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Apple final month introduced its new iPhone 17 lineup on the Awe-Dropping Event in Cupertino, California. After years of enjoying it protected, the corporate is experimenting with the design of its telephones.
The iPhone 17 Professional Max sports activities its most noticeable (and possibly controversial) design adjustments in years. In contrast, its closest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, retains its signature look. The 2 flagship telephones function versatile digital camera setups, loads of energy, and a slew of options. Every will go well with a particular sort of person.
Additionally: I tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and this feature alone justifies an upgrade from the 16
In case you’re questioning which of the 2 Apple or Samsung telephones ought to be your subsequent every day driver, let me break it down for you. Here is how the brand new Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max compares to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely.
Specs
| Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely | |
| Show | 6.9″ AMOLED with 120Hz, 3000 nits peak | 6.9″ QHD AMOLED 120Hz, 2600 nits peak |
| Weight | 233 grams | 218 grams |
| Processor | Apple A19 Professional | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Dimensions | 78 x 163.4 x 8.75mm | 77.6 x 162.8 x 8.2mm |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery | N/A | 5000 mAh |
| Digicam | 48MP Fusion / 48MP Extremely Huge / 48MP telephoto / 18MP entrance | 200MP broad / 50MP telephoto (5x) / 10MP telephoto (3x) / 50 MP ultrawide / 12MP entrance |
| Worth | $1,199 | $1,299 |
You should purchase the Apple iPhone 17 Professional Max if…
1. You file a variety of movies
iPhones have been the go-to smartphone for video recording for a very long time, and Apple is taking it a step additional with the iPhone 17 Professional collection. The brand new Professional fashions assist ProRes RAW video recording capabilities, permitting filmmakers to have better inventive freedom over their recordings. You may file 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient movies at as much as 120 fps through the primary digital camera and as much as 60 fps on the opposite two sensors.
Additionally: iPhone 17 preorders are open: Here’s where you can find free phone deals
Apple additionally upgraded the entrance digital camera to 18MP with Heart Stage assist. It additionally helps “ultrastabilized movies” from the selfie shooter, which might be helpful for creators around the globe. If you’re somebody who needs a smartphone for capturing movies, an iPhone 17 Professional or iPhone 17 Professional Max is the cellphone to go for.
2. You’ve MagSafe-compatible equipment
If you’re an iPhone person, you most likely have MagSafe-compatible equipment, and these will solely be appropriate with the brand new iPhones. For the unaware, MagSafe is extra than simply wi-fi charging. I’ve a magnetic tripod that I like utilizing with my iPhone 16 Professional, in addition to a magnetic energy financial institution, which presents extra comfort than a wired energy financial institution.
In case you go for a Galaxy S25 Extremely, none of them will work along with your new cellphone. To maintain your outdated MagSafe investments intact and usable, it is best to go along with the iPhone 17 Professional Max.
3. You want 2TB of storage in your cellphone
For all of the creators on the market, Apple has not solely improved video recording capabilities but in addition offers area to retailer them domestically in your cellphone. A 2TB iPhone 17 Professional Max won’t impress many, however in case you are a creator, the iPhone 17 Professional Max will serve you higher than the Galaxy S25 Extremely, which maxes out at 1TB of storage. Nevertheless, you may have to spend $1,999 to get a 2TB variant.
You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely if…
1. You need the most effective display screen on a smartphone that we have examined thus far
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra‘s show has spoiled me. It options the most effective display screen on a smartphone at present, because of the anti-reflective and anti-smudge properties. When in comparison with my present iPhone 16 Pro, it’s simpler to view and browse open air.
As compared, I at all times should wipe my iPhone’s display screen when capturing a video or making an attempt to navigate open air. There isn’t any such subject on the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and Samsung has really taken its smartphone display screen sport to the following stage with its flagship this 12 months. That mentioned, the iPhone 17 Professional introduces a brand new anti-reflective show, however we have but to check it.
2. You need a extra full AI function set
Samsung’s Galaxy AI is extra sturdy than Apple Intelligence, based mostly on my expertise with the 2 this 12 months. Whereas Apple Intelligence presents some nifty options like notification abstract and writing instruments, Galaxy AI is healthier and simpler to make use of, because of its sidebar and Android customizations.
Additionally: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was nearly unusable for me – until I downloaded this one app
Want so as to add an electronic mail invite to the Calendar app? Swipe from the sidebar, faucet on AI Choose, and you’ve got a one-tap choice prepared so as to add that occasion to your Calendar app. I additionally love Instantaneous Gradual-Mo movies at a press and maintain, in addition to Samsung’s object eraser device, which works higher than Apple’s Clear Up. The Cupertino firm may enhance its AI sport this 12 months however Samsung’s Galaxy AI presents a extra full AI person expertise as of now.
3. You need the S Pen
Samsung has repositioned the S Pen and removed its features over time. Nevertheless, Galaxy Notice followers nonetheless like jotting down fast concepts and notes on their smartphones. In case you like the concept of writing in your cellphone’s show, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is the one flagship cellphone to supply that have. Keep in mind, you not get options like a distant digital camera shutter button, nevertheless it nonetheless turns out to be useful at conferences.
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