Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Choosing between Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25 comes up constantly, so we ran both through the same 15-row comparison and our category scoring. The iPhone 16 is Apple's mainstream 2024 flagship with the A18 chip, a new Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence support. The Galaxy S25 is Samsung's compact 2025 flagship, running the Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM in a 162-gram body.
Quick verdict
Galaxy S25 scores 57 to iPhone 16's 26 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support. iPhone 16 remains the right call for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the smartphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Apple iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is Apple's mainstream 2024 flagship with the A18 chip, a new Camera Control button and Apple Intelligence support.
Best for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices
Samsung Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S25 is Samsung's compact 2025 flagship, running the Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM in a 162-gram body.
Best for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support
Key differences
- Display type: iPhone 16 OLED (Super Retina XDR) vs Galaxy S25 Dynamic AMOLED 2X — a preference, not a scored win
- Screen size: iPhone 16 6.1" vs Galaxy S25 6.2" — a preference, not a scored win
- Chipset: iPhone 16 Apple A18 vs Galaxy S25 Snapdragon 8 Elite — a preference, not a scored win
- Rear cameras: iPhone 16 Dual (wide + ultrawide) vs Galaxy S25 Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) — a preference, not a scored win
- Operating system: iPhone 16 iOS vs Galaxy S25 Android (One UI) — a preference, not a scored win
Specification comparison table
| Specification | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.2" |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | Dual (wide + ultrawide) | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) |
| Battery | 3,561 mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 25 W |
| Weight | 170 g | 162 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating system | iOS | Android (One UI) |
| Promised OS updates | 6 years | 7 years |
| Launch price (USD) | $799 | $799 |
Display: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 2 · Galaxy S25 52
For display type, iPhone 16 uses OLED (Super Retina XDR) whereas Galaxy S25 goes with Dynamic AMOLED 2X. This is a preference rather than a scored win: panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw. The two differ on screen size (6.1" against 6.2"), and a larger screen is easier for video and multitasking but harder to use one-handed.
The refresh rate row goes to Galaxy S25: 120 Hz against 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations look smoother.
Performance: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 12 · Galaxy S25 39
For chipset, iPhone 16 uses Apple A18 whereas Galaxy S25 goes with Snapdragon 8 Elite. This is a preference rather than a scored win: the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. The RAM row goes to Galaxy S25: 12 GB against 8 GB. More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Base storage is identical at 128 GB.
Camera: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 14 · Galaxy S25 62
The main camera row goes to Galaxy S25: 50 MP against 48 MP. Megapixels matter less than sensor size, but a higher count allows more cropping and detail in daylight.
The two differ on rear cameras (Dual (wide + ultrawide) against Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto)), and extra lenses add telephoto reach or ultrawide flexibility.
Battery: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 5 · Galaxy S25 22
Galaxy S25 leads on battery with 4,000 mAh versus 3,561 mAh, a margin of 439 mAh. In practice more capacity generally means more screen-on time between charges.
The wired charging row goes to Galaxy S25: 25 W against 20 W. Faster wired charging shortens top-up time when you are in a hurry.
Design: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 85 · Galaxy S25 100
Galaxy S25 is better on weight at 162 g against 170 g, a 8 g difference; lower is better because a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Water resistance is identical at IP68.
Software: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 24 · Galaxy S25 72
The two differ on operating system (iOS against Android (One UI)), and the OS decides your app ecosystem and how the phone fits with your other devices.
Galaxy S25 offers 7 years of promised OS updates while iPhone 16 stops at 6 years; the 1 years gap matters because longer update support keeps the phone secure and resale value higher.
Value: iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S25 Score: iPhone 16 85 · Galaxy S25 85
Launch price (USD) is identical at $799.
Pros and cons
iPhone 16
Pros
- A18 chip with Apple Intelligence
- Camera Control button
- Compact 6.1-inch size
Cons
- Weaker refresh rate (60 Hz)
- Weaker RAM (8 GB)
- Weaker main camera (48 MP)
- Weaker battery (3,561 mAh)
Galaxy S25
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- 12 GB RAM as standard
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Weaker refresh rate (120 Hz)
- Weaker RAM (12 GB)
- Weaker main camera (50 MP)
- Weaker battery (4,000 mAh)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Apple iPhone 16 for…
People who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices. It stands out for a18 chip with apple intelligence, camera control button, compact 6.1-inch size.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 for…
Android users who want a small flagship with long software support. It stands out for snapdragon 8 elite for galaxy, 12 gb ram as standard, seven years of updates.
Final verdict
Galaxy S25 scores 57 to iPhone 16's 26 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support. iPhone 16 remains the right call for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
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Frequently asked questions
Is iPhone 16 better than Galaxy S25?
On the VersusAnything Score, Galaxy S25 finishes ahead 57 to 26. That makes Galaxy S25 the better overall pick for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support, while iPhone 16 is still the right choice for people who want the current iPhone experience without paying Pro prices.
What is the biggest difference between iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25?
The largest gap is display type: iPhone 16 lists OLED (Super Retina XDR) while Galaxy S25 lists Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Panel technology affects contrast, outdoor visibility and power draw.
Which is cheaper, iPhone 16 or Galaxy S25?
They match on launch price (USD) at $799.
Who should choose Galaxy S25 over iPhone 16?
Galaxy S25 is the better fit for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support. Its strongest points are snapdragon 8 elite for galaxy, 12 gb ram as standard, seven years of updates.
Sources
- iPhone 16: Apple product page (manufacturer)
- Galaxy S25: Samsung product page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.