Here’s a bold statement: audiophiles are an afterthought in the smartphone world, yet we’re the ones obsessing over which device truly elevates our music experience. Last month, I dropped €2600—yes, you read that right—on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the iPhone 17 Pro, not for their cameras or AI, but to answer one burning question: which phone is the ultimate companion for music lovers? And let me tell you, the answer is far from straightforward.
But here’s where it gets controversial... Both devices cost €1300 (roughly $1400), and no, I didn’t get them for free. I bought them with my own money because, let’s face it, audiophiles are a tiny, often overlooked niche. Google and Apple don’t prioritize us, but that doesn’t stop us from demanding the best sound possible. Before anyone starts shouting about brand loyalty, let me clarify: I’m genuinely torn between these two. If the choice were easy, I wouldn’t have spent €2600 to figure it out. This wasn’t about fandom—it was about finding real answers for those of us who treat our phones as high-fidelity music sources.
After a month of side-by-side testing, I evaluated both phones across three key areas: Bluetooth performance, wired headphone output (yes, with dongle DACs), and streaming interfaces. The results? More nuanced than I expected.
Bluetooth Headphones: The Apple Advantage (Sort Of)
The iPhone 17 Pro has one undeniable edge: seamless AirPod integration. Controls are baked directly into iOS, and for calls, the AirPods Pro 2 and 3 are unmatched. The Pro 3’s active noise cancellation is also top-tier, though Apple’s tweaked frequency response—slightly boosted bass and treble—can make the midrange feel subdued. This is more noticeable at lower volumes, thanks to Fletcher-Munson curve correction. Apple’s DSP is clever, but it also makes the AirPods Pro 3 a moving target for audio measurements. And rumor has it Apple quietly adjusted the Pro 3’s frequency response post-launch.
But here’s the catch: The iPhone is still limited to AAC and SBC codecs. Own high-end headphones like the Sennheiser HDB 630 with aptX Adaptive or the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 with aptX Lossless? The iPhone won’t support them—it defaults to AAC. The difference is subtle but audible. Using Sennheiser’s BTD 700 dongle (which supports aptX Adaptive), Neil Young’s Ambulance Blues sounds flatter on the iPhone, with less treble refinement and compressed spatial qualities. The BTD 700 opens up the song’s depth and reduces upper-treble distortions. Yes, it’s an extra accessory to manage, but the improvement is worth it.
The Samsung Z Fold 7, meanwhile, supports LDAC for Sony WH-1000XM series headphones and the original aptX codec—not aptX Adaptive or Lossless. And this is the part most people miss: aptX Adaptive isn’t hi-res capable. It’s lossy, compressing 24-bit/96kHz streams to one-fifth their size. For most listeners, it’s fine, but with Boards of Canada on the Sennheiser HDB 630, the difference between aptX and aptX Adaptive isn’t significant enough to justify carrying a dongle.
aptX Lossless: Worth the Hassle?
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 supports aptX Lossless, promising CD-quality Bluetooth streaming. But neither the Z Fold 7 nor the iPhone 17 Pro supports it. So, for theoretical best-case performance, you’re back to using dongles. Here’s the kicker: aptX Lossless offers marginal sonic improvements over standard aptX, and you’re trading convenience for a tiny audible advantage. I’d rather leave the dongle at home and stick with aptX’s capable lossy compression. Why didn’t Samsung include aptX Lossless when Sony and Asus did?
Android’s Bluetooth mess aside, the Z Fold 7 still edges out the iPhone for non-AirPod headphones. But remember: a headphone’s hardware impacts sound far more than codec differences.
Wired Headphones: iPhone Takes the Lead
Neither phone has a headphone jack, so dongle DACs are a must. Here, the iPhone 17 Pro shines. It sends audio bit-perfectly via USB-C—16-bit/44.1kHz or 24-bit/96kHz files arrive at the DAC unchanged. Android? Not so much. The Z Fold 7 resamples everything to 48kHz, which audiophile purists hate. The workaround? Apps like Roon ARC bypass Android’s resampling, but it’s an extra step iOS users don’t need. If iOS can do it natively, why can’t Android?
Control Surfaces: Samsung’s Foldable Magic
The iPhone 17 Pro offers a standard smartphone experience, but the Z Fold 7’s fold-out display is a game-changer. Streaming apps like Roon, Plexamp, and Apple Music transform into immersive, magazine-like experiences. Album art becomes art again, not tiny thumbnails. I use the fold-out screen more than I expected, even on public transport. Yes, I look like an audio nerd, but it’s the most satisfying streaming control experience in 2025.
The Trade-Off Matrix
After a month, I still can’t declare a clear winner. The iPhone 17 Pro offers flawless AirPod integration and bit-perfect USB audio, but it’s AAC-only for non-Apple headphones. The Z Fold 7 counters with better Bluetooth codecs for Android headphones and a stunning fold-out display, though Android’s resampling is a headache. Both phones make compromises at this price point, and your choice depends on your gear. AirPods user? Go iPhone. Own high-end Bluetooth headphones and love album art? The Z Fold 7 is your pick.
Want the best of both worlds? You’ll need to buy both—excessive, I know. Or, we could wait for a smartphone that gets it all right. But given how little the industry cares about audiophiles, we might be waiting forever.
Thought-Provoking Question: Should smartphone makers prioritize audiophiles more, or are we destined to remain a niche afterthought? Let’s debate in the comments!
