© Samsung/Apple/Google
This week, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S25 Ultra. The South Korean tech giant is making a big impact with this new high-end smartphone. However, it is not the only one on this market, which also includes the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Each of these premium phones has its strengths and weaknesses. And that is the whole purpose of this comparison: to help you see things more clearly and make your choice between these different models that can simplify your daily life.
| 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< br /> – 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 |
| Puce | – Apple A18 Pro | – Snapdragon 8 Elite | – Google Tensor G4 – Titan security coprocessor M2 |
| Storage | – 256GB – 512 GB – 1 TB |
– 256 GB – 512 GB – 1 TB |
– 128 GB – 256 GB – 512 GB – 1 To |
| System version | – iOS 18 | – OneUI based on Android 15 – 7 years of software updates |
– Android 14 – 7 years of software updates |
| Main camera sensors | – 48MP Fusion camera – 48MP ultra-wide angle – Telephoto lens – Dolby Vision up to 4K at 120fps |
– Main module: 23mm (f/1.7) OIS, 200MP – Ultra-wide angle: 13mm (f/2.2), 50MP – Telephoto lens: 115mm, f/3.4, 50 Mp – Telephoto lens: 3x optical (69 mm), f/2.4, 10 Mp |
– 50MP 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 | – 12MP | – 25mm f/2.2, 12MP | – 42MP Dual PD sensor with autofocus |
| Biometrics | – Under-display fingerprint sensor – Face ID unlocking |
– Under-display fingerprint sensor – Face ID unlocking |
– Under-display fingerprint sensor screen – Face unlock |
| Other sensors | – NFC | – NFC | – NFC |
| Port | – USB Type C | – USB Type C | – USB Type C |
| Battery | – NC | – 5000 mAh | – 5060 mAh |
| Recharge< /td>200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000 | – Fast charging 25W | – Fast charge 45W | – Fast charge 45W |
| Wireless networks wire | – 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 |
| IP Certification | – IP 68 | – IP 68 | |
| Colors | – Titanium Sand, Titanium Natural, Titanium White, Titanium Black | – 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 |
With its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip optimized for Galaxy, the S25 Ultra improves its CPU performance by 37% and its RAM by 32% GPU compared to its predecessor. Add to that 12 GB of RAM, and you have a smartphone made for 2025.
Its rivals are not far behind. With the A18 chip engraved in 3nm, the iPhone 16 Pro Max greatly improves the performance of older models and largely holds its own.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the Google Tensor G4 chip. An interesting processor, but one that is a bit limited when trying to run more demanding games, as we found in a test. As you can see, these three devices have what it takes to convince, even if the model from the Mountain View firm is a bit behind.
With its Galaxy S25 Ultra that 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 we control with our 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 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL side, which also benefits from the latest advances in AI from the tech giant. The very practical features are also legion.
On the Cupertino firm's side, on the other hand, 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 some options are still missing, while others have taken a long time to arrive in Europe.
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 115mm, an f/3.4 aperture and 50 megapixels, and the other with a 3x optical zoom (69mm), 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. Let's mention 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 of excellent quality.
The 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 that displays the most controlled price at 1199 euros. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is available from 1479 euros, a price that the Samsung S25 Ultra is close to: 1469 euros.
Answering this question is not easy. Ultimately, each model has its strengths and weaknesses. The Samsung and Apple models are impressive for their power and the quality of their cameras, but they are a little more expensive than the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. If AI is important to you, products that benefit from the Mountain View firm's technology can make a difference compared to Apple Intelligence. In any case, you now have concrete elements of comparison and the decision is yours.
📍 To not miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.