Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25

Our Verdict: Comparing Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25, the choice mostly comes down to display quality versus portability. The iPhone gives you a larger 6.9-inch screen, a sharper 458 PPI display, and its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, while the Samsung is more appealing for its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel and a lighter 162g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Choose the iPhone for display quality; choose the Samsung if portability matters more.

Over a full contract, the S25 works out around £603 all-in, about £369 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
4.1
11 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.2"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
458 416
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
4,685 mAh 4,000 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 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
163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2 mm
Weight
227 grams 162 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£39.29/mo (£29.00 upfront) £17.00/mo (£20.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£649.99 £399.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung Galaxy S25
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
4.1
11 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.2"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 458 416
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 4,685 mAh 4,000 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 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 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2 mm
Weight 227 grams 162 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £39.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
£17.00/mo
£20.00 upfront
SIM-free £649.99 £399.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Black Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£39.29 a month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung Galaxy S25

24 Months

128GB

Silver Shadow

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£17 a month, £20 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is cheaper on contract at £603.00 over the life of the deal from £17.00 per month with £20.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25's 6.2", the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 416, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a LTPO 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 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 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 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £399.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, 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 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the more portable of the two: it's 65g lighter at 162 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2 mm, and is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 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.