iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
Apple versus Samsung: the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra go after the same flagship smartphone buyer. Think of it as a split decision: the iPhone 18 Pro Max takes performance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra takes camera.
At a glance
- Display Trade-off
- Performance iPhone 18 Pro Max wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 18 Pro Max wins
- Camera Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 18 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 18 Pro Max wins
- Display6.6
- Memory & Storage6.4
- Camera3.2
- 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
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 1.09 oz lighter build
Not a close call. The Galaxy S25 Ultra lists 7.69 oz and the iPhone 18 Pro Max lists 8.78 oz. That’s a substantial gap. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
Among all the differences on this page, 200 MP against 48 MP is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has 5× optical zoom versus 4×
The iPhone 18 Pro Max comes close with 4×; the Galaxy S25 Ultra does slightly better with 5×. The Galaxy S25 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has an extra rear camera
The iPhone 18 Pro Max gives up a lot on rear cameras: 3, compared with 4 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s extra lens adds.
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The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a bigger top storage option
Few buyers will miss this one. The iPhone 18 Pro Max brings 2 TB to the table; the Galaxy S25 Ultra brings 1 TB. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s bigger maximum.
Design & Size
- iPhone 18 Pro Max 6.43 in × 3.07 in × 0.34 in
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.41 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
There’s no meaningful size difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra saves 1.09 oz. How much that matters depends on how you use it. Slimness goes to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, 0.02 in thinner overall.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.78 oz Heaviest in class | 7.69 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
Trade-off
On display, pick your advantage: 15% higher peak brightness from the iPhone 18 Pro Max or 8.3% sharper pixel density from the Galaxy S25 Ultra. In short, display splits the vote, and your use case casts the deciding one.
Peak brightness
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 3,000 nits Galaxy S25 Ultra: 2,600 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Pixel density
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 460 ppi Galaxy S25 Ultra: 498 ppi Pixel density matters most if you hold your phone close or read a lot of small type; for casual use, the gap is subtle.
Performance
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads
In the performance category, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max and you get a newer 2 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. The takeaway: on performance, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the stronger phone.
Process node
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 nm Galaxy S25 Ultra: 3 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
CPU cores
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6 Galaxy S25 Ultra: 8 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads
If you’re keeping score, the memory & storage point goes narrowly to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers a bigger top storage option. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone. On memory & storage alone, the iPhone 18 Pro Max gets the nod.
Max storage
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 TB 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
When it comes to camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is comfortably ahead. Point to the Galaxy S25 Ultra for 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. On its side, the iPhone 18 Pro Max has a sharper 18 MP selfie camera. That makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra the natural choice for buyers focused on camera.
Main camera
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 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.
Optical zoom
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 4× Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5× Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads
The iPhone 18 Pro Max does a little better in the battery & charging section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The iPhone 18 Pro Max stands out 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. Weighing only battery & charging, the iPhone 18 Pro Max comes out ahead.
Wireless charging
iPhone 18 Pro Max: 25 W Galaxy S25 Ultra: 15 W If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 18 Pro Max refills quicker there.
Software & Updates
We don’t score this area directly, because the software & updates specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2868 x 1320 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 498 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits (winner) | 2,600 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A20 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 2 nm (winner) | 3 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB (winner) | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | 4× | 5× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 18 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 45 h Longest rated playback | 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 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 27 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.43 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 3.07 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.78 oz Heaviest in class | 7.69 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,299 | $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
Price is almost a tie, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max launching $1 below the Galaxy S25 Ultra. For a mixed result like this, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and its $1 saving is the default, unless the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s strengths are exactly what you need.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2026. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if…
- you plan to buy a high-capacity version (2 TB vs 1 TB maximum)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (2 nm vs 3 nm)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (18 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($1 less)
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.69 oz vs 8.78 oz)
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you want more optical reach (5× vs 4×)
- you want more lenses to choose from (4 vs 3 rear cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
There’s no single right answer. The iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on performance and the Galaxy S25 Ultra on camera.
Which is larger, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Neither by much. The iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the iPhone 18 Pro Max perform better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On paper, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the stronger performer, with a newer 2 nm chip process.
Does the iPhone 18 Pro Max have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the stronger camera setup, with a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and 5× optical zoom versus 4×.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 18 Pro Max costs $1 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Prices as of September 2026; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is lighter, by 1.09 oz.
Executive Summary
Apple makes the iPhone 18 Pro Max, Samsung makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and both want the same spot on your shortlist. Here’s where I land. Honestly, a bigger top storage option on the iPhone 18 Pro Max does a lot of the persuading for me. Less flashy, but still real: the iPhone 18 Pro Max brings faster 25 W wireless charging. The Galaxy S25 Ultra does have a strong card to play: a 1.09 oz lighter build.
Choose by what you’d use most: performance leads to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, camera leads to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
My pick: whichever matches your priority, since performance means the iPhone 18 Pro Max and camera means the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.