The Galaxy S25 Ultra costs $1,299.99 before trade-in on Samsung’s U.S. product page; Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro at a U.S. starting price of $1,199 for 256GB. That puts Samsung $100 higher on the stated starting prices—not necessarily at checkout, where retailer offers, trade-ins, storage, and availability can change the total. The clearest choice is about size and tools: Samsung has the larger screen and a built-in S Pen, while Apple offers a smaller phone, a 2TB storage option, and a main camera with variable aperture.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro: specs at a glance
These are official manufacturer specifications and claims, not results from a controlled head-to-head test. Prices and availability can change, and the stated prices are U.S. figures.
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| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Apple iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. starting price | $1,299.99 before trade-in on Samsung’s U.S. product page | $1,199 U.S. announced starting price for 256GB |
| Display | 6.9-inch diagonal measured as a full rectangle; Samsung says viewable area is 6.8 inches accounting for rounded corners and camera opening | 6.3-inch OLED; Apple lists 6.27 inches when measured as a standard rectangle |
| Dimensions and weight | 8.2 mm thick; 218 g | 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm; 211 g |
| Main camera | 200MP wide-angle | 48MP Fusion Main with variable aperture |
| Other rear cameras | 50MP ultra-wide; 50MP 5x optical telephoto with 10x optical-quality zoom; 10MP 3x optical telephoto | Apple’s launch materials emphasize the variable-aperture main camera and pro controls; see Apple’s technical specifications for the full lens details |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | A20 Pro |
| Battery information | 5,000mAh; Samsung claims up to 31 hours of video playback | Apple claims up to 36 hours of video playback for the eSIM-only configuration |
| Storage tiers listed | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Distinctive hardware | Built-in S Pen; titanium frame; IP68 rating | Aluminum unibody; Ceramic Shield front and back; IP68 rating |
| Software and AI | One UI 7 and Galaxy AI features | iOS 27, Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI; features and language availability vary |
Sources: Samsung’s U.S. Galaxy S25 Ultra product page, Apple’s September 9, 2026 announcement, and Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro technical specifications.
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What is the price difference between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro?
Using the stated U.S. starting prices, the S25 Ultra is $100 more expensive: Samsung lists it at $1,299.99 before trade-in, while Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,199 for 256GB. This is a comparison of official starting prices, not a live retailer-price check. Promotions, trade-in values, storage configuration, stock, and regional pricing may change what you actually pay.
#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).
Is the S25 Ultra bigger than iPhone 18 Pro?
Yes. Samsung lists the S25 Ultra’s display at 6.9 inches diagonally across the full rectangle, with a 6.8-inch viewable-area figure that accounts for rounded corners and the camera opening. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro as a 6.3-inch OLED, or 6.27 inches measured as a standard rectangle. The diagonal figures use different conventions, but the S25 Ultra is plainly the larger-screen phone.
The S25 Ultra is also heavier at 218 g versus 211 g. Apple’s listed dimensions are 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm; Samsung’s product comparison material lists the S25 Ultra at 8.2 mm thick. So the iPhone is shorter and narrower, while the Samsung is slightly thinner by the manufacturers’ listed measurements.
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).
How do the cameras differ?
The S25 Ultra’s rear system includes a 200MP wide-angle main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide, and separate 10MP 3x optical and 50MP 5x optical telephoto cameras. Samsung also describes 10x zoom as optical quality. Apple highlights a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and pro controls on the iPhone 18 Pro.
These specifications describe different approaches: Samsung lists multiple dedicated rear-camera focal lengths, while Apple emphasizes adjustable aperture on the main camera. Megapixel counts alone do not establish which phone takes better photos or video. A reliable camera winner would require comparable image samples and testing across focal lengths, lighting, stabilization, and video use; manufacturer specifications do not settle that question.
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).
Which phone has better battery life?
Neither published playback figure proves a real-world battery-life winner. Samsung says the S25 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery can provide up to 31 hours of video playback. Apple claims up to 36 hours for the eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro and says its testing used preproduction devices; Apple also notes that battery life varies with use and other factors. The figures come from different manufacturers and test conditions, so they are not a controlled comparison.
Which phone is faster?
The S25 Ultra uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy; the iPhone 18 Pro uses Apple’s A20 Pro. Apple claims up to a 40 percent sustained-performance gain for its A20 Pro and vapor-chamber system compared with iPhone 17 Pro. That is Apple’s own generational comparison, not a benchmark against the S25 Ultra. The available specifications do not establish which phone is faster in cross-platform use or sustained workloads.
How much storage can each phone hold?
Samsung lists S25 Ultra configurations of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro at 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The iPhone therefore has the higher listed maximum, which may matter if you keep large video libraries or other files on the device.
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Which one should you choose?
- Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if a large display, a built-in S Pen, and separate 3x and 5x optical telephoto cameras are high priorities.
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro if you prefer a smaller, narrower phone, want the 2TB storage tier, or value the variable-aperture main camera and Apple’s iOS ecosystem.
- Compare your actual checkout price before buying. The stated $100 gap is based on official U.S. starting prices, and Samsung’s figure is before trade-in.
- Check software needs in your region. Galaxy AI, Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI features can depend on software, language, and regional availability.
Neither set of specifications supports a universal winner for camera quality, speed, or battery endurance. Choose based on the hardware and software differences that matter to your routine.
Quick Recap
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.
