The ultimate smartphone camera battle is here: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. We’ve rigorously tested both flagships to determine which captures superior photos and videos. Which phone reigns supreme? Let’s dive into our in-depth camera comparison.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Camera Specs: A Head-to-Head Comparison
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a familiar 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom, mirroring the S24 Ultra. The key upgrade lies in the new 50MP wide-angle camera. Samsung’s partnership with Qualcomm resulted in a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, leveraging AI for enhanced image processing.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48MP main camera, a 12MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, and a 48MP wide-angle camera. It’s powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chip. Both phones incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) on their primary and telephoto lenses. Note: Our test results also apply to the iPhone 16 Pro, which shares the same camera system.
Main Camera: Sharpness is Key
A photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
A photo taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
The primary camera is your everyday lens. In our tests, a consistent difference emerged: sharpness. The iPhone 16 Pro Max consistently delivered sharper images, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra exhibited a slight blur or softness. This becomes particularly evident when cropping.
A photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
A photo taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone also produced a more aesthetically pleasing depth of field, while the S25 Ultra maintained a wider focal range, sometimes resulting in flatter images. While some might prefer the S25 Ultra’s broader focus, the iPhone’s approach offers more control over the subject emphasis.
A photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
A photo taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Color reproduction was generally accurate on both devices, but the iPhone consistently produced sharper images with warmer, more natural tones. While both cameras occasionally struggled with white balance consistency, the iPhone 16 Pro Max takes the lead in this category.
Winner: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Wide-Angle: Samsung’s Strength
A photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angle
A photo taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wide-angle
The S25 Ultra’s upgraded wide-angle lens is a significant improvement over its predecessor. It delivers richer colors and more accurate exposure compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, it’s not without its flaws. While Samsung’s image processing enhances colors, it also applies noticeable smoothing.
A photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angle
A photo taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wide-angle
The differences in color tone are striking. The S25 Ultra captures more realistic scenes, while the iPhone’s processing can sometimes lead to unrealistic results. The S25 Ultra’s smoothing, while potentially excessive, mitigates the pixelation observed in the iPhone’s images upon cropping.
A photo taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra wide-angle
A photo taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max wide-angle
Overall, the S25 Ultra’s wide-angle lens delivers superior detail, color accuracy, and realism, securing a win in this category.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Telephoto: Zoom Capabilities Compared
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