Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S10+
The Verdict
iPhone 16 Pro Max significantly outpaces the Galaxy S10+ across nearly every metric, despite the older Samsung's respectable specs. Apple's A18 Pro processor demolishes Snapdragon 855 performance, while the 120Hz Super Retina XDR display with 2000 nits brightness far surpasses the S10+'s 60Hz 1200-nit panel. Camera capabilities show dramatic improvement: 48MP main sensor, 5x telephoto, and 4K@120fps Dolby Vision recording versus the S10+'s 12MP setup with 4K@60fps. Battery life favors iPhone with its 4685mAh capacity and faster 27W charging (S10+ manages only 15W). iOS 18 provides superior software optimization and seven-year update guarantee versus Android 9 already obsolete. The $200 price premium reflects a generational leap in flagship technology, making the iPhone 16 Pro Max the clear choice for anyone prioritizing performance, camera quality, and longevity.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if…
- →Class-leading A18 Pro performance
- →Versatile camera system with 5x tetraprism telephoto
- →Premium titanium build
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ if…
- →Gorgeous Dynamic AMOLED display with HDR10+
- →Headphone jack retained
- →microSD card slot with up to 1 TB option
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pros
- Class-leading A18 Pro performance
- Versatile camera system with 5x tetraprism telephoto
- Premium titanium build
- Bright 2000-nit ProMotion display
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Very expensive starting price
- Heavy at 227 g
- Slow charging vs Android flagships
- Apple Intelligence features rolling out gradually
Samsung Galaxy S10+
Pros
- Gorgeous Dynamic AMOLED display with HDR10+
- Headphone jack retained
- microSD card slot with up to 1 TB option
- Dual aperture main camera was innovative
- Reverse wireless charging (Wireless PowerShare)
Cons
- No 5G support (separate 5G model existed)
- 60Hz display refresh rate
- Slow 15W wired charging
- Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner was slow
- Punch-hole selfie cutout was distracting
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S10+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 9, One UI 1.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 175 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 6 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm | 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, dual aperture, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 MP + 8 MP depth |
| Video | 4K@120fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 5x | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4685 mAh | 4100 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 15W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 3040 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Adreno 640 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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