Apple iPhone 17e vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Our Verdict: Start with the practical differences: the Apple iPhone 17e offers the lighter 169g body versus 219g, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you the larger 6.8" screen versus 6.1", the higher-resolution 200MP rear camera against 48MP, up to 1TB storage. Contract pricing is close too, with the cheapest total costs around £550 for the Apple iPhone 17e and £590 for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. Choose the Apple iPhone 17e if the lighter 169g body versus 219g matters more; pick the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if the larger 6.8" screen versus 6.1" is the better fit.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 17e works out around £656 all-in, about £184 less than the S25 Ultra.

Expert Rating
3.9
11 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.8"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 505
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
Weight
169 grams 219 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 (£0.00 upfront) £33.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£551.00 £569.99

Prices updated 11 July 2026

Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Expert Rating 3.9
11 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.8"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 505
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
Weight 169 grams 219 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
£0.00 upfront
£33.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £551.00 £569.99
Prices updated 11 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17e
Apple iPhone 17e

24 Months

256GB

Black

25GB

Data

Exclusive Deal Details

£25.99 per month, with FREE phone.

Deal not available directly from Carphone Warehouse's website

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Titanium Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£33.79 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper on contract at £656.16 over the life of the deal from £25.99 per month with £0.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the Apple iPhone 17e's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the sharper display at 505 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 17e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 17e features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 200 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 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £551.00.

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

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

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is the more portable of the two: it's 50g lighter at 169 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, and is slimmer at 7.8mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 17e is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 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 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 17e runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 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.