The Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 are two of the most anticipated flagship smartphones of 2024. Both devices bring top-tier features, cutting-edge technology, and premium build quality, catering to different user preferences. If you are wondering which smartphone is the better choice for you, this in-depth comparison covers every aspect, including design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, and additional features.
Design and Build Quality: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16
The Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 both feature high-end materials, ensuring a premium feel and durability. The Samsung Galaxy S25 measures 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm, making it slightly more compact and lighter at 162g, whereas the iPhone 16 measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 170g.
Both phones sport a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, but there are differences in protection. The Samsung Galaxy S25 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the iPhone 16 is protected by the latest Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen). The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes with an Armor Aluminum 2 frame, which enhances durability against drops and impacts.
In terms of water and dust resistance, both smartphones have an IP68 rating, but the iPhone 16 offers better protection, capable of withstanding submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S25 can survive only up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
The iPhone 16 also features Apple Pay with Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX certification, making it a strong contender for users who prefer seamless mobile payments.
Display Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16
The display is one of the most critical aspects of any smartphone, and both the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 excel in this department.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes with a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and an impressive 2600 nits peak brightness. In contrast, the iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and a 2000-nit peak brightness.
The iPhone 16 has a slightly higher resolution of 1179 x 2556 pixels, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25’s 1080 x 2340 pixels. However, the Samsung Galaxy S25 offers a 91.1% screen-to-body ratio, which provides a more immersive viewing experience than the iPhone 16’s 86.8% screen-to-body ratio.
One notable advantage of the Samsung Galaxy S25 is the Always-on Display feature, which is not available on the iPhone 16.
Performance and Software: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16
Under the hood, both smartphones come with powerful 3nm chipsets, ensuring excellent performance for gaming, multitasking, and power efficiency.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU (2×4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M), paired with Adreno 830 GPU.
- The iPhone 16, on the other hand, runs on the Apple A18 (3nm) chipset, featuring a Hexa-core CPU (2×4.04 GHz + 4×2.20 GHz), alongside a 5-core Apple GPU.
In terms of RAM and storage, the Samsung Galaxy S25 offers more RAM options:
- 12GB RAM with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
The iPhone 16 provides:
- 8GB RAM with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB NVMe storage
While iOS 18 is optimized for better memory management, Android 15 with One UI 7 benefits from the extra RAM, particularly in multitasking scenarios. Samsung also promises 7 years of major Android upgrades, making it an appealing choice for long-term use.
Camera System: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16
The Samsung Galaxy S25 features a triple-camera setup:
- 50MP primary sensor (f/1.8, OIS)
- 10MP telephoto lens (3x optical zoom)
- 12MP ultrawide sensor (120° field of view)
The iPhone 16 has a dual-camera system:
- 48MP primary sensor (f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS)
- 12MP ultrawide sensor (120° field of view)
Video Recording Capabilities
The Samsung Galaxy S25 supports up to 8K@30fps recording, while the iPhone 16 maxes out at 4K@60fps but includes Dolby Vision HDR recording for enhanced dynamic range.
Selfie Camera
For selfies, both smartphones have 12MP front-facing cameras, but the iPhone 16 includes an SL 3D depth/biometric sensor, making Face ID more secure.
Battery and Charging: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16
Battery life is another important factor when choosing a smartphone.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 packs a 4000mAh battery, while the iPhone 16 houses a 3561mAh battery.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging (Qi2.1), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
- The iPhone 16 features wired PD2.0 charging, 25W MagSafe wireless charging, and 15W Qi2 wireless charging.
While the Samsung Galaxy S25 has a larger battery, the iPhone 16 benefits from more efficient power consumption, resulting in comparable battery life.
Connectivity and Additional Features: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16
Both devices come with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5, NFC, and dual-SIM (nano + eSIM) support.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 includes Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience, allowing users to connect their phone to an external display.
- The iPhone 16 includes Ultra Wideband (UWB) Gen 2 for precise location tracking, Emergency SOS via satellite, and Find My via satellite.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 offer flagship-level experiences, but they cater to different user needs and preferences. If you prefer an Android-based experience with more customization options, the Galaxy S25 is the ideal choice. Samsung’s One UI 7 based on Android 15 offers extensive personalization, multitasking enhancements, and Samsung DeX, which transforms your phone into a PC-like workstation when connected to an external display.
Additionally, its 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2600-nit peak brightness makes it a superior option for gaming, media consumption, and an overall smoother UI experience. The larger 4000mAh battery, reverse wireless charging, and 3x optical zoom telephoto lens further add to its appeal, making it a great choice for those who value battery life, camera versatility, and high-refresh-rate displays.
On the other hand, if you are deeply integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, the iPhone 16 offers seamless compatibility with other Apple devices like the Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. With iOS 18, users benefit from long-term software support, smooth performance, and deep ecosystem integration. The 48MP main camera with sensor-shift OIS and Dolby Vision HDR support ensures that iPhone 16 users get industry-leading video recording quality, even though it lacks an 8K recording option. Security is another major advantage, as Face ID with SL 3D sensors continues to be one of the most secure biometric authentication methods. Moreover, the iPhone 16 boasts superior water resistance, with an IP68 rating that protects against submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25’s 1.5-meter limit.
Choosing between the two ultimately depends on what you prioritize in a smartphone. If you need customization, superior battery life, and a more versatile camera setup, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is the better choice. However, if you prefer iOS, long-term software support, and the best video recording experience, the iPhone 16 stands out as the ideal option. Both are excellent flagship devices, ensuring top-tier performance for years to come.
