Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which Flagship Wins?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the crown with a 9/10 rating. We compare display, performance, cameras, and value against the iPhone 16 Pro Max to find the best flagship.
Ethan Mercer
Editor-in-Chief
The flagship smartphone battle continues with two heavyweights: Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra and Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both command premium prices, both promise cutting-edge performance, and both target the same discerning buyers. But only one can win.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives with a 9.0/10 rating from expert reviewers, edging out the iPhone 16 Pro Max's 8.9/10. That narrow margin tells you everything: this is a close fight. The S25 Ultra starts at $1,030 at Walmart, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max can be found for $800 at Best Buy, a significant $230 difference.
Here's the reality. Both phones excel in different ways. The question isn't which is objectively better, it's which one matches your priorities. Let's break down where each phone wins and loses.
★ Quick Navigation
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AppleNew Model SoonNew model coming in a few months
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SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
iPhone 16 Pro Max
AppleNew Model SoonNew model coming in a few months
Galaxy S25 Ultra
SamsungDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
How We Review
Every product on this list was evaluated by aggregating expert reviews from trusted, independent sources. We don't accept pay-for-placement — our rankings are based entirely on review consensus, real-world testing data, and measurable performance.
Products are scored on a 10-point scale using a weighted formula that factors in expert ratings, price-to-value ratio, and recency. Newer products with strong reviews get a meaningful boost because we believe our readers deserve current recommendations.
Sources analyzed for this article: 2 products across multiple expert reviews.
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