Can't decide between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max? Let's break it down and find the perfect fit for you!

If you ask around in an iPhone forum, you’ll hear that Apple’s latest flagship is the best for all kinds of reasons, while in a Samsung community, it’s all about the S25 Ultra. And honestly, neither side is wrong. Both brands have their own approach, and that’s fine. People use their phones in different ways. But in the end, when comparing Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max, there’s to be a winner, right?

Most people already have strong brand loyalty. But if you’re just looking for the right phone for you, it shouldn’t be about default preferences. Let’s compare them fairly, feature by feature, so you can make a thoughtful decision. Ready to see how they stack up?

Design and display

At first glance, the S25 Ultra’s design looks pretty similar to its predecessor, but with a few tweaks. The sides are a bit more squared off, and the camera bump rings are slightly larger. Plus, the bezels are now about 15% thinner, giving you a bit more screen space to work with.

It boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and an overall immersive experience. And with the new Gorilla Glass screen, it’s 29% more resistant to cracks, according to Samsung.

As for the refresh rate, the S25 Ultra still keeps the smooth 120Hz, ensuring fluid scrolling and animations.

On the other hand, the 16 Pro Max comes with a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display, which is just 0.2 inches larger than the 15 Pro Max. This makes it one of the biggest screens around, on par with Samsung’s flagship. The visuals are bright and sharp, and it also has the buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Apple has added a second-generation Ceramic Shield to their superphone, claiming it’s even tougher than the previous version.

Thanks to slimmer bezels, the screen size increase doesn’t make it feel much bigger. However, the 16 Pro Max does weigh 0.30 ounces more than the S25 Ultra.

Camera

The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max comes with a 50 MP wide-angle main lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12 MP telephoto lens. On paper, Samsung has the edge in sheer specs.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a quad-camera setup featuring a 200 MP wide lens, a 50 MP ultra-wide lens, a 50 MP telephoto lens, and an additional 10 MP telephoto lens.

But specs only tell part of the story. How do these cameras perform in real-world use? A bunch of tech YouTubers have put both phones to the test to see where they shine.

According to Mrwhosetheboss, while the S25 Ultra’s camera hardware hasn’t changed much, software updates have made a noticeable difference. Photos now capture skin tones more naturally, detail is sharper, and the camera app itself is smoother and more user-friendly, with key settings easier to reach.

When it comes to video, Samsung has stepped up its game—mid and low-light footage looks noticeably better, though it still trails the iPhone in night shots.

Samsung’s audio quality has also improved thanks to AI noise reduction, but Apple still holds the edge. As for zoom, the South Korean giant takes the crown. It delivers sharper long-range shots with smarter software processing.

The Tech Chap also weighed in, highlighting the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s strength in zoom and fine detail, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max excels in dynamic range and skin tones.

S25 Ultra’s 200 MP sensor pulls in more detail, especially at higher zoom levels, but the iPhone balances ultrawide and selfie shots better. In low light, both perform well, though the iPhone tends to brighten shadows a bit more.

Performance

For performance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max have some key differences under the hood.

In single-core Geekbench tests, Apple’s A18 Pro chip comes out on top. But in multicore tests, the Snapdragon chip takes the lead with over a 15% higher score.

Multicore processors boost gaming performance. Since AAA titles need a lot of power, having multiple cores helps with smoother gameplay and better graphics. Plus, it lets background tasks like system updates or streaming happen without slowing down the game.

On the graphics side, Samsung’s chip pulls ahead. The Adreno 830 GPU in the Snapdragon 8 Elite crushed 3DMark tests compared to the 6-core GPU in the A18 Pro. In the WildLife Extreme Stress Test, the Snapdragon chip showed 82.4% stability, while the A18 Pro only reached 68.1%. The temperatures are pretty similar, though.

As for power efficiency, both chips have made improvements, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite tends to deliver better performance per watt in some situations. While Apple still leads in single-core performance, Samsung’s upgrades have narrowed the gap, especially for users who care about multitasking or gaming.

Battery life

Ever wonder how long your smartphone’s battery really lasts? Does it live up to the manufacturer’s claims? Chances are, it probably doesn’t—at least not consistently.

Take the Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example. It comes with a solid 5,000 mAh battery, which sounds pretty impressive on paper. But when compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has a smaller 4,685 mAh battery, the results are a bit unexpected.

In a battery drain test by XEETECHCARE on YouTube, the iPhone outlasted the S25 Ultra, going for a solid 11 hours and 30 minutes. The S25 Ultra, while still impressive with just under 11 hours, couldn’t quite match the iPhone’s battery efficiency. It just goes to show that bigger isn’t always better.

Which AI is the smartest?

Essentially everyone agrees that Apple Intelligence feels like a rushed marketing move to keep up with OpenAI and Google Gemini. It doesn’t seem fully ready yet.

Other than the notification summaries, I don’t use it. Instead of just showing the first line of a message, it gives a quick recap of the whole thing, which is pretty useful. But beyond that, there’s not much I find helpful.

Right now, I’d say the S25 Ultra has the upper hand when it comes to AI. It just does more, and you can actually rely on it.

Samsung packed the Ultra with a dedicated AI core that learns how you use your phone and helps automate multi-step tasks. Whether it’s using Google Gemini, Bixby, or the Now Brief feature, it figures out what you need and handles it for you. One example? It optimizes battery life by deciding which apps to keep running and which ones to close. The same goes for RAM management, so your phone stays smooth without you lifting a finger.

Takeaway: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ($1,299.99) and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max ($1,199) deliver in their own unique ways. Samsung leads with impressive zoom, multitasking, and AI features, while Apple excels in seamless performance and camera accuracy.

Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on what you prioritize—whether it’s camera versatility, performance, or AI capabilities. Either way, both phones offer top-tier features that will meet the needs of even the most demanding users.