Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lines up the September 2024 iPhone 16 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.

Spec score

2.6 / 10

iPhone 16 Pro Max specs

A18 Pro

Spec lead

7.4 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.

Spec sheet

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
Spec	iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Display	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 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	A18 Pro	Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyLeads
Memory	Not published	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie
Camera hardware	48MP main, 48MP 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 33 hours video playbackLeads	5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playback
Charging	50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W	45W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads
Weight	227 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 18 at launch	Android 15, One UI 7 at launch
Biometrics	Face ID	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Who should buy which

Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on battery and 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, charging, and weight.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leads iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, camera hardware, and charging.