Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
6.9" · 1440×3120 · AMOLED
Optimal Viewing Distance 18cm
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Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max458 PPI #17
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra498 PPI #6
368 PPI521 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max3000 nits #8
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra2600 nits #17
2000 nits4500 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max100% #1
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra100% #1
100%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra120 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: no visible difference — Both screens exceed the retina threshold at 30cm. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has 8% higher pixel density (498 vs 458 PPI), but this only becomes visible below 18cm.
- Brightness: advantage Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is 25% brighter in SDR (1000 vs 800 nits), a noticeable difference for outdoor readability. HDR peak: 3000 vs 2600 nits.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits | 800 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 3000 nits | 2600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:2,000,000 | 1:1,000,000 |
| Resolution | 1320×2868 | 1440×3120 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 498 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm | 18cm |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.9" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1320×2868 | 1440×3120 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 498 (Better) |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm | 18cm (Better) |
| Panel Type | OLED | AMOLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 110:239 | 6:13 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 1 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits (Better) | 800 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 3000 nits (Better) | 2600 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:2,000,000 (Better) | 1:1,000,000 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% |
| Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has 498 PPI compared to 458 PPI for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra requires 18cm vs 19cm for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max to reach retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 · 458 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 2025 · 498 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 2025 · 458 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 2025 · 498 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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