Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Choosing between Samsung and Apple often comes down to a specific pair of products. In the flagship smartphone class, that pair is the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes 2 of 5 areas against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, starting with camera. Here’s the full picture, starting with the differences that matter most.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Price iPhone 16 Pro Max wins
- Display6.9
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera5.5
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera3.1
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 higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
At 200 MP versus 48 MP, this is a decisive lead for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. 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 a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera
If telephoto camera is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Galaxy S25 Ultra leads clearly with 50 MP to the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 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
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S25 Ultra lists 2,600 nits for peak brightness, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max lists 2,000 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.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has an extra rear camera
A clear win for the Galaxy S25 Ultra: 4 against 3. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you more lenses to choose from.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 0.32 oz lighter build
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the Galaxy S25 Ultra leads 7.69 oz to 8.01 oz. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.41 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
- iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.42 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
Their dimensions are close enough that size should be one of the last things you weigh. Pick the Galaxy S25 Ultra and you save 0.32 oz.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.41 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.69 oz (winner) | 8.01 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Display
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
Look at the display table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers 30% higher peak brightness. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility. Anyone shopping mainly on display should start with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Peak brightness
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 2,600 nits iPhone 16 Pro Max: 2,000 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Pixel density
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 498 ppi iPhone 16 Pro Max: 460 ppi The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs its pixels more tightly, which shows most in small text, fine patterns and zoomed-in photos.
Performance
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if performance was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. Don’t let performance decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
CPU cores
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 8 iPhone 16 Pro Max: 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
Too close to call
On memory & storage, the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are effectively level. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
In this area the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a lead the iPhone 16 Pro Max can’t close. The Galaxy S25 Ultra makes its case 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. Weighing only camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes out ahead.
Main camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200 MP iPhone 16 Pro Max: 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.
Telephoto camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 50 MP iPhone 16 Pro Max: 12 MP Telephoto lenses earn their keep at concerts, school events and portraits: anywhere you can’t simply walk closer.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 Pro Max leads
A modest lead on battery & charging belongs to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. On its side, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has faster 25 W wireless charging. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up. So if battery & charging tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Wireless charging
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 15 W iPhone 16 Pro Max: 25 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
The software & updates entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max part ways.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2868 x 1320 |
| Pixel density | 498 ppi (winner) | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits (winner) | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | A18 Pro |
| CPU cores | 8 | 6 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| RAM | 12 GB | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP (winner) | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 50 MP | 48 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Optical zoom | 5× | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 4 (winner) | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 4K120 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 33 h |
| Wired charging | 45 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.41 in | 6.42 in |
| Width | 3.06 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 7.69 oz (winner) | 8.01 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,300 | $1,199 (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
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a small price advantage of $101 at launch. Paying $101 extra for the Galaxy S25 Ultra means getting a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera.
These are US launch prices, recorded January 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you like to crop into your photos (200 MP vs 48 MP main camera)
- you want the stronger telephoto camera (50 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits)
- you want more lenses to choose from (4 vs 3 rear cameras)
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if…
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you’d rather keep $101 in your pocket
- you already know your way around Apple’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra 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 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera and a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera.
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s?
On display specs, the Galaxy S25 Ultra leads thanks to 30% higher peak brightness and 8.3% sharper pixel density.
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
At launch, the iPhone 16 Pro Max undercut the Galaxy S25 Ultra by $101. These figures are as of January 2025, and street prices can change.
Which weighs less, the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the heavier of the two; the Galaxy S25 Ultra saves 0.32 oz.
Executive Summary
Cross-brand comparisons are where I find the real differences in philosophy, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra versus the iPhone 16 Pro Max shows that nicely. To me, the standout is that the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera. Stack 30% higher peak brightness on top of that, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s lead grows. I’ll admit the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a point with faster 25 W wireless charging.
In my head, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the display pick and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the battery & charging pick.
My pick: the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The iPhone 16 Pro Max only comes out ahead if you value faster 25 W wireless charging above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.