iPhone 16 Pro vs Galaxy S25 Ultra 2026
The iPhone 16 Pro excels in computational photography and ecosystem integration with its A18 Pro chip, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers superior display technology with a 6.9-inch AMOLED screen and more versatile camera system with 200MP main sensor. Each dominates different use cases based on software preference and feature priorities.
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple's premium flagship smartphone with A18 Pro chip and advanced computational photography
Creative professionals, Mac users, and those prioritizing ecosystem integration and computational photography
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung's top-tier Android flagship with 200MP camera, 6.9-inch display, and advanced AI features
Android enthusiasts, content creators needing ultra-high resolution cameras, and users who prefer customization and larger screens
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe iPhone 16 Pro excels in computational photography and ecosystem integration with its A18 Pro chip, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers superior display technology with a 6.9-inch AMOLED screen and more versatile camera system with 200MP main sensor. Each dominates different use cases based on software preference and feature priorities.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the iPhone 16 Pro if you prioritize ecosystem integration with Mac/iPad, computational photography excellence, and value—it's $300 cheaper with superior low-light performance through advanced software processing. Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you need a larger screen, longer battery life, higher resolution main camera, and prefer Android's customization with more AI cloud features.
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Choose iPhone 16 Pro if
Creative professionals, Mac users, and those prioritizing ecosystem integration and computational photography
Choose Galaxy S25 Ultra if
Best pickAndroid enthusiasts, content creators needing ultra-high resolution cameras, and users who prefer customization and larger screens
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Main Camera Sensor:✓ Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(200MP with f/1.74 aperture, OIS vs 48MP with f/1.78 aperture, OIS)
- Display Technology:✓ Galaxy S25 Ultra wins(6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 3000 nits peak vs 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits peak)
- Processor:Apple A18 Pro with 8-core CPU, 6GB RAM vs Snapdragon 8 Elite with 8-core CPU, 12GB RAM
Key Facts & Figures
52 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 3,200 mAh | 5,000 mAh | |
| Weight(lbs) | 199 g | 218 g | |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.3 | — | — |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 27 hrs | — | — |
| Weight(grams) | 187g | — | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — | — |
| Charging Speed(Watts) | 27W peak | 45W | |
| Main Camera(MP) | 48 MP f/1.78 | 200 MP f/1.7 | |
| Street Price (May 2026)(USD) | $759 (Certified Refurb) | $999 (sale) | |
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz ProMotion | — | — |
| Main Camera(MP) | 48MP with f/1.8 aperture | — | — |
| Optical Zoom(times) | 3x optical | — | — |
| Video Recording(fps at 4K) | 4K at 120fps | — | — |
| Base Price(USD) | $999 | — | — |
| Display Diagonal Size(inches) | 6.3 inches | — | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 48MP | 200MP | |
| Optical Zoom Magnification(x) | 5x optical | — | — |
| Wired Charging Speed(W) | 25W | — | — |
| Major OS Update Support(years) | 7 years | — | — |
| Base Model Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — | — |
| Display Brightness (Peak)(nits) | 3,000 nits | — | — |
| Main Camera Megapixels(MP) | 48MP (quad-pixel 12MP effective) | — | — |
| Wired Charging Speed (Full Charge)(minutes) | ~45 minutes (45W) | — | — |
| Software Support (OS Updates)(years) | 7 years guaranteed | — | — |
| Processor Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 Score) | ~3,100 | — | — |
| Multi-Core Performance Gain(%) | Baseline | — | — |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz | — | — |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.3-inch | 6.9-inch | |
| Battery Life(hours) | 27 | — | — |
| RAM(GB) | 12GB | 12 GB | |
| Starting Storage(GB) | 128 | — | — |
| Starting Price(USD) | $999 | $1,299 | |
| Telephoto Resolution(MP) | 12MP | — | — |
| 4K Video Capability(fps) | 4K 60fps | — | — |
| CPU Performance (Single-core)(Geekbench 6 points) | 2,580 | — | — |
| GPU Performance(TFLOPS) | Baseline A18 Pro | — | — |
| Telephoto Zoom(Maximum optical) | 12x dual telephoto system | — | — |
| CPU Performance Improvement(%) | 30% faster | — | — |
| Ultra-Wide Camera Aperture(f-stop) | ƒ/1.2 | — | — |
| Video Playback Battery Life(hours) | Up to 27 hours | — | — |
| Starting Storage Capacity(GB) | 256GB | — | — |
| Telephoto Zoom Capability(x optical zoom) | 3x (with improved processing) | — | — |
| Battery Life (Typical)(hours) | 27 hours | — | — |
| Optical Zoom Capability(x magnification) | 3x optical zoom | — | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — | — |
| Base Storage(GB) | 128GB | — | — |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 7 years | — | — |
| Peak Brightness(nits) | 2000 nits | 3000 nits | |
| Ultra-Wide Camera(megapixels) | 12MP (120°) | 50MP (120°) | |
| RAM Memory(GB) | 6GB | 12GB | |
| Battery Life (Typical Use)(hours) | ~33 hours | ~36+ hours | |
| Software Update Guarantee(years) | 7 years | 7 years |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 48MP with f/1.78 aperture, OISMain Camera Sensor200MP with f/1.74 aperture, OIS(winner)
- 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits peakDisplay Technology6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 3000 nits peak(winner)
- Apple A18 Pro with 8-core CPU, 6GB RAMProcessorSnapdragon 8 Elite with 8-core CPU, 12GB RAM
- Up to 33 hours (typical), 27-hour video playbackBattery LifeUp to 36+ hours typical use, 30+ hour video playback(winner)
- $999 USD(winner)Starting Price$1,299 USD
- 4K at 120fps, ProRes, Dolby VisionVideo Recording8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps, AI upscaling(winner)
- Apple Intelligence (on-device processing)AI CapabilitiesGalaxy AI with cloud-based Gemini integration
- Main Camera Sensor
iPhone 16 Pro
48MP with f/1.78 aperture, OIS
Galaxy S25 Ultra
200MP with f/1.74 aperture, OIS(winner)
- Display Technology
iPhone 16 Pro
6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits peak
Galaxy S25 Ultra
6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 3000 nits peak(winner)
- Processor
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple A18 Pro with 8-core CPU, 6GB RAM
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Snapdragon 8 Elite with 8-core CPU, 12GB RAM
- Battery Life
iPhone 16 Pro
Up to 33 hours (typical), 27-hour video playback
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Up to 36+ hours typical use, 30+ hour video playback(winner)
- Starting Price
iPhone 16 Pro
$999 USD(winner)
Galaxy S25 Ultra
$1,299 USD
- Video Recording
iPhone 16 Pro
4K at 120fps, ProRes, Dolby Vision
Galaxy S25 Ultra
8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps, AI upscaling(winner)
- AI Capabilities
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple Intelligence (on-device processing)
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy AI with cloud-based Gemini integration
Full Comparison
| Attribute | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity(mAh) | 3,200 mAh | 5,000 mAh(winner) |
| Battery Life (Video Playback)(hours) | 27 hrs | — |
| Charging Speed(Watts) | 27W peak | 45W(winner) |
| Wired Charging Speed(W) | 25W | — |
| Wired Charging Speed (Full Charge)(minutes) | ~45 minutes (45W) | — |
Show 3 more attributesVideo Playback Battery Life(hours) Up to 27 hours — Battery Life (Typical)(hours) 27 hours — Battery Life (Typical Use)(hours) ~33 hours ~36+ hours | ||
| Weight(lbs) | 199 g(winner) | 218 g |
| Display Size(inches) | 6.3 | — |
| Display Technology | OLED Super Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz, Always-On | — |
| Display Resolution(pixels) | 2622×1206 (460 ppi) | 3120×1440 (505 ppi)(winner) |
| Refresh Rate(Hz) | 120Hz ProMotion | — |
| Display Diagonal Size(inches) | 6.3 inches | — |
Show 4 more attributesDisplay Brightness (Peak)(nits) 3,000 nits — Display Refresh Rate(Hz) 120Hz — Display Size(inches) 6.3-inch 6.9-inch Peak Brightness(nits) 2000 nits 3000 nits | ||
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro (3nm) | — |
| Processor Single-Core Performance(Geekbench 6 Score) | ~3,100 | — |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro (8-core, 5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (8-core, 3nm) |
| Multi-Core Performance Gain(%) | Baseline | — |
| Battery Life(hours) | 27 | — |
Show 5 more attributesCPU Performance (Single-core)(Geekbench 6 points) 2,580 — GPU Performance(TFLOPS) Baseline A18 Pro — Main Processor Apple A18 Pro — CPU Performance Improvement(%) 30% faster — RAM Memory(GB) 6GB 12GB | ||
| Main Camera(MP) | 48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, sensor-shift | — |
| Telephoto Zoom | 5× optical (12 MP, 120mm eq.) | — |
| Main Camera(MP) | 48MP with f/1.8 aperture | — |
| Optical Zoom(times) | 3x optical | — |
| Video Recording(fps at 4K) | 4K at 120fps | — |
Show 13 more attributesMain Camera Resolution(megapixels) 48MP 200MP Optical Zoom Magnification(x) 5x optical — Main Camera Megapixels(MP) 48MP (quad-pixel 12MP effective) — Main Camera Aperture(f-stop) f/1.78 — Telephoto Resolution(MP) 12MP — 4K Video Capability(fps) 4K 60fps — Video Recording Maximum 4K at 120fps, ProRes 8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps Telephoto Zoom(Maximum optical) 12x dual telephoto system — Ultra-Wide Camera Aperture(f-stop) ƒ/1.2 — Telephoto Zoom Capability(x optical zoom) 3x (with improved processing) — Optical Zoom Capability(x magnification) 3x optical zoom — Ultra-Wide Camera(megapixels) 12MP (120°) 50MP (120°) Telephoto Zoom Range(optical x) 5x + 12x (dual periscope) 5x + 10x (dual periscope) | ||
| Weight(grams) | 187g | — |
| Dimensions(mm) | 149.6 × 71.5 × 8.25 mm | — |
| Build Material | Titanium frame, textured matte glass back, Ceramic Shield front | — |
| Frame Material | Grade 5 titanium | — |
| Build Material(Type) | Grade 5 Titanium | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — |
| Storage Options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | — |
| Starting Storage(GB) | 128 | — |
| Starting Storage Capacity(GB) | 256GB | — |
| Base Storage(GB) | 128GB | — |
| Charging & Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, UWB, MagSafe | — |
| Main Camera(MP) | 48 MP f/1.78 | 200 MP f/1.7(winner) |
| Street Price (May 2026)(USD) | $759 (Certified Refurb)(winner) | $999 (sale) |
| Stylus | None | S Pen (built-in) |
| IP Rating(rating) | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | IP68 (1.5 m, 30 min) |
| Water Resistance Rating | IP69 (6m for 30 mins) | IP68 (1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Operating System | iOS 18 | One UI 7 / Android 15 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| Base Price(USD) | $999 | — |
| Major OS Update Support(years) | 7 years | — |
| Software Support (OS Updates)(years) | 7 years guaranteed | — |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 7 years | — |
| Base Model Price (USD)(USD) | $999 | — |
| RAM(GB) | 12GB | 12 GB |
| Starting Price(USD) | $999(winner) | $1,299 |
| Software Update Guarantee(years) | 7 years | 7 years |
iPhone 16 ProGalaxy S25 UltraShow 3 more attributes
Show 4 more attributes
Show 5 more attributes
Show 13 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
iPhone 16 Pro
Pros
- A18 Pro chip offers 20% faster CPU performance than iPhone 15 Pro with superior thermal management
- Computational photography excels in low-light conditions (Night Mode with 40% brighter images vs competitors)
- Seamless ecosystem integration with macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS for handoff and continuity features
- ProMotion 120Hz display with industry-leading color accuracy (DCI-P3)
- Titanium construction with improved durability rating (IP69 water resistance)
Cons
- 48MP main camera at lower resolution than competitors limits zoom versatility without interpolation
- Starting price of $999 is $300 less than Galaxy S25 Ultra but still premium for base model
- Limited file management and customization compared to Android alternatives
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros
- 200MP main camera captures 4x more detail than iPhone 16 Pro's 48MP, enabling superior 8K video at 30fps
- 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (larger than iPhone) with 3000 nits peak brightness—50% brighter than iPhone
- Battery life reaches 36+ hours under typical use (3 hours longer than iPhone 16 Pro)
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM (6GB on iPhone) enables smoother multitasking and app switching
- Galaxy AI with real-time translation, generative editing, and cloud-based Gemini integration
Cons
- $1,299 starting price is $300 more expensive than iPhone 16 Pro for entry-level model
- Software updates guaranteed for 7 years but historically less consistent optimization than iOS
- 100x zoom functionality uses heavy interpolation causing notable quality degradation compared to optical zoom
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The iPhone 16 Pro's computational photography engine excels in real-world scenarios—its Night Mode produces 40% brighter low-light images through software processing, and its color accuracy is superior due to Apple's proprietary image signal processor. The Galaxy S25 Ultra wins on technical specs (200MP vs 48MP) and 8K video, but iPhone's processed images often look more natural without heavy post-processing. Choose iPhone for everyday versatility; choose Galaxy if you want maximum resolution for cropping and detail.
Resources & Learn More
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