Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S25+

Our verdict: Budget-conscious buyers should note the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is £184.54 cheaper on contract than the Samsung Galaxy S25+. Display sharpness is where the Samsung Galaxy S25+ pulls ahead, hitting 513 PPI. With 50MP on the rear, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the higher-resolution camera. At 190g, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the lighter of the two.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2796 x 1290 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
460 513
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight
199 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£32.79/mo (£9.00 upfront) £79.00/mo (£30.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£503.46 £584.99
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25+
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2796 x 1290 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 460 513
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight 199 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £32.79/mo
£9.00 upfront
£79.00/mo
£30.00 upfront
SIM-free £503.46 £584.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25+ cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper on contract at £795.96 over the life of the deal from £32.79 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 460, and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £503.46.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25+ use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ uses the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the more portable of the two — it's 9g lighter at 190 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm, and is slimmer at 7.35mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25+ run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S25+ runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.