With the young year comes Samsung ’s launch of theGalaxy S25 Ultra , which competes with Apple’siPhone 16 Pro Max .
Performance - wise , the Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 elect processor , while Apple ’s effective A18 Pro chip powers the iPhone 16 Pro Max .
As 2025 unfold , these flagship phones anticipate to lead the marketplace , each invoke to trenchant user druthers . Take a look .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: specs
1440 x 3120 pixels
Super Smooth 120Hz refresh pace ( 1~120Hz )
2,600 nits smartness
1320 x 2868 pixels
publicity with 120Hz dynamic refresh pace
2,000 nits light
One UI 7
12 GB RAM
8 GB RAM
200 - megapixel primary feather
50MP ultrawide
50MP telephoto , 5x optical zoom
10MP telephoto , 3x optical rapid climb
Front :
12MP
48MP primary
48MP ultrawide
12MP telephotograph , 5x optical zoom
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
45W fast charge
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
Wireless PowerShare
Qi wireless level
25W wireless charging via MagSafe
15W Qi2 wireless charge up
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: design and display
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra feature a sleek , advanced design characterize by rounded corner and a thinner , lighter profile than its predecessor , theGalaxy S24 Ultra .
A key remainder between old and fresh is its weight , now 15 grams lighter at 218 grams , making it feel more realizable . Despite its specs , it feels less cumbrous compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max .
Samsung has polish the niche for better clench , but the flattened sides and sharp angles make it less comfy to hold . Overall , the improvements in grip are set off by a poorer in - hand feel .
Meanwhile , the Modern Samsung equipment vaunt a enceinte 6.9 - in Dynamic AMOLED show , providing vivacious colors , deep blacks , and an immersive showing experience . Like the old model , the S25 Ultra offer a show with an impressive refresh rate of 120Hz , insure smooth scrolling and fluid animations . Peak brightness is 2600 nits . to boot , it includes an in - video display fingerprint sensor for unassailable and convenient unlocking .
It is also important to take down that the Galaxy S25 Ultra include an S - Pen , a feature article unique to Samsung gimmick . While this pen haslost some functionalitycompared to previous models , it will continue to be a significant reason for many users to pick out Samsung .
The iPhone 16 Pro Max sport a refined design characterize by a titanium build , contributing to its durability and lightweight nature . This choice of material enhances the machine ’s appearance while offering auspices against everyday wear and tear . The telephone set maintains a flat - abut conception , a recognizable Apple aesthetic aspect .
The iPhone 16 Pro Max also has a 6.9 - in Super Retina XDR showing . This OLED projection screen allow vibrant colors , deep blacks , and lucidness due to its gamy resolution ( 2868 x 1320 pixels ) . It also include ProMotion applied science with adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animation . With a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits , the exhibit continue visible in bright conditions , and it is safeguard by Apple ’s Ceramic Shield for increase scratch and drop resistance .
success : Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: performance
Samsung has partner with Qualcomm to make a special Snapdragon 8 Elite central processor specifically for its Galaxy S25 series . During our limited review , we have exceptional performance and lightning - fast reply time , attest the C.P.U. ’s impressive capabilities .
Atfirst glance , the Snapdragon 8 Elite has a discrete advantage due to its innovative architecture that ’s slenderly newer . It has more mainframe cores , raise multi - core performance , and a more powerful Adreno GPU . This combination significantly boosts capabilities in demand tasks such as gambling , 3D rendering , and multitasking . Users can require smoother gameplay and slower processing speeds when pilot imagination - intensive program .
In contrast , the A18 Pro shines in single - core performance . This take a leak it exceptionally efficient for everyday tasks such as World Wide Web browsing , messaging , and using productivity apps . Users who evaluate quick reactivity in day - to - day activity may find the A18 Pro more appealing . The Snapdragon 8 Elite suit mobile gamers and users who on a regular basis rent in demanding multitasking scenario . Its high effect count and forward-looking GPU ensure that even the most diagrammatically acute game run smoothly , providing an immersive experience without lag .
Conversely , if you are profoundly embedded in the Apple ecosystem and appreciate the seamless hardware and software integration , the A18 Pro remains an cautionary pick . It provides efficient performance and a user - friendly port , making it a strong contender for those who prioritise optimization and ease of function in lightsome computing tasks .
finally , our handwriting - on testing of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the real determining factor . Once we turn over into its performance metric function in real - world scenarios , we will bring in more brainwave into how the Snapdragon 8 elect compares to the A18 Pro , paving the way for a clearer choice establish on exploiter ’ unequaled needs and predilection .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: battery and charging
The Galaxy S25 Ultra , like last twelvemonth ’s model , features a 5,000mAh battery . Samsung claims this will provide up to 31 60 minutes of video recording playback on a single charge , one time of day longer than the Galaxy S24 Ultra . We got up to two days of battery life with the S24 Ultra , which is quite impressive , and we counter standardized functioning from the newer model .
The Galaxy S25 Ultra promise a 65 % tutelage in about 30 minutes when using a 45W adapter . It also supports debauched Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare . We have a bun in the oven to find out more details on battery charging in the come days , and when we do , we ’ll adjust this mail .
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers impressive features when it come to battery life and consign . It is equipped with a 4,685mAh bombardment , which is a significant upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro Max . This larger battery plays a central role in providing excellent battery life .
Apple take that the twist can deliver up to 33 hours of video playback and up to 105 hour of audio playback . This means it can well last through a full twenty-four hour period of even use , even with heavy action . In our tests , we found that the iPhone 16 Pro Max could last between a day and a half to two day on a single guardianship .
Regarding charging capableness , the iPhone 16 Pro Max put up a maximum of 30W with a MagSafe charger . It can reach up to 50 % electric battery in just 30 transactions when using a 20W arranger or high with a wired USB - C connexion . to boot , the sound offers wireless turn on at up to 25W with MagSafe and 15W with accessories that utilize the more common Qi2 standard . Both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and its forerunner can also wirelessly point add-on like AirPods .
Winner : link up ( for now )
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: cameras
The Galaxy S25 Ultra feature a 200 - megapixel main photographic camera and two telephotograph cameras standardised to its harbinger , but the fresh 50MP spacious - angle photographic camera is a significant raise , offering excellent item and color . While the main camera do well in various lighting term , it does n’t capture as much item as the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max , which shew elbow room for betterment .
Telephoto shots at 3x and 5x are telling , but the 10x loan-blend soar suffers from pixelation and smoothing , with the 30x zoom decline this effect . The 100x zoom is more for bauble than quality . Overall , the S25 Ultra excels at 3x and 5x , while the editing rooms offer drug user - friendly feature article exchangeable to Apple ’s .
However , for $ 1,300 , the camera carrying out feels underwhelming compared to the S24 Ultra , with noticeable haziness in finer details . We lose the distant shutter feature of the Bluetooth - enable S Pen , and while the fresh wide - slant is a positive alteration , the S25 Ultra does n’t present enough advancements to be a must - have for serious mobile lensman .
The iPhone 16 Pro Max feature a comprehensive photographic camera arrangement that propose to capture eminent - quality pic and video in various environment . The rear frame-up include a threefold - genus Lens configuration , play up by a 48MP primary camera equipped with a gravid sensor and 2nd - genesis sensor - shift optical image stabilization . This combination is intended to heighten image lucidity , specially in low - light condition . come with the elementary lense is a 48MP ultrawide camera that offers a generous 120 - degree field of view , making it suitable for photographing talkative landscapes or large group shots . The third component of the tv camera organization is a 12MP telephoto crystalline lens featuring 5x optic rapid growth , give up for elaborated close - up shots without lose caliber .
Apple has incorporated a range of computational picture taking advancements into the photographic camera system , including an upgrade Photonic Engine designed to enhance figure of speech calibre across various lighting scenario . The iPhone 16 Pro Max also allows for ProRAW capture , providing users with more editing options and flexibility in post - processing . Regarding picture capabilities , the gimmick endorse transcription in Dolby Vision HDR , which has resolutions up to 4 K and frames reaching 120 frame per moment . For self - portraits , the front - facing photographic camera presents a 12MP sensor with autofocus and supports the Photonic Engine , contributing to improved image timber for selfies .
The iPhone 16 Pro Max , like the other phone in the iPhone 16 serial , includes a Camera Control clitoris on one side to make it gentle to take photograph and videos in horizontal form .
success : Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: software and updates
The Samsung Galaxy S25 serial becomes the first Samsung devices to support Android 15 and let in the ship’s company ’s newOne UI 7on the top . This combination should supply an improved exploiter experience with raise privacy features , a redesign quick preferences gore , improved multitasking , and more . There are also enhanced AI potentiality and sassy or updated productiveness and creative thinking prick .
In terms of software upgrades , Samsung has extend to seven age of assure OS and security updates . Yes , seven years , which is telling .
The iPhone 16 Pro Max operates on iOS 18 , introduce various young feature and enhancements , including improved personalization selection , upgraded communication creature , and a more advanced Siri . A fundamental addition is Apple Intelligence , an AI - powered feature put up systemwide write tools to help oneself rectify your writing style , check for grammar misplay , and resume text .
Unlike Samsung , Apple does not assure specific years for operating organization update . However , Apple has a solid history of supply software updates for its devices , and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is have a bun in the oven to receive several years of iOS update . This ensures your telephone set remain current with the modish feature , security enhancements , and performance improvements . These updates are redeem wirelessly and are easy to install , keeping your iPhone 16 Pro Max running smoothly and firmly for years .
Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are packed full of software features and should only get upright over time as improvements are made . In peculiar , both volunteer the up-to-the-minute AI feature from their respective companies . It ’s dependable to say even before screen Samsung ’s new phone , it will be next to unacceptable to pluck a victor here . Assume that iPhone fans will stick with the iPhone 16 Pro Max , while Android fans will pick the Galaxy S25 Ultra .
Winner : Tie
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: price and availability
At launch , the Galaxy S25 Ultra is available with 256 GB , 512 GB , or 1 TB of storehouse starting at $ 1,299 . Like in past age , you’re able to carry discounts directly from Samsung that will fall prices .
Everywhere , the phone is useable in Titanium Silverblue , Titanium Black , Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Grey . The phone is also available on Samsung ’s website in Titanium Jadegreen , Titanium Jetblack , and Titanium Pinkgold .
The iPhone 16 series has been on the grocery store since last fall . Therefore , these models are easy to find for purchase . The iPhone 16 Pro Max start at $ 1,199 for a 256 GB model . you may also buy the phone with 512 GB ( $ 1,399 ) or 1 TB ( $ 1,599 ) of storage . It ’s offered in all - new Desert Titanium , plus Black Titanium , White Titanium , and Natural Titanium .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?
TheSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraandiPhone 16 Pro Maxare powerhouse smartphones compete for the top spot . Under the hood , Samsung ’s new phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy , while Apple relies on its own A18 Pro chip — both promising blazing - truehearted performance . Samsung continues its megapixel airstream in the camera department , while Apple has improved its organisation with enhanced telephotograph capabilities . A key discriminator remains the S Pen stylus , exclusive to the S25 Ultra , providing a unequaled advantage for productivity and creativeness . The iPhone , however , boasts its Dynamic Island for fluid multitasking and interactive notice .
software program - wise , it ’s Android with One UI versus iOS 18 — a classic struggle of personal preference . at last , the “ good ” phone depends on your needs and precedency . The S25 Ultra appeals to those seeking cutting - edge camera tech , the versatility of the S Pen , and the flexibleness of Android . The iPhone 16 Pro Max attract users encroach in the Apple ecosystem , valuing iOS simplicity and the raw tycoon of Apple silicon .
