- By Prateek Levi
- Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Samsung and Apple have both released their new flagships, the Galaxy S25/S25+ and iPhone 17. Both of them have set out to take smartphones further with AI, design refinement, and performance enhancement, but their methods demonstrate some stark contrasts.
Design and Display
Samsung has gone for a lightweight, reduced-bezel Galaxy S25 design, encased in aluminium for durability. The 6.7-inch Quad HD+ screen (3120 x 1440) offers crisp images with high levels of detail. Apple retains the streamlined look with the iPhone 17's curved edge design and a fractionally smaller 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR screen. With ProMotion up to 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 3000 nits, Apple's screen is brighter and more efficient in sunlight.
Image Credits: Apple
Cameras
Cameras are always a showstopper. The Galaxy S25 has a triple setup—50MP main, 10MP telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide—in addition to a 12MP front camera. Samsung also introduces its AI-driven ProVisual Engine for intelligent shooting and editing.
Image Credits: Apple
iPhone 17 leaps forward with 48MP sensors in all rear cameras—main, ultra-wide, and a built-in 2x telephoto. Its highlight is the innovative new 18MP Centre Stage front camera, which shifts automatically for group photos and stabilised 4K HDR video capture. Apple introduces Dual Capture, too, enabling users to capture with front and rear cameras simultaneously.
Performance and Gaming
Under the hood, Samsung packs the S25 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy, optimised for real-time ray tracing and Vulkan optimisation. The iPhone 17 is powered by Apple's A19 chip based on 3nm technology, offering faster CPU/GPU and neural accelerators for AI workloads. Both are optimised for gaming, but Apple relies on its custom silicon, whereas Samsung focuses on graphical realism.
Battery Life
Galaxy S25 is equipped with a 4,900mAh battery, backed by Samsung's display and processor optimisations to extend video playback to 30 hours. Apple also guarantees up to 30 hours of iPhone 17 video playback, assisted by ProMotion efficiency and Adaptive Power Mode on iOS 26. Charging is quicker on iPhone, with 50% in roughly 20 minutes with Apple's new high-wattage adapter.
Software and AI
Samsung debuts Galaxy AI features and One UI 7, with the Now Bar for easy access to alerts, music, and widgets. Apple responds with iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence, adding Live Translation, enhanced on-device AI capabilities, and a fresh Liquid Glass design for apps. Both emphasise AI as the next major move in smartphone use.
Storage and Options
The Galaxy S25 and S25+ stick to familiar storage options, while the iPhone 17 raises its base to 256GB, with 512GB also available. Apple offers five new colours—black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white—while Samsung’s lineup wasn’t detailed in the specs here but typically spans a wide palette.
The Galaxy S25 is priced at ₹74,999 in India for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, while the higher 12GB RAM and 512GB storage model costs ₹86,999. In comparison, iPhone 17 begins at ₹82,900 for 256GB, and 512GB costs ₹1,02,900. This makes Samsung's top-of-the-line phone have a slightly lower starting price point, whereas Apple's basic model begins higher and maintains its high-end price curve for higher storage.
ALSO READ: Apple iPhone Air, Thinnest iPhone Ever Launched In India: Checkout Specifications And Price In India
Final Thoughts
Both Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 stretch into AI-driven experiences, better cameras, and brighter displays. Samsung relies on diversity and high-definition video with larger display, while Apple values photography and ruggedness with its enhanced camera system and Ceramic Shield 2. Choosing between them may come down to whether you prefer Apple's tighter integration with iOS and its ecosystem or Samsung's screen quality, battery life, and customizability.
COMPLETE BREAKDOWN
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 17 — Quick Comparison
| Category | Samsung Galaxy S25 / S25+ | Apple iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Display | Slimmed-down premium aluminum frame; 6.7" Quad HD+ (16.91 cm full rectangle) — 3120 × 1440 resolution; Designed for comfortable grip. | Contoured-edge design with Ceramic Shield 2; 6.3" Super Retina XDR, ProMotion up to 120Hz, peak 3000 nits; thinner borders and Always-On Display. |
| Rear / Front Cameras | Rear: 50 MP (main) + 10 MP (tele) + 12 MP (ultrawide). Front: 12 MP selfie. Samsung ProVisual Engine for capture/editing. | Rear: all 48 MP across main / ultra-wide / integrated 2× optical-quality Telephoto. Front: new 18 MP Center Stage (wider FOV, portrait ↔ landscape framing); Dual Capture, 4K HDR stabilized video, Photographic Styles. |
| Performance & Gaming | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy (custom optimizations); Real-time ray tracing support & Vulkan optimization for smoother gaming. | A19 chip (3nm gen) — 6-core CPU / 5-core GPU with neural accelerators in GPU cores; Strong single-chip integration and on-device AI capabilities. |
| Battery & Charging | 4,900 mAh (typical); software + mDNIe display tech for extended video playback — up to ~30 hours (marketing figure). Optimizations focused on long video/runtime. | All-day battery life via A19 efficiency and iOS 26 Adaptive Power Mode; Apple claims up to 30 hours video playback. Fast charging: up to ~50% in 20 minutes with optional high-watt USB-C adapter. |
| Software & AI | One UI 7 with Galaxy AI companion, Now Bar for quick access to alerts, widgets, timers and music. | iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence (on-device foundation model), Live Translation, improved visual intelligence, and system-wide AI features. |
| Storage, Colors & Options | Typical flagship storage tiers (e.g., 256 GB variants common); color lineup varies by market. (Article focused on S25 / S25+ design and specs.) | Base raised to 256 GB (also 512 GB); available in black, lavender, mist blue, sage, white; additional models (Air, Pro, Pro Max) offer higher tiers. |
| Price in India (INR) | Launch price (256 GB): ₹80,999 (approx.) Market range observed: ~₹72,990 — ₹82,999 depending on retailer/offers. | iPhone 17 (256 GB): ₹82,900 iPhone 17 (512 GB): ₹1,02,900 — Pro / Pro Max and other variants range well above ₹1,00,000. |
