Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16: Will Samsung Surpass Apple in 2025?

Rumors suggest the Samsung Galaxy S25 series could be officially announced in January 2025. As we anticipate this release, many are wondering how the base model Galaxy S25 will compare to the iPhone 16, especially given the long-standing rivalry between Samsung and Apple.

While the Galaxy S25 is expected to feature some upgrades, it seems to be another incremental update, similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S24, which remains one of the best Samsung phones. In contrast, the iPhone 16 feels like a significant leap forward from the iPhone 15, with impressive performance, a refreshed design, and a new Camera Control button, as noted in our September 2024 review.

We’ll provide a more detailed comparison once official details about the Galaxy S25 are available. For now, here’s my take on what to expect from this ongoing tech showdown.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16: Key Specs Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16: Rumors, Features, and Upgrades

With the release of the Samsung Galaxy S25, we’re likely to see two similar devices, despite the ongoing rivalry between Samsung and Apple. The S25 is expected to feature “significant design changes,” though it will likely retain the design language of the Galaxy S21.

Design Comparisons: Similarities and Differences

The most probable design elements for the Galaxy S25 include a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with narrow bezels, a vertical triple-camera setup, and rounded corners. The iPhone 16 shares a similar design, with a 6.1-inch AMOLED display, rounded bezels, and a vertically aligned camera system (though with two cameras instead of three).

Aesthetic Choices: Color Variations

If aesthetics matter to you, color options may be a key differentiator—while the iPhone 16 offers shades like white, black, teal, and ultramarine, the Galaxy S25 is rumored to come in a wider range of colors, including pink gold, and red coral.

Camera Systems

In terms of photography, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra will likely have the best camera features, the base Galaxy S25 is expected to include a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens—giving it an edge over the iPhone 16, which has a 12MP ultra-wide and a 48MP main camera. Both phones promise excellent photography, though the iPhone 16 stands out with its innovative Camera Control button.

Performance: Chipsets and RAM

Internally, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is rumored to feature the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, potentially outperforming Apple’s A18 Pro. Some rumors suggest Samsung might use its own Exynos chipset. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 uses the A18 processor, which offers significant improvements over the A16.

In terms of RAM, the Galaxy S25 could have 12GB (4GB more than the S24), while the iPhone 16 has 8GB, but Apple’s optimization helps maximize performance.

Storage options for the Galaxy S25 may include 256GB by default, with a possible 512GB option, while the iPhone 16 offers 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants.

Software: One UI 7 vs iOS 18

The S25 is expected to run One UI 7, while the iPhone 16 will ship with iOS 18. As for AI capabilities, it’s unclear how they will compare, though Samsung’s AI toolkit could see a major upgrade with One UI 7.

Though official details are still scarce, the upcoming competition between the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 promises to be an exciting one. We won’t have to wait long to find out who comes out on top.