Introduction
The iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra are two of the most powerful smartphones in 2025. But which one is right for you? In this post, we compare them based on design, display, performance, camera, battery, and software. After reading this, you will know which phone fits your daily use, gaming, photography, and budget.
iPhone 16
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Design & Build
iPhone 16:
Sleek glass back with aluminum frame
Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, Weight: 187g
Colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Red
IP68 Water & Dust Resistance
Galaxy S25 Ultra:
Gorilla Glass Victus front & back, Aluminum frame
Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm, Weight: 228g
Colors: Phantom Black, Phantom Silver
IP68 Water & Dust Resistance
User Experience:
The iPhone 16 feels light and comfortable in hand, making it easy to use one-handed. Galaxy S25 Ultra is bigger and heavier, but it has a premium feel. iPhone buttons and port placement are more ergonomic, while the S25 Ultra has the added convenience of S Pen storage.
Display iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16:
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution: 2532 x 1170 pixels, 460 ppi
120Hz ProMotion, HDR10 support
Brightness: 1200 nits peak
Galaxy S25 Ultra:
6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution: 3200 x 1440 pixels, 516 ppi
120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+
Brightness: 1500 nits peak
User Experience:
iPhone 16 displays natural colors, making videos and gaming smooth. Galaxy S25 Ultra has a bigger, immersive screen and HDR10+ content looks stunning. In daylight brightness tests, S25 Ultra is slightly better.
Performance & Gaming
iPhone 16 gaming performance
A18 Bionic Chip, 8GB RAM
iOS 19 ensures smooth multitasking
Gaming: PUBG/Fortnite 120 FPS, minimal heating
Galaxy S25 Ultra:
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2500, 12GB RAM
One UI 6 (Android 15)
Gaming: 120 FPS, slight heating after 1-hour session
User Experience: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16 stays cooler during long gaming sessions, while Galaxy S25 Ultra heats slightly but maintains good FPS. Both phones are fast for app launches and multitasking.
Camera Comparison. iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16 camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra:
Rear: 48MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto
Front: 12MP TrueDepth
Night mode: Excellent low-light shots
Video: 4K 60fps, Cinematic Mode
Rear: 200MP wide + 12MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto
Front: 40MP
Night mode: Bright, slight noise in very dark conditions
Video: 8K 30fps, Super Steady
User Experience:
iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16’s low-light photos look natural. S25 Ultra captures more detail with high-resolution zoom shots. iPhone is easier for everyday photography, while S25 Ultra is great for vlogging and detailed shots.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16:
3,500 mAh, 18W wired, 20W wireless
Real-life usage: 1 day heavy, 1.5 day moderate
Heating: minimal
Galaxy S25 Ultra battery
5,000 mAh, 45W wired, 15W wireless
Real-life usage: 1.5–2 days moderate
Heating: mild during long gaming
User Experience:
Galaxy S25 Ultra’s larger battery is great for long days. iPhone 16 is sufficient for a full day of heavy usage. Gaming and video streaming make iPhone heat less than S25 Ultra.
Software & Features
iPhone 16: iOS 19, Face ID, Focus Mode, Privacy Dashboard
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Android 15 + One UI 6, S Pen support, Samsung DeX
User Experience:
iPhone is smooth, easy to navigate, and privacy-focused. Galaxy S25 Ultra offers more customization and the S Pen is excellent for notes, sketches, and productivity.
Price & Availability
Region | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
USA | $999 | $1,199 |
UK | £949 | £1,149 |
Saudi Arabia | SAR 3,749 | SAR 4,499 |
Europe | €1,049 | €1,249 |
India | ₹84,999 | ₹1,09,999 |
Pakistan | PKR 220,000 | PKR 265,000 |
Bangladesh | BDT 1,10,000 | BDT 1,35,000 |
Extra Insight: Storage variants (128GB, 256GB, 512GB) may affect pricing and buyer decision.
Pros & Cons
Feature | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Design | Lightweight | Heavy |
Display | Bright | Bigger & immersive |
Camera | Low-light | High MP, zoom |
Battery | Smaller | Longer |
Gaming | Less heating | Slight heating |
Full reviews
FAQ
iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16 stays cooler during long sessions. S25 Ultra is good but heats slightly.
Which phone is better for gaming?
iPhone 16 natural low-light photos. S25 Ultra brighter but slightly noisy.
Which camera is better in low light?
Galaxy S25 Ultra lasts longer. iPhone 16 is enough for one heavy use day.
Battery life comparison?
Improved camera, gaming, and software updates justify the upgrade for some.
Is iPhone 16 worth upgrading from iPhone 15?
Both phones have IP68. S25 Ultra is heavier but sturdy with Gorilla Glass Victus.
How durable is Galaxy S25 Ultra?
S25 Ultra high-res camera, 8K video; iPhone 16 cinematic mode and stable low-light video.
Which phone is better for content creators?
Which phone heats more?
iPhone 16 stays cooler; S25 Ultra mild heating during long gaming or video recording.
User Experience of iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 16: Lightweight, smooth, excellent low-light camera, less heating during gaming.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Big screen, huge battery, high-res camera, slightly heavy.
Tip: This comparison focuses on real user experience, not just specs, helping you decide which phone suits your daily needs, gaming, photography, and productivity.