The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes on the iPhone 17 Pro Max in camera comparisons (Image source: SuperSaf)It makes sense that most early tests and reviews of the new Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are comparing its camera to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Unlike the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra or the Vivo X200 Ultra, the Samsung flagship is available worldwide, making it a direct competitor. However, it’s apparently falling behind, even in areas that once were Samsung’s strong suits, such as the zoom camera.
One of the main arguments for an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max over the regular iPhone 17 is probably the improved camera with the new 48MP 4x telephoto lens. It’s no surprise that many early tests are focusing on camera quality, especially after we’ve already seen drop tests and initial teardown videos this first weekend following the phone’s official release.
In their initial videos on the new Pro iPhone, two well-known YouTubers have compared it to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is also not surprising. It is by far the most widely available Android flagship, even though some believe that it can no longer keep up with high-end smartphone cameras from China, such as the Vivo X200 Ultra.
iPhone 17 Pro has the best selfie camera
For both MrWhosetheboss and SuperSaf, the new 18MP Center Stage front-facing camera on the iPhone 17 series is a game-changer. It’s not only significantly more dynamic than Samsung’s counterpart but also more versatile thanks to its flexible formats. The iPhone 17 can also take better selfies at night, and its video stabilization works a little better. There’s only one exception, as SuperSaf prefers selfies taken with a flash in very dark environments on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
iPhone wins at night
In direct comparison, the new iPhone performs better than its predecessor, especially at night. For example, there are fewer jitter artifacts in low-light videos. Also, many examples shown by these two YouTubers illustrate that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is better at illuminating difficult scenes. Even the telephoto comparison, which Samsung usually wins during the day, goes to Apple as the ambient light decreases. For instance, text at 20x zoom is more legible on the iPhones, despite the optical advantage of the Samsung camera.
Macros: Neither phone offers a telemacro
Macro shots are not handled perfectly on either device. Both Apple and Samsung can take macro photos with their ultrawide cameras, but according to both YouTubers, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is slightly better than the iPhone. However, those who want to take macro photos with a telephoto lens are better off with a Vivo, Xiaomi or Oppo flagship, which allow for telemacro shots from just a few inches away. With the 4x telephoto on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, you have to be about 3 ft away from the object to get a sharp photo, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra falls in between and wins this segment.
Zoom: It depends
When it comes to zoom, both smartphones show their strengths if the optical telephoto focal length is perfectly matched. At 3x and 5x zoom, Samsung usually has the upper hand, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max tends to produce a better photo at 4x and 8x. As we’ve already mentioned, the tide often turns in Apple’s favor at night, but Ice Universe also observes artifacts on the Galaxy S25 telephoto camera during the day. In the X post embedded above, photos were taken with about 9x-10x zoom, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra shows unnatural artifacts upon closer inspection, which are caused by Samsung’s zoom algorithms. The latter becomes even more apparent when pixel-peeping at 30x zoom shots from both devices (see below). Those who dare will apparently be rewarded with more natural details on the iPhone 17 Pro, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra shows over-sharpened and distorted content.
More differences beyond camera quality
The iPhone 17 Pro also ranks far ahead of the Galaxy S25 Ultra in DxOMark’s review of the best smartphone cameras. However, both devices naturally have their pros and cons beyond just camera quality. For example, only Samsung offers 8K video, and the Galaxy AI features often work better than the Apple Intelligence equivalent. A Pro mode is also only available on Android flagships, at least with stock software. On the other hand, only Apple allows users to adjust the style of photos with Photographic Styles, which is also partially possible on Vivo and Xiaomi phones.
Editor of the original article: Alexander Fagot – Managing Editor News – 11010 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2016
As a young tech enthusiast with a history involving assembling and overclocking projects, I ended up working as a projectionist with good old 35-mm films before I entered the computer world at a professional level. I assisted customers at an Austrian IT service provider called Iphos IT Solutions for seven years, working as a Windows client and server administrator as well as a project manager. As a freelancer who travels a lot, I have been able to write for Notebookcheck from all corners of the world since 2016. My articles cover brand-new mobile technologies in smartphones, laptops, and gadgets of all kinds.
Translator: Enrico Frahn – Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer – 5380 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.
Alexander Fagot, 2025-09-22 (Update: 2025-09-22)
