| Launch Year | September 2024 | January 2025 | iPhone refresh in fall; Samsung Ultra in early year. |
| Tier / Positioning | Standard flagship (entry premium) | Ultra flagship (top premium) | iPhone 16 is the baseline; S25 Ultra is the “max spec” model. |
| Starting Price (US) | $799 (128GB) | ~$1,299 (256GB) | ~500 USD difference at base. |
| Build & Materials | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield glass, color-infused back | Titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2 anti-reflective glass | Samsung feels more “rugged premium”; iPhone is lighter & colorful. |
| Dimensions & Weight | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, ~170g | 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.9 mm, ~232g | iPhone is much lighter and one-handable; Ultra is massive. |
| Display Size & Tech | 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO | Samsung wins in size and multitasking comfort. |
| Resolution & Brightness | 2556 × 1179 (~460 ppi), HDR10, Dolby Vision | QHD+ 3120 × 1440 (~510 ppi), HDR10+, peak 2600 nits | S25 Ultra sharper + brighter with anti-glare protection. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz–120Hz adaptive (ProMotion reserved for Pro, but 16 has improvements over 15) | 1Hz–120Hz LTPO adaptive | Samsung more efficient with wider LTPO range. |
| Processor / Chip | Apple A18 (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite (custom Galaxy variant) | iPhone leads single-core; Samsung leads multi-core & GPU. |
| RAM Options | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | Samsung offers higher RAM ceiling for multitasking. |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | iPhone starts smaller; Samsung scales higher for pro users. |
| Operating System at Launch | iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence (select features) | Android 15 + One UI 7 with Galaxy AI | Both emphasize AI integration in 2025. |
| Software Support | ~5 years iOS major updates | 7 years OS + security (Samsung confirmed) | Samsung now matches Google’s promise, surpassing Apple on paper. |
| Main Camera | 48MP wide (f/1.6) with 2× in-sensor zoom | 200MP wide (f/1.7) with AI ProVisual Engine | Samsung sharper, larger sensor, flexible AI controls. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP | 50MP ultrawide | Samsung offers higher res ultrawide. |
| Telephoto Options | None (2× crop via main) | 50MP 5× periscope + 10MP 3× tele | Samsung far superior for zoom lovers. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps Dolby Vision HDR | Up to 8K@30fps HDR10+ | iPhone video color accuracy is industry benchmark; Samsung offers higher res. |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth, 4K60 | 12MP selfie, 4K60, AI beauty + stabilization | Both capable, Apple wins for natural skin tone. |
| Battery Capacity | Not disclosed (est. ~3,300 mAh) | Rated 4855mAh (typical 5000mAh) | Samsung bigger by far. |
| Endurance Claim | Up to 22 hrs video playback (18 hrs streaming) | Up to 31 hrs video watching | Samsung longer screen-on time. |
| Charging (wired) | USB-C PD, ~20W actual | Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 | Samsung much faster charging. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe + Qi2 | Qi2, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 | Both support Qi2 in 2025; iPhone more ecosystem accessories. |
| Special Buttons / Input | New Camera Control button + Action Button | Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth-free stylus input | Apple focuses on simplicity; Samsung focuses on productivity. |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, UWB, eSIM (region dependent) | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, UWB, dual SIM + eSIM | Samsung has faster Wi-Fi standard. |
| Ecosystem Integration | Tight with Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods | Works with Galaxy Buds, Watch, Tablets, DeX PC mode | iPhone better if you own Apple devices; Samsung better for PC/Windows. |
| Security & Updates | Face ID, iOS privacy | Ultrasonic fingerprint + Face unlock + Knox security | Both secure; Samsung offers more options. |
| Durability | IP68 | IP68 | Equal water/dust resistance. |
| Unique Extras | Seamless AirDrop, Continuity, Apple Intelligence, Camera Control button | S Pen, DeX desktop, anti-glare glass, zoom versatility | Samsung offers more hardware extras. |
| Pros | – Smooth, consistent iOS experience – Apple ecosystem – Compact & lightweight – Reliable main camera & video | – Huge bright display – S Pen productivity – Best zoom camera system – Longer battery life & faster charging – More RAM/storage options | iPhone = simplicity & reliability; Samsung = power & versatility. |
| Cons | – No telephoto lens – Smaller battery – Slower charging – Limited customization | – Expensive – Very large & heavy – S Pen lost some older features (no Air gestures) | Trade-offs reflect each brand philosophy. |
| Expert Ratings (2025 avg) | Performance ★★★★★ Camera ★★★☆ Display ★★★★ Battery ★★★★ Value ★★★★★ | Performance ★★★★★ Camera ★★★★★ Display ★★★★★ Battery ★★★★★ Value ★★★☆ | Samsung wins specs war; iPhone wins value war. |
| User Sentiment (early) | Praised for smooth software, Apple Intelligence, compact design. Battery “good but not Pro Max level.” | Loved for zoom, screen brightness, anti-glare, battery life. Some criticize high weight & S Pen simplification. | Both receive positive feedback; Samsung for “power users,” Apple for “mainstream.” |
| Who Should Buy | iPhone 16: Users who want reliable performance, smaller size, ecosystem perks, excellent video. | S25 Ultra: Users who want productivity tools, large display, powerful zoom cameras, longer battery life. | Depends on lifestyle & budget. |
