iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S25 Ultra 2026
The iPhone 16 Pro Max excels in video recording with ProRes and computational photography, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers superior zoom capabilities (10x optical) and faster charging (45W). Both are flagship phones, but the choice depends on ecosystem preference and use case priorities.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple's flagship 6.9-inch smartphone with ProRes video and A18 Pro chip
Content creators, videographers, Apple ecosystem users, and professionals needing ProRes compatibility
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung's flagship 6.9-inch phone with 10x optical zoom and 45W fast charging
Photography enthusiasts, zoom telephoto users, power users needing fast charging, and Android customization seekers
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe iPhone 16 Pro Max excels in video recording with ProRes and computational photography, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers superior zoom capabilities (10x optical) and faster charging (45W). Both are flagship phones, but the choice depends on ecosystem preference and use case priorities.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you prioritize video production quality, ProRes recording, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration. Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you need superior zoom capabilities, faster charging, and advanced customization with a more open Android experience. Both phones are exceptionally capable, but the iPhone excels in creative workflows while the Galaxy dominates in zoom versatility and charging speed.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose iPhone 16 Pro Max if
Content creators, videographers, Apple ecosystem users, and professionals needing ProRes compatibility
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if
Best pickPhotography enthusiasts, zoom telephoto users, power users needing fast charging, and Android customization seekers
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Optical Zoom Range:✓ Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(10x optical zoom vs 3x optical zoom)
- Charging Speed:✓ Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(45W wired charging vs 20W wired charging)
- Video Recording Format:✓ iPhone 16 Pro Max wins(ProRes/LOG at 4K 120fps vs 8K video at 30fps)
Key Facts & Figures
43 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size(inches) | 6.9 inches | 6.9 inches | |
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,199 | $1,299 | |
| Weight(grams) | 227 | 218g | |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.9 | — | — |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 33 hrs | — | — |
| Weight(grams) | 227g | — | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $1,199 | — | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits | |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 48MP f/1.78 | 200MP f/1.7 | |
| Maximum Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 3x optical | 10x optical | |
| Wired Charging Speed(watts) | 20W | 45W | |
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 4685 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Device Weight(grams) | 221g | 233g | |
| Display Pixel Density(ppi) | 498 ppi | 498 ppi | |
| Display Diagonal Size(inches) | 6.8 inches | 6.8 inches | |
| RAM (base configuration)(GB) | 12 GB | 12 GB | |
| Optical Zoom (Telephoto)(x magnification) | 10x optical | 10x optical | |
| Processor Performance (AnTuTu Benchmark)(score) | Snapdragon 8 Elite: ~2,100,000 | Snapdragon 8 Elite: ~2,100,000 | |
| Optical Zoom Magnification(x) | 5x optical | 5x optical | |
| Major OS Update Support(years) | 4 years | 4 years | |
| Base Model Price (USD)(USD) | $1,299 | $1,299 | |
| Display Brightness (Peak)(nits) | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | |
| Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 10x optical | 10x optical | |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 200 MP | 200 MP | |
| Wired Charging Speed (Full Charge)(minutes) | ~30 minutes (120W) | ~30 minutes (120W) | |
| Software Support (OS Updates)(years) | 4 years guaranteed | 4 years guaranteed | |
| Processor Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 points) | ~2,850 | ~2,850 | |
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Telephoto Sensor Resolution(MP) | 200 MP | 200 MP | |
| Optical Zoom Range(x magnification) | 10x optical | 10x optical | |
| RAM Standard(GB) | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Battery Life (typical)(hours) | 24 hours | 24 hours | |
| Optical Zoom Capability(x magnification) | 5x optical zoom | 5x optical zoom | |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $1,299 | $1,299 | |
| Base Storage(GB) | 256GB | 256GB | |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 4 years | 4 years | |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| RAM(GB) | 12 GB | 12 GB | |
| Peak Display Brightness(nits) | 3,000 nits | 3,000 nits | |
| Telephoto Optical Zoom(x zoom) | 10x optical | 10x optical | |
| Estimated Battery Life(hours) | ~27 hours typical | ~27 hours typical | |
| Body Weight(grams) | 218g | 218g | |
| Starting Price (256GB)(USD) | $1,399 | $1,399 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 3x optical zoomOptical Zoom Range10x optical zoom(winner)
- 20W wired chargingCharging Speed45W wired charging(winner)
- ProRes/LOG at 4K 120fps(winner)Video Recording Format8K video at 30fps
- 2000 nits (peak)Display Brightness (Peak)3000 nits (peak)(winner)
- 48MP with f/1.78 apertureMain Camera Sensor200MP with f/1.7 aperture
- A18 Pro (3nm process)Processing ChipSnapdragon 8 Elite (3nm process)
- 256GB, 512GB, 1TB(winner)Storage Options256GB, 512GB
- Optical Zoom Range
iPhone 16 Pro Max
3x optical zoom
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
10x optical zoom(winner)
- Charging Speed
iPhone 16 Pro Max
20W wired charging
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
45W wired charging(winner)
- Video Recording Format
iPhone 16 Pro Max
ProRes/LOG at 4K 120fps(winner)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
8K video at 30fps
- Display Brightness (Peak)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
2000 nits (peak)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
3000 nits (peak)(winner)
- Main Camera Sensor
iPhone 16 Pro Max
48MP with f/1.78 aperture
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
200MP with f/1.7 aperture
- Processing Chip
iPhone 16 Pro Max
A18 Pro (3nm process)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm process)
- Storage Options
iPhone 16 Pro Max
256GB, 512GB, 1TB(winner)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
256GB, 512GB
Full Comparison
| Attribute | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size(inches) | 6.9 inches | 6.9 inches |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.9 | — |
| Display Technology | OLED Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits(winner) |
| Display Pixel Density(ppi) | 498 ppi | — |
Show 6 more attributesDisplay Diagonal Size(inches) 6.8 inches — Display Resolution(pixels) 486 PPI — Display Brightness (Peak)(nits) 3,000 nits — Refresh Rate(Hz) 120 Hz — Display Refresh Rate(Hz) 120 Hz — Peak Display Brightness(nits) 3,000 nits — | ||
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,199(winner) | $1,299 |
| Weight(grams) | 227 | 218g(winner) |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 33 hrs | — |
| Wired Charging Speed(watts) | 20W | 45W(winner) |
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 4685 mAh | 5000 mAh(winner) |
| Wired Charging Speed (Full Charge)(minutes) | ~30 minutes (120W) | — |
| Estimated Battery Life(hours) | ~27 hours typical | — |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro (3nm) | — |
| 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 points) | ~2,850 | — |
| Battery Life (typical)(hours) | 24 hours | — |
Show 1 more attributeRAM(GB) 12 GB — | ||
| Main Camera(MP) | 48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, sensor-shift | — |
| Telephoto Zoom | 5× optical (12 MP, 120mm eq.) | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 48MP f/1.78(winner) | 200MP f/1.7 |
| Maximum Optical Zoom(x magnification) | 3x optical | 10x optical(winner) |
| Video Recording Max Specification(resolution and fps) | ProRes MAX at 4K 120fps | 8K at 30fps |
Show 11 more attributesOptical Zoom (Telephoto)(x magnification) 10x optical — Optical Zoom Magnification(x) 5x optical — Optical Zoom(x magnification) 10x optical — Main Camera Megapixels(MP) 200 MP — Telephoto Sensor Resolution(MP) 200 MP — Optical Zoom Range(x magnification) 10x optical — Main Camera Aperture(f-stop) f/1.7 — Optical Zoom Capability(x magnification) 5x optical zoom — Telephoto Zoom Range(x optical) 5x optical + 10x periscope — Main Camera Sensor Size(inch) 1/1.3" — Telephoto Optical Zoom(x zoom) 10x optical — | ||
| Weight(grams) | 227g | — |
| Dimensions(mm) | 163.0 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm | — |
| Build Material | Titanium frame, textured matte glass back, Ceramic Shield front | — |
| Device Weight(grams) | 221g(winner) | 233g |
| Body Weight(grams) | 218g | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $1,199 | — |
| Base Model Price (USD)(USD) | $1,299 | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $1,299 | — |
| Starting Price (256GB)(USD) | $1,399 | — |
| Storage Options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | — |
| Base Storage(GB) | 256GB | — |
| Charging & Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, UWB, MagSafe | — |
| RAM (base configuration)(GB) | 12 GB | — |
| RAM Standard(GB) | 12GB | — |
| Integrated Stylus Support | S Pen (Wired) | — |
| S Pen Stylus Included | Yes | — |
| Major OS Update Support(years) | 4 years | — |
| Software Support (OS Updates)(years) | 4 years guaranteed | — |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 4 years | — |
iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraShow 6 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Show 11 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pros
- ProRes and ProRes MAX video recording at 4K 120fps for professional workflows
- Superior computational photography with advanced night mode and portrait processing
- Excellent color accuracy with exclusive Super Retina XDR display technology
- Consistent performance optimization across Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch)
- Industry-leading audio recording with spatial audio capture
Cons
- 3x optical zoom is limiting compared to competitors' 10x zoom capabilities
- Slowest charging speed at 20W wired (rivals offer 45W+)
- No expandable storage; 1TB model costs $1,599
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros
- 10x optical zoom with excellent telephoto clarity via advanced periscope lens design
- 45W wired charging delivers 50% battery in ~30 minutes (fastest in class)
- 3000 nits peak brightness makes outdoor visibility excellent
- 200MP main sensor captures exceptional detail in daylight photography
- DeX connectivity allows direct desktop experience when docked to monitor
Cons
- 8K video limited to 30fps; lacks professional video formats like ProRes
- Heavier device at 233g vs iPhone's 221g causes fatigue with extended use
- S Pen integration adds cost premium with limited standalone utility beyond sketching
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The Galaxy S25 Ultra dominates with 10x optical zoom versus iPhone's 3x. For telephoto photography and distant subjects, Samsung's periscope lens design provides superior clarity and framing flexibility. However, iPhone's 3x zoom with computational enhancement handles most everyday zoom scenarios effectively.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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Wikipedia
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