Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S25
Starting at
£475.30£799.00 new
iPhone 16 Plus
Starting at
£588.00£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 Plus?
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy S25 starts at £475.30, £112.70 less than the iPhone 16 Plus. The Galaxy S25 is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25, Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus.
- The Galaxy S25 has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger battery: 4674 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus specs
The Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 Plus differ in several areas that suit different needs. The Galaxy S25 offers a compact 6.2 inch screen with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and more RAM, making it a good choice if you want a responsive display and multitasking ability. The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 6.7 inch screen with higher resolution, ideal for watching videos and reading. Battery capacity is higher on the iPhone 16 Plus, which may help with longer use between charges. Camera detail is similar but the Galaxy S25 has a higher megapixel front camera for selfies. Both support 5G and come unlocked. Choose the Galaxy S25 if you prefer Android and a compact phone with fast screen updates. Go for the iPhone 16 Plus if you want a larger iOS device with a bigger battery and higher resolution screen.
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus price
Colour
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, operating system, physical size and SIM options. These factors affect daily use, phone lifespan and compatibility.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 4674 mAh battery, which is larger than the Galaxy S25's 4000 mAh. This larger capacity suits users who prioritise longer battery life for extended use without charging. The Galaxy S25's battery still supports a full day's use for many but may recharge sooner under heavy use.
Operating System And Updates
The Galaxy S25 runs Android and the iPhone 16 Plus runs iOS 18.
Physical Size And SIM Options
The Galaxy S25 is more compact at 146.9 mm tall and 70.5 mm wide, weighing 162 g. The iPhone 16 Plus is larger at 160.9 mm tall, 77.8 mm wide, and heavier at 199 g. The Galaxy S25 uses dual physical SIMs, while the iPhone 16 Plus supports one physical SIM plus an eSIM, which may suit different user preferences for mobile network setup.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus performance
Performance includes the chipset, RAM and storage options, which impact speed, multitasking and how much data you can keep on your device.
Chipset Technology
The Galaxy S25 features the Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite built on a 3 nm process, while the iPhone 16 Plus includes the Apple A18 also on 3 nm. Both chipsets use similar manufacturing technology, so each offers advanced processing power suited to demanding apps and games.
RAM Capacity
The Galaxy S25 has 12 GB of RAM, which helps keep many apps open and running smoothly alongside multitasking. The iPhone 16 Plus has 8 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for everyday use and typical multitasking in iOS.
Storage Options
Both devices offer storage in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants. This range allows you to choose the right balance of space and cost for your apps, photos and files.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus screen
Screen quality affects how you experience content. Here, differences are in size, resolution, type and refresh rate, all important for media, reading and gaming.
Screen Size And Resolution
The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels. This makes it more spacious for watching videos and reading. The Galaxy S25 has a smaller 6.2 inch screen at 1080 x 2340 pixels, which suits users wanting a compact phone that fits easily in one hand.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S25 offers a 120 Hz refresh rate on its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen, which provides smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 60 Hz refresh rate on its Super Retina XDR OLED screen, providing solid image quality but with standard smoothness. If you value fluid motion in games or scrolling, the Galaxy S25 is suited to you.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera capabilities, which affect photo and video quality, especially for selfies and main photography.
Front Camera Detail
The Galaxy S25 has a 50 MP front camera with an f/1.8 aperture and 24mm wide lens, capturing high detail for selfies and video calls. The iPhone 16 Plus has a 12 MP front camera, suitable for clear and reliable selfies but with fewer megapixels.
Main Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S25 features a 50 megapixel main camera, while the iPhone 16 Plus has a 48 megapixel main camera. Both deliver detailed photos, with the Galaxy S25 offering a slightly higher megapixel count for capturing fine details.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus size and design
This section covers practical details like connectors, network compatibility, physical dimensions and SIM functionality, all of which affect daily handling and connectivity.
Connector Type
This matters if you want faster data transfer or compatibility with certain accessories.
SIM Card Setup
The Galaxy S25 supports dual physical SIM cards, allowing two separate physical SIMs in one device. The iPhone 16 Plus offers one physical SIM plus an eSIM, which can be useful if you want to add a second number without inserting a physical card.
Size And Weight
The Galaxy S25 measures 146.9 mm in height, 70.5 mm in width and 7.2 mm in depth, weighing 162 g. The iPhone 16 Plus is larger at 160.9 mm high, 77.8 mm wide, 7.8 mm deep, and heavier at 199 g. Choose the Galaxy S25 for a lighter, narrower phone or the iPhone 16 Plus if you prefer a larger, more substantial device.
Mobile Network
Both phones support 5G networks and come unlocked, giving you access to fast mobile data on a wide range of carriers.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S25 or iPhone 16 Plus: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S25 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £475.30, £112.70 less than the iPhone 16 Plus
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
Buy the iPhone 16 Plus if
- you want a bigger battery (4674 mAh vs 4000 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.2 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy S25 often highlight its like-new condition and good battery life, appreciating the device's performance and camera quality. Many report the phone feels brand new with no visible flaws and praise its battery health lasting all day. Some mention the compact size and smooth experience, while a few note issues with network compatibility or regional variants. Overall, buyers find the Galaxy S25 a great value for a refurbished phone with solid multitasking power and a high-quality display.
For the iPhone 16 Plus, customers value its like-new appearance and excellent battery life, often noting it lasts much longer between charges. The larger screen and iOS 18 system suit those who want a spacious device for media and everyday use. Some reviews mention needing assistance to update the software initially, but many appreciate the flawless condition and speed of the phone. A few users experienced glitches or heavier wear, but most find the iPhone 16 Plus a reliable and premium-feeling device.
Both devices suit different user preferences: the Galaxy S25 is well suited for those who want a compact, fast screen and Android experience, while the iPhone 16 Plus fits users looking for a larger display and longer battery life in an iOS device.
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus FAQs
Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) on the Galaxy S25, Apple A18 on the iPhone 16 Plus. The Galaxy S25 has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy S25 is cheaper refurbished, from £475.30 compared with £588 for the iPhone 16 Plus.
The iPhone 16 Plus has a bigger battery: 4674 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S25 has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy S25 gets updates until Feb 2032. The iPhone 16 Plus is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Both come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB refurbished.
