iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Samsung S25 Ultra: Which One Harnessed AI More Effectively?

I had the opportunity to get an early hands-on experience with the Samsung S25 series, particularly focusing on the S25 Ultra. I was eager to evaluate how Samsung’s premium device stacks up against Apple’s flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Notably, both devices exhibit a peak in design evolution: their rectangular, candy bar shapes highlight strong similarities, both externally and in their internal components. Thus, the primary areas left for comparison lie in software, user experience, and AI capabilities. Let’s delve into it.

For an in-depth comparison of the S25 Ultra with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I highly suggest watching the video below.

Design Overview

From a design perspective, there are significant resemblances to behold between these two smartphones. Samsung has implemented some design tweaks in the S25 Ultra compared to its predecessor, including a slight reduction in bezel size, increasing the screen size from 6.8 inches to 6.9 inches (ring a bell?). Additionally, the sides have been slightly curved to improve ergonomics, and the device now weighs approximately 15 grams less, which is quite perceptible.

Both models utilize high-quality titanium in their frames, feature premium glass, and come with a triple-camera setup that exudes a luxurious feel. The most apparent visual difference lies in the S25 Ultra’s sharper corners compared to the rounded edges of the iPhone. Ultimately, it boils down to personal aesthetic preference.

Processor Comparison: A18 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Here’s a brief comparison of the internal specifications:

At first glance, the similarities between these devices are quite pronounced. While the iPhone leads in single-core performance, the Snapdragon 8 excels in multi-core functionality due to its two additional cores. These numbers, while revealing, don’t completely capture the everyday performance; both smartphones deliver excellent efficiency in typical use. In my video, I compared app launch times and shutter speed for photos, and both devices performed admirably. The content experience is on par with the best in the industry, so the choice ultimately comes down to user preference. Both chips support a galore of forthcoming AI functionalities.

Additional specifications to note for the S25 Ultra include:

• 3NM Processor
• 40% increase in NPU
• 37% increase in CPU performance
• 30% increase in GPU performance
• 40% improvement in ray tracing capabilities
• 18% increase in frames per second

AI Features: Galaxy AI vs Apple Intelligence

It’s important to point out that Apple Intelligence is not yet fully realized at the time of writing; we are on iOS 18.2, with only a few of the promised features currently operational. Many features showcased during WWDC 2024, particularly those involving proactive actions, remain unavailable, granting Galaxy AI a significant advantage.

Cross-Application Functionality

This aspect excites me; Galaxy AI enables actions that span across multiple applications. One example provided is as follows: you might request Galaxy AI to find the schedule for the next football game and conveniently save the details to your calendar while also texting this information to friends.

• Example: Looking for the next football game’s schedule: “Hey, find when the next football game is, add it to my calendar, and text it to my friends.”

While it will navigate through the steps and prepare the text message for you, it won’t send it without your explicit permission, which is a great feature.

At times, the Galaxy AI manages to execute tasks in full. For example:

• Example: While watching a recipe video, you can instruct the Galaxy AI to extract the ingredients and add them to your notes.

This feature is particularly appealing; it can extract necessary details from a recipe video without demanding your attention to the video itself. Numerous practical applications can be envisioned for this capability.

Currently, this functionality integrates well with first-party Google and Samsung applications, while an APK is available for third-party developers to embed similar features.

Common Features with Apple Intelligence

Both devices boast capabilities for engaging “fun” features, such as generating images from sketches or creating emojis. They both excel in conversational comprehension, allowing them to grasp the intended context even amidst verbal missteps.

• Samsung offers Generative Edit while Apple has Image Playgrounds.
• Samsung’s Sketch to Image competes with Apple’s Image Wand.
• Samsung includes an Audio Eraser, while Apple features its own audio editing tools.

Concluding Remarks on AI

Currently, I would assign an advantage to the S25 Ultra in the realm of AI capabilities. It offers a broader array of features and enables a more confident user experience. In testing simple prompts, I found that Galaxy AI responded more rapidly and consistently provided accurate answers. It appears to have a higher degree of contextual understanding and can leverage data from various apps for more tailored responses. While Apple is gradually unveiling all its aspects of Apple Intelligence, Samsung and Google appear to be surpassing them in this aspect. Historically, Google Assistant has always outperformed Siri, and this remains unchanged.

Final Thoughts

Here are some additional impressive features Samsung has introduced with the S25 series:

• New 50MP Ultrawide with Macro mode
• 4K LOG video support
• Audio Eraser
• Variable digital aperture
• Buy Now, Pay Later for Samsung Pay
• Tap to pay capabilities across different devices (even between Samsung and iPhone)

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned earlier, we are at a pivotal moment where both internal and external hardware have reached impressive levels of sophistication. Attribute advancements and hardware features are now largely standardized across manufacturers. Consequently, the deciding factors fall squarely on software (AI) and ecosystem integration. At present, Samsung and OneUI 7 hold a superior position when it comes to practical AI applications and genuinely useful features. Apple’s intelligence features still have considerable room for improvement, as even Apple aims to enhance them. I expect these developments to unfold before the new iPhone 17 series arrives.

However, if you asked me to switch to Samsung as my primary device, I would hesitate due to my extensive commitment to the Apple ecosystem. With an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac mini, HomeKit accessories, Apple TV, and HomePod, my devices are crafted to work together seamlessly. Integrating a non-Apple phone into my ecosystem would likely degrade my overall experience. If I were fully invested in the Samsung ecosystem, though, the S25 Ultra would undoubtedly pique my interest.

The S25 Ultra is available for pre-order today, with a starting price of $1299.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe Apple will eventually catch up in the AI department? Would you consider switching ecosystems? Let’s engage in the comments!