Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
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Galaxy Z Fold5
Starting at
£402.00
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy Z Fold5 and iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy Z Fold5 starts at £402, £438.13 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2024.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy Z Fold5, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- The Galaxy Z Fold5 has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 4400 mAh.
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max specs
The Galaxy Z Fold5 and iPhone 16 Pro Max suit different needs based on their unique designs and features. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is foldable, offering a large 7.6 inch screen that unfolds into a mini tablet, ideal for multitasking and media consumption. It has more RAM, making it suited for users who want to keep many apps open. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a slightly larger battery and a thinner design, with a high-resolution 6.9 inch screen that balances height and width. It offers a sharper front camera for selfies and video calls. Choose the Galaxy Z Fold5 for a versatile, expansive screen experience and the iPhone 16 Pro Max for a premium, responsive device with a strong front camera.
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max price
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- 256GBSold out
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Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design features that affect daily use. The Galaxy Z Fold5 stands out with its foldable design, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a slightly larger battery and a slimmer profile.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4685 mAh battery, slightly larger than the Galaxy Z Fold5's 4400 mAh. This means the iPhone may offer longer usage between charges, which suits users who prioritise battery life throughout a busy day.
Foldable Design
The Galaxy Z Fold5 is foldable, transforming from a phone to a mini tablet with its 7.6 inch screen. This appeals to those who want a larger display for reading, browsing, or multitasking in a compact device. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is not foldable and maintains a traditional smartphone shape.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on processing power, memory, and storage options. Both devices offer high-end chipsets and up to 1TB of storage, but they differ in RAM and chipset design.
Chipset
The Galaxy Z Fold5 runs on the Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max uses the Apple A18 Pro. Both are designed for powerful performance, suitable for demanding apps and multitasking within their respective operating systems.
RAM Capacity
With 12 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is well suited for keeping many apps open at once and handling multitasking, especially when using its large foldable screen. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has 8 GB of RAM, which is enough to keep everyday apps running smoothly and handle most intensive tasks efficiently.
Storage Options
Both devices offer the same storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. These options cater to users needing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and files.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max screen
Screen quality influences how you experience videos, games, and everyday use. Size, resolution, and screen type all play a role in the device's display characteristics.
Screen Size and Type
The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a large 7.6 inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen that unfolds into a mini tablet, offering more room for multitasking and media. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9 inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which is slightly smaller but remains very sharp and vibrant.
Resolution and Aspect Ratio
The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a resolution of 1812 x 2176 pixels, providing a wide but less tall display area suited to its foldable form. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a taller 1320 x 2868 pixel resolution, making it ideal for portrait use with sharp and detailed visuals.
Refresh Rate
Both devices support a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and animations that enhance everyday interactions and gaming experiences.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max camera
Audio and camera features affect video calls, photography, and media enjoyment. Differences in camera megapixels and front camera resolution shape how each device handles these tasks.
Front Camera
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 12 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for detailed selfies and sharp video calls. The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a 4 megapixel front camera, which is sufficient for basic video calls and self-portraits but with less detail.
Main Camera
The Galaxy Z Fold5 sports a 50 megapixel main camera, slightly higher in resolution than the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 48 megapixel main camera. This means the Galaxy may capture more detail in photos, which benefits users who prioritise photography.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max size and design
Various other features can affect everyday convenience, including device size, network compatibility, connectors, and SIM support.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy Z Fold5 measures 154.9 mm in height, 67.1 mm in width, and 13.4 mm in depth, weighing 253 g. This reflects its foldable form and larger unfolded screen. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is taller and wider at 163 mm by 77.6 mm, but thinner at 8.3 mm and lighter at 227 g, offering a more traditional phone size and feel.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy Z Fold5 supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexibility if you want to use two SIMs or switch carriers easily. The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports only eSIM, which suits users comfortable with digital SIM management.
Network and Carrier Compatibility
Both phones support 5G and come unlocked, giving you freedom to choose your mobile network provider.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy Z Fold5 or iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy Z Fold5 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £402, £438.13 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (7.6 inch vs 6.9 inch)
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 4400 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 4 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (227 g vs 253 g)
What our customers say
Customers buying the Galaxy Z Fold5 praise its condition and performance. Many highlight how the device looks and works like new, with minimal wear and impressive multitasking thanks to the large foldable screen. The battery life receives positive comments, with some users managing nearly two days between charges when optimising apps. The foldable screen is especially appreciated for watching videos and running multiple apps simultaneously. A few mention the weight as a consideration, but overall satisfaction is high, with users enjoying the versatility of the foldable design.
Those choosing the iPhone 16 Pro Max report excellent battery health and a device that feels almost new. Reviews focus on the phone's premium look and smooth touchscreen, with many customers noting the battery holds charge well and the device performs perfectly. The screen is described as responsive and sharp, and the phone's condition often exceeds expectations within the selected refurb category. The front camera resolution and overall feel of the phone contribute to a premium daily experience.
Both devices attract customers who value quality and reliability in refurbished phones. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is suited to those who want a multi-use device with a large screen for media and multitasking. The iPhone 16 Pro Max suits users who prefer a traditional smartphone experience with a sharp display and strong front camera.
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max FAQs
Galaxy Z Fold5 vs iPhone 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy Z Fold5, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Galaxy Z Fold5 has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 is cheaper refurbished, from £402 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 4400 mAh.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy Z Fold5 gets updates until Aug 2028. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Both come in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB refurbished.








