Imagine shelling out a whopping €2600 on two premium smartphones, not for their stunning cameras, cutting-edge AI, or blazing processors, but purely to settle a burning question for audiophiles like me: which one reigns supreme as the ultimate music companion? That’s right, I bought both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the iPhone 17 Pro out of my own pocket in Germany, where each retails at about €1300—or roughly US$1400. And no, I don’t have insider connections at Samsung or Apple for free review units; as a dedicated audiophile, I knew mainstream companies often overlook our niche, so I took matters into my own hands. But here’s where it gets controversial—does this obsession justify the cost, or is it just fanaticism? Stick around, because the answers aren’t as straightforward as you’d think, and they might challenge what you believe about smartphone audio.
Now, before any armchair critics start accusing me of blind brand loyalty, let me be clear: I’m genuinely conflicted between these devices. If the choice was obvious, I wouldn’t have splurged on both. My €2600 investment was driven by a quest for honest insights into how these phones perform as music tools, not as trophies. Over the course of a month, I put them through rigorous side-by-side tests in three key areas: as Bluetooth audio sources, as wired headphone players (using dongle DACs, of course), and as interfaces for streaming services. And the findings? They’re more nuanced than a simple winner-take-all verdict.
Let’s dive into Bluetooth headphones first. From the start, the iPhone 17 Pro has a clear advantage that Samsung can’t match: flawless integration with AirPods. Unlike other brands that rely on downloadable apps for controls, Apple’s system embeds everything directly into iOS, making it seamless. For calls, the AirPods Pro 2 and 3 are unbeatable, and the Pro 3’s active noise cancellation is the best I’ve encountered—though Apple has adjusted its frequency response with a bit more bass and treble emphasis, which can make the midrange feel subdued. How noticeable this is depends on your listening volume; remember the Fletcher-Munson curve, which explains why our ears perceive EQ differently at various levels? Apple’s DSP is smart, but it complicates things for reviewers because firmware updates can tweak the sound subtly—I’ve heard whispers that the Pro 3’s profile has already shifted post-launch. But here’s the catch: the iPhone is limited to AAC and SBC codecs only. If you have Sennheiser HD 660 S2 with aptX Adaptive or Bowers & Wilkins PX8 with aptX Lossless, the iPhone won’t cooperate—it defaults to AAC, which lacks the finesse.
And this is the part most people miss—the differences between codecs might seem minor, but they’re audible, especially if you’re picky about sound quality. Take Neil Young’s ‘Ambulance Blues’: through the iPhone’s AAC, it sounds flatter, with less precise treble and squeezed spatial depth. Plug in Sennheiser’s BTD 700 USB dongle (check out my review at https://darko.audio/2025/11/sennheiser-btd-700-review-bluetooths-hi-res-reality-check/ for more), which supports aptX Adaptive, and suddenly the track gains dimensionality, with smoother highs and less distortion. Sure, it’s an extra gadget to tote around—easy to lose or even accidentally break off the USB port if you’re not careful—but the upgrade is real. To help beginners understand, think of codecs as compression formats for audio data; AAC squeezes more to fit but loses some detail, while aptX Adaptive balances quality and bandwidth better for dynamic music.
On the Android side, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 shines with built-in LDAC for Sony WH-1000XM series and basic aptX support. But be warned: don’t fall for hype about aptX Adaptive being ‘hi-res.’ It’s lossy, compressing 24-bit/96kHz files to about one-fifth their size for Bluetooth transmission. For most ears, it’s plenty good—listening to Boards of Canada’s tracks via Sennheiser HD 660 S2, I couldn’t always tell apart Samsung’s aptX from the BTD 700’s aptX Adaptive without switching back and forth. Yet, when it comes to aptX Lossless on the PX8, promising CD-quality over Bluetooth, neither the Z Fold 7 nor the iPhone supports it natively. So, for both phones, you’re back to dongles if you crave that theoretical peak performance, say, for Cocteau Twins’ Four-Calendar Café. Personally, I find aptX Lossless’s gains over standard aptX too slight to justify the hassle—it’s like upgrading from a decent streaming rate to one that’s marginally better but requires extra hardware. Why hasn’t Samsung included it, when companies like Sony and Asus have? It’s a puzzle, especially since Android’s codec landscape is already a tangled web. Still, for non-Apple headphones, the Z Fold 7 edges out the iPhone thanks to broader codec options. And let’s not forget: your headphones’ own drivers and design matter way more than these codec tweaks—always prioritize good hardware!
Shifting to wired headphones, both devices lack a 3.5mm jack, as expected in 2025. That means relying on USB-C dongle DACs, like the Campfire Audio Relay I’ve been using. And this is where the iPhone 17 Pro takes a decisive lead. It streams audio bit-perfectly via USB-C: a 16-bit/44.1kHz file stays exactly that at the DAC, and the same goes for 24-bit/96kHz tracks. iOS leaves the digital signal untouched. Android? Not so much. Samsung’s Z Fold 7 resamples everything to 48kHz, turning that high-res file into 24-bit/48kHz or your CD rips to 16-bit/48kHz. For beginners, resampling means converting sample rates, which can introduce subtle artifacts—though audiophile debates rage on about how audible they are, with purists hating any alteration.
The fix? Apps like Roon ARC can bypass this by activating a USB driver, delivering bit-perfect output plus extras like crossfeed, volume leveling, and EQ corrections. But why should we need third-party workarounds when iOS handles it natively? If Apple’s developers can make it simple, why can’t Android’s? This sparks controversy— is Android’s resampling a deal-breaker, or just a minor annoyance for casual listeners? I’d argue it’s a flaw at this price point, but for many, it’s ignorable.
Now, onto control surfaces, which is where things get exciting and a bit unconventional. The iPhone 17 Pro sticks to the standard smartphone setup: portrait screen, intuitive navigation, nothing groundbreaking but reliable. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7? It’s a game-changer. Unfold it, and you’ve got a compact tablet in your hands. Streaming apps like Roon, Plexamp, and Apple Music expand beautifully, turning album art into immersive visuals instead of tiny icons. For example, I curated a playlist from albums with legendary covers—David Bowie’s Low, Cocteau Twins’ Four-Calendar Café, Boards of Canada’s Music Has the Right to Children, Björk’s Vespertine, Brian Eno’s Another Green World, and Neil Young’s On the Beach. Apple Music even adds subtle animations to the Neil Young artwork, a delightful detail. Using the fold-out screen feels like browsing vinyl records on the go, even on the subway—sure, it draws stares (big headphones, giant phone, scrolling through Eno tracks), but it’s incredibly satisfying for music discovery in 2025.
That said, Roon Remote has room for improvement: switching between folded and unfolded modes requires a full app restart, and the ‘now playing’ display could be larger. Plexamp does this better, but with Samsung now owning Roon, updates might come soon. This is the part most people miss—the foldable form factor isn’t just a gimmick; it transforms how we interact with music apps, making them feel more engaging than ever.
After living with both for a month, I still can’t crown a definitive winner. The iPhone 17 Pro excels with seamless AirPod support and fuss-free bit-perfect wired audio, but it ignores other brands’ headphones, sticking to AAC. If you’re entrenched in the Apple ecosystem with AirPods and dongle DACs, it’s a no-brainer. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 fights back with superior Bluetooth codecs for Sony, Bowers, Focal, T+A, Sennheiser, or Mark Levinson gear, plus that mesmerizing fold-out display for album browsing. Android’s resampling bugs me, but unless you’re a hi-res purist, it’s easy to overlook. Worried about the hinge’s durability? Watch JerryRigEverything’s extreme tests—it’s tougher than it looks.
Ultimately, both phones make trade-offs that feel outdated at these prices. Neither is perfect for every audiophile. Your pick depends on your gear: iPhone for AirPods users who wire in occasionally; Z Fold 7 for those with diverse Bluetooth headphones and a love for visual album art. Want everything? Buy both and join my slightly absurd club. But the harsh truth? We might never get a phone that nails it all, because audiophiles are a tiny market, and manufacturers know we’ll keep buying anyway.
What do you think—should smartphone makers prioritize audiophiles more, or is our niche too small to matter? Do you agree that resampling on Android is a bigger issue than codec limitations on iOS, or vice versa? Share your thoughts in the comments; I’d love to hear if you’ve faced similar dilemmas!