Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S25+

Our verdict: On contract, the Apple iPhone 17 works out £5.96 cheaper overall than the Samsung Galaxy S25+. Display goes to the Samsung Galaxy S25+ — it packs a bigger 6.7" screen and a sharper 513 PPI. On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ wins the camera battle with 50MP on the rear. Selfie fans take note: the Apple iPhone 17 has a 18MP front camera.

Expert Rating
4.5
12 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.7"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
458 513
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Storage
256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight
177 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£31.79/mo (£49.00 upfront) £34.08/mo (£0.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£671.00 £634.99
Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25+
Expert Rating 4.5
12 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.7"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 458 513
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight 177 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £31.79/mo
£49.00 upfront
£34.08/mo
£0.00 upfront
SIM-free £671.00 £634.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25+ cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17 is cheaper on contract at £811.96 over the life of the deal from £31.79 per month with £49.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17's 6.3", the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 458, and the Apple iPhone 17 uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 17 features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £634.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 17 is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S25+ use?

The Apple iPhone 17 is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ uses the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 17 is the more portable of the two — it's 13g lighter at 177 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is slimmer at 7.35mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 17 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S25+ run?

The Apple iPhone 17 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S25+ runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.