The iPhone 17 ($799) launched in September 2025 with ProMotion, a 24MP front camera, and the A19 chip. But Black Friday 2025 offers three smartphones with better value: the Google Pixel 9 at $499 ($300 off), Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at $899 ($400 off), and Galaxy S25 FE at $535 ($175 off). All three deliver flagship performance, superior camera systems in some areas, and immediate savings of $175–$400. Unless you’re locked into Apple’s ecosystem, these deals provide more features per dollar spent.
The iPhone 17 launched two months ago at $799, but right now during Black Friday 2025, you can get flagship Android phones with comparable or better specs for hundreds less. Apple’s latest base model brings ProMotion, a 24MP front camera, and the A19 chip to the table, but it’s not the smartest purchase when three rival phones are offering superior value this week. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
Why the iPhone 17 Isn’t the Best Deal Right Now
Apple released the iPhone 17 on September 19, 2025, with a starting price of $799. It’s the first non-Pro iPhone to include ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate), a larger 6.3-inch display, and an upgraded 24MP Center Stage front camera designed for video calls and selfies. Under the hood, it runs Apple’s A19 chip built on a 3nm process, delivering solid performance and efficiency.
But here’s the problem: the iPhone 17 is still full price. Black Friday 2025 has brought steep discounts on flagship competitors that launched earlier this year, meaning you can get more phone for significantly less money. If you’re not deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem iMessage, AirDrop, iCloud, or exclusive apps these Android alternatives offer better hardware value right now.
The math is simple. Spending $799 on a two-month-old phone makes sense if you need iOS. But if you’re flexible on operating systems, you can save $300–$400 and get devices with brighter displays, larger batteries, faster charging, or superior zoom cameras.
The 3 Black Friday Deals That Beat iPhone 17 on Value
Google Pixel 9: $499 ($300 Off) – Best Overall Value
The Google Pixel 9 is the standout deal this Black Friday at $499, down from $799. You’re getting a 6.3-inch OLED display that hits 2,232 nits of peak brightness, significantly brighter than the iPhone 17’s screen making it easier to view in direct sunlight. It runs Google’s Tensor chip, which excels at AI-powered tasks like photo editing, voice commands, and real-time translation.
Camera performance is where the Pixel 9 shines. Google’s computational photography remains best-in-class, producing stunning photos in challenging lighting conditions without the need for manual adjustments. The Pixel 9 also includes seven years of software updates, matching Apple’s long-term support commitment. Battery life is strong too, with a 4,700mAh cell delivering up to 11 hours and 35 minutes of video streaming in real-world tests.
At $499, you’re paying $300 less than the iPhone 17 and getting a phone that matches or exceeds it in display brightness, camera software, and battery capacity. The only trade-off is the Tensor chip, which isn’t as efficient as Apple’s A19 for sustained performance, but most users won’t notice the difference in daily use.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: $899 ($400 Off) – Flagship Power for Less
If you want the absolute best hardware, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is now $899, down from $1,299. This is Samsung’s top-tier flagship, packing a Snapdragon chip (likely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4), a built-in S Pen stylus, and a versatile camera system that includes advanced zoom capabilities.
The S25 Ultra features a larger, sharper display with thinner bezels than the iPhone 17, plus a massive 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging that reaches 65% in just 30 minutes. Samsung’s camera system includes a high-resolution telephoto lens, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts who need optical zoom beyond what the iPhone 17 offers.
At $899, you’re spending $100 more than the iPhone 17 but getting a phone that originally cost $1,299. That’s $400 in savings for a device with superior multitasking (thanks to 12GB of RAM), better zoom, faster charging, and a stylus features the iPhone 17 simply doesn’t have.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: $535 ($175 Off) – Budget Powerhouse
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE at $535 (down from $709) offers the best middle-ground option. It uses Samsung’s flagship-level Snapdragon chip, delivering fast and fluid performance across everyday tasks and gaming. The display is sharp, the battery holds up well, and you get Samsung’s One UI software with years of updates ahead.
This phone is $264 cheaper than the iPhone 17 while still delivering flagship-tier performance. It’s ideal for users who want a premium Android experience without paying premium prices. The camera system is solid though not quite Pixel-level and battery life exceeds 9 hours of gaming in testing.
If your budget is tight but you still want a phone that feels fast and modern, the Galaxy S25 FE is the smartest pick. You’re sacrificing some build quality and camera refinement compared to the Ultra, but you’re also saving over $350 compared to the iPhone 17.
Feature-by-Feature: How These Deals Stack Up Against iPhone 17
| Feature | iPhone 17 | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Black Friday) | $799 | $499 | $899 | $535 |
| Savings | $0 | $300 | $400 | $175 |
| Display Size | 6.3″ | 6.3″ | 6.8″ | 6.2″ |
| Peak Brightness | ~1,600 nits | 2,232 nits | ~2,000 nits | ~1,800 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz (ProMotion) | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Front Camera | 24MP Center Stage | 10.5MP | 12MP | 10MP |
| Battery Capacity | ~3,500mAh | 4,700mAh | 5,000mAh | 4,500mAh |
| Fast Charging | 20W | 27W | 45W | 25W |
| Years of Updates | 7 years | 7 years | 5 years | 4 years |
| Key Advantage | iOS ecosystem | Best camera software | S Pen + zoom | Best price-to-performance |
Display & Design
All four phones include 120Hz refresh rates, making scrolling and animations feel smooth. The Pixel 9 has the brightest display at 2,232 nits, beating the iPhone 17 by a significant margin. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the largest screen at 6.8 inches with ultra-thin bezels, ideal for media consumption and multitasking.
Design-wise, the iPhone 17 maintains Apple’s signature flat edges and aluminum finish. The Pixel 9 uses Google’s minimalist design language with a horizontal camera bar. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra leans premium with glass and metal construction plus an integrated S Pen slot.
Performance & Chipset
The iPhone 17’s A19 chip leads in single-core performance and long-term efficiency, making it the best choice for heavy gaming or intensive apps over several years. The Pixel 9’s Tensor chip prioritizes AI tasks photo editing, voice typing, and call screening over raw speed. Samsung’s Snapdragon-powered devices (S25 Ultra and S25 FE) deliver excellent multitasking and gaming performance, though they don’t match Apple’s energy efficiency.
In real-world use, all four phones handle daily tasks social media, video streaming, web browsing without lag. The performance gap only becomes noticeable during sustained heavy use like 4K video editing or high-end gaming.
Camera Quality
The iPhone 17 introduces a 24MP front camera with Center Stage technology, which automatically keeps you centered during video calls. Its rear camera system is expected to be similar to the iPhone 16’s dual-camera setup with software improvements.
The Pixel 9 is widely regarded as having the best camera software, particularly for low-light photography and computational editing. Google’s Magic Eraser, Night Sight, and portrait mode consistently produce magazine-quality results.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the most versatile camera system with multiple telephoto lenses, giving you optical zoom capabilities that far exceed the iPhone 17. If you need to capture distant subjects sports, wildlife, concerts the S25 Ultra is unmatched.
Battery Life
Battery capacity favors the Android phones. The Pixel 9’s 4,700mAh battery delivers over 11 hours of video streaming. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 5,000mAh cell provides exceptional all-day endurance and supports 45W fast charging, reaching 65% in 30 minutes. The Galaxy S25 FE offers strong battery life optimized for gaming, exceeding 9 hours of playtime.
The iPhone 17’s battery is estimated around 3,500mAh, which Apple optimizes through software efficiency. While it’ll easily last a full day, the Android competitors offer more headroom for heavy users and charge faster when you do need to top up.
Who Should Actually Buy the iPhone 17?
The iPhone 17 is still the right choice for specific users. If you already own an Apple Watch, AirPods, a MacBook, or an iPad, the seamless ecosystem integration is worth the premium. Features like AirDrop, iMessage, FaceTime, Handoff, and iCloud sync make multi-device workflows effortless in ways Android can’t replicate.
You should also choose the iPhone 17 if you prioritize long-term software support with Apple’s track record. While the Pixel 9 matches Apple’s seven-year update commitment, Samsung still lags behind at 4–5 years. Additionally, if you need apps exclusive to iOS certain creative tools, games, or enterprise software the iPhone 17 is your only option.
Finally, if you strongly prefer iOS’s interface, privacy controls, and app quality standards, the extra cost is justified. Apple’s App Store curation and privacy features like App Tracking Transparency give users more control over data sharing than Android’s default settings.
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Quick Answer
The Google Pixel 9 at $499 (save $300), Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at $899 (save $400), and Galaxy S25 FE at $535 (save $175) all offer better value than the iPhone 17 at $799 during Black Friday 2025. Each delivers flagship performance, superior specs in key areas like battery and display brightness, and immediate savings of $175–$400.
Should you wait for iPhone 17?
Don’t wait for the iPhone 17 if you can get Black Friday deals on current flagships. The Pixel 9, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and S25 FE offer better price-to-performance ratios right now. Only buy the iPhone 17 if you need iOS ecosystem integration, Apple-exclusive apps, or prefer Apple’s privacy controls.
Best overall value?
The Google Pixel 9 at $499 offers the best overall value during Black Friday 2025. You save $300 compared to its $799 launch price, and it matches the iPhone 17 in display size, exceeds it in brightness (2,232 nits), and includes seven years of updates with superior camera software.
Which has the best camera?
The Google Pixel 9 has the best camera software for point-and-shoot photography, especially in low light. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers the most versatile camera system with advanced optical zoom. The iPhone 17’s 24MP front camera with Center Stage is best for video calls.
Battery comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the largest battery at 5,000mAh with 45W fast charging (65% in 30 minutes). The Pixel 9 offers 4,700mAh with 11+ hours of video streaming. The iPhone 17’s smaller battery (~3,500mAh) is optimized through software but charges slower at 20W.
