Apple launched the iPhone 17 in September, beginning with the $799 entry-level mannequin of the brand new iPhone lineup. It is presently 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 bottom choice, there’s nothing fundamental about it. It options loads of updates like a 120Hz ProMovement show, upgraded cameras and a sooner A19 chip. Our assessment factors out the way it gives appreciable upgrades over the iPhone 16 and is perhaps a greater choice than the iPhone 17 Pro, relying in your wants. Since its debut, the iPhone 17 has had an iOS 26.1 replace, which provides the power to regulate the look of Liquid Glass in your cellphone together with just a few different tweaks. With the debut of a brand new iPhone, we determine it is solely becoming to match it to considered one of its hardest rivals: the bottom Galaxy S25 from Samsung. The two have very related traits and would make wonderful smartphones, relying on whether or not you are on the Apple or Android aspect of the divide. The S25 has had a latest replace to Android 16 in addition to Samsung’s One UI 8, which provides AI-powered personalization and an interface that is optimized for various type elements. You can learn extra about our impressions of the One UI 8 in our Galaxy Z Flip 7 assessment. So how do these two flagships stack up? Let’s take a better look. Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based evaluations. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply.DisplayOne of the most important updates to the iPhone 17 over its predecessor is that it lastly has a ProMovement show with a 120Hz variable refresh fee, which has solely been within the iPhone’s Pro fashions thus far. This permits for an always-on show so you may look at your notifications and Live Activities with out having to wake the display screen. Plus, it gives a smoother expertise when taking part in video games or scrolling by the online. Aside from the refresh fee, the iPhone 17 has a bigger 6.3-inch OLED display screen with a 2,622×1,206-pixel decision and 3,000 nits of brightness. Watch this: iPhone Air Review: A Joy to Hold, at a Cost
10:06 Samsung’s Galaxy line has had a 120Hz variable refresh fee for some time (ever because the S20), and it is no totally different with the Galaxy S25. The S25 additionally has an always-on show choice, which may be configured to point out on a regular basis or by tapping the display screen. Its 6.2-inch AMOLED show is not fairly as sharp with a 2,340×1,080-pixel decision, and it is also not fairly as brilliant, at 2,600 nits at peak brightness. The iPhone 17 has a 48-megapixel major digicam and a 48-megapixel ultrawide digicam. Abrar Al-Heeti/Zooey Liao/CNETCamerasIn the variety of cameras, the Galaxy S25 has the iPhone 17 beat. It has not one, not two, however three cameras: A 50-megapixel large, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto. The iPhone 17, alternatively, simply has two, however they don’t seem to be too unhealthy: a 48-megapixel large and a reasonably spectacular 48-megapixel ultrawide. That 48-megapixel ultrawide does give the iPhone 17 lots of photo-taking flexibility, particularly compared to the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 17 Air, and we had been very impressed with the ensuing images. The Galaxy S25’s telephoto digicam helps a 3x optical zoom, whereas the iPhone 17 helps a 2x optical zoom. The S25’s front-facing digicam has a 12-megapixel lens, whereas the iPhone 17’s has an 18-megapixel. The iPhone 17 additionally has a brand new Center Stage function that allows you to take panorama selfies with out rotating the cellphone. In phrases of video, the S25 can shoot in 8K video at 30 frames per second, whereas the iPhone 17 can shoot in 4K at 30 and 60 frames per second. The Samsung Galaxy S25 (proper), pictured right here with the Plus version, has three cameras. These embrace a 50-megapixel large, 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto. James Martin/CNETBattery lifeApple hasn’t shared the precise battery specs of the iPhone 17, however we do understand it has as much as 30 hours of video playback. According to the corporate, it additionally makes use of a brand new AI-powered Adaptive Power function on iOS 26 that may assist preserve battery life with efficiency changes. The Galaxy S25 has a 4,000-mAh battery, which Samsung says supplies as much as 29 hours of video playback. The two telephones seem fairly comparable in battery life. In our exams, we discovered that the Galaxy S25 lasts round a day and a half with common use. The iPhone 17, alternatively, lasts somewhat over a day, with about 30% battery life after 24 hours. PriceThe iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 begin at round $800 however at totally different storage sizes. The iPhone 17 begins at $799 ($829 if you happen to get it with no service) for the 256GB model, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S25 will price you $800 for the 128GB mannequin. Stepping as much as the 256GB version of the Galaxy S25 provides $60 to the value.Check out the specs chart beneath for extra comparisons between the iPhone 17 and the Galaxy S25.Apple iPhone 17 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Apple iPhone 17Samsung Galaxy S25 Display dimension, decision 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622×1,206 pixel decision; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh ratePixel density 460ppi416 ppiDimensions (inches) 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 in5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 in.Dimensions (millimeters) 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mmWeight (ounces, grams) 177 g (6.24 oz)162g (5.71 oz.)Mobile software program iOS 26Android 15Camera 48-megapixel (large) 48-megapixel (ultrawide)50-megapixel (large), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto)Front-facing digicam 18-megapixel12-megapixel Video seize 4K8KProcessor Apple A19Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyRAM/Storage RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GB12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GBExpandable storage NoneNoneBattery/Charger Up to 30 hours video playback; as much as 27 hours video playback (streamed)4,000 mAhFingerprint sensor None (Face ID)Under displayConnector USB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneParticular options Apple N1 wi-fi 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 show vary; IP68 resistance; Colors: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender; Fast cost as much as 50% in 20 minutes utilizing 40W adapter or increased by way of charging cable; Fast cost as much as 50% in 30 minutes utilizing 30W adapter or increased by way of MagSafe Charger.2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and mud resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7Price off-contract (USD) $829 (256GB)$800 (128GB)Price (GBP) £799 (256GB)£799 (128GB)Price (AUD) AU$1,399 (256GB)AU$1,399 (256GB)
