This year, the traditional head-to-head matchup might be more thrilling than before.
(Image credit: Carphone Warehouse / Future)
The Samsung Galaxy S25 series may be officially announced in January 2025 if the most recent reports are to be believed. Naturally, as Samsung and Apple continue their long-running battle, I and many others are wondering how the base model Galaxy S25 would compare to the iPhone 16. Even if the Galaxy S25 is expected to have some noticeable improvements, it appears that Samsung’s basic flagship may get another small update. Some users won’t mind because the Galaxy S24 is already on our list of the top Samsung phones. As our iPhone 16 review explains, the iPhone 16 wowed us with its quick performance, redesigned appearance, and new Camera Control button when it launched in September 2024. In comparison, the iPhone 16 feels like a significant step up from its predecessor, the iPhone 15.
Once we obtain official details regarding Samsung’s new phones, we’ll compare the Galaxy S25 series and iPhone 16 lineup in greater depth. Here are my predictions for the upcoming round of this well-known head-to-head, though, until then.
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16: Rumors, Features, and Key Upgrades Compared
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
After the release of the Samsung Galaxy S25, it appears that we will be looking at two pretty identical phones, despite the (usually friendly) competition between Apple and Samsung for the top spot in Western phone markets. Although “significant design changes” are anticipated for the S25’s launch, we don’t anticipate a complete revamp of the design language established with the Galaxy S21. It’s likely that the phone will have a vertical triple-camera arrangement on the back panel, a 6.2-inch OLED display with lower bezels, and rounded corners.
Similar features are available in the iPhone 16: a 6.1-inch OLED screen, rounded bezels, and vertical camera alignment (the iPhone only has two cameras, though). The Galaxy S25 is expected to launch in a number of new colors that primarily focus on the black, silver, and blue side of things, with a few possible surprises like Pink Gold and Red Coral. In all honesty, if design is your top consideration when choosing a phone, it may come down to the colors available. The iPhone comes in incredibly vibrant pink, teal, and ultramarine, in addition to white and black.
It appears that Samsung is saving camera enhancements for the Galaxy S25 Ultra this year. Based on the phones’ cameras, we anticipate that the regular Galaxy S25 will retain the 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 10MP 3x telephoto camera from the S24. The S25 will have an advantage over the iPhone 16, which has a 48MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera if it has a 3x telephoto lens. Although the iPhone 16 lacks optical zoom, it still has a terrific camera thanks in large part to its revolutionary Camera Control capacitive button. Samsung’s camera technology is widely regarded as class-leading, and we expect the S25 to be a great camera phone. The S25 is not rumored to have a shutter button.
Internal differences are probably the main distinction between the two phones. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which nearly doubled the score of Apple’s A18 Pro when our US Mobiles Editor Philip Berne ran performance testing, is expected to power the Samsung Galaxy S25 when it launches. However, there have been rumors that Samsung may use its own Exynos chipsets for the S25, so this is still something to watch.
Despite using the base-model A18 chipset, the iPhone 16 feels quick and responsive because of Apple’s excellent optimization and significant performance improvements over the A16. Similar circumstances apply to RAM; the S25 is expected to come with 12GB of RAM, which is 4GB more than the S24’s 8GB. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 has 8GB of RAM, though Apple’s optimization makes this last longer than on other smartphones.
According to at least one leaker, the S25 will come with 256GB of storage out of the box, skipping the 128GB tier entirely. A new 512GB option may also be available. Others predict that the S24’s 128GB and 256GB capacities will not change. In contrast, the iPhone 16 has storage levels of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
In terms of software, we anticipate that the iPhone 16 will run iOS 18 and the Galaxy S25 will ship with the rumored One UI 7 Android wrapper. The argument between iOS and Android may be the subject of a separate post, but AI seems to be a bit more ambiguous. While the One UI 7 may offer a number of enhancements to the Galaxy AI toolkit, Apple is still slowly implementing Apple Intelligence features. Unlike hardware modifications that may be inferred from 3D models and production line leaks, these things are much more difficult to forecast.
As always, there will be ardent supporters of the iPhone or Galaxy, and for them, the decision is clear even in the absence of official information. For everyone else, performance and design updates could make this year’s competition between the S25 and iPhone 16 more challenging. Fortunately, we shouldn’t have to wait long to find out.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Rumored Specs Compared to iPhone 16 Specs
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
| iPhone 16 specs | Samsung Galaxy S25 rumored specs | |
| Display: | 6.1-inch AMOLED | 6.2-inch AMOLED |
| Resolution: | 1179 x 2556 pixels | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
| Chipset: | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Front camera: | 12MP | 12MP |
| Rear cameras: | 48MP wide, 12MP ultrawide | 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto (3x zoom) |
| Refresh rate: | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
Conclusion:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 are poised to be two of the most anticipated smartphones of the year. Based on rumored specifications, Samsung appears to be doubling down on innovative features such as advanced camera capabilities, larger battery life, and possibly even a foldable design element. Meanwhile, Apple remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a refined ecosystem experience, leveraging its A-series chips, iOS optimizations, and a sleek design philosophy.
Ultimately, the choice between these two flagship devices will depend on your preferences. If you value customization, cutting-edge features, and hardware innovation, the Galaxy S25 might be the better option. However, if seamless integration, polished software, and long-term updates matter most to you, the iPhone 16 could be your pick.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ’s)
Which phone is expected to have a better camera?
The Galaxy S25 is rumored to feature a quad-camera setup with up to 200 MP main sensors, while the iPhone 16 may stick with its proven triple-camera system, focusing on computational photography.
Will both phones support 5G?
Yes, both the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 are expected to support 5G connectivity.
Which phone is likely to have better battery life?
The Galaxy S25 could offer a larger battery capacity, potentially providing longer battery life compared to the iPhone 16, though real-world performance will depend on optimization.
What are the standout features of the Galaxy S25?
Rumored features include a next-gen Snapdragon or Exynos chipset, advanced AI capabilities, and possibly a 144 Hz AMOLED display.
What are the standout features of the iPhone 16?
Expected features include the A18 Bionic chip, a potential titanium frame, and a continued focus on augmented reality (AR) integration.
ยท
Pingback: How Siri and Apple Intelligence could succeed or fail in 2025?