Galaxy S25+ Vs iPhone 15 Plus

Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£550.00

Versus £958.39 new

See options
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:£344.00

Versus £799.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in February 2025, and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus, launched in September 2023, represent two prominent large-screen smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both devices offer expansive displays and robust performance, they differ significantly in their operating systems and core hardware philosophies. The Galaxy S25 Plus runs on Android with Samsung's One UI, emphasizing customization and advanced AI features, whereas the iPhone 15 Plus operates on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem and user experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, software support and physical resilience are key factors. Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus are designed for extended practical lifespans, though their approaches to longevity differ.

  • Software Updates: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is promised 7 years of operating system and security updates, extending its software support until approximately 2032. The iPhone 15 Plus typically receives iOS updates for about 5-6 years from its release, with compatibility extending to iOS 26. This suggests the Galaxy S25 Plus may offer a longer period of official software support.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 15 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, designed to withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S25 Plus also boasts an IP68 rating and utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, alongside an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its overall resilience against everyday wear and tear.
  • Expected Lifespan: Both devices are built with high-quality materials and receive consistent updates, indicating a practical lifespan of several years. Users prioritizing the absolute longest software support might lean towards the Galaxy S25 Plus, while the iPhone 15 Plus offers a proven track record of consistent performance over many years of use.

Year of Release

2025

2023

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for handling daily tasks, from casual browsing to demanding applications and gaming. Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus deliver smooth and responsive experiences, though they achieve this with different underlying hardware.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor designed for high performance, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient handling of intensive applications and games. The iPhone 15 Plus features a powerful processor that was previously used in Apple's Pro models, providing robust performance for a wide range of tasks and a fluid user experience.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S25 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM and offers storage options starting from 256GB, providing ample space for applications and files, and facilitating seamless transitions between multiple open apps. The iPhone 15 Plus generally includes 6GB of RAM and is available with storage options starting at 128GB, which is sufficient for most users, though heavy users might consider higher storage tiers.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S25 Plus houses a 4900mAh battery, providing substantial power for extended use, often lasting a day and a half with typical usage. The iPhone 15 Plus, with its 4383mAh battery, is frequently praised for its exceptional battery longevity, often lasting more than a full day even with heavy use, and up to three days with casual usage.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both devices offer large, vibrant screens that enhance the viewing experience, albeit with some distinctions in their specifications.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution of 3120x1440 pixels, resulting in a very sharp and detailed image. The iPhone 15 Plus also has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels, which provides excellent clarity and vibrant colors.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: The Galaxy S25 Plus boasts an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, providing a smoother scrolling and gaming experience, and can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits for clear visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone 15 Plus features a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is generally smooth for everyday use, and offers a peak outdoor brightness of up to 2000 nits, ensuring good readability even under direct sunlight.
  • Viewing Experience: The iPhone 15 Plus incorporates the Dynamic Island, a dynamic area around the front camera that displays alerts and live activities, enhancing user interaction. Both displays offer excellent color reproduction and contrast, making them suitable for media consumption and general use.

Resolution

1440x3120

1290 x 2796

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus offer advanced systems for capturing photos and videos, each with its own strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, allowing for a range of photographic perspectives. The iPhone 15 Plus comes with a dual-camera system, featuring a 48MP main sensor that produces detailed 24MP photos by default and offers a 2x optical-quality zoom by cropping the sensor, alongside a 12MP ultra-wide camera.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S25 Plus is noted for producing good daylight photos with neutral colors and impressive dynamic range, and handles low-light scenes well, though its overall camera performance might not always lead the market in all conditions. The iPhone 15 Plus delivers sharp, vibrant images with good color accuracy and improved low-light performance compared to its predecessors, with its main sensor being a strong performer.
  • Video and Audio: Both devices offer high-quality video recording capabilities. The iPhone 15 Plus is particularly recognized for its exceptional and stable video quality. Both phones also feature stereo speakers, providing a good audio experience for media consumption.

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 15 Plus support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The iPhone 15 Plus has transitioned to a USB-C port, aligning with industry standards, though its data transfer speeds are at USB 2.0 levels. The Galaxy S25 Plus also features a USB-C port and supports modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
  • Biometrics and Sensors: The Galaxy S25 Plus incorporates an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. The iPhone 15 Plus relies on Face ID for biometric authentication. Both devices include a standard array of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and ambient light sensors.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8mm and weighs 201 grams, offering a balanced feel in hand. The Galaxy S25 Plus, while also a large device, features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, contributing to its robust build.

Weight

190 g

201 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the iPhone 15 Plus frequently highlights its exceptional battery life and the quality of its main camera as significant advantages. Many users appreciate the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and the overall smooth performance of iOS. Common criticisms often revolve around the 60Hz refresh rate of its display, which some find less fluid compared to devices with higher refresh rates, and the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens.

For the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, users generally praise its vibrant, high-resolution display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, its powerful performance, and the inclusion of advanced AI features. Its long software support commitment is also a notable positive. Some user feedback suggests that while its camera system is capable, it may not always offer class-leading performance in all scenarios, particularly when compared to the Ultra models or some competitors in terms of zoom capabilities or low-light photography.

Users prioritizing an extended software support timeline, a high refresh rate display, and a versatile camera system with optical zoom may find the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value industry-leading battery life, a highly integrated software ecosystem, and a consistently strong main camera for everyday photography might lean towards the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. Both devices offer compelling features for a premium smartphone experience, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative.

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