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WhichPhoneToBuy

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25

The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes out ahead on 6 counts and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max on 5.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max for

  • Bigger battery: 4,685 vs 4,000 mAh (17% more)
  • Faster wireless charging: 25 W vs 15 W
  • Bigger screen: 6.9" vs 6.2"
  • Longer optical zoom: 5× vs 3×
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 512 GB

Pick the Samsung Galaxy S25 for

  • Lighter: 162 g vs 227 g (65 g less)
  • Thinner: 7.2 mm vs 8.3 mm
  • More compact: 16.1 mm shorter
  • Brighter display: 2,600 vs 2,000 nits peak
  • More RAM: up to 12 GB vs 8 GB
  • Newer: launched February 2025

Size comparison

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 16.1 mm taller, 7.1 mm wider, 1 mm thicker and 65 g heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S25. Its screen is 0.7" larger.

  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm
  • Samsung Galaxy S25146.9 × 70.5 × 7.2 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 20241January 22, 20251
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2024February 7, 20251
Launch price$1,199—
BodyApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
Size163 × 77.6 × 8.3 mm146.9 × 70.5 × 7.2 mm1
Thickness8.3 mm7.2 mm1 (better)
Weight227 g162 g1 (better)
Frametitanium—
Backtextured matte glass—
Water resistanceIP68IP681
ColoursBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert TitaniumIcyblue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow, Pinkgold, Coralred, Blueblack1
DisplayApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
Size6.9"6.2"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution1320 × 2868 (better)1080 × 23401
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz1
Peak brightness2,000 nits2,600 nits1 (better)
ProtectionCeramic ShieldGorilla Glass Victus 21
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
ChipsetA18 ProQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy1
CPU6-core (2 performance + 4 efficiency)2x 4.47 GHz Oryon (Phoenix L) and 6x 3.53 GHz Oryon (Phoenix M)1
Process—3 nm1
Ships withiOSAndroid 15 with One UI 71
OS updates—7 years (to Feb 2032)1
Security updates—7 years (to Feb 2032)1
MemoryApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
RAM8 GB12 GB1 (better)
Storage256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
CamerasApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Telephoto (5× optical), OIS 48 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide 10 MP Telephoto (3× optical), OIS
Main camera48 MP50 MP
Optical zoom5× (better)3×
Front12 MP12 MP1
Video4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps8K at 30 fps1
BatteryApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
Capacity4,685 mAh1 (better)4,000 mAh1
Wired charging—25 W1
Wireless charging25 W (better)15 W1
Reverse wireless—Yes1
ConnectivityApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
5GYesYes1
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi 71
Bluetooth5.35.41
NFCYesYes1
USBUSB-C, USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)USB Type-C 3.21
eSIMYesYes1
Satellite messagingYes—
FeaturesApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy S25
Fingerprint—Ultrasonic under-display1
Stereo speakers—Yes1

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max bigger than the Samsung Galaxy S25?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is 16.1 mm taller, 7.1 mm wider, 1 mm thicker and 65 g heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S25. Its screen is 0.7" larger.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S25?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 4,685 mAh against 4,000 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.

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