Reviews Tech iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro Max full review, iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra full review Silvaro D'Silvas 16 September 2025 0 Comments

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in Kenya: Full Review, Specs, Prices & Comparison (2025)

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Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra are the biggest smartphone launches of 2025. Both bring cutting-edge design, cameras, performance, and battery life — but which one is right for you? We break down the specs, features, and pricing to help you decide.

iPhone 17 Pro Max – First Impressions

Apple’s 2025 flagship for those wanting “all-out Pro” has arrived. The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes with a number of both evolutionary and more radical changes:

New aluminum unibody design, replacing the titanium of some earlier Pro models, with Ceramic Shield 2 front and back.
Color options: Deep Blue, Cosmic Orange, Silver.
Display is large: 6.9-inch all-screen OLED for the Pro Max, with 120Hz ProMotion adaptive refresh, rounded corners and a curved style.
Storage: choices from 256 GB up to 2 TB on the Pro Max.
The front camera is upgraded to an 18MP Center Stage unit (for better framing / autofocus), dual capture etc.
Battery is significantly improved; Apple quotes up to 39 hours use (video?) for the Pro Max, and that it has their “best battery ever” in an iPhone.

So right off the bat, you sense Apple is pushing both in photography/video tools, display clarity/brightness, and battery life. But some trade-offs (weight, size, charging speeds) also matter, as always.

Galaxy S25 Ultra – Recap & Key Features

Samsung’s own flagship contender isn’t resting on laurels either. The S25 Ultra brings:

A 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) display with QHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh, high peak brightness (≈ 2,600 nits) and more refined durability.
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite (latest generation), giving boosts in CPU, GPU, and AI processing.
Camera array is very versatile: 200MP main wide sensor; 50MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto (5× optical zoom); another 10MP telephoto (3×) etc.
RAM & Storage: typically 12 GB RAM in most regions; up to 16 GB in select markets. Storage tiers: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB.
Battery in the S25 Ultra is 5,000 mAh; charging is 45W wired, supports wireless charging, and also Qi2 readiness.
Build improvements: Thermal/vapor-chamber enhancements (a larger chamber for heat dissipation than predecessor), tougher and more scratch-resistant glass/covers, etc.

Samsung is leaning heavily into camera versatility, raw sensor size, AI-driven features, more flexible hardware (especially in zoom, world lens variety), and durability.

Side-by-Side Spec Comparison

Here’s a table summarizing how they match up on key specs:

Specs	iPhone 17 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Display	6.9-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, very high peak brightness (≈ 3,000 nits)	6.9-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, peak ~2,600 nits
Processor / Performance	Apple A19 Pro chip; very efficient, strong single-threaded performance; also advanced video/camera engine.	Snapdragon 8 Elite; strong across CPU, GPU, AI, especially in multi-tasking, computational photography.
Storage / RAM	Up to 2 TB storage (Pro Max), 256/512/1TB also. RAM ~12 GB.	Up to 1 TB storage; RAM 12 GB in most regions; 16 GB in some.
Camera system	All rear cameras use 48MP “Fusion” sensors; new telephoto lens, 8× optical-quality zoom (via better sensor crop or lens) etc. Upgraded ultra-wide, improved front camera.	Very impressive: 200MP main wide, ultra-wide, dual telephotos for different zoom levels, strong zoom performance, improved low-light etc.
Battery & Charging	Big jump in battery; Apple claims best battery life ever on iPhone; wired/USB-C fast charging; wireless (Qi2, MagSafe) improvements.	5,000 mAh, 45W wired charging, wireless charging, stamina improved via cooling & efficiency.
Durability & Build	Aluminum unibody, Ceramic Shield front & back, design refinements.	Advanced glass (Gorilla Armor 2 etc.), vapor chamber, better thermal design, more scratch/drop resistance.
Software & Ecosystem	iOS 26; strong integration with Apple’s tools, video workflows, long-term support; features like Center Stage; improvements in accessory support.	One UI (latest), Android platform features, AI enhancements, flexibility (customisation), more open ecosystem; S-Pen (if relevant), etc.
Weaknesses / Trade-offs	Hefty device (size & weight), premium price, charging (though improved) still lags some Android competitors, possible limits in zoom / lens flexibility vs rivals.	Battery is large but maybe not as large as some expectations; the sheer number of camera lenses / sensors can lead to complexity; in some markets RAM is capped; software bloat or inconsistency of AI features; price is high.

What They Handle Well – Performance & Real-World Use

Let’s move beyond raw numbers and consider how these phones fare in real life.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

What excels:

Video & creative work: For creators, Apple’s upgrades (ProRes RAW, genlock, video front and rear capture, etc.) make this a powerhouse for mobile filmmaking. Consistency in colour, video pipeline, HDR work likely stronger.
Battery endurance: Users who stream video, game, or use camera heavily will notice the battery is very competitive. Apple tends to manage power well.
Display readability & brightness: At high peak brightness outdoors the iPhone seems to lead, which helps in sunlight. Also quality of OLED panel and colour accuracy likely excellent.
Software and support: iOS is polished, updates tend to last longer, seamless integration with Apple services + accessories. Also durable build quality.

Where it’s less dominant:

Zoom / lens versatility: Although the telephoto lens is upgraded, Samsung’s dual telephoto + very high megapixel ultra-wide may offer more flexibility, especially at high zoom levels.
Charging speed: While improved, still may lag fastest Android charging tech.
Price and value: The higher tiers (especially 2 TB) are very expensive; diminishing returns set in for many users.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Strengths in everyday use:

Camera flexibility: Especially zoom, ultra-wide, detail at high resolution. If you like wildlife, sports, travel shots, or want optical zoom, the S25 Ultra likely outperforms in certain lens/sensor combos.
Raw power + AI features: For multitasking, gaming, on-device AI tasks, etc., Samsung’s chip + its software enhancements make a strong case.
Display and durability: Very good display, strong materials, drop/scratch resistance helps for rough use. The cooling improvements also help in sustained performance (gaming, video).

Drawbacks:

Size & heft: Like the iPhone Pro Max, this is a big phone; not for everyone. Also battery demands are high at high brightness and when using demanding camera / AI features.
Software inconsistency: Some of the AI features may be hit-or-miss in certain regions or with certain tasks; the promise may not always match real-world.
Price / value: Top-of-line hardware comes at top price; for some users, mid-tier models may offer much of what they need for less.

Design & Aesthetics Comparison

Materials: iPhone has moved to aluminum unibody with Ceramic Shield 2 front & back; Samsung uses high-end glass ceramic, plus advanced cover glass (Armor 2 etc.). Both feel premium.
Ergonomics: With both being ~6.9-inch flagships, weight and grip matter. iPhone is heavy; Samsung likewise. For many users, holding comfort, one-hand use, pocketability will be a trade-off.
Looks & identity: Apple’s design changes (full-width camera plateau, changes in finishes) are noticeable, and some users might take time to like the new aesthetic. Samsung’s design is more evolutionary, continuing its visual language, but adds refinements: thinner bezels, better finishings, maybe more colour options.

Battery, Charging & Thermals

Battery capacities: iPhone Pro Max is quoted (from credible sources) to have major improvements; Samsung sticks with strong (5,000 mAh) battery but with improvements in efficiency and cooling.
Charging speed: Samsung leads in wired charging (45W) and better wireless options; Apple has improved wireless (MagSafe & Qi2) and faster wired, but likely still behind the fastest Android charging tech.
Thermal handling: Samsung’s enlarged vapor chamber helps in prolonged usage (gaming, video). Apple’s aluminum unibody plus internal cooling designed to handle heat better than some older models.

Camera / Imaging – Zoom, Night, Video

This is one of the most contested arenas.

- The S25 Ultra with its 200MP main sensor offers huge detail; its multiple telephoto options allow real optical zoom steps (5×, 3×) plus good ultra-wide. In certain lighting conditions, especially low light or long-range shots, it should outperform many competition.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max is strong in video, color accuracy, consistency, etc. Apple’s processing pipeline often gives more pleasing results “out of camera” (less need to fuss with settings). Also features like Dual Capture, ProRes RAW, better front camera with Center Stage: helpful for video creators. Zoom is improved (optical-quality 8× via sensor crop or improved telephoto) but might not match Samsung’s telephoto physical lens flexibility.
- Low-light photography: Both should do well; Samsung may capture more detail (due to sensor size / megapixels), Apple may produce cleaner / more natural colours.
- Video: iPhone likely still has the upper hand for creators who value stability, colour, software tools; Samsung catches up on features, flexibility, AI enhancement.

Software, Ecosystem & Extras

Apple (iOS 26): More locked down, but advantages include longer software update support, tight integration with services (iMessage, FaceTime, ecosystem of Mac / iPad etc.), accessory ecosystem, and features often refined well.
Samsung / Android (One UI latest, etc.): More customizable, more flexibility (e.g. default apps, more file access etc.), more options especially for power users. The AI features may give extra value. Also S-Pen is a differentiator (if you use stylus, note taking etc.).
Extras: Apple has things like improved satellite support, Center Stage camera features, accessory improvements (cases, MagSafe etc.). Samsung has durability improvements (glass, armor, drop/scratch resistance), possible better audio / speaker setup, maybe more hardware features (expandable options etc.).

Weaknesses / Compromises

Neither device is small or cheap. For many users, the difference between “good enough” mid-to-upper tier phones may make trade-offs more practical.
Heat / throttling under continuous load may still catch up, especially on the Samsung with its big sensors and demanding tasks; Apple may manage this better but not perfect.
Charging: Apple improves but is still behind some Android phones that can do e.g. 65W, 80W+, etc. If fast charging is a priority, Samsung may give better wired speeds (though also depends on region and charger provided).

Verdict & Who Should Pick Which

Here’s how I’d sum up the match-up, and recommendations based on user profile:

If you’re a creator / filmmaker / content creator who values video tools, colour accuracy, integration with editing, and long-term software updates, you’ll probably prefer iPhone 17 Pro Max.

If you’re someone who wants maximum camera versatility, especially for long range / zoom shots, ultra-wide experimentation, and doesn’t mind more manual tweaking, you’ll probably prefer Galaxy S25 Ultra.

If you’re a user who wants high display brightness outdoors, durable build, and clean design, iPhone may edge slightly here.

If you’re someone who wants fastest possible charging, more openness/customization, stylus support, etc., Galaxy S25 Ultra wins in many of those categories.

If you’re budget conscious among flagships (i.e. want “top features” but don’t need all the extra top-tier storage etc.), then you might lean toward whichever deals better in your region; Samsung often discounts or has promos; Apple retains high resale value though, and long updates.

Pricing

Device	Storage / Variant	Approx Price
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	12 GB / 256 GB	KES 126,500
	12 GB / 512 GB	KES 146,500
	Other listings: KES 134,500 for 12/512 variant at Price in Kenya store.
iPhone 17 Pro Max	Base / lower-storage variants (e.g. 256 GB etc.)	listed in Nairobi stores in the range KES 150,000-170,000 for some higher-spec variants.
	Note: some listings / claims put the “starting” prices (base model) lower (though often they are unofficial grey imports or smaller storage).

How Prices Affect Which to Choose

If you care chiefly about getting the most performance per Shilling, Samsung’s S25 Ultra is attractive — you get high-end camera, display, and features without necessarily the highest premium mark-ups that Apple tends to have.
If you care deeply about video tools, long software updates, “buy once” durability, and you plan to hold the phone for 3-5 years, paying more for the iPhone 17 Pro Max might make sense despite the higher cost, especially if you buy from a trusted retailer with warranty.
Budget and financing matter: paying upfront KES 150,000+ is a big investment. Deals, trade-ins, and promotions are more likely to reduce initial cost for the S25 Ultra than for the iPhone, at least historically.

Final Thoughts

Both the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represent the very high end of what phones can do in 2025. There is no bad choice here; it’s more about what features you care about most.
If forced to pick one, I lean slightly toward the Galaxy S25 Ultra as the more “feature-rich machine”, especially for photography, flexibility, and display durability.
However, if what you want is effortless quality, a strong creative/video pipeline, long software support, and an overall package that works great out of the box, then the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still the safer premium bet.