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While Samsung has just unveiled its new smartphones, it is now time to make a choice. On the premium smartphone market, the Samsung Galaxy S25, the iPhone 16 and the Google Pixel 9 are neck and neck. This is the essential trio. If you want to take advantage of the start of the year to change your smartphone, it is far from knowing which model to turn to. If they have their similarities and advantages, they obviously have their differences and disadvantages, which can tip the balance.
Between the Samsung Galaxy S25, the iPhone 16 and the Google Pixel 9, the choice is difficult. Which one should you choose ? It depends on your daily use and your expectations of your smartphone. To help you see things a little more clearly, we have drawn up this complete and detailed comparison. These three premium smartphones will no longer have any secrets for you.
| iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 | Google Pixel 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | – 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | – 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm | – 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm |
| Weight | – 170 g | – 162 g | – 198 g |
| Screen | – 6.1″ – Super Retina XDR – OLED – 2556 x 1179 pixels – HDR |
– 6.2″ LPTO – Full HD+ – 2 600 nits max (compared to 1 750 on the S23) -Gorilla Glass Armor |
– 6,3″ – 2424 x 1080, 20:9 aspect ratio, 486 DPI – 60-120 Hz – HDR |
| Refresh rate | -1-120 Hz | – 1-120 Hz | – 1-120 Hz |
| Puce | – Apple A18 | – Snapdragon 8 Elite | – Google Tensor G4 – Titan M2 |
| RAM/Storage Options | – 128 GB – 256 GB – 512 GB |
– 12/128 GB – 12/256 GB – 12/512 GB |
– 12/128 GB – 12/256 GB |
| Version system | – iOS 18 | – OneUI based on Android 15 – 7 years of software updates |
– Android 14 (and later) – 7 years of updates day |
| Main photo sensors | – Main module: 48 Mp Fusion camera, f/1.6 aperture, OIS – 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera, f/2.2 aperture |
– Main module: 23 mm (f/1.8) OIS, 50 Mp – Ultra wide-angle: 13 mm (f/2.2), 12 Mp – Telephoto: 3x optical 69 mm f/2.4, 10 Mp |
– Main module: 50 Mp wide-angle sensor with Octa PD technology, f/1.68 aperture, 82° field of view – 48 Mp Quad PD ultra-wide-angle sensor with autofocus, f/1.7 aperture, 82° field of view 123° |
| Selfie sensor | – 12 Mp, aperture f/2.2 | – 25 mm f/2.2, 12 Mp | – 10.5 Mp Dual PD with autofocus, aperture of f/2.2 |
| Biometrics | – Face ID, fingerprints, code | – Under-display fingerprint sensor – Face unlock |
– Fingerprints, Face Unlock, Code |
| Other sensors | – NFC | – NFC | – NFC |
| Port | – USB Type C | – USB Type C | – USB Type C |
| Battery | – NC | – 4000 mAh | – 4700 mAh |
| Recharge | – 20W fast charge (or 30W with MagSafe) | – Fast charge 25W | – Fast charge 27W |
| 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 |
| SIM type | – Nano SIM + eSIM | – Nano SIM + eSIM | – Nano SIM + eSIM |
| IP certification | – IP68 | – IP 68 | – IP68 |
| Colors | – Black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine< /td> | – Light blue, midnight blue, gray, sea green
– Exclusive to Samsung: absolute black, coral, rose gold. |
– Pink peony, almond green, porcelain, volcanic black |
When you buy a new smartphone, performance is very important. Today, your smartphone doesn't just let you make calls and send text messages, it accompanies you on a daily basis. To wake you up, entertain yourself by watching streaming series, playing online games or listening to music, guide you or immortalize the moments that matter most to you…
If you want to do everything without being frustrated, your smartphone must be able to run all your applications, even the most demanding ones, always quickly and smoothly.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Just released, the Samsung Galaxy S25 relies on the latest Qualcomm processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite. Enough to display remarkable performance. For its part, the iPhone 16 relies on the new A18 chip made in Apple while the Google Pixel 9 is equipped with the Google Tensor G4 chip. The latter may be the most powerful to date on Pixel, but it shows some limitations during the most demanding gaming sessions. Concerning the chips chosen by Samsung and Apple, they are equal and offer formidable performances. You will be able to do everything without any problem.
But the processor is not everything. Good performance also depends on the RAM and storage capacity of the smartphone. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S25 has 12 GB of RAM and a minimum storage capacity of 128 GB, while the iPhone 16 relies on 8 GB of RAM and a minimum storage capacity of 128 GB and the Google Pixel 9 relies on 12 GB of RAM and a minimum storage capacity of 128 GB.
Obviously, artificial intelligence is at the heart of users' concerns. All manufacturers want their piece of the pie. With its Galaxy S25 and still Galaxy AI, Samsung continues to show that it is innovative and up to date. Galaxy AI is a marvel to simplify your life, with the ability to circle to do a search, instantly translate text, have access to a live interpreter or help you write messages.
For its part, the Google Pixel 9 promises just as many great things with Gemini, the integrated AI assistant from the Mountain View firm.
It is the iPhone 16 that is a little behind given that Apple Intelligence is still not available in Europe. A small disappointment that could cost the Cupertino firm dearly.
© Apple
Today, we judge a good smartphone on its screen. It is very important, especially if you like to consume content on your phone. Resolution, size, refresh rate, brightness… Everything must be taken into consideration.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 displays a screen with a diagonal of 6.2 inches, OLED LTPO technology, FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), a refresh rate of 120 Hz for maximum fluidity and a brightness of 2600 nits.
Google sees things “big” with a diagonal of 6.3 inches. Its screen is based on OLED technology with a resolution of 2424 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
Finally, the worst performer seems to be the iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch diagonal and a refresh rate of only 60 Hz. However, Apple's smartphone sports a magnificent Super Retina XDR display based on OLED technology and a higher resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels. Enough to make us forget its flaws ?
Apart from the refresh rate, the differences between the three smartphones are relatively small and the majority of users should be satisfied with them.
While smartphones are used to do everything (or almost everything), it is crucial that they do not let us down for the slightest reason. Samsung has equipped its Galaxy S25 with a 4000 mAh battery and promises up to 29 hours of video playback. For its part, the iPhone 16 displays up to 22 hours of video playback. Finally, the Google Pixel 9 relies on a battery with a capacity of 4700 mAh and more than 24 hours of autonomy. It is even possible to reach 100 hours thanks to its ultra battery saver.
It is important to be interested in the autonomy, of course, but also in the charging of the smartphones in order to avoid wasting too much time. The Google Pixel 9 has a fast charging system at 27W compared to 25W for the Samsung Galaxy S25 and 20W for the iPhone 16.
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Depending on your operating system preferences, your decision about your next smartphone can be impacted. Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Google Pixel 9 are powered by the Android 14 operating system, while the iPhone 16 is a different beast and relies on iOS 18. Their interfaces used to be very different. While they remain distinct, they are increasingly becoming more similar. What can tip the scales is artificial intelligence. But we already talked about this point a little above.
There’s no denying it: in 2025, a good smartphone is one that has exceptional camera hardware. The advanced triple camera of the Samsung Galaxy S2 works wonders with its 50-megapixel main sensor, its 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor and its 10-megapixel telephoto lens. Samsung's new baby offers versatility that is highly appreciated by users.
The iPhone 16, meanwhile, features an advanced dual camera setup with a 48-megapixel Fusion main sensor coupled with powerful digital processing. Finally, the Google Pixel 9 stands out with its advanced dual camera setup, including a 50-megapixel wide-angle sensor with Octa PD technology and its 48-megapixel Quad PD ultra-wide-angle sensor with autofocus.
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© Apple
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To be honest, the cameras of these three smartphones are equal. It is your preferences that will allow you to choose between these models. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is excellent for photos taken from a distance and portraits while the iPhone 16 is acclaimed for more realistic shots. The Google Pixel 9 has nothing to be ashamed of in its photos thanks to artificial intelligence, very qualitative but perhaps a bit less natural.
That’s the big question: what about the price?? While these three smartphones have everything going for them, prices remain the crux of the matter and can push you to choose one model over another. The Samsung Galaxy S25 has just been released and is priced from 899 euros. The Google Pixel 9 is currently priced at 749 euros at most retailers. The iPhone 16, released a few months ago, has the highest price: 969 euros.
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While the iPhone 16 has many virtues, its price-quality ratio is far from satisfactory compared to its two main competitors. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is certainly the most balanced smartphone of this trio, combining performance, battery life and a top-quality camera at a fair price. The Google Pixel 9 should appeal to slightly tighter budgets looking for that little extra soul that we love so much in Google smartphones.
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