Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Top Flagship Phones Compared

The world of flagship smartphones is once again abuzz with competition among three flagship phones that represent the pinnacle of smartphone engineering: Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Each device brings its unique set of strengths, innovations, and quirks, catering to distinct user bases. But how do these flagships compare in design, performance, AI prowess, camera capabilities, and overall value? Let’s dive in.

Design

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces a revamped design with rounded titanium frames, shedding its once distinct business-like aesthetics for a broader smartphone aesthetic across the Galaxy lineup. Despite the design departure, staples like the integrated S Pen and a massive 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display remain. The phone is lighter (217g) and more compact than its competitors, an impressive feat considering its quad-camera setup and S Pen.

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, while not a radical departure, features thinner bezels, a 6.9-inch ProMotion XDR OLED display, and a titanium body. A standout addition is the multifunction “Camera Control” button, a polarizing feature that provides hands-free interaction with the camera but requires getting used to.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, though slightly smaller with its 6.8-inch AMOLED display, maintains a competitive form factor with an aluminium frame. The aluminium frame feels sturdy, but compared to the titanium builds of its rivals, it lacks the same premium flair.

Display

Samsung’s 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen offers a QHD+ resolution, adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate, and a claimed 2600 nits peak brightness, making it perfect for outdoor use. Features like Gorilla Armor 2 and ProScaler technology (for video upscaling) further enhance its display prowess.

Apple’s ProMotion XDR OLED screen, also at 6.9 inches, brings vibrant visuals and fluidity but lacks Samsung’s anti-reflective properties. Dynamic Island continues as a staple, adding interactive functionality.

Google’s 6.8-inch AMOLED panel, with its 1344p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, is visually impressive. While it delivers a solid visual experience, it lacks features like ProScaler or Gorilla Armor 2.

Performance & Software

Performance is where these devices truly differentiate themselves. The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads the performance race with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Samsung’s first 3nm chip. Offering a 37% CPU boost and 40% faster NPU, it excels in AI tasks, gaming, and multitasking. A 40% larger vapour chamber ensures thermal management remains top-notch. With 12GB RAM across all storage variants, the S25 Ultra promises seamless performance.

Samsung’s One UI 7 on Android 15 introduces Gemini-powered cross-app actions, the Now Brief daily summary, and Now Bar widgets.

Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, powered by the A18 Pro chip, delivers an expectedly stellar performance. While its 8GB RAM might seem modest compared to Samsung, Apple’s tight hardware-software integration ensures efficiency. AI features like Genmoji and Image Playground shine, showcasing Apple’s growing commitment to AI-driven user experiences.

Apple’s iOS 18.2 leans heavily into AI with Apple Intelligence features like ChatGPT-integrated Siri, Genmoji, and Image Playground. Upcoming updates promise even more robust AI capabilities.

Google’s Tensor G4 chipset in the Pixel 9 Pro XL, though improved, lags behind its rivals. It prioritizes AI optimization over raw power, excelling in photo processing and Google Assistant tasks but struggling with demanding apps and games compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite or A18 Pro.

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL, running Android 15, features enhancements to Circle to Search and Google Assistant but feels overshadowed by Samsung’s and Apple’s aggressive AI advancements.

Also Read: Galaxy AI on Samsung Galaxy S25 series: Future of flagship AI on smartphones?

Cameras

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra has a quad-camera setup: a 200-megapixel main sensor, a new 50-megapixel ultrawide, and two telephoto lenses 50-megapixel and 10-megapixel (5x and 3x optical zoom). The ProVisual Engine enhances image processing, reducing noise and motion blur, while Galaxy Log and Audio Eraser provide creative control for video enthusiasts.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max gets a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera alongside its 48-megapixel main and 12-megapixel telephoto (5x optical zoom). Enhanced Photographic Styles offer greater customization, while the Camera Control button adds a layer of convenience for shutterbugs.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, known for its computational photography, delivers stunning results with its triple-camera setup, headlined by a 50-megapixel main sensor. Google’s AI prowess ensures top-tier photo quality, though it struggles to match the hardware versatility of the S25 Ultra.

Battery & Charging

Samsung retains a 5,000mAh battery in the S25 Ultra, complemented by 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max features its largest battery yet at 4,685mAh, offering slightly faster real-world charging speeds. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL features a marginally larger battery over the S25 Ultra rated at 5,060mAh with support for 37W wired charging and 23W wireless charging.

Verdict: A Question of Priorities

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a feature-packed powerhouse, leading in performance, display innovation and camera versatility. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers premium design, polished software, and robust AI features, appealing to Apple loyalists. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, while slightly outclassed in raw specs, continues to deliver an unmatched Google software experience and excellent photography.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to individual preferences: Samsung’s all-rounder excellence, Apple’s premium ecosystem, or Google’s software-centric charm. Each flagship has staked its claim as the best in its domain, ensuring there’s something for everyone in this battle of titans.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S25 Plus vs S25 Ultra: Specifications and Features Compared