19/08/2025
Nicole Newton

Is Apple’s iPhone 17 copying a 2013 Galaxy phone?

The new iPhone 2025 might have some jaw-dropping camera upgrades – but if you’re a long-time Samsung fan, you might be getting déjà vu. Apple is reportedly packing the latest brand new iPhone 17 series with features that sound suspiciously familiar. Let’s take a closer look at the iPhone rumours and why the iPhone 17 vs Samsung camera debate just got a whole lot more interesting…

In this blog:

A big camera leap for Apple

Leaks suggest the new Apple iPhone range in 2025 will come loaded with higher-res 48MP camera sensors across the lineup. That’s not just for the Pro models – all new Apple iPhones in the 17 series could see a big bump in image quality, including the iPhone 17 and 17 Air.

The headline feature that’s getting everyone talking? An upgraded periscope camera with a moving lens capable of up to 8x optical zoom, plus a shiny new Pro Camera app aimed at content creators. On paper, this sounds like a massive leap forward for Apple photography fans, but Android fans aren’t so convinced.

When it comes to the iPhone 17 vs Samsung camera debate, Apple is betting big on zoom. However, Samsung and other Android makers have already shifted towards high-resolution sensors and AI-assisted in-sensor cropping to deliver sharp zoomed-in shots without bulky hardware.

So, is it really an upgrade to boast about when others do it better?

Apple’s dual camera recording feature is us giving déjà vu

Here’s where things get really interesting. One of the rumoured new iPhone update features is the ability to record video with both the front and rear cameras at the same time. Sounds cool, right? Great for reaction videos, interviews or travel vlogs.

But Samsung users might remember doing this way back in 2013. In fact, the Galaxy S4 introduced “Dual Shot” mode, letting you record with both cameras simultaneously. Not only that, you could customise the frame for the front-facing camera and move it anywhere on the screen.

In other words, the new Apple iPhone is bringing back a feature Samsung had over a decade ago.

Other rumoured features Apple may be borrowing from Samsung

Let’s take a look at more rumoured iPhone 17 features that sound strikingly similar to what Samsung has already done:

Reverse wireless charging

Another rumour hints that Apple’s newest iPhone models might finally offer reverse wireless charging, allowing your iPhone 17 Pro to charge other devices wirelessly, much like Samsung Galaxy phones have supported for years.

This small but useful feature lets you use your phone as a charging pad for accessories like AirPods or your friend’s phone – something Samsung users have enjoyed long before this iPhone rumour surfaced.

Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant glass

Apple is reportedly aiming to equip the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max with a super-hard anti-reflective display coating, enhancing scratch protection and reducing glare near bright light sources.

Sound familiar? Samsung introduced Corning’s Gorilla Armor on the Galaxy S24 Ultra (and Armor 2 on the S25 Ultra), known for drastically reducing reflections by up to 75 % and boosting durability.

While initial rumours suggested Apple dropped the plan due to production challenges, other reports indicate Apple suppliers could have resolved the manufacturing issues – meaning the anti-glare coating may still land on Pro models.

Final thoughts

So, is the iPhone 17 copying a 2013 Galaxy phone? In some ways, yes. It’s easy to poke fun at Apple for seemingly borrowing from Samsung’s playbook, but that’s the nature of the tech world.

The iPhone 17 vs Samsung camera rivalry is likely to be one of the biggest talking points in 2025, but it’s clear Apple is taking inspiration from more than just Samsung’s camera ideas. The new Apple iPhone models could still offer a game-changing experience, even if some features feel retro to Android fans.

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