Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge suit different priorities. The iPhone is stronger for display quality, helped by its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a larger 4,685 mAh battery, and 256GB to 1000GB storage, while the Samsung is better suited to a sharper 513 PPI display, its Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera. 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.

The S25 Edge is the cheaper one to own: around £631 over a typical contract, £201 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
3.8
11 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.7"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
458 513
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-3-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
4,685 mAh 3,900 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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 159 x 76 x 5.8 mm
Weight
227 grams 163 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
£31.75/mo (£20.00 upfront) £23.99/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£649.99 £499.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
3.8
11 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.7"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 458 513
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-3-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 4,685 mAh 3,900 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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 159 x 76 x 5.8 mm
Weight 227 grams 163 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 £31.75/mo
£20.00 upfront
£23.99/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £649.99 £499.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Black Titanium

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£31.75 per month, £20 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

24 Months

256GB

Titanium Jetblack

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£23.99 per month, £29 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is cheaper on contract at £630.76 over the life of the deal from £23.99 per month with £29.00 upfront.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge's 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 458, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has a 200 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 Edge?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £499.99.

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

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

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

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

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is the more portable of the two: it's 64g lighter at 163 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 159 x 76 x 5.8 mm, and is slimmer at 5.8mm thick.

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

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 Edge run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 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.