Galaxy S25+ Vs iPhone 16

Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£550.00

Versus £958.39 new

See options
iPhone 16
iPhone 16
Starting at

Refurbished price:£475.00

Versus £699.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in early 2025, and the iPhone 16, launched in late 2024, represent recent iterations of their respective flagship smartphone lines. While both devices offer premium experiences, they cater to different user preferences through their distinct operating systems and hardware philosophies. The Galaxy S25 Plus runs on Android 15, offering extensive customization, while the iPhone 16 operates on iOS 18, known for its streamlined and integrated ecosystem. Key differentiators include display technology, camera versatility, and software support timelines.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 16 offer substantial software support and robust build quality.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is promised 7 years of major operating system and security updates, extending its support until January 2031. The iPhone 16, running iOS 18, typically receives 5 to 6 years of major iOS updates, with security updates often continuing for longer.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 16 incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover, designed for enhanced drop protection, while the Galaxy S25 Plus utilizes advanced Gorilla Glass for its display.
  • Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both manufacturers design their devices with certain components being replaceable by authorized service providers. The practical lifespan for both models is expected to extend well beyond their initial software support, especially when considering quality-assured refurbished options.

Year of Release

2025

2024

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 16 are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding tasks and ensure smooth operation.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a current-generation processor, enabling smooth multitasking, rapid app launches, and efficient handling of graphically intensive applications and advanced AI features. The iPhone 16 is powered by its own advanced chip, optimized for generative artificial intelligence tasks and offering strong performance for gaming and complex computations.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S25 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running numerous applications simultaneously without slowdowns. The iPhone 16 includes 8GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS optimization, delivers a responsive user experience. Both devices offer storage options up to 512GB, with the Galaxy S25 Plus also having a 256GB base option and the iPhone 16 starting at 128GB.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with a 4900 mAh battery, supporting fast wired charging at 45W and wireless charging at 15W. The iPhone 16 has a 3561 mAh battery, with the larger iPhone 16 Plus model featuring a 4674 mAh battery, both offering improved battery life over their predecessors. The iPhone 16 supports 25W MagSafe wireless charging and up to 25W wired charging for the Plus model, and 20W for the base model.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 16 is characterized by high-quality displays, though with some notable differences in technology and specifications.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution of 3120x1440 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 513 ppi. The iPhone 16 sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2556x1179 pixels, offering a pixel density of around 460 ppi.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S25 Plus offers an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and animations, and can reach a peak brightness of up to 2600 nits. The iPhone 16 maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate and achieves a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits, with peak HDR brightness at 1600 nits and outdoor peak brightness reaching 2000 nits.
  • Viewing Experience: Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of OLED technology. The Galaxy S25 Plus includes ProScaler, an AI-based upscaling technology designed to enhance lower-resolution content for its high-resolution display. The iPhone 16 features the Dynamic Island, an interactive area around the front camera and sensors.

Resolution

1440x3120

1179 x 2556

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, each with its own strengths in capturing photos and videos across various conditions.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP wide-angle main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view, and a 10 MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS. The iPhone 16 features a dual-lens system with a 48 MP Fusion main camera that also enables a 12 MP 2x telephoto option, alongside a 12 MP ultra-wide camera.
  • Photography Features: The Galaxy S25 Plus benefits from Samsung's Pro Visual Engine, which enhances object recognition and color reproduction, and improves low-light performance. The iPhone 16 includes features like Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5 for optimized image processing, and supports spatial video recording. The iPhone 16 also introduces a new Camera Control button for quick access to camera functions.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of high-quality video recording, with the Galaxy S25 Plus supporting 8K video at 30/24 frames per second from its main sensor, and the iPhone 16 offering 4K Dolby Vision video recording up to 60 frames per second. For selfies and video calls, both phones feature a 12 MP front-facing camera, with the iPhone 16's having an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus, and the Galaxy S25 Plus's having an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features and design elements differentiate the Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 16.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both smartphones support advanced connectivity standards, including 5G and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring fast and reliable wireless communication. The Galaxy S25 Plus uses a USB-C port, while the iPhone 16 also features a USB-C port, though with USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. The iPhone 16 also includes a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for enhanced spatial awareness.
  • Biometric Security and Additional Features: The iPhone 16 relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition. The Galaxy S25 Plus typically employs an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The iPhone 16 introduces a customizable Action Button, allowing users to quickly access various functions. Both devices offer satellite connectivity for emergency services, with the iPhone 16 extending this to messaging.
  • Design and Materials: The Galaxy S25 Plus has dimensions of 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm and weighs 190 grams. The iPhone 16 measures 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm and weighs 170 grams. The iPhone 16 features an aluminum design with a color-infused glass back and a Ceramic Shield front.

Weight

190 g

170 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and the iPhone 16 each offer compelling features, appealing to different user priorities. Users often praise the Galaxy S25 Plus for its vibrant, high-resolution display and the extensive customization options provided by Android. Its longer software support commitment is also a significant advantage for those who keep their devices for many years. Some users, however, might note that its camera hardware, while capable, saw more iterative software-based improvements rather than major sensor upgrades compared to its predecessor.

The iPhone 16 is frequently lauded for its powerful and efficient processor, the seamless integration of its iOS ecosystem, and its robust video recording capabilities, including spatial video. The introduction of the Action Button and Camera Control button also enhances user interaction. A common point of discussion for the standard iPhone 16 models is the continued use of a 60Hz refresh rate display, which some users find less fluid compared to devices with higher refresh rates.

For individuals who prioritize a highly customizable operating system, a very high-resolution display with a dynamic refresh rate, and a longer guaranteed software update period, the Galaxy S25 Plus presents a strong option. Conversely, users who value a streamlined, intuitive user experience, strong performance for AI-driven tasks, and a robust video camera system may find the iPhone 16 to be a more suitable choice. Both devices represent excellent choices in the premium smartphone segment, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be a sustainable choice for consumers.

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