Short answer — flagships this year follow three different camera philosophies:

• Apple (iPhone 17 Pro): fewer, tightly integrated 48MP “Fusion” sensors with big on‑device ML and video tools; a long‑reach tetraprism telephoto that gives 4× and an optical‑quality 8× range, advanced stabilization and pro video codecs (ProRes, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2). Apple emphasizes consistent color/texture, film‑grade video, and computational features (Photonic Engine, next‑gen Portrait/Center Stage). (Apple.com)

• Samsung (Galaxy S25 Ultra): a hardware‑heavy, multi‑lens approach — a very large 200MP main sensor, a high‑res 50MP ultrawide, plus two dedicated telephotos (a 5× periscope and a 3× short tele) that let you shoot true optical 3× and 5× and sensor‑crop “lossless” 10×, with extreme digital zoom beyond that. Samsung mixes high‑MP sensors and aggressive image processing to deliver very detailed and punchy images across many focal lengths. (TechRadar.com)

• Google (Pixel 9 Pro family): mid‑to‑high resolution hardware (50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5× tele on Pro) but the defining edge is software/AI processing — Super Res Zoom, Video Boost (cloud/video upscaling options), Pixel’s computational processing and editing tools (Pixel Studio, Magic Editor, strong Night Sight). Google aims for natural color and AI editing/upsampling rather than raw sensor megapixel wars. (DPReview.com)

Key ways they differ (what actually matters day‑to‑day)

1. Sensor strategy

• Samsung: very large megapixel counts (200MP main) to produce extreme detail and lots of zoom/crop headroom. Good for daylight detail and long‑range crops. (TechRadar.com)
• Apple: uniform 48MP “Fusion” sensors optimized to work together; Apple prefers fewer but larger effective pixels (quad‑pixel/binning behavior) and sensor stabilization to maintain consistent results. (Apple.com)
• Google: balanced 50/48/48MP hardware but leans on computational stacking and multi‑camera mosaicing to create extra “optical‑quality” focal lengths. (DPReview.com)

2. Zoom approach

• Samsung: multiple physical zoom lenses (including periscope) to cover 3×, 5× and sensor‑crop 10× with good quality, and very long digital ranges (100×+ modes). Great for variety/reach. (TechRadar.com)
• Apple: long telephoto via tetraprism design delivering 4× and an optical‑quality 8× range out of a single tele module — emphasis on photographic quality and consistent color across focal lengths rather than huge digital zoom numbers. (Apple.com)
• Google: offers a 5× tele on the Pro and relies on Super Res Zoom + software to extend usable zoom while preserving detail. (tomsguide.com)

3. Video and pro features

• Apple: strongest on pro video workflows — ProRes, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2, genlock support, Dual Capture, Cinematic and high‑bitrate capture aimed at creators. (Apple.com)
• Google: adds AI/video features like Video Boost (cloud‑assisted upscaling) and strong on‑device stabilization and HDR processing. (DPReview.com)
• Samsung: excellent video capture with high peak brightness displays for preview; emphasizes versatility and modes (single take, director view, etc.) and heavy computational sharpening/saturation. (TechRadar.com)

4. Front cameras and conferencing

• Apple: new 18MP Center Stage front camera with autofocus and framing features (Center Stage for photos/video). (support.Apple.com)
• Google: very high‑res front sensors on Pro models (e.g., ~42MP) with very wide FOV and improved low‑light sensitivity for group selfies. (DPReview.com)
• Samsung: solid 12MP front cameras but focuses more on rear versatility. (TechRadar.com)

5. Computational and AI features

• Apple: Photonic Engine and tighter hardware+software integration for color consistency, portrait/focus tools and pro workflows. (Apple.com)
• Google: biggest emphasis on AI editing and cloud/off‑device options (Magic Editor, Pixel Studio, Video Boost, Super Res Zoom). (DPReview.com)
• Samsung: heavy on on‑device AI for scene optimization, multi‑lens mosaicing, and aggressive image enhancement for punchy output. (TechRadar.com)

Practical summary (what to pick for your use case)

• If you make a lot of pro video and want consistent, natural images with deep app/video tool integration: iPhone 17 Pro. (Apple.com)
• If you want maximum focal‑length flexibility, extremely high detail for daylight crops, and the best long‑range zoom: Galaxy S25 Ultra. (TechRadar.com)
• If you want the smartest computational editing, great low‑light and AI photo/video tools (and flexible editing workflows): Pixel 9 Pro (and Pixel Pro XL variants). (DPReview.com)

If you’d like, I can:

• Show a quick spec table comparing the three models’ camera focal lengths, apertures and sensor sizes; or
• Pull recent blind camera‑comparison photo samples and reviewers’ conclusions for low‑light/zoom/video to illustrate real‑world differences.