Apple iPhone 17e vs Samsung Galaxy S25+

Our verdict: Looking at total contract cost, the Apple iPhone 17e is £164.30 less expensive than the Samsung Galaxy S25+. On the other hand, both screen size and sharpness go to the Samsung Galaxy S25+, with a 6.7" display at 513 PPI. If the camera matters most, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the edge at 50MP. For a lighter carry, the Apple iPhone 17e wins at 169g.

Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 513
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 (3 nm) 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight
169 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
£25.99/mo (£9.00 upfront) £34.08/mo (£0.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£572.00 £634.99
Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25+
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 513
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 (3 nm) 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight 169 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 £25.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
£34.08/mo
£0.00 upfront
SIM-free £572.00 £634.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper on contract at £653.62 over the life of the deal from £25.99 per month with £9.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17e's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 17e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £572.00.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is powered by the Apple A19 (3 nm), 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 17e is the more portable of the two — it's 21g lighter at 169 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is slimmer at 7.35mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e and Samsung Galaxy S25+ run?

The Apple iPhone 17e 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.