Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S25+
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S25+ edges ahead with superior display technology featuring 120Hz LTPO refresh rates and 2600-nit peak brightness compared to iPhone 16 Plus's static 60Hz panel. Camera capabilities diverge significantly—Galaxy S25+ offers 8K video, dedicated 3x telephoto, and advanced OIS on its 50MP sensor, while iPhone 16 Plus relies on computational photography with a 48MP main camera. Performance remains competitive with Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and Apple A18 both delivering flagship-level speeds, though Samsung's 12GB RAM versus 8GB provides multitasking advantages. Battery capacity favors Samsung at 4900mAh with faster 45W charging versus iPhone's 4674mAh and 20W wired charging. Display, camera, and performance advantages position Galaxy S25+ as the more technically capable device. However, iPhone 16 Plus offers iOS reliability and tighter integration at $100 less. Choose Samsung S25+ for cutting-edge specs and photography; select iPhone 16 Plus for ecosystem loyalty and better value proposition.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S25+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 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 | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 4900 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 3120 x 1440 |
| 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 A18 | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset
- Sharp QHD+ 120Hz display with high brightness
- Compact and lightweight for a large-screen phone
- 12 GB RAM standard across the lineup
- Seven years of software support
Cons
- Camera hardware nearly unchanged from S24+
- No periscope telephoto like the Ultra
- Charging still at 45W in 2025
- Galaxy AI features partly require cloud
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