After living with both flagship phones for several weeks, we’re ready to share our real-world experiences. These devices are the best Android and iOS devices in 2025, but which one deserves your hard-earned money?

 

 

First impressions and daily use

 

The S25 Ultra immediately stands out with its sleek, modern design. Thin bezels and curved edges make it more comfortable to use with one hand than the previous model. The S25 Ultra also feels a little bigger than it looks. We particularly appreciate how the anti-reflective display makes outdoor viewing actually fun, no more looking for shade to check messages.

 

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max feels more solid in the hand, with the premium titanium weight that Apple fans love. The new camera control button has become second nature for quick photo opportunities, though we wish the action button offered more functionality beyond basic shortcuts. The iPhone 16 also feels a little premium to hold. But its battery is a little low, due to which people like it less.

 

 

Display Showdown and some experiences

 

Samsung’s display technology continues to impress. The anti-glare coating is revolutionary – we’ve used the phone in direct sunlight without squinting our eyes. The adaptive 120 Hz refresh makes everything from scrolling to gaming very smooth.

 

 

While Apple’s screen doesn’t have the anti-glare magic, it does offer more consistent brightness in auto mode. Watching Dolby Vision content on Apple TV+ is a great experience, with colors appearing perfect.

 

 

Photos quality and filters with camera experience

 

The S25 Ultra’s camera system is incredibly versatile. The 10x optical zoom captures details we haven’t been able to with other phones, and the AI-powered editing tools have saved many otherwise wasted shots. However, we did notice some frustration when trying to capture fast-moving pets – the shutter lag is real.

 

Apple’s camera remains the king of stabilization. Every shot looks natural, and video recording is in a league of its own. The new stabilization makes handheld 4K footage look like it was shot with a gimbal. We just wish Apple would catch up to Samsung’s AI editing capabilities.

 

 

Performance in real life

 

Both phones handle everything we throw at them with ease. The S25 Ultra’s vapor chamber cooling really shows its worth during long gaming sessions – there are no more overheating warnings. The Galaxy AI features seem really useful, especially for cross-app workflows.

 

 

The iPhone’s performance is equally impressive, although we’re disappointed that the promised Apple Intelligence feature is delayed. Where it shines is ecosystem integration – moving between iPhone, iPad, and Mac feels completely seamless.

 

 

Battery life that lasts

 

Samsung’s fast charging is a game-changer for our busy schedule. A quick charge of 15 minutes can help us get hours of usage. The iPhone charges slowly and discharges quickly. It lasts a little less than the S25 Ultra in our daily use. But if you have to use the phone more, like not doing heavy gaming, then going for the iPhone can be right.

 

 

Final Recommendation and Key Points

 

After weeks of testing, we would recommend the Samsung S25 Ultra for power users who want cutting-edge display technology, better zoom capabilities, and faster charging.

 

The iPhone 16 Pro Max remains the better choice for those who are invested in Apple’s ecosystem, prioritize video quality, and we also found the rest of the camera to be okay.

 

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