Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro 2026
The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads with a larger 6.9-inch display, superior zoom capabilities (10x optical), and faster 120W charging, while the iPhone 16 Pro offers better raw single-camera performance, longer software support (7 years vs 4 years), and tighter iOS optimization for apps and gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Flagship Android phone with 200MP camera and 10x optical zoom
Content creators, zoom photographers, Samsung ecosystem users, fast-charging enthusiasts
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple's 2024 flagship with A18 Pro chip and Camera Control button
Apple ecosystem users, videographers, professionals needing long-term support, those prioritizing camera consistency
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe Galaxy S25 Ultra leads with a larger 6.9-inch display, superior zoom capabilities (10x optical), and faster 120W charging, while the iPhone 16 Pro offers better raw single-camera performance, longer software support (7 years vs 4 years), and tighter iOS optimization for apps and gaming.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you prioritize a larger screen, superior zoom photography, and fast charging—it's ideal for content creators and power users. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro if you value long-term software support, superior low-light photography, and a refined ecosystem where apps run optimally.
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Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if
Best pickContent creators, zoom photographers, Samsung ecosystem users, fast-charging enthusiasts
Choose iPhone 16 Pro if
Apple ecosystem users, videographers, professionals needing long-term support, those prioritizing camera consistency
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Display Size:✓ Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(6.9 inches vs 6.3 inches)
- Optical Zoom Range:✓ Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(10x optical zoom vs 3x optical zoom)
- Charging Speed:✓ Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(120W wired (0-50% in 10 min) vs 45W wired (0-50% in 30 min))
Key Facts & Figures
89 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Pixel Density(PPI) | 498 ppi | — | — |
| Display Diagonal Size(inches) | 6.8 inches | 6.3 inches | |
| RAM (base configuration)(GB) | 12 GB | — | — |
| Optical Zoom (Telephoto)(x magnification) | 10x optical | — | — |
| Processor Performance (AnTuTu Benchmark)(score) | Snapdragon 8 Elite: ~2,100,000 | — | — |
| Display Peak Brightness(nits) | 3,000 nits | 2,000 nits | |
| Maximum Storage Capacity(GB) | 1,024GB (1TB) | 512GB | |
| Optical Zoom Magnification(x) | 5x optical | 5x optical | |
| Wired Charging Speed(W) | 45W | 45W | |
| Major OS Update Support(years) | 4 years | 7 years | |
| Base Model Price (USD)(USD) | $1,299 | $999 | |
| Display Brightness (Peak)(nits) | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | |
| Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 10x optical | 3x optical | |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 200 MP | 12 MP | |
| Wired Charging Speed (Full Charge)(minutes) | ~30 minutes (120W) | ~45 minutes (45W) | |
| Software Support (OS Updates)(years) | 4 years guaranteed | 7 years guaranteed | |
| Processor Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 score) | Snapdragon 8 Elite - 2,650+ | 3,358 | |
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120 Hz | 1-120Hz ProMotion | |
| Telephoto Sensor Resolution(MP) | 200 MP | — | — |
| Optical Zoom Range(x magnification) | 10x optical (periscope) | 5x maximum | |
| Device Weight(grams) | 218g | — | — |
| RAM Standard(GB) | 12GB | — | — |
| Battery Life (Typical)(hours) | 24 hours | 27 hours | |
| Optical Zoom Capability(x magnification) | 5x optical zoom | 3x optical zoom | |
| Starting Price (USD)(dollars) | $1299 | $1099 | |
| Base Storage(GB) | 256GB | 256GB | |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 4 years | 7 years | |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 3,000 nits | 2000 nits | |
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 5000 mAh | 3,582 mAh | |
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,299 | $999 | |
| Weight(grams) | 218g | 199 g | |
| RAM(GB) | 12 GB | 8GB | |
| Peak Display Brightness(nits) | 3,000 nits | — | — |
| Main Camera Sensor Size(inch) | 1/1.3" | 1/1.27" (larger) | — |
| Telephoto Optical Zoom(x zoom) | 10x optical | — | — |
| Estimated Battery Life(hours) | ~27 hours typical | — | — |
| Body Weight(grams) | 218g | — | — |
| Starting Price (256GB)(USD) | $1,399 | — | — |
| Peak Display Brightness (HDR)(nits) | 3,000 nits | — | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 200MP f/1.6 | 48MP (12MP output) | |
| Maximum Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 10x optical | 5x optical | |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz AMOLED | 120 Hz ProMotion | |
| Telephoto Camera Resolution(MP) | 200 MP with 10x optical zoom | — | — |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.8 inches | 6.27 inches | |
| Processor AnTuTu Score(points) | 2,890,000 | — | — |
| Charging Speed (Wired)(watts) | 45W | — | — |
| 4K Video Recording(fps) | 4K at 60fps | — | — |
| Software Update Support(years) | 7 years (Android 15+) | — | — |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.3 | 6.3 | |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 27 hrs | 27 hrs | |
| Weight(grams) | 187g | 187g | |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | $999 | |
| Charging Speed(W) | 27W peak | 27W peak | |
| Main Camera(MP) | 48 MP f/1.78 | 48 MP f/1.78 | |
| Street Price (May 2026)(USD) | $759 (Certified Refurb) | $759 (Certified Refurb) | |
| Main Camera(megapixels) | 48MP with f/1.8 aperture | 48MP with f/1.8 aperture | |
| Video Recording | 4K at 120fps | 4K at 120fps | |
| Base Price(USD) | $999 | $999 | |
| Multi-core Performance Gain(%) | Baseline | Baseline | |
| Battery Life(hours) | 27 | 27 | |
| Starting Storage(GB) | 128 | 128 | |
| Telephoto Resolution(MP) | 12MP | 12MP | |
| 4K Video Capability(fps) | 4K 60fps | 4K 60fps | |
| CPU Performance (Single-core)(Geekbench 6 score) | 2,580 | 2,580 | |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | Baseline A18 Pro | Baseline A18 Pro | |
| Telephoto Zoom(x optical) | 12x dual telephoto system | 12x dual telephoto system | |
| CPU Performance Improvement(%) | 30% faster | 30% faster | |
| Ultra-Wide Camera Aperture(f-stop) | ƒ/1.2 | ƒ/1.2 | |
| Video Playback Battery Life(hours) | 33 hours | 33 hours | |
| Starting Storage Capacity(GB) | 256GB | 256GB | |
| Telephoto Zoom Capability(x optical zoom) | 3x (with improved processing) | 3x (with improved processing) | |
| Ultra-Wide Camera(megapixels) | 12MP (120°) | 12MP (120°) | |
| Battery Life (typical use)(hours) | ~33 hours | ~33 hours | |
| Processor GPU Cores(cores) | 6-core GPU | 6-core GPU | |
| RAM Memory(GB) | 8GB | 8GB | |
| Base Storage Capacity(GB) | 256GB | 256GB | |
| Wireless Charging Speed(W) | 25W | 25W | |
| Display Brightness Peak(nits) | 2,000 nits (HDR) | 2,000 nits (HDR) | |
| Software Support Duration(years) | 7 years | 7 years | |
| CPU Performance Increase(%) | Baseline (A18 Pro) | Baseline (A18 Pro) | |
| Battery Endurance Rating(hours) | 22 | 22 | |
| Thermal Throttling Reduction(%) | Standard baseline | Standard baseline | |
| Main Camera Optical Zoom(x) | 3x | 3x | |
| Battery Endurance (real-world)(hours) | ~26 hours | ~26 hours | |
| Storage Starting Capacity(GB) | 256GB | 256GB | |
| Software Update Guarantee(years) | 6-7 years (typical) | 6-7 years (typical) | |
| CPU Performance(% faster) | A18 Pro | A18 Pro | |
| Storage Base Model(GB) | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
| Starting Price (Retail)(USD) | $999 | $999 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 6.9 inches(winner)Display Size6.3 inches
- 10x optical zoom(winner)Optical Zoom Range3x optical zoom
- 120W wired (0-50% in 10 min)(winner)Charging Speed45W wired (0-50% in 30 min)
- 4 years OS updatesSoftware Support Duration7 years iOS updates(winner)
- 200MP 1/1.3-inchMain Camera Sensor48MP 1.3-micron quad-pixel(winner)
- $1,299 USDPrice (Base Model)$999 USD(winner)
- Single-core: 2,850Processor Performance (Geekbench 6)Single-core: 3,100(winner)
- Display Size
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
6.9 inches(winner)
iPhone 16 Pro
6.3 inches
- Optical Zoom Range
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
10x optical zoom(winner)
iPhone 16 Pro
3x optical zoom
- Charging Speed
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
120W wired (0-50% in 10 min)(winner)
iPhone 16 Pro
45W wired (0-50% in 30 min)
- Software Support Duration
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
4 years OS updates
iPhone 16 Pro
7 years iOS updates(winner)
- Main Camera Sensor
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
200MP 1/1.3-inch
iPhone 16 Pro
48MP 1.3-micron quad-pixel(winner)
- Price (Base Model)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
$1,299 USD
iPhone 16 Pro
$999 USD(winner)
- Processor Performance (Geekbench 6)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Single-core: 2,850
iPhone 16 Pro
Single-core: 3,100(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display Pixel Density(PPI) | 498 ppi | — |
| Peak Display Brightness (HDR)(nits) | 3,000 nits | — |
| Display Diagonal Size(inches) | 6.8 inches(winner) | 6.3 inches |
| Display Resolution(pixels) | 486 PPI(winner) | 2622×1206 (460 ppi) |
| Display Peak Brightness(nits) | 3,000 nits(winner) | 2,000 nits |
| Display Brightness (Peak)(nits) | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 3,000 nits(winner) | 2000 nits |
Show 6 more attributesPeak Display Brightness(nits) 3,000 nits — Display Refresh Rate(Hz) 120Hz AMOLED 120 Hz ProMotion Display Size(inches) 6.8 inches 6.27 inches Display Size(inches) 6.3 — Display Technology OLED Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On — Display Brightness Peak(nits) 2,000 nits (HDR) — | ||
| RAM (base configuration)(GB) | 12 GB | — |
| RAM Standard(GB) | 12GB | — |
| RAM(GB) | 12 GB(winner) | 8GB |
| Optical Zoom (Telephoto)(x magnification) | 10x optical | — |
| Optical Zoom Magnification(x) | 5x optical | 5x optical |
| Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 10x optical(winner) | 3x optical |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 200 MP(winner) | 12 MP |
| Telephoto Sensor Resolution(MP) | 200 MP | — |
Show 24 more attributesOptical Zoom Range(x magnification) 10x optical (periscope) 5x maximum Main Camera Aperture(f-stop) f/1.7 f/1.78 Optical Zoom Capability(x magnification) 5x optical zoom 3x optical zoom Telephoto Zoom Range(x optical) 5x optical + 10x periscope 5x + 12x (dual periscope) Main Camera Sensor Size(inch) 1/1.3" 1/1.27" (larger) Telephoto Optical Zoom(x zoom) 10x optical — Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) 200MP f/1.6 48MP (12MP output) Maximum Optical Zoom(x magnification) 10x optical 5x optical Video Recording Max Specification(resolution and fps) 8K at 30fps — Telephoto Camera Resolution(MP) 200 MP with 10x optical zoom — Main Camera(MP) 48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, sensor-shift — Telephoto Zoom 5× optical (12 MP, 120mm eq.) — Main Camera(megapixels) 48MP with f/1.8 aperture — Video Recording 4K at 120fps — Telephoto Resolution(MP) 12MP — 4K Video Capability(fps) 4K 60fps — Video Recording Maximum 4K at 120fps, ProRes — Telephoto Zoom(x optical) 12x dual telephoto system — Ultra-Wide Camera Aperture(f-stop) ƒ/1.2 — Telephoto Zoom Capability(x optical zoom) 3x (with improved processing) — Ultra-Wide Camera(megapixels) 12MP (120°) — Telephoto Camera(MP zoom) 12MP 5x optical — Main Camera Optical Zoom(x) 3x — Ultra-Wide Camera Autofocus Full autofocus — | ||
| Processor Performance (Single-Core)(Geekbench 6 score) | Snapdragon Elite for Galaxy | — |
| Processor Performance (AnTuTu Benchmark)(score) | Snapdragon 8 Elite: ~2,100,000 | — |
| Processor Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 score) | Snapdragon 8 Elite - 2,650+ | 3,358(winner) |
| Processor AnTuTu Score(points) | 2,890,000 | — |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro (3nm) | — |
Show 10 more attributesProcessor Apple A18 Pro — Multi-core Performance Gain(%) Baseline — Battery Life(hours) 27 — CPU Performance (Single-core)(Geekbench 6 score) 2,580 — Main Processor Apple A18 Pro — CPU Performance Improvement(%) 30% faster — Processor GPU Cores(cores) 6-core GPU — CPU Performance Increase(%) Baseline (A18 Pro) — Thermal Throttling Reduction(%) Standard baseline — CPU Performance(% faster) A18 Pro — | ||
| Integrated Stylus Support | S Pen (Wired) | — |
| S Pen Stylus Included | Yes | — |
| Maximum Storage Capacity(GB) | 1,024GB (1TB)(winner) | 512GB |
| Base Storage(GB) | 256GB | 256GB |
| Storage Options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | — |
| Starting Storage(GB) | 128 | — |
| Starting Storage Capacity(GB) | 256GB | — |
Show 3 more attributesBase Storage Capacity(GB) 256GB — Storage Starting Capacity(GB) 256GB — Storage Base Model(GB) 256 GB — | ||
| Wired Charging Speed(W) | 45W | 45W |
| Major OS Update Support(years) | 4 years | 7 years(winner) |
| Software Support (OS Updates)(years) | 4 years guaranteed | 7 years guaranteed(winner) |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 4 years | 7 years(winner) |
| Software Update Support(years) | 7 years (Android 15+) | — |
| Base Model Price (USD)(USD) | $1,299 | $999(winner) |
| Starting Price (USD)(dollars) | $1299 | $1099(winner) |
| Starting Price (256GB)(USD) | $1,399 | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — |
| Starting Price (Retail)(USD) | $999 | — |
| Wired Charging Speed (Full Charge)(minutes) | ~30 minutes (120W)(winner) | ~45 minutes (45W) |
| Battery Life (Typical)(hours) | 24 hours | 27 hours(winner) |
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 5000 mAh(winner) | 3,582 mAh |
| Estimated Battery Life(hours) | ~27 hours typical | — |
| Charging Speed (Wired)(watts) | 45W | — |
Show 6 more attributesBattery Life (Video Playback)(hours) 27 hrs — Charging Speed(W) 27W peak — Video Playback Battery Life(hours) 33 hours — Battery Life (typical use)(hours) ~33 hours — Battery Endurance Rating(hours) 22 — Battery Endurance (real-world)(hours) ~26 hours — | ||
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120 Hz | 1-120Hz ProMotion |
| Device Weight(grams) | 218g | — |
| Weight(grams) | 218g | 199 g(winner) |
| Body Weight(grams) | 218g | — |
| Weight(grams) | 187g | — |
| Dimensions(mm) | 149.6 × 71.5 × 8.25 mm | — |
Show 2 more attributesBuild Material Titanium frame, textured matte glass back, Ceramic Shield front — Build Material(Type) Grade 5 Titanium — | ||
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,299 | $999(winner) |
| Base Price(USD) | $999 | — |
| 4K Video Recording(fps) | 4K at 60fps | — |
| Maximum Video Recording(fps at resolution) | 4K @ 120fps | — |
| Charging & Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, UWB, MagSafe | — |
| Main Camera(MP) | 48 MP f/1.78 | — |
| Street Price (May 2026)(USD) | $759 (Certified Refurb) | — |
| Stylus | None | — |
| IP Rating(rating) | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | — |
| Water Resistance Rating(meters) | IP69 (6m for 30 mins) | — |
| Operating System | iOS 18 | — |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | — |
| Frame Material | Grade 5 titanium | — |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | Baseline A18 Pro | — |
| RAM Memory(GB) | 8GB | — |
| Wireless Charging Speed(W) | 25W | — |
| Software Support Duration(years) | 7 years | — |
| Software Update Guarantee(years) | 6-7 years (typical) | — |
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraiPhone 16 ProShow 6 more attributes
Show 24 more attributes
Show 10 more attributes
Show 3 more attributes
Show 6 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros
- 6.9-inch dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits peak brightness
- 10x optical zoom with 50MP telephoto + advanced Night Hyperlapse for astrophotography
- 120W wired charging reaches 50% battery in 10 minutes; 50W wireless charging
- IP69 rating with premium titanium frame rated for deeper water immersion
- Galaxy AI integration including live translation and document scanning
Cons
- Only 4 years of guaranteed OS updates vs 7 years for iPhone 16 Pro
- $1,299 base price is $300 more expensive than iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
Pros
- 7 years of iOS updates and security patches—longest in industry
- A18 Pro processor with superior single-core performance (3,100 Geekbench score)
- Advanced Computational Photography with ProRAW and 12MP ultra-wide camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture
- Titanium design with Ceramic Shield glass rated at 4x stronger than standard glass
- Seamless integration with Mac, iPad, Apple Watch for handoff and continuity features
Cons
- Limited to 3x optical zoom—significantly less than Galaxy S25 Ultra's 10x capability
- 45W wired charging is 62% slower than Samsung's 120W solution
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The iPhone 16 Pro excels in low-light photography and color accuracy due to its optimized 48MP quad-pixel sensor and years of computational photography refinement. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's 200MP sensor with 10x optical zoom is superior for telephoto and ultra-wide shots, making it better for landscape and zoom-heavy work. For most professionals, iPhone 16 Pro's consistency outweighs Galaxy's spec advantage.
Resources & Learn More
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