Galaxy S25+ Vs iPhone 17 Pro

Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:624.00

Versus €1,401.57 new

See options
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:1,064.00

Versus €1,339.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in early 2025, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, launched in late 2025, represent the latest advancements from their respective manufacturers in the flagship smartphone category. While both devices offer premium experiences, they differentiate themselves through their operating systems, design philosophies, and specific feature enhancements. The Galaxy S25 Plus operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, emphasizing customization and AI integration, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro runs on iOS, focusing on a streamlined user experience and advanced camera capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S25 Plus is part of a series that Samsung has committed to providing seven years of operating system and security updates, extending its software longevity until approximately 2032. The iPhone 17 Pro, running on iOS, typically receives software updates for six to eight years from its release, ensuring a prolonged period of current features and security patches.
  • Build Materials: The Galaxy S25 Plus features an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display and back panel protection, offering robust resistance against everyday wear. The iPhone 17 Pro utilizes a unibody aluminum frame and introduces Ceramic Shield 2 for its display, which is noted for its enhanced scratch resistance.
  • Practical Lifespan: Both devices are engineered for durability, with IP68 ratings for water and dust resistance. Users can expect several years of reliable performance from either model, with the extended software support on both platforms contributing significantly to their practical lifespan.

Year of Release

2025

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 17 Pro are equipped with advanced internal components designed for demanding tasks and smooth operation.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Plus integrates a current-generation processor built on a 3nm process, delivering substantial improvements in CPU performance and power efficiency, ensuring demanding applications and multitasking run smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro features Apple's A19 Pro chip, also built on a 3nm process, which provides enhanced performance for complex computations, graphics-intensive gaming, and advanced AI features.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy S25 Plus handles multiple applications concurrently with ease, maintaining fluidity across the user interface. The iPhone 17 Pro also includes 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, contributing to its responsive system and efficient management of background processes.
  • Storage Options: The Galaxy S25 Plus is available with storage capacities up to 512GB, providing ample space for applications, media, and documents. The iPhone 17 Pro offers various storage configurations, starting from 256GB and extending up to 2TB for the Pro Max model, catering to users with extensive storage needs.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is delivered through high-quality displays, though with some distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), offering sharp images and vibrant colors. The iPhone 17 Pro comes with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing a resolution of 2622x1206 pixels at 460 pixels per inch, known for its deep blacks and accurate color reproduction.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S25 Plus achieves a peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The iPhone 17 Pro boasts an impressive outdoor peak brightness of 3000 nits, along with a new anti-reflective coating, which significantly enhances readability under direct sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices incorporate adaptive refresh rate technology, with the Galaxy S25 Plus offering a 120Hz refresh rate and the iPhone 17 Pro featuring ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. This ensures smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and a responsive touch experience.

Resolution

1440 x 3120 pixels

2622x1206

Audiovisual

Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 17 Pro offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in diverse environments.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP wide-angle main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro features a 48MP Pro Fusion camera system, encompassing main, ultra-wide, and a telephoto lens that offers an 8x optical-quality zoom, providing a versatile range for photography.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S25 Plus delivers detailed images with good color processing, and its AI photo processing is noted for enhancing night and zoom shots. The iPhone 17 Pro's camera system is praised for its overall quality, particularly its telephoto capabilities, and includes features like Photonic Engine and Smart HDR for improved image processing.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy S25 Plus supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second and includes a 12MP front-facing camera. The iPhone 17 Pro offers ProRes video recording up to 4K at 120 frames per second with external recording and features an 18MP Center Stage front camera, which provides a wider field of view and can adjust to keep subjects in frame during video calls.

Front camera

12MP

18 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support advanced connectivity standards, including 5G and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring fast and reliable wireless communication. The Galaxy S25 Plus features Bluetooth 5.4 and a USB-C 3.2 port, offering versatile data transfer and charging capabilities. The iPhone 17 Pro comes with Bluetooth 6 and a USB-C port that supports USB 3 speeds, facilitating quick data transfers and compatibility with various accessories.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S25 Plus incorporates an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. The iPhone 17 Pro relies on Face ID for facial recognition, providing a secure and seamless authentication method.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S25 Plus maintains a comfortable design with a flat frame and rounded corners, while the iPhone 17 Pro features a unibody aluminum design. Both phones are designed to be durable, with the iPhone 17 Pro also featuring Ceramic Shield 2 on the back glass for enhanced protection.

Weight

190 g

206 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.3

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 17 Pro each offer compelling features for different user preferences. Users of the Galaxy S25 Plus often praise its smooth performance, extensive customization options through One UI, and the vibrant quality of its display. The long-term software support commitment from Samsung is also a significant advantage for those seeking extended device longevity. Some users, however, have noted that the camera performance in low-light conditions can sometimes be inconsistent, and the integrated AI features, while powerful, can feel somewhat prominent.

Conversely, the iPhone 17 Pro receives acclaim for its exceptional display brightness, rapid processing speeds, and significantly improved battery life. Its advanced camera system, particularly the telephoto capabilities and the new Center Stage front camera, are frequently highlighted as strong points. Some feedback suggests that the shift to an aluminum frame from titanium might give a less premium feel to some users, and minor scratching has been reported by a few.

Users prioritizing extensive customization, a large and vibrant display, and a long software support window may find the Galaxy S25 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who value a highly optimized ecosystem, cutting-edge camera technology with advanced video features, and superior outdoor screen visibility might lean towards the iPhone 17 Pro. Both devices represent excellent choices in the premium smartphone segment, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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