Key Facts

• Apple’s iPhone 17 (announced September 9, 2025) brings high-end “Pro” features to a non-Pro iPhone for the first time – including a 6.3-inch 120Hz ProMotion display, an A19 chip on a 3nm process, and all-day battery life with 8 hours longer video playback than its predecessor macrumors.com macrumors.com. It starts at $799 for 256GB macrumors.com, with pre-orders from Sept. 12 and availability from Sept. 19 in over 60 countries macrumors.com.
• Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra (launched Feb 7, 2025) is a powerhouse Android flagship featuring a huge 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, a quad-camera array with up to 200MP resolution and 5× optical periscope zoom, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip tuned for peak performance tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It debuted at $1,299 (256GB) tomsguide.com and is praised as one of the best phones of the year, even enticing some iPhone loyalists with its versatility and battery life tomsguide.com tomsguide.com.
• Google’s Pixel 10 Pro (released August 28, 2025) emphasizes smart AI-driven features and photography. It runs on Google’s new Tensor G5 chip with on-device AI (7 years of updates guaranteed) androidheadlines.com, and packs a refined design with a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED (3,000 nits peak brightness) androidheadlines.com. Priced at $999 for the Pro (with a larger 6.8-inch Pro XL at $1,199) androidheadlines.com blog.google, the Pixel 10 Pro delivers Google’s best camera system yet (50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5× telephoto) alongside “Magic” software tricks for calls, photos, and more.

Performance

Apple’s iPhone 17 is powered by the A19 chip – a cutting-edge 6-core CPU + 5-core GPU SoC built on a 3nm process macrumors.com. Apple claims a 50% faster CPU and over 2× faster GPU compared to the A15 (iPhone 13) macrumors.com, which puts the A19 well ahead of previous-gen mobile chips. In practice, this means the iPhone 17 should deliver class-leading single-core speeds and smooth gaming, while also integrating Neural Accelerators in each GPU core to support on-device generative AI tasks macrumors.com. Early benchmarks suggest Apple maintains its traditional edge in CPU performance, though we’ll see how the A19 stacks up against Qualcomm’s latest in multi-core tests.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra uses an overclocked Snapdragon 8 “Elite for Galaxy” chip (octa-core, 3nm) paired with 12GB RAM, making it one of the fastest Android phones available tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. In fact, the S25 Ultra posted excellent benchmark results: it beat last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max on multi-core CPU and especially GPU tests (e.g. significantly higher 3D graphics frame rates) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Real-world use is snappy – “silky smooth” even under heavy multitasking and gaming tomsguide.com. Samsung optimized this chip specifically for the S25, and it shows: graphics performance blew away the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 3DMark tests tomsguide.com, and overall the S25 Ultra feels like a true performance beast. Only in certain tasks like video encoding did Apple’s chipset still pull ahead tomsguide.com. Bottom line: the S25 Ultra is an Android speed demon with horsepower on tap for productivity and games, putting it in the same league as Apple’s A19 flagships.

Google’s Pixel 10 Pro takes a slightly different approach. Its Tensor G5 chip is custom-designed to prioritize AI and machine learning prowess, even if its raw CPU/GPU output isn’t chart-topping. In fact, reviewers note that performance still lags behind other big Android phones with Snapdragon chips techradar.com. Intensive tasks or 3D games won’t run as fast on the Pixel as on the S25 Ultra, and Google’s chip can run warm under load – a tradeoff for its AI-centric design. That said, for most day-to-day uses (messaging, social media, photography, etc.), the Pixel 10 Pro feels smooth enough, and Google’s optimizations mitigate slowdowns in the UI. The 16GB of RAM ensures plenty of multitasking headroom, and the device is by no means “slow” – it’s just not breaking any speed records. If you demand the absolute fastest silicon, the iPhone 17 and S25 Ultra have the edge. But the Pixel 10 Pro’s chip shines in another realm: AI-driven experiences that we’ll discuss below. As one reviewer put it, Google’s new AI features are so useful that they “make life easier” despite the Pixel’s more modest performance metrics techradar.com techradar.com.

Camera Systems

All three phones boast impressive camera hardware backed by sophisticated computational photography – but they differ in approach and zoom prowess.

• iPhone 17: Apple upgraded the standard iPhone 17’s cameras to 48MP sensors across the board (wide and ultrawide) for the first time macrumors.com. The main 48MP lens now supports an “optical-quality” 2× telephoto crop (using the center of the high-res sensor) – essentially “like having two cameras in one” for standard and 2× shots macrumors.com. The new 48MP ultrawide captures 4× more detail than the previous 12MP version, improving wide landscapes and macro shots macrumors.com. Where the iPhone 17 really innovates is the front camera: a new Center Stage 18MP selfie camera with a square sensor that enables clever reframing tricks macrumors.com theverge.com. You no longer need to rotate the phone for wide landscape selfies – the front camera can capture in portrait or landscape orientation while you hold the phone vertically macrumors.com. Using AI, Center Stage can automatically widen the field of view for group selfies and even switch between portrait and landscape framing to fit everyone in theverge.com theverge.com. It’s the same idea as Apple’s Center Stage on iPads (which tracks subjects during video calls), now applied to photos and selfie videos. The iPhone 17’s front camera can also do ultra-stabilized 4K HDR video and a new Dual Capture mode to record from front and rear cameras simultaneously macrumors.com – great for vloggers who want to film their reactions and the scene in front of them. Overall image quality on the iPhone is all about balanced, natural-looking results. Apple’s color science and Smart HDR produce true-to-life colors and skin tones, now aided by next-gen Photographic Styles that use on-device processing to intelligently adjust tone and warmth (a new “Bright” style in iOS 26 specifically brightens skin tones) macrumors.com. For video, the iPhone continues to lead with features like Dolby Vision HDR, Cinematic Mode focus shifts, and even Spatial Audio recording for immersive sound macrumors.com. One caveat: the base iPhone 17 lacks a dedicated long-zoom lens – it maxes out at 2× optical (and up to ~10× digital). Photography enthusiasts who want serious zoom should note that Apple reserves the periscope telephoto for the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max, which feature a new 48MP periscope lens offering 5×–8× optical zoom (8× on the Pro Max) techcrunch.com. In fact, the iPhone 17 Pro Max can achieve 8× optical and up to 40× digital zoom techcrunch.com techcrunch.com, but Apple deliberately stays shy of the extreme 100× digital zoom of its rivals, focusing on usable quality. So, in this comparison, the iPhone 17 (non-Pro) delivers superb quality at 0.5× ultrawide, 1×, and 2×, but can’t natively compete at long range zoom without the Pro’s periscope.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung’s flagship is a camera beast built for versatility. It carries a quad-camera array on the back, headlined by a 200MP main sensor that captures stunning high-resolution shots tomsguide.com. By default it bins pixels for 12MP photos with excellent detail and low-light performance, but you can output full 200MP images for jaw-dropping detail (in good light). The S25 Ultra actually has two telephoto lenses: a 10MP 3× tele for mid-range zoom and a higher-resolution 50MP periscope tele that provides 5× optical zoom tomsguide.com. Using a combination of those lenses and sensor-crop tricks, the Samsung offers four distinct optical zoom steps – 2×, 3×, 5×, and even 10× “optical” (the 10× is achieved by cropping the 50MP periscope image, yielding still-sharp results) en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. In essence, the S25 Ultra gives you quality zoom at a variety of ranges, far beyond what the iPhone 17 base model can do. And if you do want to go further, Samsung’s Space Zoom can magnify up to 100× digitally. While 50× or 100× zoom will be more of a party trick (images can appear blurry or AI-smoothed), it’s there for bragging rights. More importantly, at 10× or below the S25 Ultra produces impressively sharp shots, making it one of the best phones for wildlife or sports photography at long range. The ultrawide camera is no slouch either: on the S25 Ultra it’s a 50MP ultrawide sensor tomsguide.com, considerably higher resolution than most competitors, which helps it double as a macro camera. Samsung’s image tuning typically yields punchy colors and bright exposures. This year, they’ve layered on even more AI: the S25’s camera app uses a new Galaxy AI ProVisual engine to enhance scene detection and reduce noise, and there’s a “Quad Tele” system that intelligently blends info from all lenses to optimize zoom shots en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. In practice, reviewers found the S25 Ultra’s cameras “more versatile and arguably just better” than the previous generation – especially in zoom and low-light scenarios tomsguide.com. For video, the S25 Ultra can shoot up to 8K at 30fps (up from 24fps previously) and super smooth 4K at 120fps, with improved stabilization. It even offers a Log format for pros and new AI-powered features like an Audio Eraser to reduce background noise in clips. On the front, the S25 Ultra has a 12MP selfie camera that’s serviceable, though not as high-res as the iPhone or Pixel’s front cameras. Overall, if having every focal length covered is your priority, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is unmatched – you get ultra-wide, wide, 3× portrait, 5× and beyond in one device tomsguide.com.
• Pixel 10 Pro: Google’s latest Pixel continues the brand’s legacy of computational photography excellence, now supercharged with generative AI. The hardware is formidable: a 50MP main camera (with a large 1/1.3″ sensor), a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5× telephoto, plus a high-resolution 42MP front camera for detailed selfies androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. On paper that’s a triple-camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel 7/8 Pro, but Google has refined the sensors and optics (the Pixel 10’s 5× tele has faster autofocus and is tuned for better long-range shots). Where the Pixel truly differentiates is software. The new “Pro Res Zoom” feature uses a generative AI model (running on the Tensor G5 chip) to achieve up to 100× zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro – far beyond its optical 5× range blog.google. Instead of a simple digital crop, Google’s AI actually fills in detail as you zoom, producing surprisingly clear images even at extreme magnification. It’s similar in concept to Samsung’s Space Zoom, but Google applies advanced AI upscaling (the largest AI model ever used in a Pixel camera, according to Google blog.google) to make those 20×, 30×, … 100× shots more usable. Early impressions say it’s startling how much detail Pixel’s software can recover in a 100× shot techradar.com. For normal photos, the Pixel 10 Pro remains one of the best point-and-shoot experiences – it “takes stellar photos, and it’s a joy to use” according to TechRadar techradar.com. Google’s image processing delivers excellent dynamic range and contrast, and features like Night Sight and Astrophotography mode still lead the industry for low-light shooting. This generation adds new tricks like “Camera Coach,” an AI guide that can suggest better framing or timing (teaching you to be a better photographer), and “Add Me” which can insert the photographer into group photos using AI (so you can set up a tripod and still be in the shot). The Pixel also has a robust suite of editing tools: Magic Eraser to remove unwanted objects, Photo Unblur to sharpen faces, and even a new “Ask Photos” AI that can generate edits via text prompt (e.g. “make the sky sunny”). For video, Google has finally enabled 8K recording (up to 30fps) on the Pixel 10 Pro androidheadlines.com, and introduced Night Sight Video for low-light footage and Video Boost which uploads video to Google’s cloud for processing to dramatically improve quality. While historically Pixel phones haven’t matched iPhone in video, the gap is closing. One notable addition: the Pixel’s recorder app can now leverage the Tensor G5’s speech models to transcribe videos in real time, and even translate speech on the fly, using a voice that sounds like the speaker (great for captions or multi-lingual vlogs – more on that in AI Integration). All in all, the Pixel 10 Pro’s cameras excel at capturing any moment with minimal effort – Google’s AI does the heavy lifting to ensure you get a great shot, and now it even goes beyond reality to enhance what the hardware sees. As one reviewer put it, “it looks stunning, it takes stellar photos… in almost every way, Google’s flagship takes aim at its biggest competitor and hits the mark” techradar.com.

Display

When it comes to screens, you’re getting gorgeous OLED panels on all three devices – but with different sizes and resolutions tailored to each company’s philosophy.

• Size & Resolution: Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra is the biggest of the bunch, sporting a massive 6.9‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. It’s a sharp QHD+ resolution (3120×1440), which delivers about 498 pixels per inch en.wikipedia.org – exceptionally crisp even at this large size. Apple’s iPhone 17, by contrast, features a 6.3‑inch Super Retina XDR display macrumors.com. Apple hasn’t published the exact pixel count, but it’s likely around a 2556×1179 resolution (roughly 460 ppi) given past iPhones. It’s the first time Apple has enlarged the base model screen from the traditional 6.1″, and the extra real estate is welcome for videos and gaming. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro splits the difference: it has a 6.3‑inch OLED as well (branded “Super Actua”), with a resolution of 2424×1080 (418 ppi) in the 6.3″ Pro, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a 6.8″ version with higher QHD-like resolution androidheadlines.com. In essence, the Galaxy gives you the biggest, highest-resolution canvas – great for productivity or if you just love a phablet-sized screen. The iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro are more compact and easier to use one-handed, at the expense of some pixels (though both still look extremely sharp).
• Refresh Rate and Tech: All three displays use OLED tech for vibrant colors and true blacks. They also all support adaptive high refresh rates up to 120Hz, making scrolling and animations silky smooth. The iPhone 17 finally brings Apple’s ProMotion 120Hz to a non-Pro iPhone macrumors.com – a big deal for iPhone fans who previously needed to buy a Pro model for high refresh. Apple’s implementation dynamically adjusts from 1Hz up to 120Hz as needed (and even enables an Always-On Display mode, dimming to 1Hz to show time and widgets without draining much battery) macrumors.com macrumors.com. Samsung’s S25 Ultra likewise uses an LTPO panel that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on content, including an always-on mode (Samsung has offered always-on for years). The Pixel 10 Pro has what Google calls “Smooth Display,” which on the Pro model ranges from 60Hz up to 120Hz (the base Pixel 10 is 60–120Hz without the 1Hz idle mode, but the Pro gets the more versatile LTPO range down to 1Hz) androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. In practice, all three screens are extremely fluid. Gamers will appreciate the 120Hz support (and Samsung even allows 120Hz at full resolution now). The adaptive nature also helps preserve battery when a high refresh isn’t needed.
• Brightness and HDR: Display brightness is an area of leapfrog, and interestingly, Apple and Google are claiming higher peak brightness than Samsung this year. The iPhone 17’s panel can reach 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness – the highest ever on an iPhone macrumors.com. That means in direct sunlight, the iPhone screen boosts to an extremely bright level (up from ~2000 nits on the previous gen), which aids daylight visibility. The Pixel 10 Pro is in the same ballpark: Google advertises up to 3,000 nits peak as well (with around 2,200 nits in HDR content) androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra peaks around 2,600 nits for outdoor visibility according to Samsung en.wikipedia.org – still incredibly bright (and an improvement over the S24 Ultra’s ~2,300 nits), but slightly under the iPhone and Pixel on paper. In real usage, all three get more than bright enough for any scenario; you won’t struggle to see these screens outside. For HDR video, they support the top standards: iPhone with Dolby Vision, Samsung with HDR10+ (and Dolby Vision playback), Pixel with HDR10/HLG. Colors on all are rich and punchy. Samsung is known for vivid, saturated colors (which you can tone down in settings if you prefer natural), while Apple calibrates its displays for accuracy to the sRGB/P3 color space. Google’s “Actua” display aims for real-world accuracy too, with an extra boost mode for sunlight.
• Design & Other Notes: The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s screen is nearly edge-to-edge, with Samsung trimming the bezels even more this year wired.com. Notably, the S25 Ultra’s display is slightly less curved at the edges than past models (and the corners are more rounded), making it less prone to accidental touches and easier to grip wired.com. It still has a gentle curve, but Samsung found a sweet spot between aesthetics and ergonomics here. The iPhone 17’s display remains flat, with Apple’s Ceramic Shield 2 glass protecting it (more on that in Design). The Pixel 10 Pro’s screen is also flat (Google moved away from curved edges after the Pixel 6 Pro). All support high resolution always-on modes – Apple and Samsung for time/notifications, Google for its At A Glance info. Lastly, each phone has an in-display fingerprint sensor except the iPhone (which relies on Face ID facial recognition instead). The Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra use under-screen fingerprint readers (optical on the Pixel, ultrasonic on the Samsung). Apple’s Face ID is extremely fast and secure, so iPhone users won’t miss a fingerprint scanner, but it’s a difference to note when comparing across ecosystems.

In summary, you can’t go wrong with any of these displays – they are among the best smartphone screens out there. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the largest, highest-res canvas, ideal for S Pen use or media, while the iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro offer slightly smaller but extremely vibrant 6.3″ displays with the latest tech (120Hz, high brightness). The fact that even Apple’s “regular” iPhone now has 120Hz ProMotion and 3000 nits brightness shows how far display tech has come macrumors.com macrumors.com – you’re getting a top-tier viewing experience on all three devices.

Design & Build

Each phone reflects its maker’s signature design language – from Apple’s refined minimalism to Samsung’s expansive utilitarian build to Google’s playful practicality – and all three have made durability upgrades this generation.

• iPhone 17: Apple’s design for the iPhone 17 will feel familiar to recent iPhone users: a flat aluminum frame sandwiched between glass, with clean lines and precision fit and finish. One notable change is the use of Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the front, which Apple says offers 3× better scratch resistance than before, along with a new anti-reflective coating to reduce glare macrumors.com. This should make the iPhone 17’s screen more robust against scuffs and easier to view in harsh light. (Apple still uses Ceramic Shield tech – developed with Corning – only on the front; the back glass is toughened but not the same Ceramic Shield formula.) The device is IP68 water and dust resistant as expected, and it now comes in a range of fresh colors: Apple introduced five matte hues – black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white macrumors.com. These are softer, pastel-like tones compared to last year’s brights, giving the phone an elegant look. In the hand, the iPhone 17’s slightly larger size (6.3″ screen up from 6.1″) is offset by Apple shaving down some bezel and keeping the device fairly thin. It’s comfortable to hold and not too heavy. One interesting twist: while the base iPhone 17 uses aluminum, Apple’s Pro models this year actually reverted from titanium back to aluminum unibodies (with a new vapor chamber cooling system inside) techcrunch.com. That’s a reversal from the iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium experiment. It means the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max have a different feel – but for the regular iPhone 17, aluminum is standard and keeps costs down. On the back, the camera layout is dual lenses (since the base model has two cameras), housed in the familiar raised bump. The iPhone 17 Pro models adopt a new full-width camera “plateau” bar across the back to fit the larger triple-lens system techcrunch.com, but the iPhone 17 base sticks with the classic corner camera module. Lastly, Apple has fully embraced USB-C this generation (no more Lightning port), which makes the iPhone 17 interoperable with standard USB-C chargers and accessories – a welcome change mandated by regulations but appreciated by users. Build quality is, as usual for Apple, top-notch: clicky metal buttons, tight tolerances, and now a crossbody strap accessory option for those who want to wear the phone like a purse (Apple introduced an official strap that attaches via the MagSafe mount) macrumors.com. Overall, the iPhone 17 looks and feels premium and durable, even if its design is an iteration rather than a revolution.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung’s flagship has a bold presence – big, rectangular, with an expansive screen and sharp (but now slightly softened) corners. The S25 Ultra continues Samsung’s design trend of minimal curvature: the front glass has a mild curve at the edges and the sides of the frame are subtly flattened for a better grip wired.com wired.com. This change makes the large phone easier to handle and less “boxy” than the S23/S24 Ultra were. The build materials include an Armor Aluminum frame and what Samsung calls Gorilla Glass Armor 2 on the front, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back wired.com. In plain terms, that’s the toughest glass Corning makes – Samsung claims 4x greater scratch resistance than standard aluminosilicate glass from this Armor 2, and improved drop resistance (they cited lab tests surviving 2.2m drops on rough surfaces) en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. So, the S25 Ultra is built to withstand daily abuse as much as any smartphone can. The camera design is Samsung’s now-distinctive look: individual lens rings protruding slightly from the back rather than a raised “island.” You have four lenses aligned vertically, which does make the phone wobble a tad on a table, but it looks clean. The device comes in several colors – common options include Phantom Black, and a couple of silvery or icy blue shades; Samsung also offered some exclusive finishes online (like pink or green titanium tints) en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. The overall aesthetic is understated and techy – some might find it “anemic” or too utilitarian wired.com, but others will appreciate the focus on the display. One huge advantage of the S25 Ultra’s design is the built-in S Pen stylus that slots into the phone’s bottom. No other phone in this comparison has that. It’s a hallmark of the Galaxy Note heritage and allows for precise handwriting, sketching, and remote camera shutter use. However, note that Samsung did remove the Bluetooth features from the S Pen this year (to improve battery and reduce complexity) – so you can’t use it as a remote control for presentations or camera like before en.wikipedia.org tomsguide.com. The stylus still works great for writing/drawing (no latency changes), it just doesn’t do the air gestures now. As for ergonomics: the S25 Ultra is big and relatively heavy (~218 grams), but interestingly it’s a few grams lighter than the previous model and even slightly lighter than Apple’s largest Pro Max iPhones of recent years. Reviewers noted it’s “lighter than its main rival” and comfortable for a device its size tomsguide.com. It’s IP68 water resistant as well. Samsung’s design might not turn heads like a flashy folding phone, but it’s refined in its own way: solid, confidence-inspiring, and now with a bit more curve and color to keep it from being too monolithic.
• Pixel 10 Pro: Google has iterated on its iconic Pixel design, retaining the horizontal camera bar across the back but refining the materials and feel. The Pixel 10 Pro features a polished aluminum frame with a satin finish and a glossy glass back blog.google blog.google. Notably, Google upped its sustainability game – it’s made with the most recycled materials yet in a Pixel, and the fit and finish reportedly feel more premium this year blog.google blog.google. The camera bar on the back is slightly toned down in this generation: it still spans the width, but Google adjusted the proportions (the Pro’s bar is a bit thicker to house the triple camera, whereas the base Pixel 10’s bar is thinner with dual cameras). It’s a distinctive look that some love and some don’t; however, it’s functional in that the bar prevents the phone from rocking on a table and protects the lenses. The Pixel 10 Pro comes in Google’s typically playful yet chic colors – Obsidian (black) and Porcelain (off-white) are the classics, joined by new tones like Moonstone (a silvery blue) and Jade (a green) for the Pro models blog.google blog.google. The phone is a nice balance in size – easier to hold than the S25 Ultra, with a flat display that many prefer for usability. At ~204 grams, it’s lighter than the Samsung but a bit heavier than the iPhone due to its larger battery and metal build. Durability-wise, the Pixel uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front (and likely back) androidheadlines.com, and it’s IP68 rated for water resistance. One new feature Google added is “Pixelsnap” magnetic charging – essentially Google’s answer to MagSafe. The Pixel 10 series supports the new Qi2 wireless charging standard with magnets built-in to align chargers, and Google is launching a range of magnetic accessories (wallets, stands, etc.) that snap onto the back blog.google blog.google. This is a great addition, as previous Pixels had wireless charging but no magnets for secure attachment. Now you can slap the Pixel onto a car mount or charger and it will click into place, just like iPhones do with MagSafe. It’s worth noting the Pixel 10 Pro (6.3″) and Pixel 10 Pro XL (6.8″) are identical in features, just different sizes – this is the first time Google has offered two Pro sizes, giving buyers an “uncompromised choice of size” as Google puts it blog.google. The build quality of the Pixel 10 Pro has been praised as “excellent design… refined with better durability”, and the new colors/finish make it feel like a truly premium device techradar.com techradar.com. In short, the Pixel 10 Pro’s design stands out with its camera bar and soft color options, and it finally catches up in offering magnetic wireless charging and long-term durability (7 years of updates means it’s built to last).

Bottom line: All three phones are well-built, premium devices. The iPhone 17 emphasizes a compact yet sturdy build with enhanced glass protection macrumors.com and that seamless Apple fit-and-finish. The Galaxy S25 Ultra goes big and bold, with materials and an included stylus geared toward power users (and now with friendlier ergonomics and tougher glass) wired.com en.wikipedia.org. The Pixel 10 Pro finds a middle ground – a fresh, modern design that’s both stylish and practical, with Google’s unique design touches and new accessory ecosystem. Aesthetic preferences aside, you can expect all to withstand daily use and the occasional tumble, though a case is still wise for such pricey devices. And with Apple and Google now embracing features (USB-C, MagSafe-like charging) that close historical gaps, choosing on design might simply come down to which one you find the most visually appealing or hand-friendly.

Battery Life & Charging

Big improvements in battery life define this generation, especially for Apple and Google, while Samsung continues to offer robust endurance and the fastest charging of the trio.

Battery Capacity: The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the largest battery on paper, at 5,000 mAh tomsguide.com. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is close behind with a 4,970 mAh battery (and the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL reportedly around 5,300 mAh) androidheadlines.com. Apple doesn’t disclose iPhone battery capacities, but teardowns indicate the iPhone 17 is somewhere around the mid-3,000 mAh range, with the 17 Plus/Pro/Max models going higher (the iPhone 17 Pro Max purportedly has the biggest battery ever in an iPhone around ~4,900 mAh, thanks to its larger chassis) theverge.com theverge.com. Despite the smaller raw capacity, Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software yields excellent real-world stamina.

Real-World Endurance: Apple advertises the iPhone 17 as having “all-day battery life” – specifically up to 30 hours of video playback, which is 8 hours longer than the iPhone 16 managed tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. That is a significant jump, attributable to the efficient A19 chip and power management in iOS 26 macrumors.com. In practical terms, the iPhone 17 should comfortably get through a full day of moderate use (call it 15–18 hours off charger with around 6-7 hours of screen-on time, depending on usage). Apple also introduced an Adaptive Power Mode that intelligently learns your routine and throttles power consumption when you’re likely to not need full performance macrumors.com. Early impressions are that the base iPhone 17 can nearly match last year’s iPhone 16 Pro Max in longevity – an impressive feat for a smaller device – and the iPhone 17 Pro Max with its bigger battery is a true two-day phone for light users.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra, with its 5,000 mAh cell, also delivers superb battery life. In the Tom’s Guide continuous web surfing test over 5G, the S25 Ultra lasted 17 hours 14 minutes, which “earns a spot on the best phone battery life list” tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. This was about 30 minutes longer than its predecessor (S24 Ultra) and only ~20 minutes shy of the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s time in the same test tomsguide.com. In everyday use, that means the S25 Ultra can easily sail through a heavy day – screen-on times of 7-8 hours are achievable – and if you’re a lighter user, you might end a day with 30-40% left. One review even noted that by using the adaptive refresh rate and power-saving mode, the S25 Ultra stretched to 18.5 hours in the web test tomsguide.com. So Samsung owners can be confident in leaving the charger at home during the day. Only the most demanding users (constant navigation, 5G hotspot, or hours of video recording) might need a top-up by evening.

Google’s Pixel phones historically have been average in battery longevity, but the Pixel 10 Pro shows marked improvement. Users report it is “immensely improved over the Pixel 8” with no overheating issues, which plagued some earlier Tensor devices reddit.com. While we don’t have standardized test numbers published at this moment, anecdotal evidence and early reviews suggest the Pixel 10 Pro can last a full day comfortably – something the Pixel 9 Pro XL struggled with (for context, Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted about 13 hours in Tom’s Guide test tomsguide.com, well behind Samsung/Apple). The Pixel 10 Pro, thanks to a combination of a slightly smaller screen (in the 6.3″ model) and perhaps better efficiencies in Tensor G5, likely closes that gap. That said, Google’s chip is still not as power-efficient under heavy loads, which means if you push the Pixel with games or 4K video recording, it may drain faster than the iPhone or Samsung. TechRadar’s review flagged that battery life suffers due to the Tensor’s performance profile techradar.com – indicating that while standby and light use are fine, heavy use can cause the battery meter to drop quicker. For a typical mix of messaging, streaming, maps, and camera use, the Pixel 10 Pro should last from morning to night (roughly 15-16 hours off charger with 5-6 hours screen use) – not a two-day phone, but solid for a flagship Android. The added good news is Google and Samsung have both matched Apple in long-term support: all three phones are promised multiple years of software updates (Google and Samsung promise 7 years of OS and security updates now androidheadlines.com wired.com, meaning they’ll optimize battery life further over time).

Charging Speeds: Here’s where differences become more evident:

• Wired Charging: Apple made a quiet but significant upgrade – the iPhone 17 can charge to 50% in 20 minutes with a high-watt USB-C adapter macrumors.com. This implies support for around 30W-35W charging (previous iPhones were ~20W for 50% in 30 min). While Apple doesn’t cite the wattage, real tests will reveal the exact figure. Regardless, it’s faster than before and closes the gap somewhat. That said, the Galaxy S25 Ultra still charges faster, supporting up to 45W. In testing, the S25 Ultra went from 0 to 65-70% in 30 minutes tomsguide.com – by comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was ~55% in 30 min under its ~27W cap tomsguide.com. So expect the iPhone 17 now to possibly hit ~70% in 30 as well, given the 50%/20 min claim. The Pixel 10 Pro supports around 30W charging (Google doesn’t advertise the number, but says ~55% in 30 minutes) androidheadlines.com. So Pixel’s charging is about on par with iPhone’s now, maybe slightly slower to full. In pure numbers: Samsung 45W > Apple ~30W+ > Google ~30W. Notably, Samsung’s advantage is more pronounced after 50% – it will reach ~100% in under an hour, whereas the iPhone and Pixel will take about ~1 hour 30 to fully top up due to slower trickle charging above 80%. If you value super-fast charging, Samsung clearly leads here (though it’s still far from the crazy 80W-150W some Chinese brands offer).
• Wireless Charging: All three support Qi wireless charging. Apple’s iPhone 17 supports MagSafe at up to 15W (and likely the new Qi2 standard at 15W as well, since Qi2 is basically MagSafe). Samsung’s S25 Ultra supports Qi2 at 15W but with a twist – Samsung did not build magnets into the phone, so to get full alignment and 15W, you need a compatible Qi2 charger and possibly a special case that adds magnets (Samsung sells a case for this) tomsguide.com. Without magnets, it’ll charge at standard Qi speeds (~10W). This was a controversial choice; effectively, Samsung phones can do MagSafe-like charging, but they won’t stick to a charger unless you add a magnetic ring via case. Google’s Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL support the Qi2 “Pixelsnap” magnetic system – the Pro XL even goes up to 25W wireless with the second-gen Pixel Stand (and Qi2.2 standard) blog.google blog.google. The smaller Pixel 10 Pro likely is slightly lower (maybe 18-20W wireless). In any case, Pixel and iPhone now have convenient magnetic wireless charging ecosystems, whereas Samsung relies on third-party cases for the same. As for reverse wireless charging: both Samsung and Google include it (charge your earbuds or watch on the phone’s back). Samsung’s reverse wireless (Wireless PowerShare) outputs around 4.5W en.wikipedia.org. Google’s version outputs around 5W. Apple’s iPhone 17 does not officially support reverse wireless charging (rumors swirl each year, but as of 2025, it’s still not enabled).

In summary, battery life: The iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 Ultra are nearly neck-and-neck for endurance champs, with Apple maybe edging slightly ahead in light use and Samsung in continuous heavy use, but both in the ~1.5 day range for most users tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. The Pixel 10 Pro has improved to all-day reliability, though it’s a step behind the other two when really pushed (Tensor’s inefficiency is the culprit) techradar.com. Charging: Samsung wins for speed (a quick 10-minute top-up gives you a lot of juice on the S25 Ultra), while Apple and Google finally move beyond crawling, offering respectable if not class-leading speeds. And if you’re invested in wireless charging, Apple and Google’s magnetic solutions make it a snap (literally) to charge cable-free, whereas Samsung’s is standard wireless unless you accessorize. It’s great to see all three makers improve battery tech – gone are the days when you had to carry a charger midday for a flagship phone.

AI and Smart Features Integration

Artificial Intelligence is the buzzword of the tech world in 2025, and each of these flagship phones leverages AI in unique ways – from photography to personal assistants to on-device generative models. Here’s how they compare in putting AI to work for you:

• Apple iPhone 17: Apple tends to be more conservative in shouting about “AI” features, but make no mistake, the iPhone 17 is loaded with machine learning smarts under the hood. The A19 chip includes specialized Neural Engines and even Neural Accelerators built into each GPU core specifically to run generative AI models on-device macrumors.com. This paves the way for future capabilities – for instance, Apple has been rumored to be developing advanced on-device language models (imagine a more intelligent Siri or personal assistant that can work without the cloud). Out of the box, the iPhone 17 showcases AI mainly in its camera and user experience. We discussed Center Stage in the camera section – using AI to auto-frame selfies theverge.com – and Photographic Styles adjusting tone on the fly. Another area is video calls: Center Stage isn’t just for photos; during FaceTime or Zoom calls, the front camera will keep you centered and even include others who join you by zooming out/in as needed, all via AI tracking theverge.com. iOS also uses machine learning for things like Live Text (recognizing and allowing you to copy text from images or live camera), improved autocorrect and dictation (Apple says the keyboard AI is greatly improved in iOS 17/18), and personalization like smarter widget stacks. One new feature in iOS 17 (carried into iOS 18/19 likely) is Personal Voice, which lets you create a clone of your voice by reading prompts – an accessibility feature that is very AI-heavy (neural text-to-speech). Apple doesn’t market it as such, but it’s an on-device voice model that sounds like you. The iPhone 17, with its beefed-up Neural Engine, can generate that voice and use it for live speaking of typed text for those who need it. We might not yet have an Apple “GPT” on the phone, but the groundwork is laid. Even the little things use AI: the Adaptive Power mentioned earlier learns your habits (AI-driven pattern recognition) to optimize battery use macrumors.com. Face ID, as always, uses a neural network to recognize you. One area Apple lags a bit is in proactive assistance – Siri is still seen as less “smart” than Google Assistant. As of iOS 17, you can finally just say “Siri” (instead of “Hey Siri”) and make back-to-back requests, which shows some incremental AI improvement. But Apple hasn’t rolled out anything equivalent to the new features Google and Samsung are touting for calling and messaging (more on those below). Privacy is a big part of Apple’s approach: nearly all AI processing (photos, Siri requests, etc.) is done on-device or with anonymized data, so while Apple’s features might be slightly less bleeding-edge, they are often more privacy-preserving. In summary, the iPhone 17 uses AI to enhance existing experiences seamlessly – you might not realize it’s AI at work when a new iOS 26 feature like autocorrect fixes whole sentences more accurately, or when your iPhone’s visual lookup identifies that plant or translates a sign via the camera instantly. It’s mostly in the background, aligning with Apple’s philosophy that it “just works.” However, in the AI arms race, Apple’s competitors have been more aggressive, which leads us to…
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung went all-in on AI messaging at its launch. In fact, “Samsung once again loaded its flagship phones with artificial intelligence capabilities,” infused with new large language models wired.com. One highlight is how Samsung is integrating Google’s Gemini AI (the successor to GPT-3) and its own Bixby into user-facing features. The S25 Ultra introduced an upgraded voice assistant ability where you can perform complex multi-step actions with just your voice – one reviewer noted you can use it to control multiple apps at once, a capability they “wish the iPhone had” tomsguide.com. For example, you could say, “Hey Bixby, open Instagram and post the last photo I took with the caption ‘Sunset vibes’ and then send it to John on WhatsApp” – and theoretically, the phone can parse and perform all of that. This is enabled by Samsung’s new multimodal LLMs understanding more complex commands. Another big AI feature is “Now Brief,” a new assistant dashboard that provides proactive info like your morning brief (weather, schedule, news, etc.) and evening brief with to-dos wired.com. It sounds akin to the old Google Now, resurrected by Samsung with AI enhancements. Samsung also renamed and improved some existing tools: for instance, the S Pen’s Smart Select (for cropping screenshots) got supercharged into “AI Select,” which can intelligently extract objects from images or even contextually copy text with the stylus using AI vision wired.com. There’s also Drawing Assist – a fun new feature where you can sketch something and the phone uses generative AI to turn it into a polished image or different art styles wired.com (like turn your crude house doodle into a cute color graphic). Samsung’s camera app uses AI for lots of things: scene optimization, the aforementioned zoom processing, and a new “Best Take” which captures multiple frames of a group photo and, if someone blinks, lets AI swap in an open-eyed face from a burst – very similar to Google’s Face Unblur/Best Take. One UI 7 (the software on the S25) also has niceties like AI call summaries – after a phone call, you can get a transcript and even an AI-generated summary of the call tomsguide.com tomsguide.com (no more forgetting what was said in a long meeting call). It can do live voice translation during calls too. And Samsung hasn’t forgotten Bixby’s original skill: Bixby Text Call, which is like a screening feature that turns calls into text you can reply to – now available in English (it was Korean only initially). Many of Samsung’s AI features are actually catching up to things Google had (call screening, magic eraser, etc.), as one analysis pointed out wired.com. But Samsung integrating LLMs across the system is a newer twist – expect more features where you can ask the phone to summarize, compose, or brainstorm in different apps (Samsung even teased AI integration in its Samsung Notes and Gallery apps for generating content). In summary, Samsung is making the S25 Ultra a bit of an AI Swiss Army knife: you might not use every feature (and some may feel like gimmicks), but cumulatively they aim to make interactions more “smart” and personalized. And importantly, Samsung promises to support these devices for 7 years, so its AI features can evolve and improve with updates over a long period – meaning the S25 Ultra you buy today could get even smarter over time wired.com.
• Google Pixel 10 Pro: If Samsung is bringing AI features and Apple is enabling AI mostly behind scenes, Google is basically making AI the star of the show on the Pixel 10 Pro. This phone is arguably the most “AI-first” smartphone yet. Google has baked in its latest AI research directly: the Pixel 10 series runs on the Tensor G5 chip which was co-designed with Google’s DeepMind team specifically to handle advanced AI models like Gemini (Google’s answer to GPT) on-device blog.google blog.google. One of the headline new features is “Magic Cue.” Think of Magic Cue as a proactive digital assistant that anticipates your needs. For example, if you’re texting about dinner plans, Magic Cue might surface your OpenTable reservation info in a little bubble right in Messages techradar.com. If someone asks “What’s Alice’s phone number?” in chat, Magic Cue will quietly fetch Alice’s contact info at the bottom of the screen techradar.com. It’s context-aware across apps: in a phone call with an airline, it will automatically pull up your flight details on-screen from your email blog.google. All of this happens privately on-device (with your permission), orchestrated by AI that understands context. Early reviewers found Magic Cue subtle and incredibly useful – “you might not even notice it’s happening, and that’s the way AI on a phone should be… it should make my life easier” techradar.com techradar.com. This is Google essentially realizing the old Google Now vision with new AI – giving you the info you need before you ask. Then there’s the calling and voice features: Pixels already led with things like Call Screening (where Google Assistant answers unknown calls and transcribes the caller’s message). The Pixel 10 expands on that – it can take notes during calls automatically, and even do real-time voice translation. One magical demo: the phone can translate your spoken words into another language in your own voice. A reviewer said, “it translates my voice into another language seamlessly – in a voice that sounds eerily like my own! It really works – I tried it and it blew me away.” techradar.com techradar.com This uses Google’s advances in voice AI (WaveNet, etc.) to clone your voice for communication – a powerful tool for multilingual conversations. The Recorder app on Pixel 10 can also leverage this to label speakers and output transcripts of meetings with speaker names and even summaries in-app. We’ve covered a lot of the Pixel’s AI photography features already (Best Take, Magic Editor, generative zoom upscaling, etc.). Another one to note is “Ask Gmail/Docs” type integration: you can have the Pixel help draft emails or messages for you with smart replies or even longer form suggestions, using the on-board large language model. Basically, the Pixel 10 Pro is like having a pared-down but ever-present ChatGPT/Assistant hybrid at your fingertips, integrated into the phone’s core functions. The key is that Google achieved much of this on-device or in tight integration with its services, so it feels native. This translates to real convenience: one reviewer said the Pixel 10 Pro “delivers on promises Apple has failed to keep… it’s the phone that makes my life easier” techradar.com techradar.com. That’s high praise. Of course, these features rely on complex AI models – Magic Cue and others will improve over time as Google updates its models (the Tensor G5 and on-device Gemini Nano model can be updated with Feature Drops). The Pixel is also at the forefront of AI for personal safety: Car Crash Detection, Emergency SOS with automatic responder (Assistant can call emergency services and communicate for you if you’re incapacitated – AI interpreting your prompts), etc., which are less flashy but life-saving uses of AI.

In comparing the three: Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is the clear leader in practical, user-facing AI integration – it’s doing things that directly reduce friction in daily tasks (screening calls, writing notes, fetching info proactively) in a way that feels almost like magic techradar.com. Samsung’s S25 Ultra isn’t far behind, and in some cases matches Google (it has its own call screening, routine suggestions, etc.), but Samsung’s approach is a mix of duplicating Google features on top of Android and adding some quirky new ones (like generative drawing). It certainly has a strong AI presence, but one might argue Google’s is more cohesive since Google controls the underlying Assistant platform. Apple’s iPhone 17, while extremely capable, currently takes a quieter approach: it relies on AI mostly for enhancing photos, powering Face ID, autocorrect, and some new behind-the-scenes features. Apple’s likely working on bigger leaps (rumors of an “Apple GPT” for Siri), and the A19 hardware is ready for it macrumors.com, but as of now you won’t see as many overt AI tricks on iPhone. That said, features like Visual Lookup (point your camera at almost anything – a plant, a painting, a foreign text – and iOS will identify or translate it) are powered by AI and incredibly useful, and they work offline on the A19. Apple also integrates with the broader ecosystem’s AI – for instance, using Siri with ChatGPT or Shortcuts to create personal automations, though that’s user-driven. If you want the phone that feels “smartest” in daily use right now, Pixel 10 Pro takes the crown – as TechRadar put it, “Google is delivering the most useful AI to help me get things done with my phone”, in ways that others have promised but not fully delivered techradar.com. Samsung is a close second, giving you both Google’s and its own AI helpers (you effectively have both Google Assistant and Bixby, plus third-party AI apps, all accessible). Apple is third in visible AI features, but it quietly uses AI throughout and tends to perfect and polish features (e.g., when Apple eventually rolls out a more conversational Siri or personal journal with AI, it will likely be very integrated and privacy-first). One thing all three share: none of these devices feel “dumb” – the era of smartphones doing only what they’re explicitly told is over. They each, in their own way, proactively assist and simplify tasks, whether it’s sorting your photos, blocking spam calls, or suggesting replies. The differences lie in how flashy and configurable those AI features are, with Google being the most bold at the moment.

Software Ecosystem and Updates

Beyond AI, the software experience and ecosystem lock-in are crucial factors when choosing among these phones. Each device runs a different flavor of operating system (or variant), with its own ecosystem of apps, services, and cross-device integrations:

• iPhone 17 / iOS 19 (iOS 26?): The iPhone 17 runs Apple’s latest iOS (as of Sept 2025, Apple’s marketing calls it iOS 19, though some press references label it as iOS 26 likely as part of a new naming tied to macOS) tomsguide.com. Naming aside, it’s the familiar iOS experience – optimized, smooth, and deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem. If you own a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or AirPods, the iPhone 17 will play seamlessly with them. Features like Continuity allow you to start tasks on one device and finish on another (for instance, begin composing an email on your phone and continue on your Mac, or answer phone calls on your Mac). iMessage and FaceTime remain key draws – Apple’s messaging is encrypted and feature-rich (with Tapbacks, Memojis, etc.), and FaceTime now supports handoff to Apple TV and even joining via web links for non-Apple users. With iOS 17/18, Apple also added FaceTime voicemail and Live Voicemail screening, similar to what Pixel offers. The App Store on iOS still generally gets the best apps and games first, and many people prefer the polish of iOS apps optimized for the iPhone’s screen. Apple’s ecosystem also now extends to Vision Pro (the AR/VR headset launching in 2024) – interestingly, the iPhone 17 can capture Spatial Videos (stereo 3D video clips) to view later on a Vision Pro, though this feature is limited to the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera system (uses the ultra-wide and main together). In terms of software longevity, Apple historically supports iPhones for about 5+ years of iOS updates – for example, an iPhone 11 from 2019 can run 2023’s iOS 17, and likely will get iOS 18 too. The iPhone 17 being newer should see updates through ~2030. That’s slightly shorter than the 7-year promise from Google/Samsung, but Apple’s track record is proven (and they often support critical security fixes even longer). The closed nature of iOS means less customization than Android – you can’t deeply theme the system or sideload apps (outside of TestFlight or upcoming EU-mandated sideloading changes) – but it also means a generally stable and secure experience with minimal malware concerns. The “walled garden” has its benefits: everything is vetted and things like privacy permissions are tightly enforced. Apple has been adding more customization (home screen widgets, an App Library, etc.) over the past few years, and in iOS 17 even allowed custom app icons via Focus modes. But Android still wins for flexibility. The iPhone, however, wins for integration: features like AirDrop for instant file sharing, Apple Pay (and now tap-to-pay receiving on iPhone, turning it into a payment terminal), the upcoming Journal app that works across photos/fitness to record your daily life – these are part of a holistic Apple approach. And the App Store ecosystem gives you access to things like exclusive high-end games (thanks to the A19’s power, some console-quality games are coming to iPhone). In short, choosing iPhone means buying into an ecosystem known for its reliability, privacy stance, and synergy if you own multiple Apple devices. Just be aware that things like deep Google service integration (Gmail, Maps, Assistant) are present but not as native as on Android – e.g., you can use Google Maps on iPhone, but Siri will default to Apple Maps unless specified.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra / One UI 7 (Android 13/14): The S25 Ultra runs on Android (version 13 at launch, with 14 likely available via update by late 2025), but with Samsung’s One UI 7 skin on top tomsguide.com. One UI is feature-packed and offers tons of customization – perhaps too much for some, but power users enjoy it. You have features like Samsung DeX (connect your phone to a monitor/TV for a desktop-like experience), a robust Theme store, secure Samsung Knox workspace for separating work/personal data, and a galaxy of settings to tweak. Samsung includes duplicates of many Google apps (its own Messages, Browser, Gallery, etc.), though these days you can choose Google’s versions if preferred. The S25 Ultra also comes with Microsoft integration out of the box (LinkedIn in contacts, Office apps, and especially Link to Windows – so you can mirror notifications and even run phone apps on a Windows PC seamlessly). If you use a Windows PC, the S25 Ultra offers a similar cross-device ease as iPhone does with Mac, thanks to Microsoft’s Phone Link and Samsung cooperation. The Galaxy ecosystem is also a consideration: do you have a Galaxy Watch or Buds? They will pair and integrate with special features (like Buds auto-switch, Watch unlocking phone, etc.). Samsung’s SmartThings platform can sync your smart home devices with the phone easily (and now Matter support is built-in, as well as Thread via the new N1 chip in S25 series). One UI 7’s interface has been refined; Samsung split the notification shade into two swipes (one for notifications, one for Quick Settings) making one-handed use easier on big screens tomsguide.com. They also have nice touches like Edge Panels (a side shortcut drawer), Good Lock modules for extreme customization of UI elements, and Bixby Routines for automating actions based on triggers (like “if I start driving, turn on Do Not Disturb and play Spotify”). Google’s core apps (Play Store, Gmail, Maps, etc.) are all here as well, so you kind of get the best of both worlds: Google services + Samsung enhancements. The downside is that it can feel a bit “bloated” – lots of apps preinstalled, and settings menus can be complex. Still, Samsung has improved in reducing duplicate apps and giving users choice (for instance, the default messaging can be Google Messages now with RCS). Updates: Samsung committed to 4 OS version updates and 7 years of security updates for the S25 series wired.com. That means if it launched on Android 13, it will get Android 14, 15, 16, 17 (through 2028) and security patches through 2032. That’s excellent, matching Google’s policy. However, Samsung isn’t as fast as Google at rolling out new Android versions – expect a few months delay after Google’s release, as One UI needs to be layered on. But Samsung has been among the fastest of OEMs in recent years (often updating flagships by year-end for that year’s Android). The long support means this phone will remain secure and get new One UI features for a long time – a big selling point for holding onto your device. Samsung’s ecosystem also extends to appliances, TVs, etc., if you’re deep into Samsung products (SmartThings integration, Samsung Health syncing with appliances, etc.). One thing to mention: because the S25 Ultra is Android, you have the flexibility to sideload apps, use alternative app stores, customize default apps (set Chrome or Firefox as default browser, etc.), which iOS only partially allows. Enthusiasts can even root or install custom ROMs (not mainstream, but possible down the line). Overall, the S25 Ultra’s software is about breadth of features and interconnectivity – it can do more out-of-the-box than the others (from pen input across the UI to serving as a desktop PC). It may require more effort to learn all its tricks, but it’s rewarding for those who do. If you prefer a cleaner Android, you might disable some Samsung apps or use launcher replacements, but the beauty is you can do that.
• Google Pixel 10 Pro / Stock Android 16 (Pixel UI): The Pixel 10 Pro provides Google’s pure vision of Android, which is clean, fast, and first-in-line for updates. It ships with the latest Android 16 (as of late 2025) androidheadlines.com and will be among the very first to get Android 17, 18, etc., each year. Google guarantees 7 years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 10 series androidheadlines.com, meaning it could see Android 23 by the end of its life – an unprecedented support window in Android land, matching Apple’s typical support and beating most others. The Pixel’s software is characterized by the Pixel-first features we discussed (Call Screen, Magic Cue, At A Glance widgets showing contextual info like commute or package deliveries). It’s often said Pixels have “stock Android,” but really it’s “Pixel Android” – slightly tweaked with Google’s exclusive features and aesthetic (Material You theming that changes system color palette based on your wallpaper, for instance). There’s no bloatware or duplicate apps – Google’s apps are the defaults (and you can install alternatives, of course). The UI is streamlined, and settings menus are simpler than Samsung’s. For many, the Pixel provides the smoothest, most hassle-free Android experience, because everything is tuned by Google. The synergy with Google services is obviously tight: if you live in Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, Photos, etc., the Pixel is optimized for those. Photos, for example, offers free uploading at slightly compressed quality and exclusive editing features on Pixel. Using Google Assistant is central – squeeze activation is gone, but “Hey Google” voice or swiping from corners for Assistant is there. Pixel phones also get to be the testbed for Google’s latest ideas: whether it’s a new UI design (Material You) or features like car crash detection, Pixels usually get them first. Another aspect of the ecosystem is Pixel Buds and Pixel Watch – Google now has its own accessories which integrate similarly to Apple’s (fast pairing, adaptive sound on Pixel Buds, etc.). While not as vast an ecosystem as Apple or Samsung’s, it’s growing. Pixels also work well with Chromebooks (there’s Phone Hub to see your phone’s texts and recent photos on a Chromebook, for example). And of course, Android’s openness means you can do things like install emulators, change launchers, use widget packs – customization heaven if you want it, though the Pixel out-of-box is minimalistic. One unique promise from Google is the Pixel’s Feature Drops – every few months, Pixel phones get new features via software updates, not just once a year. This can include anything from new camera modes to new Assistant capabilities. It keeps the phone feeling fresh. The flip side: some users find Pixel’s simplicity a bit feature-poor compared to Samsung; for instance, Pixel doesn’t have a built-in secure folder like Knox, or some of the niche tools like an IR blaster remote or advanced file manager. But there are third-party apps to fill most gaps, and Google focuses on the experiences that 95% of users will love daily. Pixel is also the choice for developers and enthusiasts – with an unlocked bootloader (in the unlocked model), easy root access if desired, and first access to new APIs.

In summary, ecosystem considerations might sway you based on what other devices and services you use:

• If you’re entrenched in Apple’s world (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, iCloud services), the iPhone 17 will mesh into that so seamlessly that it’s hard to leave. Apple’s ecosystem strength is unrivaled – everything from handoff to iMessage effects just works within it, but it’s a closed loop.
• If you’re a Windows/PC user or like Samsung’s product range (maybe you have a Samsung TV, or you like the idea of an Android watch with more features), the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers great cross-device functionality (Link to Windows, Samsung Flow, etc.) and a huge feature set on its own. Samsung’s ecosystem is a bit more fragmented (mix of Google, Microsoft, Samsung services), but it gives you flexibility and lots of options.
• If you are deeply into Google’s services and want latest Android updates with no clutter, the Pixel 10 Pro is extremely appealing. It’s the Android equivalent of “it just works” for Google things – plus you’ll always be on the cutting edge of Android OS innovations. The commitment to 7-year updates is a game-changer androidheadlines.com, matching the longevity of iPhones and meaning a Pixel 10 Pro could still be getting new features in 2032!

All three phones can of course run virtually all the same big-name apps (Facebook, WhatsApp, Netflix, etc.), and basic cross-platform services (Spotify, Slack, etc.) work regardless of OS. The differences lie in the exclusive goodies (FaceTime vs. Google Meet optimizations, AirDrop vs. Nearby Share, etc.), the level of customization (high on Android, moderate on iOS), and how updates & support are handled. Fortunately, this year none of these choices will leave you unsupported: even the “worst” in updates (previously Android phones) are now promising what used to be unheard-of support windows wired.com androidheadlines.com. So you can choose based on your workflow and ecosystem preference without fear of short-term obsolescence.

Pricing and Availability

Finally, let’s talk dollars (and pounds, euros, etc.) – what these phones cost and where you can get them, as of September 9, 2025:

• iPhone 17: Apple priced the iPhone 17 starting at $799 in the US for the base 256GB model macrumors.com. Notably, that’s the same starting price as last year’s iPhone 16 which was 128GB – so Apple doubled the base storage without raising the price, a nice perk macrumors.com. There’s also a 512GB upgrade available (expect that to be $999). If you want the iPhone 17 Plus (the larger 6.9″ version) or the Pro models, those start higher: e.g., TechCrunch notes the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 and Pro Max at $1,199 for 256GB techcrunch.com. But our comparison is focused on iPhone 17 (non-Pro). Regionally, prices vary – in Europe, it’s likely around €899, and in the UK ~£799 (Apple often keeps roughly equivalent pricing). The iPhone 17 became available for pre-order on Friday, Sept 12, 2025 and hit stores on Sept 19, 2025 in the first wave of countries macrumors.com. Apple typically launches in 30+ countries initially, including US, Canada, UK, most of EU, Australia, China, etc., and then another wave a week later (in this case Sept 26 for additional regions) macrumors.com. So by end of September 2025, the iPhone 17 should be widely available in almost all major markets. Carriers and Apple’s website offer installment plans, and Apple was offering trade-in credits up to $700 for recent iPhones to bring that cost down tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. In summary, the iPhone 17 is priced competitively for a flagship, undercutting the other two on this list, but remember it’s also a slightly different class of device (you could consider the Pro if you wanted to match specs with Ultra/Pixel Pro XL).
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung launched the S25 Ultra back in February 2025 with a base price of $1,299 for 256GB tomsguide.com. That price hasn’t really dropped much by September, though Samsung and carriers often have deals – e.g., Samsung was offering hefty trade-in credits (up to $900 off with an eligible trade) around launch tomsguide.com. The 512GB model is $1,419 and the 1TB a whopping $1,659 (though during pre-order they offered free memory upgrades) tomsguide.com. In the UK it started at £1,249, and similarly premium pricing elsewhere (likely €1,299 in Europe). The S25 Ultra is available globally – Samsung sells it in essentially every market either directly or via carriers. By now (fall 2025) you might find slight discounts or bundled promotions (for instance, some carriers include a Galaxy Watch or Buds with purchase). Also, with the Galaxy S26 on the horizon in early 2026, Samsung could run seasonal sales. But as of now, expect to pay four figures for this device. It’s the priciest of the trio here, but you are getting that maxed out hardware (and 256GB base storage is generous, matching iPhone’s new base and double Pixel’s base). Availability is universal: you can buy it from Samsung’s online store, all major carriers, Amazon, electronics retailers – the Ultra is easy to find. One thing to note: there’s only one chipset version globally this time (Snapdragon in all regions), simplifying buying decisions (in the past some regions got Exynos chips). Also, Samsung launched lower S25 models: the regular S25 ($800) and S25+ ($1000), and even a super-slim S25 Edge later in the year – but those are outside our scope.
• Google Pixel 10 Pro: Google officially announced the Pixel 10 family in August 2025, with the Pixel 10 Pro starting at $999.99 androidheadlines.com. That presumably is for the 128GB storage (since Android Headlines referenced $999 at Amazon for 128GB techradar.com), and $1,099 for 256GB, scaling up if you go to 512GB or 1TB (yes, Google introduced a 1TB option this year). The larger Pixel 10 Pro XL starts at $1,199 (128GB) and goes up from there blog.google. Google kept the base Pixel 10 (non-Pro) at $799 to compete with base iPhone in price blog.google. In terms of availability, the Pixel 10 series went on sale August 28, 2025 in Google’s typical markets blog.google. Google’s reach isn’t as broad as Apple or Samsung – Pixels are officially sold in around 17 countries. Key regions include the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, and a handful of other European and Asia-Pacific countries. If you’re in a country where Google doesn’t sell Pixels (like India, much of Asia, Latin America), you might have to import one or use third-party resellers. In the US, the Pixels are sold unlocked through Google Store, Amazon, etc., and also through Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile now (all major carriers carry them, often with their own promos). Google often runs promotions on pre-orders – e.g., a free Pixel Watch or trade-in deals. After launch, Google’s own store sometimes gives bundle discounts (like $100 off if buying with Pixel Buds). By September (a few weeks after release), you might see a slight price drop or incentive as they ramp into holiday season, but generally the Pixel 10 Pro will hover around that $999 mark for a while. It’s worth mentioning that Pixel devices tend to drop in price faster than iPhones – so six months out you might find it on sale more frequently. But right now, it’s new.

So how do they stack up on value? The iPhone 17 (non-Pro) is the most affordable of the three by a significant margin – $799 gets you a flagship experience, albeit without a telephoto camera or the highest-end build. The Pixel 10 Pro at $999 is a mid-point – you pay $200 more, and you get the telephoto camera and more advanced AI features, plus a more premium build; it’s essentially priced like an iPhone 17 Pro would be. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most expensive at $1299, justified by its larger size, additional hardware (S Pen, more cameras, highest specs). If you’re cost-sensitive, an iPhone 17 or Pixel 10 (non-Pro) might be better choices without sacrificing too much. But if you want the “no compromises” phone, you’re looking at four figures with the Pixel 10 Pro XL or S25 Ultra or iPhone Pro Max anyway.

In terms of availability and support: all three are readily available now (late 2025). Apple and Samsung have extensive retail and support networks worldwide – you can get repairs or service relatively easily. Google has improved support with more service centers (and even self-repair options via iFixit partnership), but still not as ubiquitous as Apple’s Genius Bars or Samsung’s service centers. If having a physical store to go to for help is important, Apple is top, Samsung second (some Best Buys and UbreakiFix shops handle Samsung repairs), Google is third (some authorized shops, otherwise mail-in for many areas).

Resale value is another consideration: iPhones traditionally hold value best. So an iPhone 17 bought at $799 might resell in a year for a higher percentage of its price than a Samsung or Pixel. Samsung phones often see bigger discounts over time (which is good if you buy late, bad for resale if you bought early). Pixel phones resale is moderate – not as low as before thanks to longer support now, but not iPhone-level. If you upgrade every year, that could factor in.

To sum up this section: The iPhone 17 is the cheapest option here by a decent margin, making it a value pick among flagships macrumors.com. The Pixel 10 Pro costs more but offers Pro-level features to justify it, and undercuts Samsung’s Ultra by a few hundred. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a premium splurge, sitting at the top of the price ladder for mainstream phones (though still less than foldables). All are available now, with Apple and Samsung blanketing the globe and Google focusing on key markets. Depending on deals (trade-ins especially), you might find the effective prices closer – for instance, trading an old iPhone could get you an iPhone 17 for ~$100, or Samsung’s generous trade offers could knock the Ultra’s price way down for upgraders tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. So definitely check promotions. But pure sticker price-wise: $$ < $$$ < $$$$ (iPhone < Pixel < Galaxy).

In Conclusion, each of these newly released 2025 flagships has its own strengths:

• The iPhone 17 impresses by bringing many Pro-tier features (120Hz display, high-res cameras, latest chip) to a lower price point macrumors.com macrumors.com, all wrapped in Apple’s renowned build quality and ecosystem. It’s the easiest to recommend for those in Apple’s world or who prioritize a balance of performance, camera quality, and longevity at a reasonable cost.
• The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the choice for the spec-hungry power user: it has the biggest screen, most versatile camera setup, stylus capabilities, and beastly performance tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. It’s expensive, but you get arguably the most feature-rich smartphone on the market for that money – a device that one reviewer called “possibly the best phone, period” tomsguide.com. If you want a phone that can do literally everything (and you don’t mind its size and price), the S25 Ultra is that phone.
• The Pixel 10 Pro (and its larger Pro XL sibling) represents the cutting edge of smartphone AI and Google’s vision of a helpful, user-centric device. It may not win on raw benchmarks against the A19 or Snapdragon, but in day-to-day use it might actually feel the “smartest.” From screening calls to snapping unbelievable photos with minimal effort, it exemplifies Google’s software prowess techradar.com techradar.com. It’s the dark horse that can steal the show for those who appreciate a clean Android experience packed with genuinely useful intelligence. And with Google matching the others in support length, it’s a safe long-term bet too androidheadlines.com.

In 2025, it’s remarkable that you really can’t go wrong – these are three excellent flagship phones released around the same time, each pushing boundaries. Your decision may ultimately hinge on ecosystem preference and specific feature priorities: Do you value the polished synergy of Apple’s iPhone, the all-in-one powerhouse approach of Samsung’s Ultra, or the AI-first innovation of Google’s Pixel? Hopefully this comparison has made those differences clear, so you can pick the device that aligns best with your needs.

Sources: Apple Newsroom macrumors.com macrumors.com, MacRumors macrumors.com macrumors.com, Tom’s Guide tomsguide.com tomsguide.com, TechRadar techradar.com techradar.com, Android Headlines androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com, TechCrunch techcrunch.com techcrunch.com, Wired wired.com, and others as cited above.