iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are direct rivals in the flagship smartphone class, one from Apple and one from Samsung. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes 3 of 5 areas against the iPhone 16, starting with display. The launch prices sit $501 apart, with the iPhone 16 on the more affordable side.
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 wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display6.9
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera8.2
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 a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy S25 Ultra makes its strongest case: 120 Hz against 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 1.69 oz lighter build
The iPhone 16 clearly leads on weight, and 6 oz versus 7.69 oz is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
On base storage, the Galaxy S25 Ultra posts 256 GB against 128 GB for the iPhone 16, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. 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
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 200 MP for the Galaxy S25 Ultra versus 48 MP for the iPhone 16. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has an extra rear camera
The iPhone 16 lists 2; the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in at 4. That’s not a rounding error. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you more lenses to choose from.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.41 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is physically larger, so the iPhone 16 will be the easier fit wherever space is limited. On the scale, the iPhone 16 comes in 1.69 oz lighter. Slimness goes to the iPhone 16, 0.02 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
Here the Galaxy S25 Ultra opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Galaxy S25 Ultra scores with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels more fluid in everyday use. Weighing only display, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes out ahead.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16: 60 Hz Galaxy S25 Ultra: 120 Hz Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16: 2,000 nits Galaxy S25 Ultra: 2,600 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
Too close to call
Both the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra cover performance equally well on paper. The performance verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
CPU cores
iPhone 16: 6 Galaxy S25 Ultra: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
The memory & storage comparison is one-sided. The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads where it counts. The Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you 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. The memory & storage verdict goes to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Base storage
iPhone 16: 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.
Max storage
iPhone 16: 512 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra: 1 TB Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it.
Camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
For camera, the verdict is easy: the Galaxy S25 Ultra leads, and not by a little. In its favor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has 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. The takeaway: on camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the stronger phone.
Main camera
iPhone 16: 48 MP Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200 MP The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16: 2 Galaxy S25 Ultra: 4 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 leads
The iPhone 16 has the slight upper hand on battery & charging. The iPhone 16 wins here with faster 25 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. For battery & charging, the iPhone 16 is the one to beat.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16: 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
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the software & updates details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 498 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | 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 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 | 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 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (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 launched at $501 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a gap of 63%. Step up by $501 to the Galaxy S25 Ultra and you gain a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked January 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6 oz vs 7.69 oz)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.31 in vs 0.32 in)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($501 less)
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you like switching between focal lengths (4 vs 2 cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
For most people, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the stronger choice, unless you need a 1.69 oz lighter build, which only the iPhone 16 offers.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 or 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 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in for the iPhone 16.
Does the iPhone 16 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on camera specs thanks to a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and an extra rear camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Is the iPhone 16’s display better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s?
Going by the numbers, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s screen comes out ahead: a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 16 cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The iPhone 16 is the cheaper option, launching at $501 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra (launch prices as of January 2025).
Which weighs less, the iPhone 16 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Going by the official figures, the iPhone 16 weighs 1.69 oz less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Executive Summary
On paper, the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra chase the same buyer. In the details, Apple and Samsung made different calls. Here’s what matters most to me: the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. And the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t stop there; it also offers 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Credit where it’s due: the iPhone 16 offers a 1.69 oz lighter build.
Match the strength to your habits (battery & charging for the iPhone 16, display for the Galaxy S25 Ultra), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the Galaxy S25 Ultra; the one scenario where I’d reach for the iPhone 16 is if you know that a 1.69 oz lighter build would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.