Apple
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Phones
$1,199List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Phones
$1,299List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
- Leads 11 of 11 rankable overall specs.
- Weight: 219 g vs 227 g
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
RAM: 12 GB vs 8GB
iPhone 16 Pro Max is $100 cheaper. Pay the difference only if weight matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Premium $1,299 starting price
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
Your other devices
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| WeightBody | 227 g (8.0 oz) | 219 g (7.72 oz) |
| ChipsetPlatform | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) |
| RAMMemory | 8GB | 12 GB (16 GB option) |
| Max optical zoomRear camera | 5x optical (25x digital) | 5x optical zoom (10x optical quality, 100x Space Zoom) |
| CapacityBattery & charging | 4,685 mAh (typical) | 5,000 mAh |
Showing 5 of 48 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Reasons to choose it
- Massive 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with ultra-thin borders
- Longest battery life ever on an iPhone with up to 33 hours video
- 4K 120 fps ProRes video capture and dedicated Camera Control button
Worth considering
- Large and heavy in one-handed use
- Wired fast charging capped around 25W
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Reasons to choose it
- Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm custom Galaxy performance
- Upgraded 50MP ultra-wide and dual 50MP telephoto sensors with 200MP main
- Corning Gorilla Armor 2 anti-reflective display and built-in S Pen stylus
Worth considering
- Premium $1,299 starting price
- Wired charging remains at 45W
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
What three years could cost
iPhone 16 Pro Max
3-Year Estimated Total$1,228
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
3-Year Estimated Total$1,299
Pocket, Palm & Desk Usability Check
One-handed reachability, pocket weight, and table wobble when typing without a case.
One-Handed Palm Reach
Apple
6.9" display with 77.6mm width (strictly 2-handed for most hands)
Samsung
Standard smartphone width
Desk Typing Table Wobble
Apple
Prominent corner camera plateau rocks when typing on desk
Samsung
Corner camera bump causes minor wobble
Pocket Weight & Heft
Apple
227g (heavy pocket presence)
Samsung
Standard phone weight
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Apple: What to watch for
- Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Samsung: What to watch for
- Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which is cheaper, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $100 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
iPhone 16 Pro Max has this deal-breaker: no stylus. No pen input for handwritten notes or markup.
Which is better for photos, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
For photos, buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Leads 3 of 3 rankable photos specs. Main: 200 MP vs 48 MP Fusion, f/1.78, 24 mm, sensor-shift OIS
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 48 specs tracked here, 37 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.