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Of course, Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraThe biggest improvements of the updates around AI, but make no mistake – this is a flagship that aims to be The best camera phone around There is only one problem: iPhone 16 Pro Max It currently sits at the top of our list. So can Samsung dethrone the champion?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra enters this battle with a powerful new 50MP ultrawide camera, from 12MP to Galaxy S24 Ultra. This same lens also promises four times more detail when taking macro shots. Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra also packs a monster 200MP primary lens as well as dual telephoto lenses with a 50MP 5X shooter and a 10MP 3x camera. There is also a 12MP selfie camera.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro MAX features a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide and single 12MP 5X lens. It has a very capable 12MP front camera. So which camera phone reigns supreme? I put them through an 11-round face and I have to say I’m very impressed with Samsung’s new phone—especially in low light. Here are the results.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Ultrawide Shots
For this first comparison, I brought the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max to a park in New Jersey, standing on a bridge overlooking a mess on a cold winter day. The iPhone’s ultrawide shot looks better at first glance because it’s brighter, but I prefer the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s shot because you get more detail in the water and snow.
If you look along the water’s edge, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s photo also offers better contrast; The iPhone 16 Pro Max explodes parts of the scene where the sun is brightest.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Crystal Macro
I had high hopes for this macro shot of a crystal ornament, and made sure the S25 Ultra was in 50MP mode. However, as I was able to approach the subject, the crystal came out a little fuzzy. The iPhone 16 Pro Max does a much better job with this theme, as you make more of the individual crystals. It’s just a generic sharper shot and it’s not even close.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Camera: Macro Flowers
This macro photo of an individual flower was a challenge because there was a bit of a breeze at the time, so I took several shots and then chose the best one for this comparison.
I actually think both pictures have their merits in this comparison. With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I really like how sharp the petals look on the top left of the frame. The iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn’t quite achieve the same level of detail in every single part of the image, but the overall picture looks sharper, especially the center of the flower.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Mural
The next is a shot of a mural in San Jose, which has lots of vibrant colors. Picking a winner in this round is not easy. I really like the brighter exposure from the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple’s tendency to produce warmer shots works well in this scenario, especially with the sun bouncing off the wall.
However, I give the Galaxy S25 Ultra Credit because it has more color gradation and has a deeper blue closer to what I saw in real life. It wins in detail, but the overall image is more or less pale.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Sculpture
I then panned the main cameras to the San Jose Museum of Art and the mercury sculpture in front of it. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s Kick makes a better impression overall. My eyes are immediately drawn in relief to the bricks and sunlight dancing across the image. The impact of the iPhone 16 Pro Max looks more pleasant. The sculpture in the foreground shows up more, but not enough to win.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Low light indoors
When it comes to low light images, brighter isn’t always better, and this is a great example. The figure sitting on the table is clearer through the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and is louder through the iPhone 16 Pro Max when you zoom in. Samsung also gives a bit more detail to the leaves on the plant on the left side. The iPhone’s punch is still remarkable considering this was taken in complete darkness, but I give the nod to Samsung here.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Camera: Low Light Outdoors (5x Zoom)
Take a quick look and you’ll surely pick the iPhone 16 Pro Max as the winner of this low-light round. Street signs, cars and roads all look brighter through the iPhone. But there’s a finer detail about the Galaxy S25 Ultra that fits the scene better.
I prefer the Samsung photo because the multi-colored string lights look sharper and more realistic, and you can make more detail on top of the lamp posts. Mood is Moodier in a good way.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Low-light sign outdoors
This round is an easy call for me. I think the iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a better overall exposure, capturing both the San Jose Museum of Art and the building in the background. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra loses the build, although some of the fonts look sharper and pop more as a result. But overall, I prefer the iPhone photo here.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: Portrait
I polled four people on staff for this portrait and all four voted for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. While both phones do a good job of blurring the colorful wall in the background, my blue shirt with white dots pops out more, and the warmer complexion on my face looks better through the Samsung. This is the image I would be most likely to share.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Camera: Selfie
I had to look at these images side by side before deciding, but I prefer the Galaxy S25 Ultra Selfie in this case. The Samsung phone does a better job of capturing sunlight in the background. My eyes also look brighter through the Samsung front camera, and my blue shirt looks more vibrant too. There’s nothing wrong with the iPhone 16 Pro Max selfie; It just feels more one-dimensional.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Camera: Zoom Ora
The winner of this 10x zoom round really depends on what you value most. I think the overall iPhone 16 Pro Max photo pops out more because the building and the blue sky are brighter. But if you zero in – especially around the clock itself – you can do more detail in glass, metal and brick.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro MAX Cameras: The overall winner
I have to admit that I am surprised with the results of this front facing camera. The iPhone is a great camera phone, and it easily beat the Samsung in ours iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra 200-Photo Camera Shoot-Out.
But based on our early testing, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has all the makings to be the best camera phone around. It won a few more rounds in this showdown, though the iPhone 16 Pro Max took better macro shots and the dynamic range is excellent.
Any front like this is pretty subjective, so what you consider the best shot in each case may vary based on your preferences. But overall, I’m very impressed with the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s cameras, and I think you will be, too.
