Instead of spending the next half hour reading, my phone gave me a concise, bulleted summary in under ten seconds. My early conclusion was simple. My new phone anticipates what I want and solves tasks I usually avoid. It made the future feel practical.

Both the iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 start at around $800, but at very different storage sizes. The iPhone 17 starts at $799 ($829 if you get it without a carrier) for the 256GB version, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 will cost you $800 for the 128GB model. Stepping up to the 256GB edition of the Galaxy S25 adds $60 to the price.

Coming to the battery, rumours suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S26 may pack a 4,300mAh battery, whereas the Plus model may integrate a 4,900mAh battery. The Ultra model is tipped to pack a mega 5,400mAh battery battery with 60W wired charging speed, Qi2 magnetic wireless charging support, and a dedicated S Pen slot as well.

Cutting-edge camera features and innovative AI editing tech mean your photos and videos are about to look better than ever

The iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology in 2025, showcasing two distinct approaches to innovation. Apple emphasizes bold advancements in hardware and ecosystem integration,

The Black Friday 2025 sales are well and truly underway and the Samsung Galaxy S25 is available with quite possibly the best deal we've ever seen.

The company also plans to sell five million units of its foldable phones, namely the Fold and Flip models, which aren't coming until July 2026. Overall, Samsung's mobile division plans to do $90.7 billion in sales next year.

Haptics matter because they bridge the gap between digital and physical. Budget Androids often skimp here, with mushy vibrations that feel like an afterthought. Even older Galaxy models had inconsistent feedback, but the S25’s motor rivals Apple’s Taptic Engine for precision.