When money is no object, only two smartphones truly matter: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. These represent the absolute pinnacle of mobile technology. devices where no expense has been spared and every feature has been perfected. But only one can be the best. After weeks of rigorous testing, the verdict is in.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S25 Ultra continues Samsung’s design evolution with refinements that matter. The squared-off edges of previous generations have been softened slightly, making for a more comfortable grip without sacrificing the distinctive look. The titanium frame provides excellent rigidity while keeping weight manageable at 218 grams. The S Pen remains tucked away elegantly, waiting for creative or productive moments.
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max represents the most refined iPhone design to date. The titanium frame with its brushed finish feels incredibly premium, and the device commands attention. At 227 grams, it’s slightly heavier than the Samsung but remains well-balanced. The new Camera Control button has grown on us. it’s now an essential part of the photography experience.
Both devices feature IP68 water and dust resistance, though Samsung adds IP69 for protection against high-pressure water jets. The S25 Ultra’s Armor Aluminum frame claims improved drop protection, though we wouldn’t recommend testing this claim.
Visual Identity
The Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium White. Each option projects sophistication, though the glossy finish on some variants attracts fingerprints. The iPhone’s color palette. Natural Titanium, Black Titanium, White Titanium, and Desert Titanium. feels more reserved and professional.
The S25 Ultra’s design is unmistakably Samsung, with the camera array standing out as the most distinctive element. The iPhone’s design has become iconic, quickly recognizable worldwide.
Display Technology
| Specification | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.9 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2868 x 1320 |
| Refresh Rate | 1-120Hz LTPO | 1-120Hz ProMotion |
| Peak Brightness | 2600 nits | 2000 nits |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Samsung’s display supremacy continues. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is the finest we’ve ever tested. Colors are vibrant without being oversaturated, blacks are infinite, and the 2600 nits peak brightness ensures perfect visibility in any condition. The 3120 x 1440 resolution provides sharper text and images than Apple’s offering.
The iPhone’s display remains excellent. Apple’s calibration is impeccable, and the Super Retina XDR panel delivers consistent, accurate colors. But when placed side by side, Samsung’s display simply looks better. The higher resolution and brighter panel create an quickly noticeable difference.
Both devices feature always-on displays with useful widgets and information. Samsung’s implementation offers more customization, while Apple’s feels more polished.
Camera Systems: The 200MP Question
This is where the battle gets most interesting. Samsung’s 200MP main sensor versus Apple’s 48MP sensor represents two philosophies in computational photography.
Hardware Specifications
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a quad-camera setup: 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro Max counters with 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom.
Samsung’s hardware advantage is clear on paper. But as we’ve learned, megapixels don’t tell the whole story.
Daylight Performance
In optimal lighting conditions, both phones produce absolutely impressive images. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 200MP sensor captures detail, though most users will shoot in the default 12MP mode. When you crop into images, the additional resolution becomes apparent.
Apple’s 48MP sensor produces images that appear slightly more natural, with better overall balance in challenging lighting. Samsung’s tendency toward oversaturation remains present, though less aggressive than previous generations.
Zoom Capabilities
This is Samsung’s decisive advantage. The dual-telephoto setup provides genuine optical zoom at both 3x and 5x, with AI-enhanced digital zoom extending to 100x. The iPhone’s single 5x optical zoom is excellent but can’t match the flexibility.
At 10x zoom, Samsung’s images remain remarkably detailed. Apple’s computational photography helps, but the lack of dedicated hardware shows. If zoom photography matters to you, Samsung wins without question.
Low Light Photography
In low light, Apple’s computational photography takes the lead. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s Night mode produces more balanced exposures with better color retention. Samsung’s Night mode has improved but sometimes oversharpens, creating artifacts that aren’t present in iPhone images.
The iPhone’s Smart HDR 5 continues to impress, handling high-contrast scenes with remarkable dynamic range. Samsung’s HDR is good but not quite as consistent.
Video Recording
For video, Apple maintains its traditional lead. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s ability to shoot 4K ProRes at 120fps remains unique in the industry. Video quality, color science, and stabilization are simply better on iPhone.
Samsung’s video capabilities have improved substantially. The 8K video recording at 30fps is impressive, and the overall quality is competitive. But for serious video work, iPhone remains the professional choice.
Performance and AI Features
| Benchmark | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single | 3,200 | 3,450 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 9,800 | 8,500 |
| AnTuTu | 2,200,000 | 1,800,000 |
The Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers impressive benchmark numbers, particularly in multi-core performance. The A18 Pro in the iPhone leads in single-core tasks. Real-world performance is effectively identical. both devices handle everything with effortless grace.
AI features represent the new battleground. Samsung’s Galaxy AI includes Circle to Search, generative AI editing, and real-time translation capabilities. Apple’s Intelligence focuses on practical improvements to photos, texts, and Siri.
Circle to Search is useful. a long press reveals contextual information about anything on your screen. Apple’s equivalent features work well but aren’t as quickly accessible.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy S25 Ultra houses a 5,000mAh battery that achieved 8 hours 30 minutes in our screen-on time tests. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 4,686mAh battery lasted 8 hours 30 minutes as well. both devices match exactly.
Charging favors Samsung. The 45W wired charging fills the battery faster than Apple’s 30W. Wireless charging is also faster at 15W versus Apple’s 15W MagSafe. Both support reverse wireless charging for accessories.
Software Experience
The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs One UI 7 based on Android 15, Samsung’s most refined software yet. The interface is clean, logical, and highly customizable. Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates. matching Apple’s commitment.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max runs iOS 19, which represents the most polished version of Apple’s platform. The ecosystem integration. AirPods, Apple Watch, Mac, iPad. creates seamless experiences that Samsung can’t match.
For users deeply invested in either ecosystem, the choice is obvious. For those free to choose, it comes down to preference: Android’s openness versus iOS’s curated experience.
DeX and Productivity
Samsung’s DeX mode remains unique, allowing the phone to function as a desktop computer when connected to a monitor. Combined with the S Pen, this creates genuine productivity capabilities that iOS cannot match.
The Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins this comparison. It delivers a superior display, more versatile camera system with genuine dual-telephoto zoom, faster charging, and the unique productivity combination of DeX and S Pen. For $1,199, it offers more feature depth than the iPhone 16 Pro Max at the same price.
However, the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains the better choice for video creators, users in the Apple ecosystem, and those who value software simplicity over feature depth. Its video capabilities are unmatched, and the ecosystem integration creates experiences that feel magical.
For everyone else. the majority of buyers looking for the ultimate flagship. the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers more phone for your money. It’s the new king of premium smartphones.