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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which Flagship Wins?

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the crown with its stunning display, versatile cameras, and complete feature set. See how it beats iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

EM

Ethan Mercer

Editor-in-Chief

Three flagship phones, three different philosophies. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives at $1,050 with a quad-camera system and the brightest display on the market. Apple's iPhone 17 undercuts both at $799 but strips out the telephoto lens. Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL commands a steep $1,319 (though Best Buy has it for $899) with AI promises that don't always deliver.

After analyzing reviews from CNET, PCMag, TechRadar, and Consumer Reports, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra emerges as the clear winner with a 9.2/10 rating. It's not just about specs on paper. Samsung delivers the most complete package: a display that sets new standards, cameras that work in any situation, and performance that doesn't throttle when you need it most.

Here's how these three flagships stack up when you put them head-to-head.

Quick Navigation

  1. 1

    AppleGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

  2. 2

    SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

  3. 3

    GoogleGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

1

iPhone 17

AppleGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

Apple iPhone 17
8.7
Combined Score / 10
Clara
8.0
Ethan
7.2
Critics
9.0
$799.00Best Price
2

Galaxy S25 Ultra

SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
8.9
Combined Score / 10
Clara
7.8
Ethan
7.8
Critics
9.2
$1049.99Best Price
3

Pixel 10 Pro XL

GoogleGood TimingGood Time to Buy — Early in the product cycle

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
8.5
Combined Score / 10
Clara
7.0
Ethan
6.8
Critics
9.0
$1319.00Best Price

How We Review

Every product on this list was evaluated by aggregating expert reviews from trusted, independent sources. We don't accept pay-for-placement — our rankings are based entirely on review consensus, real-world testing data, and measurable performance.

Products are scored on a 10-point scale using a weighted formula that factors in expert ratings, price-to-value ratio, and recency. Newer products with strong reviews get a meaningful boost because we believe our readers deserve current recommendations.

Sources analyzed for this article: 3 products across multiple expert reviews.

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