iPhone vs Samsung: The Ultimate 2026 Smartphone Showdown

Based on DXOMARK camera tests, PhoneArena battery comparisons, and thousands of real user reviews

The short answer: The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins by a narrow margin. It delivers the best smartphone video quality according to DXOMARK, runs more stable software, costs $100 less, and feels significantly better in hand. Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra counters with the S Pen, better gaming endurance, and more RAM — but One UI 7's rough edges and the phone's brick-like ergonomics hold it back. For most users, the iPhone is the safer bet. Get the iPhone 16 Pro Max on Amazon for $1,199 →

The Fighters

	iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Price	$1,199 on Amazon	$1,299 on Amazon
Best For	Video creators, ecosystem users	S Pen users, power multitaskers
Chip	A18 Pro (3nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite
Display	6.9" Super Retina XDR	6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Battery	4,685mAh	5,000mAh

Modern smartphone technology

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Camera Quality

Both phones take stunning photos, but they excel in different areas. Samsung's 200MP main sensor captures insane detail — zoom in and you'll find sharpness that the iPhone's 48MP sensor can't match. The Galaxy's 50MP 5x telephoto also beats iPhone's 12MP telephoto in pure resolution.

But here's the thing: DXOMARK's testing found the iPhone 16 Pro Max "delivered better results than any other mobile device tested" for video. And it's not close. Apple has "consistently set the benchmark for mobile video quality" for eight years running.

For photos, it's a wash. For video? iPhone dominates. Since most social content is now video-first, that matters.

iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
8/10	7/10

Round 1 Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max — Video quality gives it the edge in a video-first world.

Score after Round 1: iPhone 8 | Samsung 7

Round 2: Software & Stability

This round isn't even close. Users in Samsung Community forums describe One UI 7 as "unfinished and unstable," with widgets that are "nearly unusable," screen rotation that's misaligned, and notifications that are "a mess."

The iPhone has its own issues — iOS 26 has caused WiFi connectivity problems for some users, and Siri is still inconsistent. But iOS remains fundamentally more polished and predictable.

As Geeky Gadgets puts it: "If you value stability, ease of use, and a cohesive ecosystem, iPhones are the clear winner."

iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
8/10	6/10

Round 2 Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max — One UI 7's rough edges hurt Samsung here.

Score after Round 2: iPhone 16 | Samsung 13

Round 3: Battery Life

Both phones deliver excellent battery life, and real-world testing shows they're nearly identical. In PhoneBuff's robot-controlled test, the iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted 28 hours and 1 minute versus the Galaxy S25 Ultra's 27 hours and 50 minutes — a difference of just 11 minutes.

The breakdown matters though. PhoneArena found the iPhone leads by nearly 2 hours in web browsing and 1.5 hours in video playback. But Samsung wins gaming by 2.5 hours and has better standby efficiency.

What's impressive is the iPhone matches Samsung despite having a smaller battery (4,685mAh vs 5,000mAh). That's iOS optimization at work.

iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
8/10	8/10

Round 3 Winner: Tie — Different strengths, effectively equal overall.

Score after Round 3: iPhone 24 | Samsung 21

Person using smartphone

Round 4: Design & Ergonomics

Here's where Samsung has a real problem. Multiple reviewers describe the Galaxy S25 Ultra as "bulky, cumbersome, and not enjoyable to hold". At 218 grams, it "feels like an actual brick in hand." The flat sides with sharp edges are "supremely uncomfortable."

Worse, Tom's Guide reported that camera rings on some S25 Ultras have fallen off before the device was three months old — they're just glued on.

The iPhone isn't perfect — the Camera Control button is in "totally the wrong place" according to reviewers, causing camera shake and an unnatural grip. But at least the phone feels good to hold.

iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
7/10	5/10

Round 4 Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max — The "brick" problem is real.

Score after Round 4: iPhone 31 | Samsung 26

Round 5: Features & Flexibility

Samsung fights back here. The S Pen, included at no extra cost, is genuinely useful for note-taking, drawing, and precise input. iPhone has nothing comparable.

Samsung also offers 12GB RAM versus iPhone's 8GB, split-screen multitasking, pop-up views, and extensive customization options. Android users get more control over their experience — default apps, launchers, file management, and sideloading.

The Galaxy's 200MP sensor also enables more creative flexibility with cropping and zooming in post.

iPhone's ecosystem is tighter if you own other Apple devices, but Samsung wins on pure feature count.

iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
6/10	8/10

Round 5 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra — S Pen and customization give it the edge.

Score after Round 5: iPhone 37 | Samsung 34

Round 6: Value for Money

The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,299. That's a $100 difference at launch.

But here's where it gets interesting: Samsung typically offers better trade-in deals and storage promotions. You might get double storage for the same price during sales.

However, the iPhone holds its resale value significantly better. Two years from now, that iPhone will sell for more than the Samsung. And with 7-year software support from both companies, longevity is a wash.

The iPhone also includes fewer accessories that need replacing — you'll buy an S Pen case, Samsung-specific chargers, and Galaxy Watch to fully utilize Samsung's ecosystem.

iPhone 16 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
7/10	7/10

Round 6 Winner: Tie — Lower launch price vs better promotions balances out.

Technology lifestyle

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
iPhone 16 Pro Max	44/60	WINNER
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra	41/60

The Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max wins, but this is the closest flagship fight in years. Apple's victory comes down to three factors: unmatched video quality for the content creators who dominate social media, significantly better software stability, and a phone that doesn't feel like a brick in your hand.

Samsung's ergonomics problem is real. When Android Authority titles their review "a fantastic Android phone I hate using," that's a damning indictment. The S25 Ultra has incredible specs on paper, but specs don't matter if holding the phone is uncomfortable.

The iPhone isn't perfect. The Camera Control button is poorly placed. iOS has gotten more complex. But Apple still delivers the more polished, predictable experience — and in 2026, that consistency wins.

Ready to buy the winner? Get the iPhone 16 Pro Max on Amazon →

When the Loser Actually Wins

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You need the S Pen — There's simply no iPhone equivalent for note-taking and drawing
Gaming endurance matters — Samsung lasts 2.5 hours longer in gaming battery tests
You want Android customization — Launchers, default apps, sideloading, and true multitasking
You're already in Samsung's ecosystem — Galaxy Watch, Buds, and tablets integrate seamlessly
Trade-in promotions favor you — Samsung's deals can offset the $100 price difference

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Person working with mobile devices

Is the camera really that different?

For photos, they're remarkably similar in good light. Samsung captures more detail with its 200MP sensor, while iPhone has more natural colors. The real difference is video: iPhone is significantly better, especially for stabilization and low-light video. If you shoot a lot of video for social media, iPhone is the clear choice.

Which has better battery life?

It's effectively a tie. In PhoneBuff's comprehensive test, iPhone won by just 11 minutes over 28 hours. iPhone wins web browsing; Samsung wins gaming. Choose based on your usage pattern rather than raw battery numbers.

Should I switch from Android to iPhone (or vice versa)?

Only if you're frustrated with your current platform. Both ecosystems have learning curves, and you'll lose purchased apps and potentially some data in the transition. If you're happy with Android, the S25 Ultra is excellent. If you're happy with iOS, stick with iPhone.

Is One UI 7 really that bad?

It's not terrible, but it's noticeably less polished than iOS. Users report issues with widgets, notifications, and unintuitive gestures. These will likely improve with updates, but if you're buying today, expect some rough edges.