Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Both flagships compete fiercely at the $799 price point with distinct strengths. Samsung Galaxy S25 edges ahead with superior display technology—120Hz AMOLED at 2600 nits versus iPhone 16's 60Hz OLED at 2000 nits—delivering noticeably smoother scrolling and better outdoor visibility. Samsung also boasts a larger 4000 mAh battery, more RAM (12GB vs 8GB), and advanced camera features including 8K video and 3x optical telephoto. iPhone 16 counters with Apple's A18 chip delivering excellent real-world performance, refined Dolby Vision 4K recording, and iOS 18's polished ecosystem. The S25 is slightly lighter and thinner. For power users prioritizing display quality and camera versatility, Galaxy S25 offers more compelling specs. iPhone loyalists will appreciate the cohesive software experience and computational photography. Samsung Galaxy S25 edges the recommendation for value and feature parity.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 170 g | 162 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 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 | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3561 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 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 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
Pros
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Compact and lightweight design
- Improved 48 MP main camera
- Strong battery life for its size
Cons
- Still 60Hz display in 2024
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto lens
- No always-on display
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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