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.
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.
★ Quick Navigation
- 1
AppleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
- 2
SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
iPhone 16 Pro Max
AppleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
Galaxy S25 Ultra
SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
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.
We may earn commission from links on this page. Learn more
More Reviews
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 vs Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which Flagship Wins?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the crown with its stunning display, versatile cameras, and complete feature set. See how it beats iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Which Flagship Wins?
Google Pixel 9 Pro takes on Apple iPhone 16 Pro in our detailed comparison. We analyze cameras, performance, battery life, and value to crown the winner.
Best Smartphones 2026: Top Picks Reviewed
AllReviews ranks the best smartphones using combined critic and editorial scores. Top picks include Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Apple iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.

