iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Which Is Better?
The iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Ultra compete for the same spot on your shortlist, with Apple and Samsung each making its case. Look at the scorecard and the Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out, ahead in 3 of 5 areas. The camera numbers explain a lot of that. Add $301 of difference in launch price, and the iPhone 16 Pro has a strong argument before a single spec is compared.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Camera Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Price iPhone 16 Pro wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera3.1
- Display6.9
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera5.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The iPhone 16 Pro gives up a lot on base storage: 128 GB, compared with 256 GB on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
Few buyers will miss this one. The Galaxy S25 Ultra brings 200 MP to the table; the iPhone 16 Pro brings 48 MP. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera
When it comes to telephoto camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra wins comfortably with 50 MP against 12 MP. A dedicated telephoto camera captures distant subjects and portraits without heavy cropping, which keeps detail intact.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has 30% higher peak brightness
It’s a lopsided result (2,600 nits for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, 2,000 nits for the iPhone 16 Pro) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has an extra rear camera
The spread here is large: 4 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra versus 3 on the iPhone 16 Pro. Expect to notice it. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 Pro 5.89 in × 2.81 in × 0.32 in
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.41 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
In overall size, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is ahead, which is good news only if a bigger phone is what you want. The iPhone 16 Pro saves 0.67 oz. How much that matters depends on how you use it.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
For display, the verdict is easy: the Galaxy S25 Ultra leads, and not by a little. On its side, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has 30% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. For anyone who cares most about display, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the safer choice.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16 Pro: 2,000 nits Galaxy S25 Ultra: 2,600 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Screen size
iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 in Galaxy S25 Ultra: 6.9 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
On performance, the iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are effectively level. Don’t let performance decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
CPU cores
iPhone 16 Pro: 6 Galaxy S25 Ultra: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
In this area the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a lead the iPhone 16 Pro can’t close. The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years. If memory & storage is your priority, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the phone to pick.
Base storage
iPhone 16 Pro: 128 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra: 256 GB Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
Camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
If camera is high on your list, the Galaxy S25 Ultra makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Galaxy S25 Ultra answers with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much. In short, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better-equipped phone for camera.
Main camera
iPhone 16 Pro: 48 MP Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200 MP Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
Telephoto camera
iPhone 16 Pro: 12 MP Galaxy S25 Ultra: 50 MP A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the Galaxy S25 Ultra a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Pro leads
By a small margin, the iPhone 16 Pro is the stronger of the two in this area. The iPhone 16 Pro takes this one with faster 25 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 Pro refills quicker there. Prioritize battery & charging, and the iPhone 16 Pro is where you should land.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16 Pro: 25 W Galaxy S25 Ultra: 15 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
Nothing to tally in the software & updates section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Ultra each use.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 498 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Optical zoom | 5× | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 27 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 (winner) | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The iPhone 16 Pro launched at $301 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a gap of 30%. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s premium of $301 isn’t just for the name; it brings 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB and a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.02 oz vs 7.69 oz)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want more value for your money ($301 less at launch)
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 48 MP)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (50 MP vs 12 MP telephoto)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The main exception is if you’d rather have a 0.67 oz lighter build on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro bigger than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the larger of the two. It measures 6.41 × 3.06 × 0.32 in, compared with 5.89 × 2.81 × 0.32 in for the iPhone 16 Pro.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on camera specs thanks to a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the stronger display on paper, with 30% higher peak brightness and 8.3% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the iPhone 16 Pro or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched at $301 more than the iPhone 16 Pro, based on prices as of January 2025.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On the scale, the iPhone 16 Pro comes out ahead at 0.67 oz lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 16 Pro versus the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Apple and Samsung made different bets. Start with the headline difference (the Galaxy S25 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB), and a lot of the decision falls into place. A second reason: the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. Don’t write off the iPhone 16 Pro entirely: it has a 0.67 oz lighter build.
Fit matters more than scores here. The iPhone 16 Pro suits buyers focused on battery & charging; the Galaxy S25 Ultra suits those focused on display.
My pick: the Galaxy S25 Ultra, unless what you want most is a 0.67 oz lighter build, in which case the iPhone 16 Pro earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.