Head to head

Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.

Spec snapshot

Apple iPhone 16 ProSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Price (USD)$999$1299
Our rating4.5/54.5/5
Categorysmartphone-camerassmartphone-cameras
Pros44
Cons33

The case for each

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

4.5

Pros

  • +Most natural color science of any flagship
  • +Tetraprism telephoto reaches 120mm equivalent
  • +Best video pipeline in any phone
  • +ProRes + external SSD workflow

Cons

  • Telephoto struggles in low light
  • Still no variable aperture
  • Pricey storage upgrades
Full review →

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

4.5

Pros

  • +Two optical telephoto lengths
  • +200MP main delivers real cropping room
  • +Best zoom range in any phone
  • +Excellent OIS across all lenses

Cons

  • Color processing still warmer than neutral
  • Heavy and large
  • f/3.4 periscope needs light
Full review →

Winner by use case

Vlogging & videoSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Low-light photographyApple iPhone 16 Pro
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useApple iPhone 16 Pro
BeginnersTie

Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.

Common questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro better than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

It depends on what you shoot. Apple iPhone 16 Pro scores 4.5/5 in our review, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra scores 4.5/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.

Which is cheaper, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

Apple iPhone 16 Pro sells around $999, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra around $1299. The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the cheaper of the two.

Which one is better for beginners?

Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.

Should I upgrade from the Apple iPhone 16 Pro to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.

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