This week, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S25 Ultra. The South Korean tech giant hits hard with this new high-end smartphone. However, it is not the only one in this market where we also find the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Each of these premium phones have their qualities and flaws. And that's the whole purpose of this comparison: to help you see things more clearly and make your choice between these different models which can simplify your daily life.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Pixel 9 Pro XL: comparison of technical sheets
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | – 163 x 77,6 x 8,25 mm | 162,8 x 77,6 8,2 mm | – 162,8 x 76,6 x 8,5 mm |
| Weight | – 227 g | – 218 gr | – 221 g |
| Screen | – 6,9″ – Super Retina XDR – OLED – ProMotion – 2 000 nits max | – 6.9″ LPTO – QHD+ – 2 600 nits max – Gorilla Glass Armor | – 6.8″ LTPO – OLED – 3 000 nits max |
| Refresh rate | – 1-120 Hz | – 1-120 Hz | – 1-120 Hz |
| Chip | – Apple A18 Pro | – Snapdragon 8 Elite | – Google Tensor G4 – Titan M2 security coprocessor |
| Storage | – 256Go – 512 Go – 1 To | – 256 Go – 512 Go – 1 To | – 128 Go – 256 Go – 512 Go – 1 To |
| System version | – iOS 18 | – OneUI based on Android 15 – 7 years of software updates | – Android 14 – 7 years of software updates |
| Main photo sensors | – 48 Mp Fusion Camera – Ultra grand-angle 48 Mp – Telephoto lens – Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120 fps | – Module principal : 23 mm (f/1,7) OIS, 200 Mp – Ultra grand-angle : 13 mm (f/2,2), 50 Mp – Telephoto lens: 115 mm, f/3.4, 50 Mp – Telephoto lens: 3x optical (69 mm), f/2.4, 10 Mp | – 50 MP wide-angle sensor with Octa PD technology – 48MP Quad PD ultra-wide-angle sensor with autofocus – 48MP Quad PD telephoto sensor – 8K video recording at 30 FPS |
| Selfie sensor | – 12 Mp | – 25 mm f/2,2, 12 Mp | – 42 Mpx Dual PD sensor with autofocus |
| Biometrics | – Fingerprint sensor under the screen – Unlocking by facial recognition (Face ID) | – Fingerprint sensor under the screen – Unlocking by facial recognition | – Fingerprint sensor under the screen – Unlocking by facial recognition |
| Other sensors | – NFC | – NFC | – NFC |
| Port | – USB Type C | – USB Type C | – USB Type C |
| Battery | – NC | – 5000 mAh | – 5060 mAh |
| Recharge | – Charge rapide 25W | – Charge rapide 45W | – Charge rapide 45W |
| Wireless networks | – 5G / 4G / 3G | – 5G / 4G / 3G | – 5G / 4G / 3G |
| Connectivity | – Wifi 7 – Bluetooth 5.3 | – Wifi 7 – Bluetooth 5.4 | – Wifi 7 – Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Type SIM | – Nano SIM + eSIM | – Nano SIM + eSIM | – Nano SIM + eSIM |
| Certification IP | – IP 68 | – IP 68 | – IP 68 |
| Colors | – Sand titanium, natural titanium, white titanium, black titanium | – Titanium Black, Titanium Blue, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gray – Samsung exclusive: titanium absolute black, titanium rose gold and titanium green | – Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Sage Green, Volcanic Black |
Who wins the power match?
With its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip optimized for Galaxy, the S25 Ultra improves CPU performance by 37% and GPU performance by 32% compared to its predecessor. Add to that 12 GB of RAM, and you get a smartphone built for 2025.
Its rivals are not left out. With the A18 chip engraved in 3nm, the iPhone 16 Pro Max greatly improves the performance of older models and largely holds up.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL features the Google Tensor G4 chip. An interesting processor, but which is a little limited when trying to run more demanding games, as we noted in a test. We will have understood, these three devices are convincing, even if the model from the Mountain View firm is a bit behind.
AI, the key asset
With its Galaxy S25 Ultra which runs Galaxy AI, Samsung is banking on the power of Gemini. The manufacturer wants to change the way we interact with our smartphone. On the menu, an assistant that you control with your voice. This tool will adapt to the user's preferences and habits to push relevant information when necessary. The addition of automated video editing by AI, among other things, also has something to please us.
No surprises on the side of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, which also benefits from the latest advances from the Tech giant in terms of AI. There are also plenty of very practical features.
On the side of the Cupertino company, however, it's a bit of a cold shower. Apple Intelligence certainly allows Siri to improve by relying in particular on the contribution of ChatGPT, but certain options are still missing, while others have taken time to arrive in Europe.
What about the camera?
On the camera side, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with a 23mm main module with an f/1.7 aperture, optical stabilization (OIS) and an impressive resolution of 200 megapixels. Its 13mm ultra-wide-angle offers an f/2.2 aperture and a resolution of 50 megapixels. It also has two telephoto lenses: one with a focal length of 115 mm, an f/3.4 aperture and 50 megapixels, and the other with a 3x optical zoom (69 mm), an f/2.4 aperture and a resolution of 10 megapixels. This smartphone is designed to meet the expectations of high-end photography enthusiasts.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers an advanced triple camera. Note the 48-megapixel Fusion camera module, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 5x telephoto lens. We can also mention its new optical zoom with periscopic lens. Enough to take photos of quite striking realism.
-As for the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, it also benefits from a triple camera with a 50-megapixel wide-angle main sensor and Octa PD technology, an ultra-wide-angle lens with a 48-megapixel sensor and a Quad PD telephoto lens. with a 48 megapixel sensor. Its rendering is therefore excellent.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL : quels prix ?
Price remains the crux of the matter in the battle between Tech giants. In this little game, it is the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL which displays the most controlled price at 1199 euros. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available from 1479 euros, a price which the Samsung S25 Ultra is close to: 1469 euros.
Conclusion: should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?
Answering this question is not easy. Ultimately, each model has its qualities and its faults. The Samsung and Apple models impress with their power and the quality of their cameras, but they are however a little more expensive than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. If AI matters to you, products that benefit from the Mountain View firm's technology can make the difference compared to Apple Intelligence. In any case, you now have concrete elements of comparison and the decision is yours.
Galaxy S25 Ultra 256 GB at the best price Base price: €1,469
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iPhone 16 Pro Max at the best price Base price: €1,479
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 128 GB at the best price Base price: €1,199
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