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Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

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Galaxy A16

Starting at

£114.20£209.16 new
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Galaxy S25 Ultra

Starting at

£678.00£1,229.24 new
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(59 reviews)
(536 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy A16 and Galaxy S25 Ultra?

Galaxy A16 vs S25 Ultra comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A16 starts at £114.20, £563.80 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2025.

Refurbished from

£114.20£678

Chipset

Mediatek Helio G99Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)

RAM

4 GB12 GB

Screen size

6.7 inch6.9 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz

Refresh rate

90 Hz120 Hz
  • Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 on the Galaxy A16, Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
  • The Galaxy S25 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
  • The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch.

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra specs

The Galaxy A16 suits everyday use with a Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, 4 GB RAM, and 128GB storage, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12 GB RAM, and up to 1TB storage for demanding tasks. The S25 Ultra has a larger, higher-resolution screen with a faster 120 Hz refresh rate, while the A16 has a 90 Hz Super AMOLED screen. The S25 Ultra's camera setup includes a 200 MP main lens with multiple telephoto options, ideal for photography enthusiasts. The A16 supports 4G and microSD cards, making it good for flexible storage and network use, whereas the S25 Ultra supports 5G and eSIM for newer connectivity options.

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra price

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and basic phone build.

Battery Capacity and Updates

Both the Galaxy A16 and Galaxy S25 Ultra have a 5000 mAh battery, which offers a full day of typical use.

Battery

5000 mAh5000 mAh

Fast charging

25 W45 W

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP54IP68

Software updates

Until Nov 2030Until Feb 2032

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20242025

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra performance

Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. The Galaxy A16 is designed for everyday tasks with moderate RAM and a mid-range chipset. The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers high-end performance with a recent Snapdragon chipset, more RAM, and larger storage options.

Chipset and RAM

The Galaxy A16 runs on a Mediatek Helio G99 chipset with 4 GB RAM, suitable for daily apps and moderate multitasking. The Galaxy S25 Ultra uses a Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with 12 GB RAM, which keeps demanding apps and multiple tasks running smoothly and quickly.

Storage Capacity

The Galaxy A16 is available with 128GB of storage, offering enough space for most users who keep photos, apps, and media. The Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in larger storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, which suits users who store large files, videos, or use many apps.

Chipset

Mediatek Helio G99Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)

RAM

4 GB12 GB

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra screen

Screen quality affects how you view content and interact with the phone. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a larger, sharper, and smoother screen, while the Galaxy A16 provides a solid display for everyday viewing.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Galaxy A16 has a 6.7 inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2340, which delivers clear and vibrant visuals. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a larger 6.9 inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen with 1440 x 3120 resolution, providing more detail and space for video or multitasking.

Refresh Rate

The Galaxy A16 refreshes at 90 Hz, offering smooth scrolling and good responsiveness. The Galaxy S25 Ultra's 120 Hz refresh rate means even smoother animations and better performance for fast-moving content like games or video.

Refresh rate

90 Hz120 Hz

Resolution

1080 x 23401440x3120

Screen size

6.7 inch6.9 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra camera

Camera setups and front camera quality influence photo and video capabilities. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a more advanced camera system with extra lenses and higher megapixels on the main camera, while the Galaxy A16 focuses on straightforward photography with fewer cameras.

Camera Setup

The Galaxy A16 has a triple camera system with a 50 MP main camera, suitable for good quality photos in most situations. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a quadruple camera setup including a 200 MP wide main camera with optical image stabilization and telephoto lenses offering 3x and 5x optical zoom, ideal for detailed and versatile photography.

Front Camera

The Galaxy A16 includes a 13 MP front camera, which is slightly higher in megapixels than the Galaxy S25 Ultra's 12 MP front camera. Both can capture clear selfies and video calls.

Camera type

Triple (3x)Quadruple (4x)

Front camera

13 megapixels12 megapixels

Main camera

50 megapixels200 megapixels

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra size and design

Other features like network compatibility, SIM options, and physical dimensions can affect everyday use. The Galaxy A16 supports 4G networks and has a microSD slot for expandable storage, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 5G and offers eSIM technology but has no microSD slot.

Mobile Network and SIM

The Galaxy A16 supports 4G and has dual physical SIM slots, which is useful if you want to use two physical SIM cards at once. The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports the faster 5G network and offers one physical SIM slot plus an eSIM, which can be convenient for managing multiple numbers without extra cards.

Expandable Storage

The Galaxy A16 includes a microSD card slot, allowing you to add more storage if needed. The Galaxy S25 Ultra does not have a microSD slot, so storage depends entirely on the internal capacity you choose.

Dimensions and Weight

The Galaxy A16 measures 164.4 mm tall, 77.9 mm wide, and 7.9 mm deep, weighing 200 g. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is slightly shorter at 162 mm tall and 77 mm wide, but thicker at 8 mm deep and heavier at 218 g. These differences may affect how the phones feel in your hand or pocket.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-CUSB-C

Depth

7.9 mm8.2 mm

Height

164.4 mm162.8 mm

Mobile network

4G5G

Release date

20 November 20247 February 2025

SD card slot

microSDNo

SIM card

Dual Physical SIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

200 g218 g

Width

77.9 mm77.6 mm

Galaxy A16 or Galaxy S25 Ultra: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy A16 if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £114.20, £563.80 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • you want a higher-resolution front camera (13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
  • you want a lighter build (200 g vs 218 g)

Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if

  • you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
  • you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
  • you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 90 Hz)

What our customers say

Customers say the Galaxy A16 looks and works like new, with many noting it is a great phone for everyday use and offers more than enough features for most people. Several users mention the phone feels brand new and data transfer is straightforward. Some appreciate it as a good choice for family members or as a reliable secondary phone. Overall, the Galaxy A16 is seen as easy to use and well suited for routine tasks.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra receives praise for its near-new condition, fast performance, excellent battery life, and impressive display. Customers highlight the advanced camera quality and ease of use despite many features. Users also appreciate the build quality and the ability to handle demanding apps smoothly. Some mention the phone looks and feels like a new device, with only a few noting minor issues such as regional model concerns or specific faults. The S25 Ultra suits those who want a high-performance phone with versatile photography and advanced connectivity.

The Galaxy A16 is well suited for users looking for a reliable, straightforward phone with solid battery life and good everyday performance. The Galaxy S25 Ultra fits buyers who need top-tier speed, a larger and sharper screen, extensive storage, and advanced camera capabilities.

Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra FAQs

Galaxy A16 vs S25 Ultra comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 on the Galaxy A16, Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.

The Galaxy A16 is cheaper refurbished, from £114.20 compared with £678 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Both have the same battery: 5000 mAh.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 50 megapixels.

The Galaxy A16 gets updates until Nov 2030. The Galaxy S25 Ultra gets updates until Feb 2032.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 90 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £563.80 more (from £678 vs £114.20).

Refurbished, the Galaxy A16 comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.

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