Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max with the January 2025 Samsung Galaxy S25. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec lead

9.0 / 10

iPhone 18 Pro Max specs

A20 Pro

Spec score

1.0 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.

Spec sheet

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 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 18 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25
Display	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads	6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2340×1080, 416 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on
Chip	A20 ProLeads	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Memory	Not published	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBLeads	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Camera hardware	48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads	50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP 3x optical telephoto, 12MP ultrawide
Optical zoom	4xLeads	3x
Front camera	18MP Center Stage	12MP
Battery	up to 45 hours video playbackLeads	4,000 mAh; up to 29 hours video playback
Charging	50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads	25W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShare
Weight	249 g	162 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	$1,299 launch price	$799 launch priceLeads
Software	iOS 27	Android 15, One UI 7 at launch
Biometrics	Face ID	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Who should buy which

Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, battery, and charging.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want Android 15, One UI 7 at launch. It leads on weight and launch price.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.