Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

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

Spec score

1.9 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Spec lead

8.1 / 10

iPhone 18 Pro Max specs

A20 Pro

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, battery, and charging.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max 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	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	iPhone 18 Pro Max
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 498 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy	A20 ProLeads
Memory	12GB	Not published
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie	256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie
Camera hardware	200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawideTie	48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Tie
Optical zoom	5xLeads	4x
Front camera	12MP	18MP Center Stage
Battery	5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playback	up to 45 hours video playbackLeads
Charging	45W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShare	50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads
Weight	218 gLeads	249 g
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	7 years of OS and security updates	Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window
Launch price	$1,299 launch priceTie	$1,299 launch priceTie
Software	Android 15, One UI 7 at launch	iOS 27
Biometrics	Ultrasonic fingerprint	Face ID
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4	USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread

Who should buy which

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

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

Questions

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

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, battery, and charging.