Galaxy S25 Vs iPhone 14 Plus

Galaxy S25
Galaxy S25
Starting at

Refurbished price:£435.00

Versus £766.13 new

See options
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:£242.00

Versus £699.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25, released in early 2025, and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus, launched in late 2022, represent distinct approaches to the large-screen smartphone experience. While both offer robust performance and capable camera systems, they differ significantly in their operating systems, display technologies, and overall feature sets. This comparison aims to highlight the practical distinctions between these two devices, helping users understand which might better suit their daily needs.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of a smartphone, factors such as release date, software support, and physical durability play a crucial role. The Galaxy S25, being a more recent release, benefits from a longer expected software support window compared to the iPhone 14 Plus.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S25 was released in February 2025, making it over two years newer than the iPhone 14 Plus, which debuted in October 2022. This difference in launch dates directly impacts the duration of future software updates.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides several years of major Android OS updates and security patches for its flagship devices, with the Galaxy S25 expected to receive up to seven major OS upgrades. Apple also offers extensive iOS support, but the iPhone 14 Plus, having been released earlier, will naturally reach its end-of-support sooner than the Galaxy S25.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust construction. The iPhone 14 Plus incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover and an aluminum design, offering resistance to drops and scratches. The Galaxy S25 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its display and an aluminum frame, providing a high level of protection. Both models carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Year of Release

2025

2022

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is central to its user experience, influencing everything from app responsiveness to gaming capabilities. Both the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 14 Plus deliver smooth operation, though they achieve this through different hardware and software optimizations.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 is equipped with a current-generation processor, specifically optimized for Samsung's devices, which provides a significant boost in CPU, GPU, and AI performance compared to its predecessors. This allows for smooth handling of demanding applications, complex multitasking, and advanced AI features. The iPhone 14 Plus is powered by a capable chip that ensures fluid navigation, quick app launches, and efficient handling of graphics-intensive tasks.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S25 typically comes with 12GB of RAM, facilitating seamless transitions between multiple open applications and intensive background processes. The iPhone 14 Plus features 6GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS's memory management, provides a responsive multitasking experience. Both devices offer various internal storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, with the Galaxy S25 also offering a 512GB option.
  • Battery Endurance: The iPhone 14 Plus is known for its extended battery life, with its 4325 mAh battery often lasting through a full day of heavy use and sometimes longer for moderate users. The Galaxy S25, with a 4000 mAh battery, also offers substantial endurance, capable of providing over 14 hours of video streaming in tests.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences, albeit with some key differences in technology and specifications.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 416 ppi. The iPhone 14 Plus sports a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, offering a pixel density of 458 ppi. Both OLED panels deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S25's display can reach a peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. It also features a dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 14 Plus offers a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits and a typical brightness of 800 nits, which is sufficient for most environments. Its display operates at a standard 60 Hz refresh rate.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the iPhone 14 Plus provides a more expansive canvas for media consumption and productivity. The Galaxy S25's smaller size makes it more manageable for one-handed use. Both displays are protected by durable glass, with the iPhone 14 Plus featuring Ceramic Shield and the Galaxy S25 using Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Resolution

1080x2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Photography and videography capabilities are often a deciding factor for many users, and both the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 14 Plus offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality images and videos.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S25 features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with a dual-camera system, comprising a 12 MP main camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera.
  • Photography Features: The Galaxy S25 benefits from Samsung's ProVisual Engine and AI-powered tools like Generative Edit, enhancing image processing and offering creative editing possibilities. It also provides good low-light performance and accurate focus. The iPhone 14 Plus utilizes Apple's Photonic Engine, which significantly improves mid-to-low light performance across all cameras, delivering more detail and color. Both phones offer features like Portrait mode and Night mode.
  • Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The Galaxy S25 offers advanced video features, including dual recording in 4K and the ability to record videos in log format for professional editing. The iPhone 14 Plus supports 4K Dolby Vision video recording and includes Cinematic mode for depth-of-field effects and Action mode for enhanced video stabilization.

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of a smartphone.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 14 Plus support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy S25 includes modern Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth 5.4. The iPhone 14 Plus also features advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. For physical connections, the iPhone 14 Plus uses a Lightning port, while the Galaxy S25 features a USB-C port, offering broader compatibility with accessories.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S25 incorporates an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. The iPhone 14 Plus relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S25 is a more compact device, weighing 162g and measuring 146.9mm x 70.5mm x 7.2mm, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The iPhone 14 Plus is larger and slightly heavier at 203g, with dimensions of 160.8mm x 78.1mm x 7.80mm, providing a more expansive screen but requiring a two-handed grip for some users. Both phones feature aerospace-grade aluminum frames.

Weight

162 g

203 g

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 14 Plus cater to users with differing priorities, reflecting their respective ecosystems and design philosophies. User feedback for the Galaxy S25 often highlights its comfortable size, vibrant display, and the significant performance improvements brought by its customized processor. The integration of advanced AI features and a commitment to extended software updates are also frequently praised. Some users, however, note that while the camera is dependable, it may not always match the vividness of some competitors in certain scenarios, and charging speeds are not the fastest available.

The iPhone 14 Plus is consistently lauded for its exceptional battery life, often exceeding a full day of use, and its large, immersive OLED display. Its camera system, particularly with the Photonic Engine, receives positive remarks for its low-light performance and video capabilities. Users appreciate the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and the robust build quality. A common observation is that while it offers a larger screen, its overall feature set is a more incremental upgrade from previous iPhone models, and the 60Hz refresh rate is a point of comparison with newer Android flagships.

Users prioritizing the latest Android innovations, a high refresh rate display, and a more compact form factor with extensive software support may find the Galaxy S25 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value industry-leading battery endurance, a larger display for media, and the consistent performance of iOS, along with advanced safety features, may lean towards the iPhone 14 Plus. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

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