iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S25 FE: Which 2025 Smartphone Should You Buy?

Build and Feel:
The iPhone 17 features an aluminum frame with Ceramic Shield 2 glass, offering durability alongside Apple’s signature polished feel. It also boasts IP68 protection up to 6m, making it more resistant to water immersion than the Galaxy S25 FE, which is rated at 1.5m. Samsung counters with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides and an enhanced armor aluminum frame, improving drop resistance. For sturdiness, the Galaxy feels more rugged, while the iPhone delivers a sleeker, refined premium finish.

Verdict: the iPhone 17 wins for water resistance, while the Galaxy S25 FE edges ahead in rugged durability.

Display Quality:
Apple’s 6.3-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display offers sharper resolution at ~460ppi and exceptional brightness peaking at 3000 nits. This makes it superior for HDR content and outdoor visibility. The Galaxy S25 FE has a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X screen with HDR10+ support, peaking at 1900 nits and ~385ppi density. Its bigger size benefits multimedia and multitasking, but the iPhone’s higher resolution and brightness deliver more vibrant and crisp visuals.

Verdict: the iPhone 17 provides the best screen quality, while the Galaxy S25 FE appeals to users preferring size.

Verdict:
Both devices are premium in design, but the iPhone 17 shines in screen clarity and water resistance, while the Galaxy S25 FE offers rugged strength and a larger display. For durability and size, the Galaxy is better; for sharpness and display brilliance, the iPhone leads.

Performance:
The iPhone 17 runs on the Apple A19 chip built on 3nm, providing unmatched efficiency and sustained peak performance for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing. The Galaxy S25 FE uses the Exynos 2400, a strong 10-core chip with Xclipse GPU, excelling in multitasking and AI features but trailing Apple’s single-core and long-term optimization. The iPhone will perform smoothly in heavy tasks and stay faster over time, while the Galaxy is still powerful for most users.

Verdict: The iPhone 17 has the performance edge due to Apple’s chipset leadership.

Battery and Charging:
Samsung equips the S25 FE with a 4900 mAh battery, much larger than the iPhone 17’s 3692 mAh. Charging is also faster, 45W wired and 15W wireless with reverse wireless support, compared to Apple’s 50% in 20 minutes wired but capped at 25W wireless. This means the Galaxy lasts longer and recharges quicker, making it more practical for power users. Apple’s efficiency partly balances the smaller size but still falls short in overall endurance.

Verdict: the Galaxy S25 FE clearly leads in battery life and charging flexibility.

Verdict:
For raw speed and future-proof performance, the iPhone 17 dominates. For battery endurance and charging versatility, the Galaxy S25 FE is the superior choice. Users must decide whether processing power or all-day reliability matters more.

Main and Secondary Lenses:
Apple keeps a dual setup with two 48MP sensors, offering wide and ultrawide shots with excellent detail, color accuracy, and stabilization. Samsung, however, adds versatility with a triple camera system: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The telephoto sensor gives Samsung a major advantage in zoom photography, an area where Apple is limited. While the iPhone produces consistent quality, the Galaxy provides more flexibility for varied photography styles.

Verdict: the Galaxy S25 FE wins for versatility, while the iPhone 17 excels in image consistency.

Selfie Camera:
The iPhone 17 brings an advanced 18MP ultrawide selfie camera with PDAF, OIS, and SL 3D depth sensor, enabling better portraits and secure Face ID. It also supports Dolby Vision HDR video. Samsung offers a 12MP wide selfie shooter, capable but less advanced, without the same hardware-level depth sensing or stabilization. For creators and video callers, Apple provides a more reliable and feature-rich front camera.

Verdict: iPhone 17 takes the lead in selfie performance.

Verdict:
The Galaxy S25 FE is better for versatile rear-camera setups, especially zoom photography, while the iPhone 17 shines in front-facing capabilities and overall consistency.

The iPhone 17 is priced at around $800, while the Galaxy S25 FE comes in at $700. With a $100 difference, Samsung offers more hardware features such as a larger battery, a telephoto camera, and faster charging. However, Apple justifies its price with superior performance, display clarity, and an advanced software ecosystem.

Verdict: the Galaxy S25 FE is the more budget-friendly option, while the iPhone 17 offers more polish and refinement for the extra cost.

The iPhone 17’s standout features include superior water resistance, a more powerful A19 chip, a brilliant 3000-nit display, and advanced Face ID security. It also benefits from satellite connectivity and Apple’s long-term iOS updates. The Galaxy S25 FE brings unique strengths like a triple camera with telephoto zoom, a massive 4900 mAh battery with 45W charging, Samsung DeX desktop mode, and Circle to Search.

Verdict:
iPhone 17 is ideal for those prioritizing performance, screen brilliance, and ecosystem integration. The Galaxy S25 FE is better suited for users who value battery endurance, versatility in cameras, and added productivity tools at a lower price.

Both deliver premium experiences, but the choice depends on whether speed and refinement or practicality and value matter more.

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