Smartphones continue to grow in size, but a demand for more pocketable devices persists. This has led both Samsung and Apple to offer smaller flagship phones alongside their larger models. However, they’ve taken distinct approaches. The Galaxy S25 Plus aims to blend the best of the standard S25 and the S25 Ultra, while the iPhone 16 Pro mirrors the experience of the iPhone 16 Pro Max in a more compact form. But which company made the better camera? We traveled the globe to put them head-to-head.
Samsung Galaxy S25+ vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Camera Specs
Before diving into real-world performance, let’s compare the camera hardware.
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 24mm, 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 48MP, f/1.8, 24mm, 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120°, 1.4µm, Super Steady Video | 48MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Telephoto Camera | 10MP, f/2.4, 67mm, 3x Optical Zoom, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS | 12MP, f/2.8, 120mm, 5x Optical Zoom, Dual Pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.4, 23mm, PDAF, OIS | 12MP, f/1.9, 23mm, PDAF, OIS |
Both phones share similar main camera specs, but diverge elsewhere. Samsung uses a lower-resolution ultrawide with larger pixels, while Apple employs a higher-resolution sensor with pixel binning. Notably, the S25 Plus doesn’t inherit the S25 Ultra’s upgraded 50MP ultrawide. The telephoto lenses also differ, with the S25 Plus offering 3x optical zoom compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x. Finally, both selfie cameras are comparable, but the iPhone 16 Pro benefits from OIS for potentially better low-light performance.
Zoom Performance: A Trip to Dubai
To test zoom capabilities, we journeyed to Dubai. In our first test, neither phone excelled, falling short of competitors like the OnePlus 13 and Pixel 9 Pro. However, the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x optical zoom provided a slight edge at higher magnifications, while the S25 Plus’s image quality degraded more quickly and appeared washed out.
A second test further highlighted the iPhone’s zoom advantage. While neither phone could clearly capture distant text at maximum zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro retained more legibility. At lower zoom levels, image quality was comparable, reflecting the similar base camera hardware.
In a third test, the S25 Plus performed closer to the iPhone 16 Pro, but detail was noticeably lacking. The iPhone 16 Pro produced sharper images, especially when zooming in on fine details.
We then tested low-light zoom performance. Again, the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x optical zoom provided a clear advantage at that magnification, producing a sharper image than the digitally zoomed S25 Plus.
Video Zoom Comparison
While still photo performance is now closely contested, Apple often retains its video recording crown. We tested video zoom in both daylight and low-light conditions.
Daylight Zoom Comparison Video – Galaxy S25+
Daylight Zoom Comparison Video – iPhone 16 Pro
Low-light Zoom Comparison Video – Galaxy S25+
Low-light Zoom Comparison Video – iPhone 16 Pro
In daylight, both phones performed similarly, with the iPhone 16 Pro offering slightly better stabilization. However, in low light, the iPhone 16 Pro significantly outperformed the S25 Plus, maintaining usability while the latter’s footage became excessively noisy.
Portrait Mode and Selfies
We also compared portrait modes. While Samsung offers a wider range of effects, including the impressive “color point” feature, Apple provides various studio lighting options. In our tests, both phones produced similar results, though the S25 Plus exhibited a slight color cast and the iPhone 16 Pro captured finer details slightly better.
Selfie performance was also very close. While the iPhone 16 Pro’s wider field of view resulted in slightly more compelling photos, and the S25 Plus suffered from some lens flare, the differences were minimal.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: A Different Story
While the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max share the same camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts significantly different hardware than the S25 Plus. Comparing the Ultra with the Pro Max reveals a clear advantage for Samsung at higher zoom levels, thanks to its superior resolution and detail.
The Verdict
The “best” camera depends on your priorities. For those seeking a smaller phone within a $1,000 budget, the iPhone 16 Pro offers superior overall image quality, despite the S25 Plus’s vibrant colors. However, if budget isn’t a constraint and a larger phone is acceptable, the Galaxy S25 Ultra outperforms the iPhone 16 Pro Max, particularly in zoom performance.
