In the ever-evolving landscape of flagship smartphones, two titans stand out in 2025: Apple’s iPhone 16 and Samsung’s Galaxy S25. Both devices promise cutting-edge technology, sleek designs, and a plethora of features aimed at capturing the attention of tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. This comprehensive comparison delves into their design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software ecosystems, and pricing to determine which device truly holds the crown.
Apple continues its tradition of premium and high quality with the iPhone 16. The device boasts a sleek, flat-edged design reminiscent of its predecessors, featuring a glass front and back with an aluminum frame. The Ceramic Shield glass on the front enhances durability, offering improved resistance against drops and scratches. Available in a palette of sophisticated colors—Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine—the iPhone 16 caters to a variety of aesthetic preferences.
iPhone 16
Galaxy S25
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 presents a refined design with subtle curves and a minimalist aesthetic. The device is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Vitus 2 on both the front and back, ensuring robust defence against daily wear and tear. The aluminum frame adds to its premium feel, and with color options like Navy, Icy Blue, Silver Shadow, and Mint, users have a diverse selection to match their style.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Display
iPhone 16
Equipped with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the iPhone 16 delivers sharp visuals with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 460 ppi. The display supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, offering vibrant colours and deep blacks. However, it maintains a 60Hz refresh rate, which may feel dated compared to competitors.
Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S25 features a slightly larger 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels (~416 ppi Pixel Per Inch). One of its standout features is the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations. Additionally, the display boasts a peak brightness of 2600 nits, surpassing the iPhone 16’s 2000 nits, making it exceptionally bright and readable even under direct sunlight.
Performance
iPhone 16
At the heart of the iPhone 16 lies Apple’s A18 chip, a hexa-core processor known for its efficiency and power. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking with ease and delivers swift performance across applications. Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software ensures a seamless user experience, with iOS 18 offering smooth navigation and responsiveness.
Galaxy S25
Powering the Galaxy S25 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, an octa-core chipset designed for high performance. Coupled with 12GB of RAM, the device excels in handling demanding applications and multitasking scenarios. Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15, provides a user-friendly interface with extensive customization options.
Camera Capabilities
iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is equipped with a dual-camera system comprising a 48MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. Apple’s computational photography enhances image quality, delivering true-to-life colors and excellent dynamic range. The device supports 4K video recording at up to 60fps, with features like Cinematic Mode providing depth-of-field effects for a professional touch.
Camera Capabilities of iPhone 16
Galaxy S25
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 offers a versatile triple-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a broader range of photographic possibilities, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups. The device supports 8K video recording at 30fps, catering to users seeking the highest resolution for their videos.
Camera Capabilities of Galaxy S25
Battery Life and Charging
iPhone 16
The device houses a 3561mAh battery, supporting 25W wired charging and 15W MagSafe wireless charging. Apple’s efficient hardware-software integration ensures that the iPhone 16 comfortably lasts a full day under moderate usage.
Galaxy S25
Featuring a larger 4000mAh battery, the Galaxy S25 supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, with the added benefit of 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The device’s power-efficient components and adaptive refresh rate contribute to prolonged battery life, easily sustaining a day’s use.
Software and Ecosystem
iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 runs on iOS 18 and includes Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system that uses generative models to help users write, communicate and get things done.
Galaxy S25
The Samsung Galaxy S25 delivers meaningful hardware upgrades with the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and a slimmer and lighter design. It doesn’t look all that different from the S24, but the new colors and a ton of new Galaxy AI features are enough to make it worth a second look.
