Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max continue to show the fierce competition between Samsung and Apple in the smartphone market.
Both devices represent the pinnacle of technology for these brands, with powerful hardware, advanced AI features, and significant cam
era improvements. However, choosing between the two products depends on the
specific needs of the user, from AI capabilities, camera improvements to software experience.
Is Galaxy S25 Ultra better than iPhone 16 Pro Max? - 1
Design and display
Samsung and Apple have different approaches to product design. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a premium, square look, while the iPho
ne 16 Pro Max keeps its sleek, rounded titanium frame. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, a super-durable ma
terial, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max uses Ceramic Shield, which is known for its durability. However, both are IP68-rated, ensuring water and dust resistance.
In terms of display, Samsung continues to assert its leadership with a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, a refresh rate of 1-120Hz and a maximum brightness of up to 2,60
0 nits. Meanwhile, Apple has improved the Super Retina XDR display on the iPhone 16 Pro Max with a maximum outdoor brightness of 2,000 nits but is still inferior to Samsung in terms of visibility in sunlight.
Is Galaxy S25 Ultra better than iPhone 16 Pro Max? - 2
Performance and AI features
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Both phones are powered by custom chips optimized for AI, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra being the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the iPhone 16 Pro Max being the A18 Pro. The A18 Pro chip has a
16-core Neural Engine, while Samsung has integrated Galaxy AI, which brings many advanced AI features. The Gemini AI assistant on th
e Galaxy S25 Ultra helps users navigate apps, translate in real time, and edit photos. In contrast, Apple is still in the process of rolling out its AI feature, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Notable among the Galaxy AI features is Now Brief, which allows for personalized updates and natural language tasks, makin
g it more user-friendly. While Apple's AI tools are impressive, they still can't compare to Samsung's capabilities.
The power of photography
Apple and Samsung have different philosophies when it comes to mobile photography. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a triple-camera system with a 48MP main sensor, a 120mm 5x telephoto camera, and an ultra-wide camera, which is notable for its color accuracy and ProRes video recording capabilities. However, Samsung has upgraded the hardware with a new 50MP ultra-wide camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with a 200MP main camera that delivers superior detail and AI-powered zoom.
Is Galaxy S25 Ultra better than iPhone 16 Pro Max? - 3
The Galaxy S25 Ultar's 50MP 5x periscope telephoto camera directly competes with the 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, but with AI enhancements like Galaxy Log and Audio Eraser from Samsung phones, it offers more versatility for content creators.
