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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which Flagship Wins?

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the crown with a 9.5/10 rating. Compare display, performance, cameras, and value against the iPhone 16 Pro Max in our detailed analysis.

EM

Ethan Mercer

Editor-in-Chief

The flagship smartphone battle intensifies as Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra faces off against Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both command premium prices and promise top-tier performance, but expert reviews reveal a clear winner.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra earned a 9.5/10 rating from professional reviewers, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max scored 8.9/10. That six-tenths gap tells an important story about execution, value, and real-world performance. The S25 Ultra starts at $1,050 (currently $1,030 at Walmart), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max launched at $1,199 but now sells for $800 at Best Buy, a significant discount that changes the value equation.

This comparison examines what separates these flagships across design, performance, cameras, battery life, and overall value to help you decide which deserves your money.

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  1. 1

    AppleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

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    SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

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iPhone 16 Pro Max

AppleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8.3
Combined Score / 10
Clara
7.5
Ethan
6.5
Critics
9.1
2

Galaxy S25 Ultra

SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
9.3
Combined Score / 10
Clara
7.8
Ethan
7.8
Critics
10.0
$1199.99Best Price

How We Review

Every product on this list was evaluated by aggregating expert reviews from trusted, independent sources. We don't accept pay-for-placement — our rankings are based entirely on review consensus, real-world testing data, and measurable performance.

Products are scored on a 10-point scale using a weighted formula that factors in expert ratings, price-to-value ratio, and recency. Newer products with strong reviews get a meaningful boost because we believe our readers deserve current recommendations.

Sources analyzed for this article: 2 products across multiple expert reviews.

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