Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Both flagship phones deliver exceptional performance, but they cater to different priorities. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra edges ahead with its 200MP main camera, 8K video recording, superior 5000mAh battery, and faster 45W charging compared to iPhone's 27W. Display brightness reaches 2600 nits versus iPhone's 2000, while Galaxy's 3120x1440 resolution surpasses iPhone's 2868x1320. However, Apple's A18 Pro chip matches Snapdragon efficiency with superior thermal management and software optimization. iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a more refined user experience with iOS 18's seamless integration, better MagSafe ecosystem at 25W wireless charging, and premium build quality. Storage tops out at 1TB on both. Samsung's 12GB RAM versus Apple's 8GB provides multitasking advantages, though real-world performance differences remain negligible. Camera systems showcase different philosophies: Samsung's extreme resolution and 5x periscope zoom versus Apple's computational photography and color science. For camera enthusiasts wanting maximum megapixels and zoom capability, Samsung wins. For those prioritizing ecosystem integration and refined performance, iPhone remains superior. Galaxy S25 Ultra offers better value at this premium tier.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 218 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Armor 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@120fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 5x | 50 MP 5x periscope + 10 MP 3x |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.9 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4685 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.9 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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 S25 Ultra
Pros
- Class-leading 200 MP main camera with 5x periscope zoom
- Built-in S Pen for note-taking and productivity
- Bright 2600-nit display with Gorilla Glass Armor 2
- Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top-tier performance
- 7 years of OS and security updates
Cons
- Very expensive at $1299 starting price
- S Pen lost Bluetooth remote features
- Charging speed still capped at 45W
- Large and heavy for one-handed use
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