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HomeTechnologySamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: How the two flagship phones compare

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: How the two flagship phones compare

oth are top flagship phones, and choosing between them can be tricky. If you’re planning to buy your first flagship phone or upgrade to the best, this comparison will help you decide which one is right for you.

January 23, 2025 / 10:29 IST
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxt S25 Ultra

Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy S25 series, which includes the Galaxy S25, S25+, and the top-tier S25 Ultra. All three models boast premium features and cutting-edge technology, which makes them true flagship phones. In this article, we’ll focus on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and compare it with Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, the most premium phone in Apple’s lineup. Both are top flagship phones, and choosing between them can be tricky. If you’re planning to buy your first flagship phone or upgrade to the best, this comparison will help you decide which one is right for you.

Display

The Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1Hz to 120Hz).Additionally, the Galaxy S25 Ultra gets an S pen support.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max features the same display size as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It comes with a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology (also adaptive up to 120Hz).

Design and build

The Galaxy S25 Ultra looks slightly different from its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While it does retain its signature rectangular design, the edges this time are slightly curved. For protection, it is rated IP68 for protection against water and dust.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, on the other hand, has a titanium build with a Ceramic Shield front and a matte glass back. In terms of weight, it is slightly heavier than the Galaxy at 227g. The Galaxy S25 Ultra weighs only 218g.

Camera

The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 200MP primary camera, along with a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and dual telephoto lenses (3x and 5x optical zoom).

Whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a 48MP main sensor with advanced computational photography features. It includes a 5x telephoto lens, ultra-wide, and portrait capabilities supported by its Photonic Engine.

Performance

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the A18 Pro chip, which is currently the fastest and the most powerful processor available in the market.

Battery life and charging

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra houses a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging and reverse wireless charging.

Apple on the other hand doesn’t disclose the exact battery of its iPhones but people have found the iPhone 16 Pro Max to be long lasting and better than its predecessor. The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports 20W wired charging and Magsafe wireless charging.

Software

The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs Android 15 with One UI 7, It offers customisation options, multitasking features like split-screen and DeX mode.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max runs iOS 18, which comes with Apple Intelligence and dozen other features.

Storage and pricing

Both phones offer storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. Samsung also has a 12GB RAM option.

Verdict

Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are excellent phones, each with its own strengths. The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out with its powerful camera specs, bright screen, and customizable features, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers smooth performance and a great user experience. Your decision will depend on whether you prefer Android or Apple’s system.

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Ankita Chakravarti
first published: Jan 23, 2025 09:00 am

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