Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which Flagship Wins?

Design & Build

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sheds weight compared to previous Ultra models, making it more comfortable for extended use. Reviewers at CNET praised the refined design and noted it's lighter than the S24 Ultra while maintaining the same premium titanium build. The anti-reflective coating on the display isn't just a spec sheet bullet point. It makes a real difference outdoors.

Apple's iPhone 17 sticks with the same design language as the iPhone 16. That's not necessarily bad, but it feels safe. The 6.1-inch form factor remains compact and pocketable. Reviewers consistently noted the premium feel, though the lack of design evolution is hard to ignore at this price point.

Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a 6.7-inch display in a refined package that reviewers called genuinely durable. The design improvements over previous Pixels are clear, but at 6.7 inches, this is a big phone that won't suit everyone.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It balances size, weight, and premium materials better than the competition, and that anti-reflective coating solves a real problem.

Performance

The iPhone 17 dominates pure CPU benchmarks. Reviews from PCMag and CNET confirm it outperforms both the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 10 in processor tests. Apple's chip advantage remains real and measurable.

But benchmarks don't tell the whole story. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers what reviewers called a "measurable performance lead" in real-world use. More importantly, it doesn't throttle. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, according to multiple reviews, throttles during 50MP image capture. That's a flagship phone that can't handle its own camera at full resolution.

Samsung also includes more RAM across the board and better thermal management. The S25 Ultra handles sustained workloads without the performance drops that plague the Pixel.

Winner: Tie between iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Apple wins on raw power, Samsung wins on sustained performance. The Pixel 10 Pro XL falls behind with throttling issues that shouldn't exist at this price.

Camera System

This is where the differences become stark. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a quad-camera system: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and two telephoto lenses (10MP each). Reviews highlighted the improved ultrawide performance in low light and the versatility of having multiple zoom options.

The iPhone 17's dual 48MP setup captures sharp, colorful photos in good light. But here's the problem: no telephoto lens. On an $829 flagship, that's a significant omission. Reviews from both CNET and PCMag called this out as a major step backward.

Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a triple camera setup (50MP + 12MP + 48MP) with AI-enhanced portrait mode that reviewers praised. The computational photography remains excellent. But the Tensor G3 processor throttles during 50MP capture, limiting when you can actually use the full resolution.

Samsung's camera system isn't perfect. Reviews noted aggressive color processing that leads to oversaturation. But the hardware versatility and consistent performance across all lenses give it the edge.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The quad-camera system delivers options the others can't match, and it doesn't throttle when you need it.

Display Quality

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sets the standard with 2,600-nit peak brightness and that anti-reflective coating. Reviews from CNET and Consumer Reports called it the best smartphone display available. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen is bright enough for direct sunlight and smooth enough for gaming.

Apple's iPhone 17 hits 3,000-nit peak brightness on its 6.1-inch display with 120Hz refresh. Reviews praised the quality, calling it "genuinely excellent." It's smaller, which some prefer, but the brightness advantage doesn't translate to better outdoor visibility thanks to Samsung's anti-reflective tech.

Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL reaches 3,300-nit peak brightness on its 6.7-inch OLED. That's the highest number here. But reviewers noted it's "stunning" without giving it the same real-world praise Samsung received.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The combination of brightness, size, and anti-reflective coating delivers the best actual viewing experience, even if it doesn't have the highest peak brightness number.

Battery Life

The iPhone 17 surprised reviewers with 24+ hours of real-world use. Both CNET and PCMag confirmed battery life easily lasts all day with faster charging than previous models. That 20-hour rating is conservative.

Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery but still charges at 45W, the same speed as the S24 Ultra. Reviews noted battery life is "good but not exceptional for the price." It'll get you through a day, but it's not leading the pack.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL's 5,000mAh battery disappointed reviewers. Multiple reviews specifically called out "disappointing" and "stagnant" battery life despite the larger capacity. The Tensor G3's efficiency issues show up here.

Winner: Apple iPhone 17. It's the smallest battery by capacity but delivers the longest real-world runtime. That's impressive engineering.

Value for Money

The iPhone 17 starts at $799 (though retailers charge up to $830). You get excellent performance, great battery life, and a beautiful display. What you don't get: a telephoto camera, USB 3.0 speeds, or complete AI features. For most people, that's still a solid deal.

Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra costs $1,050. That's $250 more than the iPhone 17. But you get a complete camera system, the best display, an S Pen, and more versatile hardware. Reviews consistently noted the price is "hard to justify" but acknowledged you're getting flagship features across the board.

Google wants $1,319 for the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Best Buy has it for $899, which is more reasonable. But even at $899, you're paying for AI features that "don't work as advertised" and a processor that throttles. Multiple reviews called it "too expensive" even before the price increase.

Winner: Apple iPhone 17. It's not the most feature-rich, but it delivers the essentials at a price that makes sense. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers better value if you need those extra features.

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want the most complete flagship experience. The camera system handles any situation, the display is unmatched, and the S Pen adds functionality the others can't touch. Yes, it's expensive. But you're getting a phone that doesn't compromise on features.

Buy the iPhone 17 if you want solid performance and excellent battery life without spending $1,000+. You'll miss the telephoto camera, but the dual 48MP setup handles everyday photography well. It's the smart choice for most people who don't need every flagship feature.

Buy the Pixel 10 Pro XL if you can get it at Best Buy's $899 price and you prioritize computational photography. The AI features work better than the competition when they actually work. But the throttling issues and inconsistent performance make this a harder sell at any price.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins this comparison with its 9.2/10 rating, and the reasons are clear. It delivers the best display on any smartphone, a camera system that doesn't force compromises, and performance that stays consistent under load. The $1,050 price is steep, but you're getting a complete flagship without the gaps that hurt the competition.

The iPhone 17 is the value pick at $799, offering excellent battery life and strong performance. But the missing telephoto lens and incomplete AI features hold it back from the top spot. It's a great phone that makes smart compromises.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL disappoints at $1,319. The throttling issues, inconsistent AI features, and stagnant battery life don't justify the premium price. Even at Best Buy's $899, it's hard to recommend over the competition.

For most buyers, the choice comes down to budget. If you can afford the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, it's the phone to buy. It's the most complete flagship available, and that 9.2/10 rating reflects a phone that executes well across every category that matters.