At a Glance
- The iPhone 17 Pro sets a new benchmark with a 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens and ProRes Log video.
- Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the largest 200-megapixel main camera and 8-x zoom.
- Google’s Pixel 10 Pro balances a telephoto lens, night mode, and seven-year software support.
- Why it matters: These flagship systems define what a phone can do in photography, influencing buying decisions and app ecosystems.
iPhone 17 Pro sets a new benchmark in 2025. The 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens and ProRes Log video bring cinematic quality to handheld shooting. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro push the envelope with 200-megapixel sensors and balanced feature sets.
iPhone 17 Pro: The New Standard
- 48-megapixel 4x telephoto lens for detailed zoom shots.
- ProRes Log video recording for cinematic workflows.
- A19 Pro chipset delivers smooth performance and efficient power use.
- Battery: 4,252 mAh for the Pro; 5,088 mAh for the Max, providing up to 30 % more runtime.
- RAM: 16 GB, ensuring multitasking and gaming remain snappy.
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 120 Hz refresh, HDR10+ support.
- Price: $1,099 for both Pro and Max variants.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The Ultimate Zoom
- 200-megapixel main camera for unmatched detail.
- 8-x optical zoom with 3x and 5x telephoto options.
- Battery: 5,200 mAh, supporting fast charging and 12-hour video playback.
- RAM: 16 GB, perfect for heavy multitasking.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for power-hungry tasks.
- Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED, 120 Hz refresh.
- Price: $1,099.
Google Pixel 10 Pro: Pro-Level at a Baseline Price
- 200-megapixel wide sensor, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel telephoto.
- Night Mode performs on par with flagship rivals.
- Battery: 5,200 mAh, offering up to 15 hours of video playback.
- RAM: 12 GB, ensuring smooth AI and AR experiences.
- Processor: Tensor G5, optimized for AI tasks.
- Display: 6.4-inch OLED, 90 Hz refresh.
- Price: $799.
Galaxy Z Fold 7: Foldable with a 200-Megapixel Camera
- 200-megapixel wide sensor, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel telephoto.
- Battery: 5,200 mAh, comparable to the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
- RAM: 12 GB, keeping the foldable’s multitasking fluid.
- Processor: Tensor G5, sharing the same AI focus as the Pixel 10.
- Display: 7.6-inch foldable OLED, 120 Hz refresh.
- Price: $1,099.
Night Mode Showdown
All three flagship cameras-iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Pixel 10 Pro-feature dedicated night modes that capture detail in low-light scenarios. While the iPhone’s ProRes Log allows for color grading, Samsung’s 200-megapixel sensor delivers higher resolution, and Google’s seven-year software support ensures continued improvements.
Choosing the Right Phone for Your Needs
| Phone | Display (Size/Resolution) | Battery (mAh) | Camera (Sensors) | Processor | RAM | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro | 6.1-inch OLED, 120 Hz | 4,252 | 48-MP wide, 48-MP ultra, 48-MP 4x tele | A19 Pro | 16 GB | $1,099 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 6.7-inch OLED, 120 Hz | 5,088 | 48-MP wide, 48-MP ultra, 48-MP 8x tele | A19 Pro | 16 GB | $1,099 |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | 6.9-inch AMOLED, 120 Hz | 5,200 | 200-MP wide, 50-MP ultra, 10-MP 3x tele | Snapdragon 8 Elite | 16 GB | $1,099 |
| Pixel 10 Pro | 6.4-inch OLED, 90 Hz | 5,200 | 200-MP wide, 12-MP ultra, 10-MP tele | Tensor G5 | 12 GB | $799 |
| Pixel 10 Pro XL | 6.8-inch OLED, 90 Hz | 5,200 | 200-MP wide, 12-MP ultra, 10-MP tele | Tensor G5 | 12 GB | $799 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | 7.6-inch foldable OLED, 120 Hz | 5,200 | 200-MP wide, 12-MP ultra, 10-MP tele | Tensor G5 | 12 GB | $1,099 |
| Pixel 10 | 6.4-inch OLED, 90 Hz | 5,000 | 200-MP wide, 12-MP ultra, 10-MP tele | Tensor G5 | 12 GB | $799 |
| Pixel 9A | 6.0-inch OLED, 60 Hz | 5,000 | 200-MP wide, 12-MP ultra, 10-MP tele | Tensor G5 | 12 GB | $499 |
| iPhone 16E | 6.1-inch OLED, 60 Hz | 4,252 | 48-MP wide, 48-MP ultra, 48-MP 4x tele | A19 Pro | 16 GB | $599 |
- Protect your investment: A sturdy case and screen protector shield against drops and scratches, preserving lens clarity.
- Keep software up to date: Seven-year support on the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL ensures you receive camera improvements and security patches.
- Shop during sales: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday promotions often bring flagship prices down, making the Pixel 10 or Galaxy S25 Ultra more accessible.
- Consider your ecosystem: If you rely on Apple’s ecosystem, the iPhone 17 Pro integrates seamlessly with macOS and iPadOS for photo editing. Samsung users benefit from the S Pen and DeX, while Google’s Pixel line excels with AI-driven features like Live Caption and Speech-to-Text.
In 2025, the iPhone 17 Pro, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro represent the pinnacle of what modern smartphones can achieve in photography.
