Table Of Content
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Table of Contents
- Design & Build
- Display & Audio
- Performance & Benchmarks
- User Feedback: Performance & Benchmarks
- Camera & Zoom
- User Feedback: Camera & Zoom
- Battery & Charging
- Software & AI Features
- User Feedback: Software & AI Features
- Ecosystem & Longevity
- User Feedback: Ecosystem & Longevity
- Final Verdict
iPhone loyalist thinking of jumping ship? Or maybe you’ve been riding with Team Samsung and just want validation that you made the smarter pick? Either way, the 2025 flagship showdown is here, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max! In one corner: the Galaxy S25 Ultra, flaunting its oversized display, beast-mode cameras, and AI flex. In the other: the iPhone 16 Pro Max, dressed in titanium, camera-ready, and backed by the polished power of iOS. If you’re trying to decide whether it’s time to make the switch or stand your ground, we’ve broken down every category—from build quality to software smarts—so you don’t have to guess.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Table of Contents
- Design & Build
- Display & Audio
- Performance & Benchmarks
- Camera & Zoom
- Battery & Charging
- Software & AI Features
- Ecosystem & Longevity
- Final Verdict
Design & Build
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 162.8 × 77.6 × 8.2 mm, 218 g, titanium chassis with IP69 rating.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: 163 × 77.6 × 8.26 mm, 227 g, ceramic glass with IP68.
Samsung’s use of titanium makes it surprisingly lightweight without sacrificing durability—it won’t flex under pressure. The curved rear and matte finish offer excellent grip. Apple sticks to a heavier yet polished look, with that instantly recognizable ceramic sheen. Both feel premium; choose Samsung if you prioritize sturdiness, or Apple for elegance and prestige.
Display & Audio
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Size & Type | 6.9″ LTPO AMOLED | 6.9″ XDR OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 1–144 Hz | 1–120 Hz |
| Peak Brightness | 2600–4500 nits | 3000 nits |
| Color Accuracy | Delta‑E ~0.38 | Delta‑E ~0.30 |
| Speakers | Stereo Dolby Atmos | Stereo wide soundstage |
Both displays are among the brightest and smoothest on the market. Samsung takes the lead in peak brightness and refresh fluidity—great for outdoor and gaming. Apple counters with more accurate color out of the box. As for audio, Samsung’s loudness edges out Apple, but the iPhone offers richer sound character.
Performance & Benchmarks
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), 12 GB or 16 GB RAM.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: A18 Pro (3 nm), 8 GB RAM.
Here’s how they stack up in real-world and benchmark tests:
| Test | S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (Single‑core) | ~3,140 | ~3,330 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi‑core) | ~9,770 | ~8,100 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | ~67 K | ~54 K |
| Thermal throttling | Minimal | Negligible |
User Feedback: Performance & Benchmarks
“The performance is great… it dimmed later than the S23U, not as much and felt less hot to the touch, which is an improvement for sure.”
– r/S25Ultra
“It has a fantastic screen, top-of-the-line specs, great cameras, good battery… the main things they changed are: design…, better cooling, new ultrawide camera, new AI features.”
– r/samsung
Apple still claims single-core supremacy, while Samsung dominates in multi-core and GPU-heavy tasks. In day-to-day use—from photo editing to multitasking—the difference is barely noticeable. Choose Apple if you run single-thread workloads; go Samsung for gaming and heavy processing.
Camera & Zoom
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Quad-camera setup with a 200MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 10x periscope, and 10MP 3x telephoto.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Triple-lens system with a 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and a 12MP 5x telephoto zoom lens.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out for long-range zoom, thanks to its 10x optical periscope lens—something the iPhone can’t match. On the flip side, Apple’s image processing remains incredibly consistent, particularly in low light and video recording. If you’re all about zoom and raw photo detail, go Samsung. For reliable results and cinematic video, Apple is still king.
User Feedback: Camera & Zoom
“Shots from Disneyland Paris (Expert Raw, 24MP)”
– reddit.com/r/S25Ultra
– user u/steodoyne11 on r/S25Ultra
“I watched over 100 videos with the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra – here’s the winner.”
– Tom’s Guide
“Samsung pulls ahead in the zoom department, but Apple still holds the gold standard for video clarity and color balance.”
DXOMARK Review 2025
Battery & Charging
| S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4685 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 45 W – full in ~69 min | 27 W – full in ~102 min |
| Wireless Charging | 15 W Qi2 | 15 W MagSafe |
| Typical Use | 1.5–2 days | 1.2–1.8 days |
Samsung clearly wins in charging speed and endurance. Both survive a full day comfortably, but the S25 Ultra gives more buffer for heavy use or low-power scenarios.
Software & AI Features
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Runs One UI 7 based on Android 15, integrated with Galaxy AI. Features include Live Translate (on calls and messages), AI-based photo and video editing, generative wallpaper tools, and cross-device clipboard/screen sharing with Galaxy Book laptops.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Runs iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence. Siri has received a major upgrade with context awareness and app intent routing. On-device AI summarizes texts, suggests actions, and even creates smart widgets based on habits.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI brings more aggressive, utility-based features for productivity, especially for multilingual users and creators. Apple, as usual, takes a privacy-first, consistent approach. iOS 18 feels polished and less overwhelming, but Oxygen OS is richer if you like to tinker. For AI power users, Samsung is more exciting in 2025.
User Feedback: Software & AI Features
“OneUI 7 feels great… it managed to take just the good things [from iOS] and improve on them. Having daily exposure to iOS, I do not enjoy it… and seeing how OneUI… improves even further warms my heart.”
– r/S25Ultra
“Don’t sweat on the review. I love my S25 Ultra. It’s so beautiful, smooth, high performance and amazingly cool even long periods of gaming… The OS is amazing, it’s like iOS but way more customizable.”
– r/samsunggalaxy
Ecosystem & Longevity
Both companies now promise seven years of OS and security updates. Samsung supports Windows integration, SmartThings, and Galaxy wearables; Apple extends universal connectivity with MacBooks, iPads, and Watch. Apple’s cross-device cohesion remains unmatched.
User Feedback: Ecosystem & Longevity
“Battery health remains at 100 percent at 101 cycles and battery life has been impressive… Camera Control has been a hit or miss feature.”
– MacRumors (5 months with 16 Pro Max)
“The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest iPhone… and it offers the longest ever battery life on an iPhone.”
– AppleVis review
Final Verdict
Looking purely at hardware—display, cameras, battery, and raw performance—Galaxy S25 Ultra edges ahead. But iPhone 16 Pro Max excels where it counts for users in Apple’s ecosystem: video stability, software support, and seamless device interaction.
Best for power users and tech enthusiasts: Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Best for polished user experience and ecosystem lovers: iPhone 16 Pro Max.
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