Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S25 delivers superior value at $100 less, featuring a more compact 6.2-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate versus iPhone 15 Plus' 60Hz 6.7-inch screen. Processing power diverges significantly: Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM outperforms A16 Bionic with 6GB RAM in multitasking and gaming. Camera systems differ philosophically—iPhone emphasizes computational photography with 48MP main and 4K Dolby Vision, while S25 offers practical versatility with telephoto zoom, 8K video, and superior 50MP OIS main sensor. Battery capacity favors iPhone (4383 vs 4000 mAh), though Samsung's faster 25W charging and lighter 162g build provide everyday convenience. Display brightness (2600 nits S25 vs 2000 nits iPhone) gives Samsung an edge in sunlight readability. Both offer IP68 durability and 5G connectivity. Samsung Galaxy S25 emerges as the more compelling choice for users prioritizing performance, camera flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, while iPhone appeals to those preferring iOS ecosystem integration and consistent software updates.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 162 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
Samsung Galaxy S25
Pros
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
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