Your Phone Screen: The Most Overlooked Feature? We spend countless hours staring at our phone screens, yet how often do we truly consider their quality? With phone manufacturers pouring resources into creating dazzling displays, it's time to ask: which flagship phone—iPhone, Galaxy, or Pixel—truly delivers the best visual experience? But here's where it gets controversial: does the most expensive phone always guarantee the best screen? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to find out.
The recent release of the iPhone 17 lineup means we now have the latest flagship models from Apple, Samsung, and Google all on the table. While the Galaxy S26 series is just around the corner, this is the perfect moment to pit these top contenders against each other. Armed with a new iPhone 17, I was eager to see how its screen stacks up against the Galaxy S25 Plus and Pixel 10 Pro. And this is the part most people miss: even though the iPhone 17 is Apple's entry-level model, priced $200 less than its competitors, it boasts a Super Retina XDR display—the same adaptive refresh rate, resolution, and peak brightness as the pricier iPhone 17 Pro. The only significant difference? The Galaxy S25 Plus sports a larger 6.7-inch screen, while the iPhone and Pixel both feature 6.3-inch displays.
To truly test these screens, I conducted five detailed tests: lab measurements, video playback, gaming, reading, and photo viewing. Each test was designed to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each display in various real-world scenarios.
Lab Tests: In controlled conditions, the Pixel 10 Pro emerged as the brightest, living up to its 3,300-nit peak brightness claim. However, the iPhone 17 held its own, especially in direct sunlight. The Galaxy S25 Plus, while still bright, lagged slightly behind. When it came to color accuracy, the iPhone 17 took the lead with the lowest Delta-E score, though the Galaxy S25 Plus wasn't far behind in its Natural mode.
Video Testing: Watching the Wicked: For Good trailer, the Galaxy S25 Plus delivered the most vibrant colors, though occasionally oversaturating Cynthia Erivo's green skin. The iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro offered more natural hues, particularly in brightly lit scenes. But the real test came outdoors. The iPhone 17 remained visible even at 66% brightness, while the Pixel 10 Pro struggled beyond 70%, and the Galaxy S25 Plus became nearly unusable at 66%.
Game Testing: Playing Asphalt 9 in various lighting conditions revealed the Galaxy S25 Plus as the winner, with the iPhone 17 close behind. The Pixel 10 Pro, however, struggled with visibility, especially when brightness was reduced.
Reading Test: Here, the iPhone 17 shone again, maintaining readable text at 55% brightness. The Galaxy S25 Plus, with its Extra Brightness feature enabled, dropped to 40%, while the Pixel 10 Pro faltered at 69%.
Photo Test: Viewing a detailed nighttime photo, the Pixel 10 Pro displayed the most vivid colors and sharpest details, with the iPhone 17 a close second. The Galaxy S25 Plus, despite its lower brightness, still managed to hold its own.
Camera Test: For photographers, the iPhone 17 was the clear winner, allowing me to confidently frame shots even at two-thirds reduced brightness. The Galaxy S25 Plus performed well, but the Pixel 10 Pro struggled with visibility at 62% brightness.
So, which display is best? While all three phones offer excellent screens, the iPhone 17 consistently outperformed in most tests, particularly in readability and camera usability. But here's the thought-provoking question: does the iPhone 17's performance justify its lower price tag, or are you paying a premium for features you might not fully utilize on the Galaxy S25 Plus or Pixel 10 Pro? Let's debate this in the comments!
