The smartphone industry is set to reach new heights in 2025 with the release of two flagship devices: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. These devices represent the pinnacle of innovation from Samsung and Apple, respectively. But with so many similarities and differences, which one should you buy? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of these devices, from design and performance to camera capabilities and ecosystem integration. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Contents
Release Dates
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Announced on January 22, 2025, and released on February 3, 2025.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Announced on September 9, 2024, and released on September 20, 2024.
If you’re looking to upgrade early in the year, the S25 Ultra will be your only option. However, if you can wait until fall, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be worth considering.
Design and Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 in).
- Weight: 218 g (7.69 oz).
- Materials: Titanium frame with Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front and back.
- Durability: IP68 dust/water resistance (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes).
- Stylus: Includes an S Pen for enhanced productivity.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Dimensions: 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.33 in).
- Weight: 227 g (8.01 oz).
- Materials: Titanium frame with Ceramic Shield glass on the front and back.
- Durability: IP68 dust/water resistance (up to 6m for 30 minutes).
Verdict: Both phones offer premium designs, but the S25 Ultra’s lighter weight and included S Pen might appeal to productivity-focused users.
Display
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Type: Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+.
- Size: 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm² (~92.5% screen-to-body ratio).
- Resolution: 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~498 ppi density).
- Brightness: 2600 nits (peak).
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Armor 2.
- Features: Always-on display, improved touch sensitivity.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Type: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision.
- Size: 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm² (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio).
- Resolution: 1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density).
- Brightness: 1000 nits (typical), 2000 nits (HBM).
- Protection: Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen).
- Features: Always-On display.
Verdict: The S25 Ultra’s higher resolution and peak brightness give it an edge for multimedia consumption and outdoor visibility.
Performance
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).
- CPU: Octa-core (2×4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M).
- GPU: Adreno 830.
- RAM: 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X.
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0.
- Benchmarks:
- AnTuTu: 2,207,809 (v10).
- GeekBench: 9,846 (v6).
- 3DMark: 6,687 (Wild Life Extreme).
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Chipset: Apple A18 Pro (3 nm).
- CPU: Hexa-core (2×4.05 GHz + 4×2.42 GHz).
- GPU: Apple GPU (6-core graphics).
- RAM: 8GB.
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB NVMe.
- Benchmarks:
- AnTuTu: 1,838,828 (v10).
- GeekBench: 8,606 (v6).
- 3DMark: 4,731 (Wild Life Extreme).
Verdict: The S25 Ultra’s higher RAM and superior benchmark scores make it a better choice for heavy multitasking and gaming.
Camera
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Main Camera: 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3″, 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS.
- Telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm, 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom.
- Periscope Telephoto: 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm, 1/2.52″, 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom.
- Ultrawide: 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚, 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video.
- Features: Laser AF, Best Face, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama.
- Video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Main Camera: 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS.
- Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom.
- Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 0.7µm, PDAF.
- Features: Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner.
- Video: 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec.
Verdict: The S25 Ultra’s 200MP sensor and superior zoom capabilities make it the better choice for photography enthusiasts. However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s video capabilities and LiDAR scanner are hard to beat.
Battery Life and Charging
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Battery: 5000 mAh.
- Charging: 45W wired (65% in 30 min), 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), 4.5W reverse wireless.
- Battery Life: Active use score of 14 hours 49 minutes.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Battery: 4685 mAh.
- Charging: Wired PD2.0 (50% in 30 min), 25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (Qi2), 4.5W reverse wired.
- Battery Life: Active use score of 17 hours 18 minutes.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers better battery life, but the S25 Ultra’s faster charging capabilities are a plus.
Software and Ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- OS: Android 15 with One UI 7.
- Upgrades: Up to 7 major Android upgrades.
- Ecosystem: Integrates well with Samsung’s ecosystem (Galaxy Watch, Buds, etc.) and Google services.
- Customization: Highly customizable with themes, widgets, and third-party app support.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
- OS: iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3.
- Upgrades: 6-7 years of iOS updates.
- Ecosystem: Seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem (Apple Watch, AirPods, Mac, etc.).
- Customization: Limited compared to Android but offers a polished, user-friendly experience.
Verdict: If you’re already invested in Apple’s ecosystem, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the obvious choice. However, Android users will appreciate the S25 Ultra’s flexibility.
Price and Value
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Starts at $1,249.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Starts at $989.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers better value for money, but the S25 Ultra’s advanced features justify its higher price.
Final Verdict
Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are exceptional devices, but the best choice depends on your preferences and needs.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if:
- You want the best camera and display.
- You prefer Android’s customization options.
- You need faster charging and a larger battery.
- Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if:
- You’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem.
- You prioritize video recording and AR capabilities.
- You prefer a seamless, user-friendly experience.
