iPhone vs Samsung vs OnePlus: Reviewing 2025’s Latest Phones
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, 2025 has delivered a thrilling lineup from the big three: Apple's iPhone 17 series, Samsung's Galaxy S25 lineup, and OnePlus's Nord 5 and flagship 13 series. As someone who's spent the last few months testing these devices in real-world scenarios—from marathon video calls to late-night gaming sessions—I'm here to break it down. We'll compare the top models: iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and OnePlus 13. Expect honest takes on design, performance, cameras, battery life, and value for money. Let's dive in!
Design and Build: Sleek, Sturdy, or Statement-Making?
Smartphone design in 2025 prioritizes durability without sacrificing style, thanks to advancements in titanium alloys and eco-friendly materials.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple sticks to its guns with a premium titanium frame that's lighter than ever at 225g. The new "Aether" color option—a shimmering midnight blue—turns heads, and the Ceramic Shield front is tougher than the iPhone 16's. IP68 rating holds up, but the notch is finally gone, replaced by a sleek Dynamic Island that's 20% smaller. It's the most refined feel in your hand, though the flat edges might dig in during long holds.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung's S Pen integration remains a productivity powerhouse, but the phone itself is a beast at 233g with a matte titanium back that's fingerprint-resistant. The design echoes the S24 but with slimmer bezels and a pop-out camera visor for that signature bulge. Available in seven colors, including a vibrant "Jade Green," it's customizable via Good Lock apps. Durability? Gorilla Glass Victus 3 and IP68, but it's chunkier than the iPhone.
OnePlus 13: OxygenOS's influence shines in the alert slider's return and a vegan leather back option that's grippy and sustainable. At just 210g, it's the lightest flagship here, with an IP69 rating that laughs at dust and high-pressure water jets. The Hasselblad-tuned camera module is flush, avoiding the camera bump hassle. Colors like "Prism Pink" add fun, but the plastic frame feels a tad less premium than titanium rivals.
Winner: OnePlus 13 for lightness and innovation, but iPhone edges it for sheer polish.
Display: Brightness, Refresh, and Eye Candy
Screens are where 2025's flagships flex—brighter, smoother, and more adaptive.
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.82-inch Fluid AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 (458 ppi) | 3088 x 1440 (501 ppi) | 3168 x 1440 (510 ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 1-120Hz ProMotion | 1-120Hz LTPO | 1-120Hz LTPO |
| Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits | 4,500 nits (HDR) |
| Always-On | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The iPhone's OLED is buttery for video, with Dolby Vision support that makes Netflix pop. Samsung's display is the color king—vibrant and accurate for creators—with anti-reflective coating that's a game-changer outdoors. OnePlus steals the show with absurd brightness for sunny days and eye-comfort modes that reduce blue light by 40%.
Winner: Galaxy S25 Ultra for balanced excellence, though OnePlus wins for outdoor visibility.
Performance: Power Under the Hood
No lag in 2025— these chips are AI beasts.
iPhone 17 Pro Max (A19 Pro): Apple's silicon dominates with 30% faster neural processing for on-device AI like advanced Siri enhancements. Multitasking 20+ apps feels effortless, and ray-tracing in games like Genshin Impact hits 120fps without throttling.
Galaxy S25 Ultra (Snapdragon 8 Elite): Qualcomm's latest crushes benchmarks (AnTuTu ~2.5M), powering Galaxy AI features like real-time translation in 20 languages. It's a multitasking monster, but heat management could be better during extended 8K video recording.
OnePlus 13 (Snapdragon 8 Elite): Tuned by OnePlus, it matches the S25's raw power but adds HyperBoost for gaming—sustained 90fps in COD Mobile for hours. OxygenOS 15 is snappier than ever, with zero bloat.
Winner: Tie between iPhone and Galaxy for ecosystem integration; OnePlus for pure speed.
Camera Systems: Capturing the Moment
Cameras are AI-assisted artists now.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Triple 48MP setup (wide, ultra-wide, 5x tele) with a new tetraprism zoom to 10x optical. Photos are natural, videos stabilize like magic (4K 120fps slo-mo). Night mode is unmatched for low-light portraits.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200MP main sensor with 100x Space Zoom that's usable up to 20x. AI edits remove photobombers effortlessly, and the 50MP ultra-wide captures epic landscapes. Pro mode for astro-photography is stellar.
OnePlus 13: Hasselblad magic in a 50MP triple array—excellent color science and 4K Dolby Vision video. The 3x periscope telephoto punches above its weight, but low-light noise edges toward Samsung's favor.
Winner: Galaxy S25 Ultra for versatility; iPhone for consistency.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Warriors
Endurance matters.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 4,600mAh lasts 18+ hours of mixed use. 40W wired (full in 70 mins) and 25W MagSafe wireless—reliable but not the fastest.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Massive 5,000mAh for 22 hours, with 45W wired (65 mins) and 15W wireless. Reverse charging for earbuds is handy.
OnePlus 13: 5,400mAh beast—25 hours easy. 100W SUPERVOOC (full in 25 mins) and 50W wireless blow competitors away.
Winner: OnePlus 13, hands down.
Software and Updates: Future-Proofing Your Pick
iOS 19 (iPhone): Seamless, privacy-focused with years of updates (7+ years promised).
One UI 7 (Galaxy): Feature-rich, customizable, 7 years of OS/security.
OxygenOS 15 (OnePlus): Clean, fast, 5 years of updates—but closing the gap.
Winner: iPhone for longevity.
Price and Value: What's It Cost?
Starting prices (US unlocked):
iPhone 17 Pro Max: $1,199
Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299
OnePlus 13: $899
OnePlus offers flagship specs at mid-range pricing, making it the value champ.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is for Apple loyalists craving ecosystem magic and top-tier cameras. Go Galaxy S25 Ultra if you're a power user who loves S Pen and AI tricks. But the OnePlus 13? It's the 2025 disruptor—light, fast, and affordable, proving you don't need to pay premium for premium performance.
