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

Design & Build

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the design crown with meaningful improvements over its predecessor. According to multiple reviewers, Samsung shaved weight off the phone while maintaining the premium titanium build and IP68 water resistance. The 6.8-inch form factor feels more manageable than previous Ultra models, and the anti-reflective coating on the display reduces glare significantly.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max counters with Apple's signature build quality and a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display. The titanium frame feels premium, and the phone passes durability tests with flying colors. But there's a problem: it's heavy and uncomfortable for one-handed use. As Micaela Floyd notes in her review, the phone is "large and heavy, uncomfortable to hold one-handed for long."

Both phones are built to last, but the S25 Ultra's lighter weight and more comfortable ergonomics give it the edge here. The integrated S Pen adds functionality that the iPhone simply can't match, even if Samsung regressed some S Pen features from previous generations.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Performance

This is where things get interesting. The iPhone 16 Pro Max's A18 Bionic chip delivers Geekbench scores of 3,312 single-core and 8,086 multi-core. That's strong performance with excellent thermal management under sustained load. Apple's chip doesn't throttle, which matters for video editing and gaming.

But the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor simply outperforms it. According to Alex Floyd's analysis, the S25 Ultra hits Geekbench multi-core scores around 9,700 and delivers PCMark Work 3.0 results that beat the Pixel 9 Pro XL and OnePlus 13. That's a measurable performance lead in real-world productivity tasks.

The problem with the iPhone 16 Pro Max isn't the hardware, it's the software timing. Apple Intelligence, the feature that's supposed to justify the premium price, is missing at launch and remains in beta. As Alex Floyd bluntly states: "Apple's asking $1,199 for a phone where the defining feature, Apple Intelligence, isn't available at launch and remains in beta. That's not a product positioning issue, that's a release timing failure."

The S25 Ultra's AI features are hit-or-miss according to reviewers, but at least they're present. Samsung ships a complete product, even if some features underdeliver.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Camera Systems

The camera battle is fierce. Apple's triple 48MP system (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto) excels at video with 4K 120fps recording and Audio Mix tools that creators genuinely appreciate. The camera hardware is proven and reliable, capturing "family moments with stunning detail" according to Micaela Floyd. Low-light performance is solid, and the computational photography is predictably excellent.

But the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's quad-camera system brings more firepower: a 200MP main sensor backed by 12MP ultrawide and dual 10MP telephoto lenses. The upgraded 50MP ultrawide shows real improvement in low-light photography, and the zoom capabilities exceed what Apple offers. Multiple reviewers praised the camera's versatility across different shooting scenarios.

The catch? Samsung's aggressive color processing leads to oversaturation. Photos look punchy but not always accurate. The iPhone delivers more natural color science that's better for professional work.

Here's the reality: if you shoot a lot of video, especially 4K at high frame rates, the iPhone wins. For photography versatility and zoom range, the Samsung takes it. Since most users shoot more photos than video, and the S25 Ultra's low-light improvements address a real pain point, Samsung edges ahead.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (by a narrow margin)

Display Quality

Both displays are exceptional, but Samsung's expertise in screen technology shows. The Galaxy S25 Ultra's 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel hits 2,600 nits peak brightness with an anti-reflective coating that sets the standard according to Alex Floyd's review. Outdoor visibility is a non-issue, and the adaptive refresh rate keeps everything smooth.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max's 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display reaches 2,000 nits and looks gorgeous. Micaela Floyd confirms it "stays visible in bright sunlight at the park," and the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate delivers that signature iOS smoothness. Color accuracy is excellent, and True Tone adapts beautifully to ambient lighting.

The 600-nit brightness advantage and superior anti-reflective coating give Samsung the technical win. If you're frequently outdoors or in bright environments, you'll notice the difference.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Battery Life

The iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers excellent battery life with 22+ hours in video streaming tests, nearly 2 hours better than its predecessor. Tom's Guide recorded 17 hours and 17 minutes of continuous use, which is legitimately impressive. You'll easily get through a full day without charging anxiety.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery that reviewers describe as "good but not exceptional for the price." It'll get you through a day, but it doesn't dramatically outlast the competition. The bigger disappointment is charging speed: Samsung still caps at 45W, unchanged from the S24 Ultra. The iPhone isn't much better at 65 minutes to full charge, but at least Apple improved year-over-year.

Both phones deliver all-day battery life, but the iPhone's measurably longer runtime gives it the edge. If battery life is your priority, the iPhone 16 Pro Max won't disappoint.

Winner: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Value for Money

This is where Samsung pulls decisively ahead. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,050 with 256GB storage. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for just 128GB, with 256GB costing even more. That's a $150+ price gap for comparable storage, and as Alex Floyd notes, "128GB base storage at $999 is insulting; 256GB starts at $1,199."

What do you get for that extra money with the iPhone? A camera system that's unchanged from last year, marginal performance gains over the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and software features that aren't available at launch. The value proposition doesn't add up.

The S25 Ultra delivers more storage, a more versatile camera system with that 200MP sensor, faster performance, a brighter display, and the S Pen for $150 less. Yes, Samsung's AI features are inconsistent, but you're not paying a premium for vaporware. You're getting a complete product on day one.

Current pricing makes this even more lopsided. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available for around $800 at Amazon and Best Buy, suggesting heavy discounting because newer models are coming. The S25 Ultra, released in January 2025, holds its $1,050 price because it's the current flagship. If you're buying today, factor in that the iPhone is already being discounted months after launch.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you're deeply embedded in Apple's ecosystem and can't live without iMessage, FaceTime, and seamless integration with your Mac and iPad. The camera system is excellent for video creators who need 4K 120fps recording and Audio Mix tools. Battery life is genuinely impressive, and if you can find it discounted to $800, the value proposition improves dramatically. It's also the right choice if you prioritize natural color science in photos over Samsung's punchier processing.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want the best Android flagship available right now. The display is technically superior with that 2,600-nit brightness and anti-reflective coating. Performance leads the pack with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and the camera system's versatility with that 200MP sensor and improved ultrawide gives you more creative options. You're getting more phone for less money, and the S Pen adds functionality that iOS simply can't match. The lighter weight and better ergonomics make it more comfortable for daily use.

Don't buy either if you're on a tight budget. Both phones cost over $1,000, and there are excellent mid-range options that deliver 80% of the experience for half the price.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins this comparison. It's not a blowout, but Samsung executes better across the categories that matter most: display quality, performance, camera versatility, and value for money.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a genuinely good phone with excellent battery life and a refined camera system. But Apple's decision to launch without Apple Intelligence, the feature that's supposed to justify the premium pricing, undermines the entire value proposition. You're paying $1,199 for incomplete software and marginal improvements over last year's model. That's not acceptable at this price point.

The S25 Ultra delivers a complete product on day one. The Snapdragon 8 Elite outperforms the A18 Bionic in multi-core workloads. The display is measurably brighter with better outdoor visibility. The camera system offers more versatility with that 200MP sensor and improved low-light performance. And you're paying $150 less for more storage and more features.

Yes, Samsung's AI features are inconsistent, and the S Pen lost some functionality from previous generations. But those are minor complaints compared to Apple shipping a flagship without its headline feature. CNET rated both phones 9.2/10, Consumer Reports gave the S25 Ultra a 9.0/10, and PCMag awarded it 9.0/10. The expert consensus is clear: Samsung built the better flagship this cycle.

If you're spending over $1,000 on a phone in 2025, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the smarter buy. It delivers more performance, a better display, and greater value. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a solid phone, but it's not the winner this time around.