The time has come for a battle of titans. On one side, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, a classic of elegance and performance. On the other, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung’s secret weapon, ready to challenge Apple’s dominance. But which one is the true champion of this tech war? Let’s take a closer look at the details.
The design: two contrasting approaches.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to showcase its ultra-minimalist design in Grade 5 titanium. Its look is sleek and subtle, almost too perfect. It’s like the James Bond of smartphones—classy and timeless. However, it’s slightly heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 227g. This change in weight might give the impression that Apple has focused a bit too much on “ease of use”.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra embraces a futuristic design with its slim edges, rounded corners, and ultra-modern look, giving the impression that it could transform into a robot. It is, however, lighter than the iPhone, weighing 218g. It also has a secret weapon: its titanium, a material Samsung highlights to emphasize the durability of its device, without going into detail about the specific type of titanium used—unlike Apple, which remains vague on this point.
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Camera: The Battle for Pixels
The iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to impress with its 48-megapixel main sensor, delivering DSLR-like image quality with sharp details and excellent color management. It truly excels in low-light conditions, thanks to advanced image processing technologies that allow for sharp, well-balanced photos even in challenging lighting. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra makes a bold statement with its 200-megapixel sensor, a significant leap that enables it to capture images with exceptional clarity, even when zooming in on distant subjects.
When it comes to video, the Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the lead with its ability to record in 8K at 30 fps, a first for a smartphone. This allows content creators to produce stunning videos with incredible resolution and detail. The 5x zoom on the Galaxy S25 Ultra also allows for seamless subject magnification without significant quality loss, making it an excellent choice for photographers looking for greater flexibility. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a solid choice with its 4K video at 60 fps and cinematic mode features, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra pulls ahead with its 8K video and superior zoom performance.
| Features | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main Sensor | 48 MP, advanced technology | 200 MP, very high resolution |
| Zoom | 3x optical zoom | 5x optical zoom, high precision |
| Video Quality | 4K at 60 fps | 8K at 30 fps, ultra-high definition video |
| Image Stabilization | Yes, cinematic mode | Yes, advanced stabilization |
| Highlight | Low-light photography | 8K video, high-resolution zoom |
AI: Who's the smartest?
If artificial intelligence is an important factor for you, it’s important to note that the iPhone 16 Pro Max still falls short. It remains behind its competitors in this area. Siri, despite a few updates, struggles to keep up with other intelligent assistants. Apple seems to still be a bit behind when it comes to integrating advanced AI into its devices. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out with Google Gemini, a truly powerful assistant that makes the phone experience smoother and smarter.
Another area where Samsung scores points is with its object eraser tool. On the iPhone, this tool is still far from perfect and can sometimes leave much to be desired. In contrast, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, removing an object from a photo becomes a breeze. The process is executed with impressive precision and speed! If you’re looking for a phone with more advanced AI and better photo-editing tools, the Galaxy S25 Ultra might be the smarter choice.
The Display: Breathtaking Clarity
Both devices shine with their displays, but each has its unique features. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts an anti-glare screen, a real advantage outdoors where the iPhone struggles. The 2,600 nits brightness of the Galaxy easily surpasses the 2,000 nits of the iPhone. While this might seem like a small difference, it makes a significant impact on sunny days when every pixel matters.
That being said, the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes the lead in terms of color accuracy, featuring a 10-bit display that showcases over a billion colors, compared to just 17 million on the Galaxy. While the iPhone’s visual experience is richer, the Galaxy’s brightness remains a significant advantage for outdoor use.
Battery Life: How Long Can They Last?
Battery life is a crucial—perhaps even vital—factor for many users. In this aspect, the differences between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are striking. The iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers decent battery performance, but under heavy usage, it lasts only about 5 hours and 20 minutes. This is far from enough to get through an entire day without needing a recharge, especially for users who spend a significant amount of time on their phones.
In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra excels with 7 hours and 20 minutes of battery life during intense use. Even after a full day of heavy use, it still retains around 20% of battery. This remarkable endurance ensures it can comfortably last the whole day without issue. For users who rely on their phone all day, even under heavy usage, this model offers much greater reliability.
| Features | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life under heavy usage | 5h20 | 7h20 |
| Charging required during the day | Yes, frequently | No, lasts the whole day |
| Battery remaining after a full day | Often low, requires recharge | About 20% remaining |
If solid and hassle-free battery life is a priority, the Galaxy S25 Ultra proves to be the ideal choice. The iPhone 16 Pro Max may suit lighter use, but recharging during the day will almost certainly be inevitable.
Charging: Which one charges the fastest?
If charging speed is important to you, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might disappoint. With a full charging time of about 2 hours, it lags behind the competition. This can be a bit long, especially if you’re in a hurry and need to charge your phone quickly. It’s safe to say that sometimes, you’ll have to be patient. While the battery life is solid, the charging time could be a downside for those who need a fast charge between gaming sessions or after a long day.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, on the other hand, performs better with a charging time of around 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is considerably faster than the iPhone. However, it still doesn’t match the ultra-fast charging capabilities of other devices like the OnePlus 13, which can fully charge its battery in just 35 minutes. If charging speed is a critical factor for you, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a solid choice
Technical Specifications: Samsung S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch AMOLED, 3,120×1,440 pixels, 1-120Hz adaptive | 6.9-inch OLED Super Retina XDR, 2,868×1,320 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 501 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm | 163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm |
| Weight | 218 g | 227 g |
| Operating System | Android 15 | iOS 18 |
| Camera | 200 MP (wide) + 50 MP (ultra-wide) + 10 MP (3x telephoto) + 50 MP (5x telephoto) | 48 MP (fusion) + 48 MP (ultra-wide) + 5x telephoto |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Video Capture | 8K | 4K up to 120 fps, spatial video in 1080p at 30 fps |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | A18 Pro |
| RAM + Storage | 12 GB RAM + 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Expandable Storage | No | No |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, wired charging 45W (charger not included) | Up to 33 hours video playback, up to 29 hours streaming video, wired charging 20W, MagSafe up to 25W with 30W or higher adapter, Qi2 up to 15W |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Under-display | Face ID |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone Jack | None | None |
Who is the winner?
Both phones are true technological beasts. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra clearly takes the lead, especially with its design, impressive battery life, and advancements in AI. The iPhone 16 Pro Max remains an excellent device, but it still has a few areas to perfect in order to compete. The final choice depends on your priorities. Which model appeals to you the most?
FAQ
Which phone offers the best battery life: the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra outperforms the iPhone 16 Pro Max with 7 hours and 20 minutes of battery life under intensive use, easily lasting throughout the day. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers around 5 hours and 20 minutes of battery life in intensive use, which may require a recharge during the day.
Which phone, between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, offers the best performance?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, is slightly more powerful due to its advanced AI capabilities and additional photography tools. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, with its A18 Pro chip, remains highly powerful, but the Galaxy has a slight edge.
Which phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max, boasts the superior camera?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out with its 200 MP sensor, delivering incredibly sharp photos even when zoomed in. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, with its 48 MP sensor, is excellent as well, but the Galaxy offers better versatility, especially with its 5x and 10x zoom capabilities.
Which phone, between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, charges faster?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is faster, with a full charge in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes around 2 hours to fully charge, which is slower.
Which phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the iPhone 16 Pro Max, offers a better AI and voice assistant experience?
The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses Siri, which is still a bit behind Google Gemini, the assistant on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. If AI and voice assistant responsiveness are important factors, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the better choice.
Are both models, the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max, water-resistant?
Yes, both devices have an IP68 rating, meaning they are water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, providing extra protection against moisture
