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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe Galaxy S25 Ultra is the stronger fit if you want S Pen input, Samsung DeX, Android flexibility or more long-range zoom options. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you prefer iOS, rely on Apple devices and services, or value its camera and video workflow. Neither is the right choice for everyone: your everyday apps, camera habits and the price available where you shop matter more than a universal winner.
How the key specifications compare
These are both large-screen phones with 6.9-inch-class displays, but Samsung specifies a higher resolution and more camera zoom options. Official specifications below come from Samsung’s India business listing and Apple’s Ireland technical-specifications page; regional configurations and availability may differ.
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| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch-class Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 3120 × 1440; up to 120 Hz. Samsung India listing | 6.9-inch OLED. The cited Apple specifications page does not state resolution or refresh rate. Apple technical specifications |
| Rear cameras | 200 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP + 10 MP; 3× and 5× optical zoom, 2× and 10× optical-quality zoom, and up to 100× digital zoom. Samsung India listing | 48 MP main, 48 MP ultrawide and 12 MP 5× telephoto. Apple technical specifications |
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh typical capacity, as listed by Samsung. Samsung India listing | Capacity is not stated on the cited Apple technical-specifications page. Apple technical specifications |
| Charging and connector | USB-C; charging details not stated in the cited Samsung listing. | USB-C; MagSafe wireless charging up to 25 W when used with a 30 W-or-higher adapter. Apple says wireless chargers are sold separately. Apple technical specifications |
| Operating system and productivity features | Android, S Pen support and Samsung DeX. Samsung India listing | iOS. Apple technical specifications |
Which phone has the better display and is easier to carry?
Both displays measure 6.9 inches, so neither has an advantage in listed screen size. Samsung specifies 3120 × 1440 resolution and a maximum 120 Hz refresh rate; the cited Apple specifications page identifies an OLED panel but does not give comparable resolution or refresh-rate figures.
In Tom’s Guide’s 2025 comparison, its display test measured peak brightness of 1,860 nits for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and 1,553 nits for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Those are results from that outlet’s test, not guarantees of brightness in every mode or environment. See Tom’s Guide’s comparison and test results.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
The Samsung India listing gives the S25 Ultra’s weight as 218 g and dimensions as 162.8 × 77.6 × 8.2 mm. A directly comparable weight and dimension set is not included in the cited Apple technical-specifications page, so these figures alone do not establish which phone feels smaller in hand. Either way, both are physically large phones; try the model you are considering if one-handed use or pocket fit is important.
Which camera is better for your kind of photography?
Choose Samsung for more listed zoom choices
The S25 Ultra has separate 3× and 5× optical zoom options, plus 2× and 10× optical-quality zoom and up to 100× digital zoom, according to Samsung. That gives you more stated reach and framing options for distant subjects such as performers, wildlife or details on a building. The 100× figure is digital zoom, not an additional optical lens; do not treat it as equivalent to optical magnification.
Rank #2
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Consider the iPhone for some low-light and video situations
In its camera comparison, MacRumors described the iPhone as stronger in some low-light scenes and video-stabilization scenarios, while Samsung offered more long-distance zoom capability. Tom’s Guide also compared the cameras. These are scene-dependent judgments rather than proof that one phone wins every photo or video; compare sample images and footage that resemble what you actually shoot. MacRumors camera comparison · Tom’s Guide comparison.
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What do battery and performance tests show?
Tom’s Guide reported the following results in its 2025 comparison. They show how the phones performed in that outlet’s chosen tests; results can differ with software, settings, workload and testing method, and should not be read as a prediction for every owner.
Rank #3
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
| Tom’s Guide test | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,031 | 3,386 |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 9,829 | 8,306 |
| 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited | 11,140; 42.4 fps | 7,396; 28.1 fps |
| Premiere Rush 4K-to-1080p export | 52 seconds | 21 seconds |
| Battery test | 17 hours 14 minutes | 17 hours 35 minutes |
There is no single performance winner across those workloads: the iPhone scored higher in the reported single-core test and completed the video export sooner, while Samsung scored higher in the reported multi-core and graphics tests. The battery test was close, with the iPhone ahead by 21 minutes under Tom’s Guide’s test conditions. Apple separately cautions that actual battery life varies with use and settings; neither test time promises a particular runtime for your routine. Tom’s Guide comparison and test results · Apple technical specifications.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you choose Android, S Pen and DeX, or iOS?
Pick Samsung if you will use its pen and desktop-style features
Samsung lists S Pen support and Samsung DeX, alongside Android. That combination is a meaningful reason to choose the S25 Ultra if you regularly take handwritten notes, mark up documents, or want to use the phone in a desktop-style setup. If you would not use those features, their presence alone is not a reason to pay more or switch platforms.
Pick Apple if your daily setup already depends on iOS
The iPhone 16 Pro Max runs iOS. If your apps, services or other devices are already part of Apple’s ecosystem, staying with iPhone may make more sense than changing platforms for a specification advantage you rarely notice. Make the choice around the apps and workflows you rely on rather than assuming one operating system is inherently better for everyone.
For software support, Samsung’s India business listing states a security update period valid until 31 January 2032. That is the date published on that India-market product page; it should not be interpreted as a global guarantee. Samsung India product listing.
Quick Recap
Which one should you buy?
- Start with the Galaxy S25 Ultra if S Pen support, DeX, Android flexibility or more long-range zoom options are priorities.
- Start with the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you prefer iOS, rely on Apple devices and services, or favor its camera and video workflow.
- Compare sample photos and video if camera quality is your deciding factor, especially for low light, stabilization or distant subjects.
- Check current local prices and storage options before deciding. Launch-era prices are not reliable October 2026 prices, and actual offers depend on retailer, region and availability.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
