The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Apple iPhone 16 Plus are two of the most compelling mid-range flagship smartphones on the market. Both offer premium features and powerful performance, making the choice between them a tough one. This in-depth comparison analyzes their design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software, and price to help you determine which phone reigns supreme.
The Galaxy S25 Plus in hand with the screen on.
Design and Display: A Visual Feast
Both phones boast premium aesthetics with sleek glass backs and rounded metal frames. The Galaxy S25 Plus continues Samsung’s refined design language, while the iPhone 16 Plus retains Apple’s signature elegance. Both offer comfortable grip, even for their large sizes, and come in a variety of stylish colors. The S25 Plus offers a wider range of color options, including Icy Blue Navy, Mint, Silver Shadow, Coral Red, Blue Black, and Pink Gold, compared to the iPhone 16 Plus’s Teal, Ultramarine, Pink, Black, and White.
The display is where the S25 Plus pulls ahead. Its 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate delivers incredibly smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. While the iPhone 16 Plus’s 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display offers excellent color accuracy and brightness, its 60Hz refresh rate feels dated in 2025.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
Performance: Powerhouses Under the Hood
The Galaxy S25 Plus packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a customized version of Qualcomm’s latest chipset. The iPhone 16 Plus runs on Apple’s A18 Bionic chip, known for its efficiency. Benchmarks suggest the Snapdragon chip holds a slight edge in both single-core and multi-core performance, translating to faster app launches and smoother multitasking. However, both phones handle everyday tasks and demanding games with ease.
Camera: Capturing Moments
The Galaxy S25 Plus boasts a versatile triple-camera system with a high-resolution main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens for optical zoom. The iPhone 16 Plus features a dual-camera setup with primary and ultrawide lenses, relying on computational photography for enhanced image quality. While the iPhone’s Camera Control button offers intuitive control over settings, the S25 Plus’s telephoto lens provides greater versatility.
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Battery and Charging: Powering Through the Day
Both phones offer all-day battery life. The S25 Plus is expected to match or exceed the S24 Plus’s impressive two-day battery life. The iPhone 16 Plus, while having a slightly smaller battery, still delivers a full day of use. The S25 Plus excels with faster wired charging, while the iPhone 16 Plus offers the convenience of MagSafe wireless charging.
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Software and Support: The Ecosystem Advantage
The Galaxy S25 Plus runs Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7, offering a highly customizable experience. The iPhone 16 Plus features iOS 18 with its signature simplicity and access to Apple Intelligence. Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software updates edges out Apple’s typical five to six years.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus.
Price and Availability: Finding the Best Deal
The Galaxy S25 Plus starts at $1,000 for the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM. The iPhone 16 Plus offers more storage configurations, starting at $900 for the 128GB model with 8GB of RAM.
The Verdict: Which Phone Should You Choose?
The best phone for you depends on your priorities. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus excels with its superior display, versatile camera system, and longer software support. The iPhone 16 Plus shines with its seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, convenient MagSafe charging, and more affordable entry-level price.
