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Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16: Which Flagship Wins in 2025?
Samsung just dropped its Galaxy S25 lineup, and the timing couldn’t be more interesting. Apple’s iPhone 16 series has been out since September, so Samsung had a few extra months to fine-tune its latest flagship. Therefore, it’s only natural to wonder whether Samsung managed to outshine Apple within that short period.
In this blog, we’ll dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. And if you’re curious about the iPhone 16 in more detail, you can check out our full iPhone 16 review as well!
Overview
Both the Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 16 are performance monsters. However, they couldn’t be any more different when it comes to design, pricing, and features. The Galaxy S25 sticks to the same design as last year's Galaxy S24 but comes with some amazing new tech and software features. It's now super-charged with AI features thanks to the second-generation Galaxy AI and the Gemini system.
Apple isn’t sitting back though. The iPhone 16 is the company’s inaugural series specifically designed for the AI era. It incorporates a new set of features, Apple Intelligence, putting it squarely in the competition for the best AI smartphone.
Of course, these phones offer more than just AI features. But more on this later. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at how the Galaxy S25 5G and iPhone 16 compare.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Specs
Feature | Galaxy S25 | iPhone 16 |
Display | 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
Dimensions | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm |
Colors | Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold, Coral Red, Blue Black | Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine |
Performance | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) | Apple A18 (3 nm) |
Software | Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3.2 |
Camera | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide |
Battery | 4000mAh | 3561mAh |
Storage and RAM | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB RAM: 12GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 8GB |
Price | From A$1,399 | From A$1,399 |
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Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Design
When you're spending big on a flagship phone, you expect it to look and feel premium, and both the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 deliver. From the moment you unbox them, they scream high-end craftsmanship.
Samsung played it safe keeping the same sleek aesthetic. The Samsung Galaxy S25 case is made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides with an aluminum frame in between. Apple, on the other hand, continues to use its Ceramic Shield glass with an aluminum frame, offering a different texture but the same sturdy build. But while they both stick to a glass-on-metal design, they each have their own feel in hand.
The Galaxy S25 is slightly smaller, thinner, and lighter, measuring 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 inches and weighing 5.71 ounces. The iPhone 16 is just a bit bigger at 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches and weighs 6.00 ounces. The difference isn’t huge, but if you prefer a more compact feel, the S25 has the edge.
That said, these phones look somewhat similar at first glance. Flip them over though, and it's easy to tell them apart. Samsung sticks with its traditional trio of bulging lens cameras, a signature feature of the Galaxy S Series. Apple dropped its usual diagonal lens setup and instead employed a pill-shaped hump to house its dual lenses, making the iPhone 16 easy to recognize.
Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Display
If there’s one thing Samsung never skimps on, it’s the display—and the Galaxy S25 is no exception. It rocks the same Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel as the Samsung Galaxy Ultra S25, meaning you get crazy vibrant colors, deep blacks, and super smooth animations. Despite rumors of a size upgrade, the 6.2-inch screen stays the same.
One standout feature of the Galaxy S25 is its adaptive refresh rate which ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz. This means you get super smooth scrolling when needed and better battery life when you don’t. Plus, it has an always-on display, so you can check the time and notifications without waking your phone.
On the other hand, Apple keeps its best displays for the Pro models, leaving the iPhone 16 with a 60Hz OLED panel. While it still looks great, it’s a bit behind when it comes to smoothness and refresh rates. That said, the iPhone 16 does get pretty bright, hitting up to 2,000 nits outdoors, and it can dim down to 1 nit for a more comfortable nighttime view.
But when it comes to outdoor visibility, the Galaxy S25 takes the crown. It reaches a maximum of 2,600 nits in bright sunlight, which is even more impressive than the iPhone’s peak.
Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Camera
Let’s talk cameras because that’s where these phones start to show their personality. The S25 keeps things the same—you’ll still find a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto lens as last year’s model. The big upgrade here is the new ProVisual Engine, which makes your photos pop with better color and sharpness.
Samsung also stands out with its 3x optical zoom, thanks to that dedicated telephoto lens. This lets you zoom in on a subject without losing any detail—great for those close-up shots. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 doesn’t have a telephoto lens. Instead, it uses its 48MP main camera and crops in on the center to create a 2x zoom. It works fine for most shots, but it doesn’t quite match the S25’s optical zoom.
For low-light video, Samsung has its Nightography mode, which helps keep things bright and clear even when it’s dark out. The iPhone 16 has its own tools for this with Cinematic Mode and Deep Fusion tech. These features help capture more detail in low-light settings, but Samsung’s Nightography is designed specifically for video, giving it a slight edge in that area.
Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Battery and Performance
An iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 performance showdown can be hard to nail down because they are based on different hardware and software. Let’s break it down anyway.
The Galaxy S25 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, the most powerful processor Qualcomm has made thus far. The processor is a step above last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used in the S24. This phone gets a colossal GPU boost and AI processing, thanks to its improved neural processing unit (NPU).
On the battery side, Samsung stuck with a 4,000mAh battery, the same as last year’s model. With 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, you can get back to full power pretty quickly. In addition, it offers 4.5W reverse wireless charging which lets you charge other devices if you need to.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 uses Apple’s latest A18 chip, which offers great power and efficiency. It’s not as high-end as the A18 Pro in the Pro models, but it still delivers plenty of speed. The iPhone 16 comes with a 3,561mAh battery, and 20W fast charging will get you back up and running in no time. All three models in the iPhone 16 series support 25W MagSafe charging and 15W Qi2 wireless charging, offering a solid range of charging options.
Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Software
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Unsurprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 runs on Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7. It’s a familiar interface but with a fresh look that reduces clutter and offers even more customization options.
The iPhone 16, on the other hand, comes with iOS 18, continuing Apple’s tradition of releasing a major update with each new model. This year, the focus is on Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI features designed specifically for the iPhone 16 series.
Both One UI 7 and iOS 18 will eventually make their way to older models, but the latest devices are where you’ll get all the fresh features.
Samsung’s increased focus on AI this year may explain the higher prices for the Galaxy S25. With that said, the refurbished Samsung Galaxy S24 series could now be a great option. Samsung gave Bixby the boot in favor of the more advanced Gemini Live—it feels like a step forward in AI assistant tech. In contrast, the iPhone 16 still relies on Siri, which isn’t quite as advanced as Gemini.
Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: Price
The iPhone 16 price starts at A$1,399 for the 128GB model, but if you need more storage, you can snag the 256GB version for an extra A$200. The 512GB model will set you back A$1,949. With this kind of investment, grabbing one of the many stylish iPhone 16 cases is a smart way to keep it looking brand new.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 takes a slightly different approach. The 128GB model is priced at A$1,399, while the 512GB version will cost you A$1,599. Overall, Samsung offers a bit more bang for your buck.
Of course, these prices might still be too high for some. If you’re on the hunt for a deal, refurbished handsets could be the perfect way to get all the power you need without breaking the bank.
Verdict
Looking at the Samsung Galaxy S25 specs and the iPhone 16, both phones bring some serious firepower to the table. It comes down to whether you're more into iOS or Android. The iPhone 16 might have a limited refresh rate, but it’s still got a super user-friendly interface and a solid camera. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 takes the lead with its killer AI features and next-level tech.
With that being said, be sure to check out our extensive collection of refurbished Samsung Galaxy phones. You can score big on the Galaxy 24 series, Galaxy 25, Galaxy S22, and more.
But if you’re all about the iOS experience, we've got great deals on refurbished iPhones too. No matter which side you’re on, we've got you covered.
Posted by Liam Harris
Liam Harris
I’m Liam Harris, a tech writer at Phonebot with a passion for technology. I provide trusted insights on refurbished phones, tablets, and accessories, focusing on quality, sustainability, and affordability. With a solid understanding of the refurbished market, I offer practical tips, product comparisons, and the latest tech updates to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to connect you with high-quality devices that fit your budget and lifestyle. Stay tuned for more on the best in refurbished tech here at Phonebot.
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