Struggling to choose between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Let’s dive in and help you find the perfect match!
Ask an iPhone fan, and they’ll tell you Apple’s latest flagship is unbeatable for countless reasons. Talk to a Samsung enthusiast, and it’s all about the S25 Ultra. Honestly, neither side is wrong—both brands have their own unique strengths, and that’s perfectly fine. After all, everyone uses their phone differently. But when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max, is there a clear winner?
While many people stick to brand loyalty, choosing the right phone shouldn’t just be about default preferences. Let’s break it down feature by feature to help you make an informed choice. Ready to see how these two powerhouses compare?
Design and display
At first glance, the S25 Ultra’s design closely resembles its predecessor, but with a few subtle refinements. The sides are slightly more squared, the camera bump rings are a touch larger, and the bezels are around 15% thinner, offering even more screen real estate.
Samsung’s flagship features a stunning 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and an immersive viewing experience. Thanks to the upgraded Gorilla Glass, the screen is now 29% more crack-resistant, as claimed by Samsung. The 120Hz refresh rate remains, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max steps up with a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display—just 0.2 inches bigger than the 15 Pro Max—making it one of the largest screens available, matching Samsung’s flagship in size. The visuals are crisp and vibrant, complemented by the same buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Apple has introduced a second-generation Ceramic Shield to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, boasting even greater durability than its predecessor.
Despite the larger screen size, slimmer bezels ensure the phone doesn’t feel significantly bigger in hand. However, the 16 Pro Max is slightly heavier, weighing 0.30 ounces more than the S25 Ultra.
Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a triple-camera system with a 50 MP wide-angle main lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12 MP telephoto lens. While impressive, Samsung takes the lead in raw specifications.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a quad-camera setup, including a 200 MP wide lens, a 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a 50 MP telephoto lens, and an additional 10 MP telephoto lens.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max have some notable differences under the hood.
In single-core Geekbench tests, Apple’s A18 Pro chip takes the lead. However, in multicore performance, the Snapdragon 8 Elite pulls ahead, scoring over 15% higher.
Multicore processors play a crucial role in gaming, ensuring smoother gameplay and better graphics for demanding AAA titles. They also help background tasks—like system updates or streaming—run without slowing down performance.
On the graphics front, Samsung has the edge. The Adreno 830 GPU inside the Snapdragon 8 Elite outperformed Apple’s 6-core GPU in 3DMark benchmarks. In the WildLife Extreme Stress Test, the Snapdragon chip maintained 82.4% stability, whereas the A18 Pro only reached 68.1%. Despite this, both chips have similar temperature control.
As for power efficiency, both have made advancements, though the Snapdragon 8 Elite often delivers better performance per watt in certain scenarios. While Apple still dominates in single-core tasks, Samsung has significantly closed the gap—especially for users focused on multitasking and gaming.
Battery life
Ever wondered if your smartphone’s battery life actually matches the manufacturer’s claims? More often than not, it doesn’t—at least not consistently.
Take the Galaxy S25 Ultra, for instance. With a 5,000 mAh battery, it seems impressive on paper. But when stacked against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has a smaller 4,685 mAh battery, the results are surprising.
In a battery drain test by XEETECHCARE on YouTube, the iPhone lasted an impressive 11 hours and 30 minutes, while the S25 Ultra fell slightly short at just under 11 hours. This proves that a bigger battery doesn’t always mean better endurance.
Which AI is the smartest?
Most people agree that Apple Intelligence feels like a rushed marketing move to compete with OpenAI and Google Gemini—it just doesn’t seem fully ready yet.
Aside from notification summaries, I don’t use it much. Instead of just displaying the first line of a message, it provides a quick recap of the entire thing, which is actually useful. But beyond that, there’s little that stands out.
At this point, the S25 Ultra holds the AI advantage. It offers more features and is actually reliable.
Samsung equipped the Ultra with a dedicated AI core that adapts to how you use your phone, automating multi-step tasks effortlessly. Whether it’s Google Gemini, Bixby, or the Now Brief feature, it predicts your needs and takes action. One great example? It optimizes battery life by managing background apps intelligently, and the same applies to RAM management—keeping performance smooth without any effort on your part.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Key Takeaways
Both flagship smartphones bring top-tier features, but each excels in different areas.
- Design & Display: The S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max both feature stunning 6.9-inch displays with 120Hz refresh rates, though Samsung’s AMOLED panel offers deeper blacks and richer colors.
- Camera: The S25 Ultra boasts a powerful 200MP main sensor, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers more consistent image processing and better night photography.
- Performance: Apple’s A18 Pro leads in single-core power, but Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip dominates in graphics and multi-core performance, making it better for gaming.
- Battery Life: Despite its smaller battery, the iPhone 16 Pro Max outlasts the S25 Ultra in real-world tests, proving Apple’s superior power efficiency.
- AI & Software: Samsung’s AI features feel more polished and practical, offering real-world benefits, while Apple Intelligence still seems unfinished.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities—Samsung offers cutting-edge hardware and AI features, while Apple delivers unmatched ecosystem integration and efficiency.