The iPhone 17 brings significant enhancements this year, but does it outperform the Galaxy S25 — or merely match it?
Apple has introduced a new lineup of smartphones, and the iPhone 17 appears to be the first base model in years that can genuinely compete with the top Android devices. Historically, it was simple to critique Apple for seemingly withholding essential features, such as always-on displays and high refresh rates, from its most affordable new iPhone. The iPhone 17 changes that narrative, incorporating both of those eagerly anticipated features along with many more to make the base model stand out.
For those in search of a compact and budget-friendly flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S25 has looked impressive on paper for the last few years. It’s the most compact among the leading options from Apple, Samsung, and Google, and it added a third rear camera before it became mainstream. Now, we’ll see if the iPhone 17 can outshine the Galaxy S25 in terms of value for the base model.
iPhone 17 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25: Design and display
Both the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 are small flagship devices, but Apple’s smartphone is heavier and less compact than Samsung’s. It all comes down to the displays — Samsung continues to use a 6.2-inch AMOLED panel on the Galaxy S25, while Apple has upgraded to a larger 6.3-inch screen. Both can now achieve 120Hz refresh rates, and offer AOD options.
Apple employs Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the iPhone 17, whereas Samsung has chosen Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the Galaxy S25. Both are produced by Corning, but the significant difference is that the cover glass on the iPhone 17 is optimized for scratch resistance and features anti-reflective qualities. If you want an anti-reflective screen on a Samsung Galaxy phone, you’ll need to go with the pricier Galaxy S25 Ultra model.
The size difference between the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 is noteworthy. By solely comparing screen sizes, the disparity seems minimal, but there’s more to consider. The iPhone measures 149.6 x 71.5 x 8mm and weighs 177 grams, making it larger in every aspect compared to the Galaxy S25’s dimensions of 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm. The Samsung base model impressively weighs just 162 grams — even lighter than the iPhone Air.
Interestingly, the Galaxy S25 offers flagship specifications and a larger battery capacity than the iPhone 17 within its compact design. The only major trade-off is the display, which is smaller by 0.1 inches. It’s up to you to determine whether the bulkier, thicker, and heavier design of the iPhone 17 is a drawback, but I favor the sleek and lightweight design of the Galaxy S25.
In terms of durability, both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. They are also constructed from aluminum and have frosted glass backs.
iPhone 17 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25: Hardware and specs
Both Apple and Samsung have equipped their most affordable flagship smartphones with cutting-edge processors, but the Galaxy S25 takes it a step further. It is driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy mobile platform, the same one powering Samsung’s high-end devices. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 is powered by an Apple A19 chip, which is a mid-range option compared to the A19 Pro found in the Air and Pro models. This may enable the Galaxy S25 to excel in AI functions and gaming, but that remains to be evaluated.
Samsung holds an edge in on-device memory, boasting 12GB of RAM in the Galaxy S25 compared to the 8GB in the iPhone 17. However, the iPhone 17 starts with 256GB of base storage at the same price point as the 128GB Galaxy S25. There is also more storage available in the higher-end versions. One can purchase an iPhone 17 with up to 512GB of storage, while the Galaxy S25 maxes out at 256GB.
Regarding connectivity, both the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 support Wi-Fi 7, 5G, satellite connectivity, and NFC. The iPhone 17 features Bluetooth 6 in contrast to Bluetooth 5.4 on the Galaxy S25. Conversely, the Galaxy S25 includes a physical SIM tray, whereas all iPhones sold in the U.S. utilize eSIM only.
Samsung has provided the Galaxy S25 with slightly enhanced battery life, but it charges at a slower rate and lacks internal magnets for Qi2 or MagSafe. The iPhone 17 is now capable of 40-60W fast wired charging and can utilize Qi2.2 25W wireless charging, which is a welcome addition.
