Comparison · Phones · Desk research
Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Quick Answer
iPhone 16 Pro (2024 leftover) is Apple’s 6.3-inch compact Pro: A18 Pro, 2622×1206 Super Retina XDR, 48MP Fusion + 48MP Ultra Wide + 12MP 5× tetraprism, $999 US start. Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung’s leftover Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, 6.9/6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 200MP wide + 3×/5× telephotos, in-body S Pen, $1,299.99 US start. Fork is iOS/video versus Android/S Pen/larger canvas. Desk research from each phone hub — not a lab test.
The verdict
Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — quote the two manufacturer sheets.
Why: iPhone 16 Pro for iOS users valuing video quality and Apple ecosystem; S25 Ultra for Android users wanting S Pen, larger display, and customization
Buy Apple iPhone 16 Pro if
You prefer iOS, want best-in-class video recording, and value Apple ecosystem integration (iMessage, AirDrop, Continuity)
Buy Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if
You want Android, need S Pen for productivity, prefer larger displays, and value Samsung's customization options
Spec Comparison
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR (Apple Support 121031) | 6.9-inch QHD+ full rectangle; 6.8-inch accounting for rounded corners (Samsung US Newsroom) |
| Display tech | All-screen OLED; ProMotion adaptive up to 120Hz | Dynamic AMOLED 2X; Super Smooth 120Hz (1–120Hz adaptive) |
| Resolution | 2622 × 1206 px at 460 ppi | QHD+ (pixel grid not published on the Newsroom table) |
| Chip | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM | Not published on Apple’s Support spec sheet | 12GB across 256GB / 512GB / 1TB SKUs |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion 24 mm ƒ/1.78; 48MP Ultra Wide 13 mm; 12MP 5× Telephoto 120 mm | 50MP ultra-wide; 200MP wide; 10MP 3× telephoto; 50MP 5× telephoto |
| Zoom | 5× optical in, 2× optical out, 10× optical zoom range; digital up to 25× | 3× optical; 5× optical (Newsroom camera table; no 100× footnote on that extract) |
| Video recording | 4K Dolby Vision; ProRes; Log; Cinematic 4K/30 | 10-bit HDR recording as default (Newsroom does not print an 8K fps table on that extract) |
| Front camera | 12MP TrueDepth, ƒ/1.9 | 12MP F2.2 FOV 80° |
| Battery capacity | Not published (no mAh) | 5,000 mAh typical; 4,855 mAh rated (IEC 61960) |
| Charging (wired) | USB-C. Up to 50% in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | Up to 65% in around 30 minutes with 45W adapter (sold separately) |
| Charging (wireless) | MagSafe up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (watt number not published on that Newsroom extract) |
| Operating system | Shipped with iOS (year introduced 2024) | Android 15; One UI 7 |
| Update policy | Not published as a numbered year-count on Support 121031 | Seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from global launch |
| S Pen | No | Yes, integrated |
| Build | Titanium; latest-generation Ceramic Shield front | Titanium; Corning Gorilla Armor 2 |
| Price (US starting) | $999 (128GB), Newsroom 9 September 2024 | $1,299.99 (256GB), Newsroom 22 January 2025 |
Display and size
Samsung’s leftover Ultra prints a 6.9-inch full-rectangle / 6.8-inch rounded-corner Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Apple’s leftover compact Pro prints a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR. If you want maximum canvas, S25 Ultra wins on the sheet. iPhone 16 Pro is the smaller pocketable Pro.
S Pen: The unique feature
S25 Ultra’s integrated S Pen has no iPhone equivalent. For note-taking, precise editing, and productivity, the S Pen is genuinely useful. If stylus input matters to you, this alone tilts the decision toward Samsung.
Camera systems
Apple’s Support sheet lists ProRes, Log, and 4K Dolby Vision on iPhone 16 Pro. Samsung’s Newsroom table lists 200MP wide plus 3× and 5× optical telephotos on S25 Ultra. We do not invent a 100× Space Zoom footnote that was not on that extract.
Ecosystem integration
iPhone 16 Pro locks you into Apple’s ecosystem: iMessage (blue bubbles), AirDrop, Continuity between iPhone/Mac/iPad, Find My, seamless Apple Watch pairing. S25 Ultra offers Android flexibility but loses deep Apple ecosystem integration if you use other Apple devices.
Performance and software
A18 Pro delivers industry-leading single-core performance. Snapdragon 8 Elite is also fast and handles Android’s multitasking better than iOS. Both are flagship-class chips; real-world performance differences are minimal for most users.
Battery and charging
Samsung publishes 5,000 mAh typical and a 45W / ~65% in 30 minutes charge footnote. Apple publishes no mAh and a USB-C “50% in around 30 minutes with 20W or higher” footnote. Those are manufacturer charge tables, not a lab rundown.
Update policy
Samsung’s Newsroom footnote promises seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch date. Apple’s Support 121031 sheet does not publish a numbered year-count for iPhone 16 Pro.
Price
iPhone 16 Pro launched at $999 (128GB) on 9 September 2024. S25 Ultra launched at $1,299.99 (256GB) on 22 January 2025. Those are launch list prices, not 2026 street prices.
Frequently asked questions
Which has better cameras?
Apple’s 16 Pro sheet lists 4K Dolby Vision / ProRes / Log on the Fusion camera. Samsung’s S25 Ultra Newsroom table prints 200MP wide, 3× and 5× optical telephotos, and 10-bit HDR as default. That is a video-versus-zoom fork, not a lab score.
Does S25 Ultra work well with Mac?
Basic functionality works, but you lose key Apple ecosystem features: iMessage stays green bubbles, no AirDrop, no Continuity features, no seamless switching between devices. If you live in Apple's ecosystem, iPhone is the smoother choice.
Which has better battery life?
Samsung publishes 5,000 mAh typical (4,855 mAh rated) on the S25 Ultra Newsroom table. Apple does not publish mAh for iPhone 16 Pro. We do not invent a rundown winner.