Galaxy S25 Edge vs iPhone 16
Both the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone 16 sit in the flagship smartphone class, and Samsung and Apple are clearly watching each other. The spec sheets tilt toward the Galaxy S25 Edge, which leads in 3 of 5 areas and opens its biggest gap on display. The iPhone 16 launched $301 lower than the Galaxy S25 Edge, so every advantage on the pricier side has to earn its keep.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S25 Edge wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S25 Edge wins
- Camera Galaxy S25 Edge wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display7.1
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera4.9
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
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 Edge has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
If refresh rate is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Galaxy S25 Edge leads clearly with 120 Hz to the iPhone 16’s 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S25 Edge feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The Galaxy S25 Edge has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S25 Edge lists 256 GB for base storage, while the iPhone 16 lists 128 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.
-
The Galaxy S25 Edge has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
A clear win for the Galaxy S25 Edge: 200 MP against 48 MP. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The Galaxy S25 Edge’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
-
The Galaxy S25 Edge has 30% higher peak brightness
Here the Galaxy S25 Edge pulls well ahead of the iPhone 16, with 2,600 nits compared to 2,000 nits. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
-
The Galaxy S25 Edge has a 0.08 in slimmer body
The Galaxy S25 Edge doesn’t just edge this one; 0.23 in against 0.31 in is a lead you’ll feel. A slimmer phone slides into pockets more easily and feels less bulky, especially once a case goes on.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S25 Edge 6.23 in × 2.98 in × 0.23 in
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
The iPhone 16 is the smaller phone here, which some buyers will see as a plus and others as a compromise. There’s 0.25 oz between them, and the Galaxy S25 Edge is on the lighter side. The iPhone 16 adds 0.08 in of depth.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.23 in | 5.81 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 2.82 in |
| Thickness | 0.23 in (winner) | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 5.75 oz (winner) | 6 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S25 Edge leads
In the display category, the Galaxy S25 Edge isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. In its favor, the Galaxy S25 Edge has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 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. Weighing only display, the Galaxy S25 Edge comes out ahead.
Refresh rate
Galaxy S25 Edge: 120 Hz iPhone 16: 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.
Peak brightness
Galaxy S25 Edge: 2,600 nits iPhone 16: 2,000 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S25 Edge’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
Too close to call
The differences on performance are small enough to ignore in daily use. Bottom line for performance: it’s a wash.
CPU cores
Galaxy S25 Edge: 8 iPhone 16: 6 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S25 Edge leads
This is one of the Galaxy S25 Edge’s strongest areas. On memory & storage, the iPhone 16 falls well short. The Galaxy S25 Edge takes this one with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The Galaxy S25 Edge starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. In short, the Galaxy S25 Edge is the better-equipped phone for memory & storage.
Base storage
Galaxy S25 Edge: 256 GB iPhone 16: 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.
Camera
Galaxy S25 Edge leads
Here the Galaxy S25 Edge opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. On the Galaxy S25 Edge, you get 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. Prioritize camera, and the Galaxy S25 Edge is where you should land.
Main camera
Galaxy S25 Edge: 200 MP iPhone 16: 48 MP Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 leads
If you’re keeping score, the battery & charging point goes narrowly to the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 scores with faster 25 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 refills quicker there. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPhone 16.
Wireless charging
Galaxy S25 Edge: 15 W iPhone 16: 25 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
In the software & updates section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the Galaxy S25 Edge and the iPhone 16 list in the table below.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2556 x 1179 |
| Pixel density | 513 ppi (winner) | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz (winner) | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits (winner) | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes (winner) | No |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | A18 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| RAM | 12 GB | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB (winner) | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP (winner) | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 3,900 mAh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 22 h |
| Wired charging | 25 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 (One UI 7) | iOS 18 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | N/A (not specified) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.23 in | 5.81 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 2.82 in |
| Thickness | 0.23 in (winner) | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 5.75 oz (winner) | 6 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Edge | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,100 | $799 (winner) |
“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
Compare the launch prices and they sit 38% apart, or $301 in real money. Paying $301 extra for the Galaxy S25 Edge means getting a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB.
These are US launch prices, recorded May 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S25 Edge if…
- you game or scroll a lot and like motion to look fluid (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you shoot a lot of photos and video (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 48 MP)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits)
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you’d rather keep $301 in your pocket
- you value compactness over sheer size
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Galaxy S25 Edge or the iPhone 16?
The Galaxy S25 Edge makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if having faster 25 W wireless charging matters more to you than the rest.
Which is larger, the Galaxy S25 Edge or the iPhone 16?
Size goes the other way: the Galaxy S25 Edge is larger (6.23 × 2.98 × 0.23 in), and the iPhone 16 is the smaller option (5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in).
Does the Galaxy S25 Edge have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 16?
The Galaxy S25 Edge has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera.
Which has the better screen, the Galaxy S25 Edge or the iPhone 16?
On display specs, the Galaxy S25 Edge leads thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 30% higher peak brightness.
Which costs less, the Galaxy S25 Edge or the iPhone 16?
At launch, the iPhone 16 undercut the Galaxy S25 Edge by $301. These figures are as of May 2025, and street prices can change.
Is the Galaxy S25 Edge lighter than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 is the heavier of the two; the Galaxy S25 Edge saves 0.25 oz.
Executive Summary
The Galaxy S25 Edge versus the iPhone 16 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Samsung and Apple made different bets. The biggest reason I lean toward the Galaxy S25 Edge is simple: it has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. There’s more, too: the Galaxy S25 Edge offers 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The iPhone 16 isn’t without merit: faster 25 W wireless charging is a real advantage.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Galaxy S25 Edge suits buyers focused on display; the iPhone 16 suits those focused on battery & charging.
My pick: the Galaxy S25 Edge, unless you’d rather have faster 25 W wireless charging on the iPhone 16, in which case the iPhone 16 earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.