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Both Apple and Samsung have updated their entry-level handsets recently, so let’s compare them.
I started my career with CNET all the way back in 2005, when the (original) Motorola Razrs were all the rage. Since then, I’ve written about everything from consumer electronics to internet culture for outlets like CNET, Engadget and Yahoo. Outside of work, I’m a big fan of baseball, board games, tabletop RPGs and improv comedy.
Apple introduced the iPhone 17 in September, starting with the $799 entry-level model of the new iPhone lineup. It is currently on sale with the $999 iPhone Air, $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro and $1,199 iPhone 17 Pro Max.
While the iPhone 17 is the base option, there’s nothing basic about it. It features plenty of updates like a 120Hz ProMotion display, upgraded cameras and a faster A19 chip. Our review points out how it offers considerable upgrades over the iPhone 16 and might be a better option than the iPhone 17 Pro, depending on your needs.
Since its debut, the iPhone 17 has had an iOS 26.1 update, which adds the ability to adjust the look of Liquid Glass on your phone along with a few other tweaks.
With the debut of a new iPhone, we figure it’s only fitting to compare it to one of its toughest competitors: the base Galaxy S25 from Samsung. The two have very similar characteristics and would make excellent smartphones, depending on whether you’re on the Apple or Android side of the divide.
The S25 has had a recent update to Android 16 as well as Samsung’s One UI 8, which adds AI-powered personalization and an interface that’s optimized for different form factors. You can read more about our impressions of the One UI 8 in our Galaxy Z Flip 7 review.
So how do these two flagships stack up? Let’s take a closer look.
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Display
One of the biggest updates to the iPhone 17 over its predecessor is that it finally has a ProMotion display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, which has only been in the iPhone’s Pro models to this point. This allows for an always-on display so you can glance at your notifications and Live Activities without having to wake the screen. Plus, it offers a smoother experience when playing games or scrolling through the web. Aside from the refresh rate, the iPhone 17 has a larger 6.3-inch OLED screen with a 2,622×1,206-pixel resolution and 3,000 nits of brightness.
Watch this: iPhone Air Review: A Joy to Hold, at a Cost
Samsung’s Galaxy line has had a 120Hz variable refresh rate for a while (ever since the S20), and it’s no different with the Galaxy S25. The S25 also has an always-on display option, which can be configured to show all the time or by tapping the screen. Its 6.2-inch AMOLED display isn’t quite as sharp with a 2,340×1,080-pixel resolution, and it’s also not quite as bright, at 2,600 nits at peak brightness.
The iPhone 17 has a 48-megapixel main camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera.
Abrar Al-Heeti/ Zooey Liao/ CNETCameras
When it comes to the number of cameras, the Galaxy S25 has the iPhone 17 beat. It has not one, not two, but three cameras: A 50-megapixel wide, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, just has two, but they’re not too bad: a 48-megapixel wide and a rather impressive 48-megapixel ultrawide. That 48-megapixel ultrawide does give the iPhone 17 a lot of photo-taking flexibility, especially in comparison to the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air, and we were very impressed with the resulting photos.
The Galaxy S25’s telephoto camera supports a 3x optical zoom, while the iPhone 17 supports a 2x optical zoom.
The S25’s front-facing camera has a 12-megapixel lens, while the iPhone 17’s has an 18-megapixel one. The iPhone 17 also boasts a new Center Stage feature that lets you take landscape selfies without rotating the phone.
In terms of video, the S25 can shoot in 8K video at 30 frames per second, while the iPhone 17 can shoot in 4K at 30 and 60 frames per second.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 (right), pictured here with the Plus edition, has three cameras. These include a 50-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto.
James Martin/CNETBattery life
Apple hasn’t shared the exact battery specs of the iPhone 17, but we do know it has up to 30 hours of video playback. According to the company, it also uses a new AI-powered Adaptive Power feature on iOS 26 that can help conserve battery life with performance adjustments. The Galaxy S25 has a 4,000-mAh battery, which Samsung says provides up to 29 hours of video playback.
The two phones appear pretty comparable when it comes to battery life. In our tests, we found that the Galaxy S25 lasts around a day and a half with regular use. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, lasts a little over a day, with about 30% battery life after 24 hours.
Price
Both the iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 start at around $800, but at very different storage sizes. The iPhone 17 starts at $799 ($829 if you get it without a carrier) for the 256GB version, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 will cost you $800 for the 128GB model. Stepping up to the 256GB edition of the Galaxy S25 adds $60 to the price.
Check out the specs chart below for more comparisons between the iPhone 17 and the Galaxy S25.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25
| Apple iPhone 17 | Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622×1,206 pixel resolution; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate | 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 416 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in | 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 in. |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Weight (ounces, grams) | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 162g (5.71 oz.) |
| Mobile software | iOS 26 | Android 15 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide) 48-megapixel (ultrawide) | 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 18-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 8K |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM/Storage | RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GB | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery/Charger | Up to 30 hours video playback; up to 27 hours video playback (streamed) | 4,000 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | Apple N1 wireless networking chip (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread; Action button; Camera Control button; Dynamic Island; Apple Intelligence; Visual Intelligence; Dual eSIM; 1 to 3,000 nits brightness display range; IP68 resistance; Colors: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender; Fast charge up to 50% in 20 minutes using 40W adapter or higher via charging cable; Fast charge up to 50% in 30 minutes using 30W adapter or higher via MagSafe Charger. | 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7 |
| Price off-contract (USD) | $829 (256GB) | $800 (128GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £799 (256GB) | £799 (128GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$1,399 (256GB) | AU$1,399 (256GB) |
