Samsung and Apple have introduced their latest compact flagship smartphones—the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. If you’re trying to decide which one suits you best, here’s a detailed breakdown of their features.
Design & Build
- Galaxy S25: Features an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back, and a punch-hole display.
- iPhone 16: Comes with an aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield glass back, and Dynamic Island notch.
- Durability: Both devices have an IP68 rating, making them water and dust-resistant.
- Buttons: The iPhone 16 includes an extra Action Button and Camera Control button.
Display
- Galaxy S25: 6.2-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, peak brightness up to 2,500 nits.
- iPhone 16: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz refresh rate, HDR10, peak brightness up to 2,200 nits.
- Verdict: The Galaxy S25 has a smoother and more efficient adaptive refresh rate.
Performance & Software
- Galaxy S25: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, running on One UI 7 (Android 15).
- iPhone 16: Runs on A18 Bionic chip with iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.
- AI Features:
- Galaxy S25 offers Gemini AI with advanced app integration.
- iPhone 16 introduces Apple Intelligence for smarter automation.
- Verdict: The Snapdragon chip provides more raw power, but Apple’s software is highly optimized for smooth performance.
Cameras
- Galaxy S25:
- 50MP main sensor (f/1.8)
- 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
- 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom, f/2.4)
- iPhone 16:
- 48MP main sensor (f/1.6)
- 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4)
- Video Features:
- iPhone 16 offers ProRes recording, Action mode, and Cinematic mode.
- Galaxy S25 supports 8K recording and AI-enhanced image processing.
- Verdict: The Galaxy S25 has an edge in zoom and versatility, while the iPhone 16 delivers superior video recording quality.
Battery & Charging
- Galaxy S25: 4,000mAh battery, supports 25W wired & 15W wireless charging.
- iPhone 16: Slightly smaller battery, 20W wired & 15W MagSafe charging.
- Verdict: Samsung provides a larger battery, but Apple’s software optimization may result in similar battery life.
Storage Options
- Galaxy S25: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- iPhone 16: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Verdict: Apple offers a 1TB variant, while Samsung’s storage options are limited to 512GB.
Connectivity & Features
- Galaxy S25: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, UWB support.
- iPhone 16: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Lightning/USB-C (region-dependent), UWB support.
- Verdict: Samsung supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, but Apple’s ecosystem benefits may be a deciding factor.
Price & Final Verdict
- Galaxy S25: Starts at Rs 80,999
- iPhone 16: Starts at Rs 71,900
Which One Should You Buy?
- Pick the Galaxy S25 if: You want a higher refresh rate, a telephoto lens, a bigger battery, and more AI features.
- Pick the iPhone 16 if: You prefer iOS, better video recording, and a seamless Apple ecosystem experience.
Both phones offer top-tier performance and premium design—your decision should come down to ecosystem preference and specific feature priorities.