Are you stuck choosing between Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max? In 2025, as smartphones get smarter, many people are asking the same question: which one is better? Both phones offer great features, strong performance, and modern style. But they are made for different types of users. In this post, we will look at key things like design, camera, speed, and battery life, so you can pick the phone that’s right for you.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max – Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | February 2025 | September 2023 (part of iPhone 15 generation) |
| Body & Design | 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, titanium frame, Corning Gorilla Armor 2, 218 g | 6.7″ Super Retina XDR OLED, titanium frame, Ceramic Shield, ~240 g |
| Display | 3120 × 1440 px, 120Hz adaptive refresh, up to 2,600 nits | 2796 × 1290 px, 120Hz ProMotion, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness |
| Chipset & Memory | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), up to 16 GB RAM | Apple A17 Pro (3 nm), 8 GB RAM |
| Storage Options | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| Main Camera | 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultrawide, 10 MP periscope (10×), advanced AI scene optimizer | 48 MP wide with Sensor‑Shift, 12 MP ultrawide, 5× telephoto, ProRAW capabilities |
| Video Recording | 8K/30fps, AI Audio Eraser, HDR 10‑bit | 4K ProRes, Cinematic and Action modes, Dolby Vision HDR |
| Front Camera | 12 MP selfie camera | 12 MP TrueDepth |
| Battery & Charging | 5,000 mAh, 45 W wired, 15 W wireless, Qi2 | ~4,400 mAh, ~30 W wired (USB‑C), MagSafe wireless |
| OS & Updates | Android 15 + One UI 7, guaranteed 7 years updates | iOS 17, with at least 6 years of updates |
| Connectivity | 5G (Sub‑6/mmWave), Wi‑Fi 7, UWB, S‑Pen support | 5G, Wi‑Fi 6E, UWB, USB‑C at 10 Gbps |
| Weight | 218 g | Approx. 240 g |
| Price (base) | $1,299 (256 GB) | $1,199 (256 GB) |
Major Highlights Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Display: The S25 Ultra delivers sharper resolution and higher peak brightness, but the iPhone’s OLED is no slouch, with superb color accuracy and dynamic features like ProMotion.
- Performance: Galaxy offers more RAM and multicore strength, while the A17 Pro offers excellent efficiency and graphical performance, especially for ray tracing.
- Cameras: Samsung’s 200 MP sensor and 10× zoom offer flexibility; Apple excels in software-driven imaging with ProRAW and ProRes video.
- Battery & Charging: Samsung offers larger capacity and faster charging, while Apple benefits from efficient hardware-software integration.
- Ecosystem & Updates: Both deliver long-term support, though Samsung leads with seven years and Apple offers seamless integration across its product range.
Design & Display
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and ultra-thin bezels. The device feels futuristic with its curved edges, titanium frame, and under-display camera.
iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, sticks with a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen, with 120Hz ProMotion technology. It’s built with aerospace-grade titanium and flaunts the Dynamic Island notch for notifications and multitasking.
Winner: For immersive visuals and futuristic design, Samsung takes the lead. But for durability and minimalism, Apple holds strong.
Performance & Software
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 with up to 16GB RAM. Android 15 with One UI 7 provides extensive customization and multitasking features like split-screen, DeX, and app cloning.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the A17 Pro chip built on a 3nm process, paired with 8GB RAM. iOS 17 continues to offer fluid performance, tight ecosystem integration, and six years of OS updates.
Winner: iPhone edges out in raw performance efficiency, but Samsung shines for power users and customization.
Camera Comparison Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 15 Pro Max
Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 200MP main sensor, 50MP periscope zoom (10x optical), 12MP ultrawide, and AI-enhanced photo processing. It excels in night mode, astrophotography, and 8K video recording.
iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a 48MP sensor with improved ProRAW and a 5x telephoto lens. Its video features include ProRes 4K, Cinematic mode, and advanced HDR.
Winner: Samsung wins for zoom and versatility; Apple excels in video and color accuracy.
Battery Life & Charging
The S25 Ultra boasts a 5,500mAh battery with 65W wired charging and 30W wireless. Expect 1.5+ days on moderate use.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 4,400mAh battery with 30W fast charging and MagSafe support.
Winner: Samsung offers more power and faster charging. Apple is efficient but more conservative.
Software Ecosystem & Features
iPhone 15 Pro Max shines with seamless Apple ecosystem integration: AirDrop, Continuity, FaceTime, and iMessage.
Galaxy S25 Ultra counters with a robust Android 15 experience, S Pen support, Samsung DeX, and better multitasking.
Winner: Pick Apple for simplicity and continuity. Go Samsung for productivity and flexibility.
Price & Value for Money
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,299 for 256GB. iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for 256GB.
Considering included features like S Pen, camera zoom, and battery, Samsung offers better value for tech-savvy users.
Pros & Cons
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 15 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Sleek, curved, futuristic | Premium, minimalist |
| Display | 6.8″ QHD+ AMOLED, 144Hz | 6.7″ OLED, 120Hz |
| Camera | 200MP, 10x zoom, 8K video | 48MP, ProRAW, 4K ProRes video |
| Battery | 5,500mAh, 65W fast charging | 4,400mAh, MagSafe |
| OS & Updates | Android 15 + One UI 7 | iOS 17 with 6 years of updates |
| Ecosystem | DeX, S Pen, Android flexibility | iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Watch |
Conclusion
If you want camera versatility, strong battery life, and productivity features (like S‑Pen and AI tools), the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra should be the best choice.
If you prefer tightly integrated hardware/software, best-in-class video features, and a premium ecosystem, go for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Both devices are powerhouses in their own right.
Ultimately, your choice should reflect your usage style and ecosystem preference.
FAQs
Q1: Which phone has a better camera: S25 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max?
A: Samsung has more versatility and zoom; iPhone is better for video and color accuracy.
Q2: Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra come with a charger?
A: No, like Apple, Samsung has removed in-box chargers.
Q3: Which phone lasts longer on battery?
A: Galaxy S25 Ultra generally offers better battery life due to its larger cell.
Q4: Is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
A: If you’re on iPhone 13 or earlier and want better camera + titanium build, yes.
