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The Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max launched 19 months apart, so this is not a same-year flagship matchup: Samsung’s phone went on sale in February 2025, while Apple’s arrived in September 2026. Their U.S. base launch prices were nearly identical—$1,299.99 and $1,299, respectively—but they differ most in platform, camera approach, storage options and the S25 Ultra’s built-in S Pen.
Release timing and price: nearly equal launch prices, different years
Samsung announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra on January 22, 2025, with general availability beginning February 7, 2025. Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, 2026, and availability began September 18, 2026. The comparison therefore pairs a 2025 Samsung model with a 2026 Apple model, rather than two contemporaries. Samsung’s announcement and Apple’s launch announcement establish those dates.
At U.S. launch, the S25 Ultra started at $1,299.99 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299—a difference of 99 cents for the base configurations. These are historical manufacturer launch prices, not October 2026 retail quotes. Current prices can vary with retailer, region, storage, trade-ins and promotions.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →| Phone | U.S. launch starting price | Announced storage options |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | $1,299.99 (Samsung, 2025) | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | $1,299 (Apple, 2026) | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
Apple listed U.S. launch prices of $1,499 for 512GB, $1,899 for 1TB and $2,499 for 2TB. Samsung’s cited announcement confirms the S25 Ultra’s storage choices but does not state launch prices for its higher-capacity versions, so a full storage-by-storage price comparison cannot be established from these figures.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Display and physical size
Samsung specifies a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 1–120 Hz refresh rate. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro Max display as 6.86 inches when measured as a standard rectangle, noting that its actual viewable area is smaller. These diagonal measurements alone do not establish which screen looks better: resolution, brightness, color, reflections and viewing preferences also matter.
Samsung lists the S25 Ultra at 77.6 × 162.8 × 8.2 mm and 218 g. A secondary comparison reports the iPhone 18 Pro Max at 249 g, but that figure is not included in the Apple technical specifications source cited here; confirm it against Apple’s current specifications before relying on the weight comparison. Samsung’s measurements and Apple’s display details are in their respective Samsung announcement and Apple technical specifications.
Rank #2
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Camera hardware: different focal-length options, no proven winner
The S25 Ultra offers a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultrawide, 50 MP 5× optical telephoto and 10 MP 3× optical telephoto, alongside a 12 MP front camera. Apple lists a 48 MP main camera with variable aperture and optical-quality 2× telephoto. The specifications describe different camera systems and zoom options; megapixel counts do not show which phone produces better photos or video.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →No controlled head-to-head camera test or independent scoring result is established by the cited sources. To decide between them, look for comparable sample photos and video covering the subjects you shoot—such as moving people, low light, ultrawide scenes and zoom—rather than treating sensor resolution as a verdict. Apple’s listed camera details are on its technical specifications page; Samsung’s camera configuration appears in its S25 series announcement.
Rank #3
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Battery and charging: the published figures are not a head-to-head test
Samsung gives the S25 Ultra a typical battery capacity of 5,000 mAh and describes charging with a 45 W adapter. Apple publishes battery-life claims based on its own preproduction-device testing, but the cited materials do not provide an independent endurance test using the same protocol for both phones. The capacity and manufacturer claims cannot establish which lasts longer in comparable everyday use.
Storage, S Pen and ecosystem: the practical decision points
Choose around how you use the phone
- Consider the S25 Ultra if you want an included stylus. Samsung specifies a built-in S Pen, useful for handwriting, annotations and stylus input. Apple’s cited iPhone specifications do not list a comparable included pen.
- Consider the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the Apple platform. Apple highlights iOS 27 and MagSafe accessories. Samsung positions the S25 Ultra in the Android and One UI ecosystem. Familiarity with your apps, services and other devices may matter more than a small difference in screen diagonal.
- Compare the capacity you actually need. Samsung lists options through 1TB; Apple lists an additional 2TB tier. A larger maximum does not make sense for every buyer, and the launch prices are not a substitute for checking local current prices at the same capacity.
AI availability needs a qualification
Apple highlights Apple Intelligence, but says Siri AI is rolling out as a beta and that feature availability varies by region and language. Do not assume every announced AI feature is available to every user in every market. Samsung identifies its phone with Android and One UI; the cited materials do not establish a like-for-like feature test that would support an AI winner.
Rank #4
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Which phone is better for you?
There is no evidence here for a universal winner in camera quality or battery endurance, and the phones come from different release years. Decide by comparing a same-capacity price where you live, the camera results you care about, your preferred operating system and whether you will use a built-in S Pen or Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem. If you need more than 1TB of listed storage, Apple’s announced lineup extends to 2TB; if you want the S Pen included, Samsung’s is the option with that feature.
Before buying, check current local pricing and trade-in terms rather than relying on launch MSRP. Also weigh the release gap when considering how long you expect to keep the phone: the cited launch materials establish release dates but do not establish a comparable remaining software-support duration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
