Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: Who Dominates Photography in 2025?
The Samsung Galaxy S Ultra series remains a photography benchmark, but Apple and particularly Chinese brands have sharpened their skills. Thanks to Ice Universe, we finally have comparative tests involving the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra — covering low light, bright sunlight, and zoom capabilities.
In Daylight: Samsung Darkens
In backlit scenes, the Galaxy S25 Ultra produces the darkest image, with visible noise despite good lighting. In contrast, Xiaomi delivers on its promises for improved dynamic range: the subject remains detailed, even in challenging areas. The iPhone 17 Pro Max falls somewhere in between.
In outdoor shots, a similar observation: the tree captured by Samsung appears shadowed, while Xiaomi maintains details.
Details and Sharpness
In ideal conditions, both Xiaomi and Samsung present highly detailed images… but with artificial sharpening. Apple, taking a more “natural” approach, delivers a less sharp image, yet more realistic. When zooming in on textures, the iPhone may appear softer but is also more true to life.
Samsung’s 200 Megapixels… but Is It Enough?
The S23 Ultra made waves with its 200-megapixel sensor, but competitors have quickly caught up with software advancements. Consequently, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels the strain against Xiaomi’s recent improvements.
The issue? The upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected in early 2026, will likely retain nearly the same photographic hardware. Samsung is expected to rely more on AI optimizations while maintaining (or even reducing) production costs.
Design vs. Photographic Ambition
According to Ice Universe, Samsung favors aesthetics over more ambitious sensors. However, the camera bump on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is already as prominent as that on the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, indicating that there is room for better internal arrangement.
For instance, the ultra-wide module of the S Ultra, underwhelming on paper, occupies a space deemed “wasted,” whereas Xiaomi integrates it more intelligently.
Provisional Verdict:
- Xiaomi 17 Pro Max: Best contrast and detail management.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: Natural rendering, but sometimes too soft.
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Solid, but lagging behind, with image processing that shows its age.
For Samsung, the challenge for the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be clear: either rethink its camera module to regain its position at the top or embrace AI to compensate for aging hardware.
