Galaxy S25+ Vs iPhone 16 Plus: Fight of Two Heavyweights
Samsung and Apple have been one of the longest arch rivals, biggest competitors of each other, yet today their one of the flagships faces another challenge in the this year.
Let’s find out who trumps whom in 2025:
Galaxy S25+ Vs iPhone 16 Plus: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25+ | Apple iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Display Resolution | 3120×1440 (QHD+) | 2796×1290 |
| Max Refresh Rate | 120Hz Adaptive (1-120Hz) | 60Hz Fixed |
| Peak Brightness | 2600 nits | 2000 nits |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Apple A18 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Base Storage | 256GB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB($999.99, ₹99,999) 512GB($1,119.99, ₹1,11,999) | 128GB($899, ₹89,900) 256GB($999, ₹99900) 512GB($1199, ₹119900) |
| Battery Capacity | 4900 mAh | 4674 mAh |
| Wired Charging | 45W | ~30W, ~2h 11m to 100% |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Wide, 10MP Telephoto (3x), 12MP Ultrawide | 48MP Fusion (2x Telephoto), 12MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP TrueDepth |
| OS | Android 15 (One UI 7) | iOS 18 |
| Software Support | 7 years OS & Security | Typically 5-6 years OS, longer security [Implied from Apple’s history, not explicitly stated for 16 series] |
| Starting Price (US)(India) | $999.99 USD (₹99,999 INR) | $899 USD (₹89,900 INR) |
Also Read:
- Ultimate Comparison of Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: Explore Powerful Insights
- Galaxy S25 Vs iPhone 16: Battle of Supremacy, Who Wins?
Pros of Samsung Galaxy S25+:
- Superior Display: Features a higher 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, higher resolution (QHD+), and brighter 2600 nits peak brightness, offering a significantly smoother and sharper visual experience than the iPhone 16 Plus’s 60Hz FHD+ display.
- More RAM: Comes with 12GB of RAM, providing more headroom for multitasking and demanding applications, especially with AI features, compared to the iPhone 16 Plus’s 8GB.
- Faster Wired Charging: Supports 45W wired charging, which is notably faster than the iPhone 16 Plus’s charging speeds, allowing for quicker top-ups.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Includes a 10MP 3x optical telephoto lens for superior optical zoom capabilities.
- Longer Software Support: Benefits from Samsung’s 7-year commitment to OS and security updates.
- More Advanced Generative AI: Galaxy AI’s generative image editing tools are generally more robust for complex tasks as compared with Apple’s AI.
- Galaxy S25+ Benchmark Results: Scores 2,298,707 on AnTuTu, 3,008 (single-core) and 9,730 (multi-core) on Geekbench, and 7,430.0 on GFXBench Manhattan.
Cons of Samsung Galaxy S25+:
- Higher Starting Price: The base model starts at $100 more than the iPhone 16 Plus.
- Hybrid AI Model: Uses a hybrid AI processing model (on-device + cloud) which can raise privacy concerns for some users.
- Perception of Incrementalism: Some users feel it’s not a substantial upgrade from previous generations.
Also Read: Shocking Truth: Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Phones Tested – How Long Do Their Batteries LAST?
Pros of Apple iPhone 16 Plus:
- Lower Starting Price: Offers a more affordable entry point at $899 compared to the S25+.
- Excellent Battery Life: Provides a significant boost in battery life, with up to 27 hours of video playback.
- Privacy-Focused AI: Apple Intelligence emphasizes on-device processing, enhancing user privacy by keeping sensitive data local.
- Seamless Ecosystem: Offers deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem, providing a cohesive experience across devices.
- Highly Polished Software: iOS 18 delivers a refined and intuitive user interface.
- ChatGPT Integration: Seamless access to ChatGPT is integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, allowing users to leverage its expertise without switching apps.
- iPhone 16 Plus Benchmark Results: Records Geekbench scores of 3,321 (single-core) and 8,182 (multi-core).
Cons of Apple iPhone 16 Plus:
- 60Hz Display: The fixed 60Hz refresh rate is a significant disadvantage, leading to a less smooth visual experience compared to the S25+.
- Less RAM: 8GB of RAM may be a limiting factor for future AI workloads and heavy multitasking compared to 12GB on the S25+.
- No Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Lacks a true optical telephoto lens, relying on digital zoom.
- Slower Wired Charging: Charging speeds are slower than the S25+.
- User Reported Signal Issues: Some users have reported weak cellular signals and dropped calls.
Verdict: Your 2025 Flagship Choice
- Choose Galaxy S25+ if…
- You want high-brightness, 120 Hz smoothness
- You love AI-driven photo/video editing
- You prioritize long-term updates and thermal performance
- Choose iPhone 16 Plus if…
- You value ecosystem integration and on-device AI
- You prefer best-in-class single-core speed
- You appreciate tactile camera controls and spatial capture