iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S25: Expected differences
This year, the base iPhone will feel more premium, but will it be enough?
The second half of 2025 will see the arrival of the iPhone 17 — Apple’s latest $800 flagship, which now brings long-awaited features like a 120Hz ProMotion display and a new 24 MP selfie camera. Meanwhile, Samsung's Galaxy S25 has already made its mark as one of the lightest and most compact Android flagships ever, focusing on polish, AI features, and blazing-fast performance.
Both phones target the same price range and size category, but they take very different approaches. Apple emphasizes software stability, tighter integration, and gradual upgrades. Samsung counters with sleek design, top-tier performance, and a complete triple-camera system.
So which compact flagship wins out in 2025? Let’s break it down.
iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S25 expected differences:
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| A19 chip built on 3nm process | Snapdragon 8 Elite chip (3nm) |
| New 120Hz ProMotion OLED display | 120Hz AMOLED with 2,600 nits peak |
| Dual-camera system | Triple-camera setup with telephoto |
| New 24 MP selfie camera | 12 MP selfie camera |
| ~3,877 mAh battery | 4,000 mAh battery |
| 35W wired, 25W Qi2 wireless | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| $799-849 | $799 |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
The S25 is a true compact flagship
The Galaxy S25 is all about compact minimalism. It weighs just 162g and measures a sleek 7.25mm in thickness — one of the slimmest flagship phones in years. Apple’s iPhone 17 is catching up in some ways but is still said to remain heavier and thicker.
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Thickness ~6.25 | Thickness 7.25 mm |
| Dimensions ~147.6 x 71.6 mm | Dimensions 146.9 x 70.5 mm |
| Weight ~170 grams | Weight 162 grams |
The iPhone 17 retains the vertical pill-shaped camera bump with two lenses and a mostly unchanged rear design from the iPhone 16. The S25 keeps Samsung’s signature vertically stacked triple-camera layout. Both should share IP68 water and dust resistance.
Apple is said to be testing new green and purple shades alongside black, white, steel gray, and light blue. Samsung, meanwhile, offers Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, and Silver Shadow.
Apple is said to be testing new green and purple shades alongside black, white, steel gray, and light blue. Samsung, meanwhile, offers Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, and Silver Shadow.
Display Differences
2025 is the year Apple finally gives its base iPhone a 120Hz ProMotion display, likely using the same M14 OLED material from the iPhone 16 Pro. That means better efficiency and longevity compared to the M12 in the iPhone 16. We don't expect a variable refresh rate from 1-120Hz and Always-On display, though — that will still be reserved for the Pro models.
Samsung still leads in brightness — our lab measured the S25 at 2,600 nits, while Apple’s base model is rumored to stay closer to 2,000–2,200. Both offer symmetrical bezels, though Apple is said to have shaved them even further.
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3" | Size 6.2" |
| Brightness ~2,000 nits (peak) | Brightness 2,600 nits (peak) |
*Expected/rumored
Both phones feature symmetrical bezels, and Apple is said to have decreased them with the iPhone 17. Apple will continue to rely on Face ID via the Dynamic Island for biometrics, while Samsung offers an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and basic Face Unlock.
Performance and Software
Snapdragon 8 Elite vs A19
The Galaxy S25 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite — one of the fastest smartphone chips on the market. Apple’s iPhone 17 will counter with the A19 chip built on TSMC’s upgraded 3nm process (N3P), though performance gains over the A18 may be modest.
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Chip A19 | Chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Process 3nm | Process 3nm |
| RAM, Storage 8/128 GB 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDR5X RAM NVMe storage | RAM, Storage 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/1 TB LPDDR5X RAM UFS 4.0 storage |
Samsung has brought Gemini AI to One UI 7, adding features like voice commands, Gallery search, and Circle to Search. Apple is expected to expand Apple Intelligence with deeper Siri integration, text summarization, and smarter photo editing, but the company still hasn't given any timeline for when users can expect those features.
Camera
Apple still won't offer a dedicated telephoto camera
Apple still refuses to put a telephoto camera on its base iPhone, which is now a glaring omission. Samsung, by contrast, keeps its triple-lens setup intact, making the S25 more versatile for zoom shots.
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.6 26 mm 1/1.56" sensor size | Main 50 MP, f/1.8 24 mm 1/1.56" sensor size |
| Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13 mm Unknown sensor size | Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13 mm 1/2.55" sensor size |
| Telephoto None | Telephoto 10 MP, f/2.4 3X zoom (67mm) 1/3.94" sensor size |
The iPhone 17 is said to upgrade at least one camera this year, giving the selfie camera a 24 MP sensor vs the 12 MP from last year. This should be a meaningful improvement for video calls and creators. Samsung’s selfie camera sticks at 12 MP, so it might prove less sharp than the new one on the iPhone 17.
Battery Life and Charging
Small bump for Apple, familiar story for Samsung
The iPhone 17 is expected to have a similar battery to the iPhone 16 — around 3,600 mAh — which is much smaller than the S25’s 4,000 mAh. However, Apple may finally be increasing wired charging speeds up to 35W and enabling 25W wireless charging via third-party Qi2 charging devices.
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Battery size ~3,600 mAh | Battery size 4,000 mAh |
Charging speeds 35W wired 25W Magsafe wireless charging Qi2.2 support USB-C 2.0 | Charging speeds 25W wired 15W wireless charging USB-C 3.2 |
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick overview of the expected iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S25 specs:
| iPhone 17* | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight ~147.6 x 71.6 x 6.25 mm, 170g | Size, weight 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.25mm, 162g |
| Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz | Screen 6.2" OLED 120Hz |
| Processor Apple A19 3nm | Processor Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm |
| Versions: 8/128 GB 8/256 GB 8/512 GB LPDDRX5 | Versions: 12/128 GB 12/256 GB 12/512 GB LPDDRX5 |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 12 MP ultra --- 24 MP front | Cameras: 50 MP main 12 MP ultra 10 MP 3X zoom 12 MP front |
| Battery: ~3,600 mAh | Battery: 4,000 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 35W wired 25W wireless | Charging: USB-C 25W wired 15W wireless |
*Expected/rumored
Summary
If you're an Android fan, the Galaxy S25 continues to be the safest and most refined option in the compact flagship space. It offers great performance, solid cameras, and a lightweight design — all with Samsung’s deep AI integration and extended software support.
But the iPhone 17 finally closes the gap in key areas: 120Hz display, faster charging, and a much better selfie camera. If Apple keeps the price close to $799, it may be the most well-rounded base iPhone we’ve seen in years.
Ultimately, this showdown comes down to priorities. If you value performance and the benefits of a telephoto camera, the Galaxy S25 is the better pick. The iPhone 17, however, is a much better challenger to Samsung's base flagship than its predecessors were, largely thanks to the screen quality and battery life that might finally catch up.
But the iPhone 17 finally closes the gap in key areas: 120Hz display, faster charging, and a much better selfie camera. If Apple keeps the price close to $799, it may be the most well-rounded base iPhone we’ve seen in years.
Ultimately, this showdown comes down to priorities. If you value performance and the benefits of a telephoto camera, the Galaxy S25 is the better pick. The iPhone 17, however, is a much better challenger to Samsung's base flagship than its predecessors were, largely thanks to the screen quality and battery life that might finally catch up.
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