservative spec sheet that hasn’t changed in years. Apple, on the other hand, finally catches up: the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to feature a stacked 3,700 mAh cell with 35W wired and 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging.
There are also rumors that Apple has tested reverse wireless charging, which means the iPhone 17 Pro could be the first phone from Apple to support that feature.
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Battery size 3,700 mAh | Battery size 4,000 mAh |
Charging speeds 35W wired 25W wireless charging USB-C 3.2 | Charging speeds 25W wired 15W wireless charging USB-C 3.2 |
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick overview of the expected iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S25 specs:
| iPhone 17 Pro* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight ~146.6 x 71.5 x 8.7mm, ~200g | Size, weight 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.25mm, 162g |
| Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz | Screen 6.2" OLED 120Hz |
| Processor Apple A19 Pro 3nm | Processor Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm |
| Versions: 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/512 GB 12/ 1TB LPDDRX5 | Versions: 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/512 GB --- LPDDRX5 |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 48 MP ultra 48 MP 3.5X zoom 24 MP front | Cameras: 50 MP main 12 MP ultra 10 MP 3X zoom 12 MP front |
| Battery: ~4,700 mAh | Battery: 4,000 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 35W wired 25W wireless | Charging: USB-C 25W wired 15W wireless |
*Expected/rumored
Summary
Which one will be the better bang for your buck, then? The Galaxy S25 or the iPhone 17 Pro? Apple’s new Pro model clearly has the more ambitious upgrades — a new triple-48 MP camera system, stacked battery design with faster charging, vapor chamber cooling, and a new design that will allegedly make it sturdier.
The Galaxy S25, however, fights back with value. At $799, it’s lighter, slimmer, and still one of the most compact Android flagships you can buy. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is blisteringly fast, its screen is brighter than what we expect from the iPhone 17 Pro, and while the camera hardware hasn’t changed from the S24, Samsung’s software refinements keep it competitive.
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start around $1,099, which is at least $300 more than the Galaxy. That premium buys you better cameras, more durability, and ecosystem perks, but it also highlights just how much Samsung has squeezed into a more affordable device.
The Galaxy S25, however, fights back with value. At $799, it’s lighter, slimmer, and still one of the most compact Android flagships you can buy. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is blisteringly fast, its screen is brighter than what we expect from the iPhone 17 Pro, and while the camera hardware hasn’t changed from the S24, Samsung’s software refinements keep it competitive.
Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro is expected to start around $1,099, which is at least $300 more than the Galaxy. That premium buys you better cameras, more durability, and ecosystem perks, but it also highlights just how much Samsung has squeezed into a more affordable device.
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