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Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16

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Galaxy S25 Ultra

Starting at

£678.00£1,200.00 new
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iPhone 16

Starting at

£577.65£699.00 new
See options
(536 reviews)
(451 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16?

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 starts at £577.65, £100.35 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2025.

Refurbished from

£678£577.65

Chipset

Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Apple A18 (3 nm)

RAM

12 GB8 GB

Battery

5000 mAh3561 mAh

Screen size

6.9 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120HzSuper Retina XDR OLED
  • Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16.
  • The Galaxy S25 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
  • The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3561 mAh.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 specs

The Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 differ in several key areas that suit different types of users. The S25 Ultra offers a larger, higher resolution screen with a faster refresh rate, more RAM, and a bigger battery, making it ideal for those who prioritise multimedia, multitasking, and longer use between charges. The iPhone 16, with its smaller size, iOS 18, and dual camera system, suits users who prefer a compact device with a polished Apple experience. Storage options also differ, with the S25 Ultra offering up to 1TB compared to the iPhone 16's 512GB maximum.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 price

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and physical design. These affect how long you can use the phone and how it handles daily wear.

Battery Capacity

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery which suits users needing longer battery life between charges, such as heavy app users or frequent travellers. The iPhone 16 has a 3561 mAh battery, enough for typical daily use and benefiting those who prefer a lighter phone.

Software Updates

The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs Android while the iPhone 16 uses iOS 18, so your choice may depend on your preference for either operating system.

Battery

5000 mAh3561 mAh

Fast charging

45 WN/A

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP68IP68

OS at launch

N/AiOS 18

Software updates

Until Feb 2032Supported, up to iOS 27

Wireless charging

YesYes

Year of release

20252024

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 performance

Performance depends on the chipset and RAM, which influence how smoothly your phone handles apps and multitasking.

Chipset Technology

The Galaxy S25 Ultra features the Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset built on a 3 nm process, designed to deliver strong performance for demanding apps and games. The iPhone 16 uses Apple's A18 chipset, also on 3 nm, offering efficient processing optimised for iOS.

Memory Capacity

With 12 GB of RAM, the Galaxy S25 Ultra supports keeping more apps open and multitasking smoothly. The iPhone 16 has 8 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for everyday tasks and typical app use on iOS.

Storage Options

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage sizes, making it suitable for users who need a lot of space for media and apps. The iPhone 16 offers 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options, which fits well for users with moderate to high storage needs.

Chipset

Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Apple A18 (3 nm)

RAM

12 GB8 GB

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 screen

Screen quality affects your viewing experience for video, gaming, and everyday use. Size, resolution, and refresh rate all contribute to how the display feels.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a large 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1440x3120 pixels, providing a spacious and detailed display ideal for video watching and gaming. The iPhone 16 has a smaller 6.1 inch screen at 1179x2556 pixels, which suits those who prefer a more compact device that is easier to handle.

Refresh Rate

The S25 Ultra offers a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling feel smoother, which benefits gamers and users who enjoy fluid visuals. The iPhone 16 has a 60 Hz refresh rate, which is standard for many smartphones and provides a reliable viewing experience for everyday use.

Screen Type

The Galaxy S25 Ultra uses Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X technology with 120 Hz, delivering vibrant colours and efficient power use. The iPhone 16 features a Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for accurate colours and strong contrast, preferred by users who value true-to-life visuals.

Refresh rate

120 Hz60 Hz

Resolution

1440x31201179 x 2556

Screen size

6.9 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120HzSuper Retina XDR OLED

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 camera

Camera and front camera specs affect your photo and video quality, important for those who use their phone for photography or video calls.

Main Camera Setup

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a quadruple camera setup including a 200 MP wide lens, 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and 50 MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, offering versatile photography options for detailed shots and zoom. The iPhone 16 has a dual camera system with a 48 MP main camera, suited for excellent photos with a simpler setup.

Front Camera

Both phones have a 12 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for clear selfies and video calls.

Camera type

Quadruple (4x)Dual camera

Front camera

12 megapixels12 megapixels

Main camera

200 megapixels48 megapixels

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 size and design

Other features like size, weight, connectivity, and physical dimensions contribute to how the phone fits in your daily life.

Physical Dimensions and Weight

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is larger and heavier, measuring 162 mm in height, 77 mm in width, and 8 mm in depth with a weight of 218 g. This makes it better for users who prefer a larger device for media but who do not mind extra bulk. The iPhone 16 is smaller and lighter at 147.6 mm tall, 71.6 mm wide, 7.8 mm deep, and 170 g, suiting those who want a compact and easy-to-carry phone.

Connectivity and Network

Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, offering flexibility with carriers.

SIM Card Support

Both devices support a physical SIM and eSIM, giving you options for managing two numbers or plans simultaneously.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-CUSB-C

Depth

8.2 mm7.8 mm

Height

162.8 mm147.6 mm

Mobile network

5G5G

Release date

7 February 202520 September 2024

SD card slot

NoNo

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

218 g170 g

Width

77.6 mm71.6 mm

Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 16: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if

  • you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3561 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch)

Buy the iPhone 16 if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £577.65, £100.35 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • you want a lighter build (170 g vs 218 g)

What our customers say

Customers who chose the Galaxy S25 Ultra often highlight how the phone looks almost brand new with no scratches and excellent battery health, making it feel like a new device at a better price. They appreciate the phone's strong performance, long-lasting battery, and excellent display quality. Many mention the camera's versatility and strong photo quality in various lighting conditions without needing to adjust settings. The build quality and ease of use are also praised, with some noting the solid feel and useful features like the S Pen. A few customers mention size and weight, indicating it is a larger device but still manageable. The overall impression is of a high-quality, feature-rich phone that suits users who want a spacious screen and powerful specs.

Reviews for the iPhone 16 focus on the phone's excellent condition, with many customers saying it looks like new and has full battery health. Users appreciate the smooth performance and reliable battery life for daily activities. The size and feel of the iPhone 16 are often mentioned positively, with users liking the compact design. Many are happy with the camera quality, describing it as a significant upgrade. The overall user experience is described as satisfying, with clear instructions and a smooth setup. The iPhone 16 is well suited for those who want a reliable, smaller device with a polished iOS experience.

In summary, customers who prefer a larger, more powerful phone with advanced camera options tend to choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while those who want a compact, well-performing device with a strong Apple ecosystem favour the iPhone 16.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 FAQs

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.

The iPhone 16 is cheaper refurbished, from £577.65 compared with £678 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3561 mAh.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra gets updates until Feb 2032. The iPhone 16 is still supported and can run iOS 27.

Refurbished, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone 16 in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.

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