Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which Is Better?

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a strong competitor to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. What differences set these flagship phones apart?

At tonight’s Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event, Samsung unveiled its most powerful phone yet—the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Positioned as a direct rival to Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, does the Galaxy S25 Ultra deliver enough to outshine its competitor? Should you opt for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, or is the iPhone 16 Pro Max the better choice?

Design and Display

The Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces significant design changes compared to its predecessor. The device now features flat edges, similar to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and rounded corners for a more comfortable grip. It also boasts a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with ProScaler technology, a titanium frame, and an integrated S Pen slot.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a similarly sized screen but stands out with its Liquid Retina XDR OLED display, Dynamic Island feature, and titanium edges. The Capture Button adds convenience for camera functions.

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch, 120Hz Retina OLED, HDR10, 2796 x 1290 pixels, 2,000 nits brightness
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: 6.9-inch, QHD+ AMOLED display, 3120 x 1440 pixels, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2,600 nits

Performance

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by Samsung’s custom Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, built using TSMC’s 3nm process . It offers 37% faster CPU, 30% better GPU, and 40% improved NPU performance compared to its predecessor.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features Apple’s A18 Pro chip, also produced using TSMC’s 3nm process. In Geekbench 6 tests, it scores 3500 in single-core and 8600 in multi-core performance.

 

Camera

The Galaxy S25 Ultra features four cameras and maintains the same primary and telephoto sensors as its predecessor. However, with improved AI capabilities, it promises enhanced photo and video quality. The Nightography feature provides superior night photography performance. Additionally, the ultra-wide camera resolution has been upgraded from 12 MP to 50 MP for better results.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max retains its main and telephoto camera setup but stands out with its upgraded 48 MP ultra-wide camera. Known for its excellence in photo and video, Apple continues this tradition with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Galaxy S25 Ultra:

• 200 MP primary sensor (0.6 μm, f/1.7, 85° FoV, 1/1.3-inch sensor, OIS and EIS),
• 50 MP ultra-wide (0.7 μm, f/2.0, 120° FoV),
• 10 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom, 1.12 μm, f/2.4, 36° FoV, OIS),
• 50 MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom, f/3.4, OIS, Laser AF).

iPhone 16 Pro Max:

• 48 MP primary camera (1.22µm, f/1.8, 1/1.28 sensor, sensor-shift OIS),
• 12 MP periscope telephoto (f/2.8, 1.12µm, 120mm, 1/3.06 sensor, 3D sensor-shift OIS, 5x optical zoom),
• 48 MP ultra-wide (0.7 μm, f/2.2).

Battery Life

The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5000 mAh battery similar to its predecessor but promises longer battery life thanks to a more efficient processor. According to Samsung, the phone can play videos for up to 31 hours on a full charge. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, with its 4676 mAh battery, offers one of the best battery lives on the market due to iOS's efficient resource management.

Software and AI

The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on Android 15-based One UI 7, offering advanced AI features like Instant Slow-Mo, Generative Edit, Now Brief, Circle to Search, and Nightography Video. It also supports Samsung DeX and S Pen, enhancing productivity. Moreover, it guarantees 7 years of software and security updates.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, powered by iOS 18, includes the Apple Intelligence AI suite, introducing features like Genmoji, Image Playgrounds, and an upgraded Siri with ChatGPT integration.

Which phone should you choose?

Both phones boast highly advanced features. iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out with its iOS operating system and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, making it ideal for users already within this ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra distinguishes itself with unique features like the S Pen, unavailable on its rival. Additionally, Samsung's region-specific pricing offers a more budget-friendly option. Ultimately, choose based on your budget and specific needs.