Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lines up the September 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max with the January 2025 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and battery.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 2,000 nits peak, always-on | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 498 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-onLeads |
| Chip | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyLeads |
| Memory | Not published | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto | 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawideLeads |
| Optical zoom | 5xTie | 5xTie |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 29 hours video playback | 5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playbackLeads |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 15W | 45W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads |
| Weight | 221 g | 218 gLeads |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Launch price | $1,199 launch priceLeads | $1,299 launch price |
| Software | iOS 17 at launch | Android 15, One UI 7 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic fingerprint |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 15 Pro Max if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on launch price.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want Android 15, One UI 7 at launch. It leads on display, chip, camera hardware, battery, charging, and weight.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 15 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and battery.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: which has the better battery?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on battery. iPhone 15 Pro Max: up to 29 hours video playback. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playback.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: which has the better camera?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on camera hardware. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x tetraprism telephoto. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawide. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra cost at launch?
iPhone 15 Pro Max leads on launch price. iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1,199 launch price. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max technical specifications
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specifications