iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Best Camera vs Most Capable Android
iPhone 16 Pro won Best Camera at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Galaxy S25 Ultra was runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 awards. Now $400 apart in 2026 — iPhone 16 Pro at $899 discounted, S25 Ultra at $1,299.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple · 2024 · From $999
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung · 2025 · From $1299
Round wins
iPhone 16 Pro: 2 · Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 4 ·Ties: 2
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO |
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x telephoto | 200MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 3,582 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| OS | iOS 18 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Starting price | $999 | $1299 |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy S25 Ultra: 6.9-inch with anti-reflective coating, ~2,600 nits typical. iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3-inch ProMotion, ~3,000 nits peak. Samsung is bigger and more legible outdoors.
Performance
TieA18 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Elite are both flagship-tier. Functionally equivalent for typical use.
Camera (stills)
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraS25 Ultra: 200MP main + 5x periscope + 3x + ultrawide. iPhone 16 Pro: 48MP main + 12MP ultra + 12MP 5x. Samsung wins on resolution and zoom flexibility.
Camera (video)
Winner: iPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro has ProRes Log capture and the deeper creator-app ecosystem. Won MKBHD's 2024 Best Camera specifically for this.
Battery
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy S25 Ultra: 8+ hours screen-on. iPhone 16 Pro: 6.5–7.5 hours. Samsung wins.
S Pen / extras
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraS Pen is a Samsung differentiator. No iPhone equivalent.
Software updates
TieBoth ship 7 years of major OS updates.
Price
Winner: iPhone 16 ProiPhone 16 Pro: $899 (discounted). Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299. iPhone is $400 cheaper.
Final verdict
iPhone 16 Pro at $899 if you want a Pro-tier iPhone with full Apple Intelligence and same fundamental cameras as the iPhone 17 Pro. Galaxy S25 Ultra at $1,299 if you want the most capable Android phone — S Pen, 5x periscope, brightest display, and the latest hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 16 Pro or Galaxy S25 Ultra: which to buy?
iPhone 16 Pro at $899 for video creators and value-conscious iOS buyers. Galaxy S25 Ultra at $1,299 for the most capable Android, S Pen, and 5x periscope.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro a better value than the S25 Ultra?
Yes on price ($400 less) and same fundamental camera pipeline as iPhone 17 Pro. Samsung wins on capability — pick based on what matters more.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro instead?
If you can afford $1,099+ for the 17 Pro, that's the more apples-to-apples comparison. iPhone 16 Pro is the value pick if you want to save $200+.