Apple iPhone 16 ProvsSamsung Galaxy S25
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S25 wins
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S25 wins 3 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Samsung Galaxy S25 is the overall winner, taking 3 of 5 categories — performance is its standout. At USD 799, it's also the most affordable of this group.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 takes Performance — led by ram (12 GB).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro takes Display — led by pixel density (460 ppi).
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro takes Camera — led by camera quality (154 pts).
- Samsung Galaxy S25 takes Battery — led by battery (4,000 mAh).
- Samsung Galaxy S25 takes Price — led by price (799 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a bigger screen — 6.3 in vs 6.2 in.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 416 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want better video quality — 98 pts vs 95 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want a better camera — 154 pts vs 138 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if you want faster charging — 27 W vs 25 W.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 2,050,000 pts vs 1,650,000 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want more apps open at once — 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,600 nits vs 2,000 nits.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want longer battery life — 4,000 mAh vs 3,582 mAh.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want a lower price — 799 USD vs 999 USD.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S25
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto lens
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video quality
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera quality
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Choose Apple iPhone 16 Pro if camera matters most. It costs USD 999.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if performance matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 799, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- A18 Pro performance
- Excellent 4K/120 video
- Premium build
- Pricey
- Battery is modest
- 27 W charging is slow
Samsung Galaxy S25
- Compact size, flagship chip
- Bright 120 Hz display
- 7 years of updates
- 4,000 mAh battery is modest
- 25 W wired charging
- 128 GB base storage