It’s tough to choose between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max – both are packed with cutting-edge tech, but are meant for different users. After using both for months, here’s our detailed comparison to help you decide.

Design, frame and build quality

The S25 Ultra feels lighter (218 grams) and more comfortable thanks to its rounded edges and thin bezels. The Gorilla Armor 2 glass resists scratches better, and the anti-reflective coating makes a huge difference outdoors.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit heavier, but feels more premium with its titanium frame. Ceramic Shield 3 and deep waterproofing (6 metres vs Samsung’s 1.5 metres) make it more durable. The new camera control button is useful, but the action button still feels underused.

Display brightness vs anti-glare

Samsung’s 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is great, with a sharp resolution and an anti-glare coating that works surprisingly well in sunlight. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate keeps everything smooth. It also gets a slightly bigger display, which is also quite good for gaming.

Apple’s 6.9-inch display is a little dim in specs but is bright in real-world use. Dolby Vision support gives it an edge for HDR content, especially if you watch a lot of Apple TV+.

Camera Features & Photos Quality

The S25 Ultra’s quad-camera system is versatile, with a 200 MP main sensor and 10x optical zoom. The AI-powered editing tools are impressive, removing objects and adjusting colors seamlessly. However, shutter lag can still be an issue with fast-moving subjects.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max keeps things simple with a 48 MP main sensor and 5x telephoto. Its video quality is still unmatched with better stabilization and ProRes Log support. Apple’s photo editing seems to lag behind Samsung, but colors look more natural in daylight.

Software that can deliver better multitasking and gaming

The S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is great, handling heavy multitasking and gaming with ease. Galaxy AI works great for on-device tasks, and vapor chamber cooling prevents overheating.

The iPhone’s A18 Pro chip is fast in single-core tasks, but Apple intelligence feels incomplete. There is a slight delay in Siri’s smart features, but if you are deep into the Apple ecosystem like FaceTime, CarPlay, AirDrop, the iPhone still integrates better. The processors of the two phones are not much different in real life.

Battery charging and better optimization

The S25 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery lasts all day, and 45W fast charging gets it to 72% in 30 minutes. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a smaller battery but better optimization, often with 40% battery left at the end of the day. However, its 20W charging seems slower, taking twice as long to reach 50%.

Starting price by variant

The S25 Ultra has a starting price of $1,299 (256GB), with carriers often offering free storage upgrades or trade-in discounts. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (256GB), but the 1TB model costs $1,599, making Samsung the better deal for storage.