Do you have to purchase an iPhone 16 or look ahead to the Galaxy S25?

The iPhone 16 begins pre-orders on September thirteenth, bringing new AI options and a number of other different refinements to Apple’s acquainted system. Earlier than you rush out to purchase one, it’s essential to think about the competitors. The Samsung Galaxy S24 is at present one of many finest Android telephones in the marketplace and a simple comparability, however what about its successor? The Galaxy S25 is lower than six months away, so it’s too early to pit the 2 telephones in opposition to each other. Nonetheless, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at what we count on from the Galaxy S25, and whether or not it may be price ready for.

For a lot of shoppers, there are solely two smartphone manufacturers that matter: Apple and Samsung. That is very true within the US, the place units from Google, OnePlus, and Motorola exist as options however don’t maintain important market share. The obvious distinction between an iPhone and a Galaxy system is the working system — iOS vs. Android — however that’s just the start. Whereas each firms goal customers searching for high-end smartphones, they entice various kinds of prospects, resulting in distinct {hardware}, software program, and help methods.

In fact, there are floor similarities. Each telephones function the same design with a steel and glass construct and rounded edges, although Apple’s units differ barely in button configurations. The digital camera placement can also be extra aligned this 12 months, with Apple stacking two lenses aspect by aspect, though Samsung retains the benefit of three rear cameras. You received’t mistake an iPhone for a Galaxy, however the telephones aren’t dramatically totally different by way of measurement or form.

Let’s check out a number of key variations we will count on between the Apple iPhone 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S25:

• Efficiency: Each telephones function highly effective processors, however Apple has a bonus as a result of its tight {hardware} and software program integration. This permits Apple’s chips to carry out higher than rival SoCs, even when these chips might have superior specs on paper. The brand new iPhone 16 additionally introduces the Digital camera Management button, providing higher flexibility within the digital camera expertise.
• Digital camera: The Galaxy S collection historically affords options like guide digital camera controls and extra performance, however the iPhone 16’s new sensors and enhancements make it simpler to make use of. The Digital camera Management slider is a notable enchancment. Whereas Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is anticipated to retain its three-lens system, Apple is specializing in user-friendly upgrades.
• Software program and particular options: The iPhone 16 introduces new SOS satellite tv for pc options. Whereas Samsung would possibly observe swimsuit, that continues to be unsure for now. Each telephones supply robust gaming and productiveness experiences.

Samsung may be the efficiency champion within the Android world, however how nicely does it maintain up while you examine it to the iPhone? If you happen to had been to check the Galaxy S24 vs iPhone 16, you’d discover the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy compares equally on paper to the brand new Apple A18 SoC. In actuality, the iPhone 16 would nonetheless have an edge in efficiency, particularly for gaming and different increased productiveness use instances as a result of Apple’s full management of each the OS and the SoC that powers it. As you’d probably have inferred, this mixture ensures optimum efficiency without having almost as a lot oomph to do the identical job as an Android telephone.

The iPhone 16 leaves behind the iPhone 15’s getting old A16 Bionic chip whereas additionally including extra RAM, bringing the entire to about 8GB. A lot of this RAM helps energy the AI experiences that drive it, nevertheless it also needs to guarantee buttery easy efficiency. This can be a lot much less RAM than what you’ll usually discover in a Samsung flagship, which might vary from 8GB to as a lot as 16GB in some instances however once more Apple’s deeper integration with {hardware} and software program means it may possibly do much more with considerably much less RAM.

The true world efficiency of the iPhone 16 will probably be fairly comparable or barely forward of the Galaxy S24, however what concerning the Galaxy S25? For Qualcomm fashions, the Galaxy S25 might take the lead although maybe not by an enormous margin. Sadly, it’s onerous to say which fashions or areas will get the most recent Snapdragon as nicely.

There have been early rumors suggesting that Samsung would ditch Exynos as soon as extra as a result of yield points with the Exynos 2500 and as an alternative supply the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy throughout all fashions. There was additionally a much less credible rumor claiming the corporate would possibly supply Mediatek chips in choose markets, suggesting that Samsung isn’t in love with the thought of paying Qualcomm’s excessive licensing prices to make use of the Snapdragon chip.

Extra not too long ago, there was chatter suggesting that the Exynos 2500 might enhance its yields in time, doubtlessly permitting it to function in a minimum of some fashions of the Galaxy S25 household. Nonetheless, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is anticipated to be extra commonplace this time round.

Whatever the mannequin, each telephones are able to dealing with any job thrown their approach. In fact, there’s extra to an awesome telephone expertise than simply the SoC. Apple and Samsung take very totally different approaches to software program: Apple leans towards simplicity, whereas Samsung typically affords deeper customizations that are inclined to enchantment extra to energy customers.

Software program help is one other space the place the 2 manufacturers diverge. Whereas Apple has historically led with about 5 years of OS replace help (although with out ensures), it has not too long ago been overtaken by Google’s and Samsung’s extra beneficiant pledges of seven years for each updates and safety patches.

Past that, there are additionally important variations within the digital camera expertise, which we’ll deal with subsequent.

The iPhone 16 has a brand new 48MP fusion digital camera with a 2x telephoto choice and a 12MP ultrawide digital camera which affords an enchancment over the iPhone 15 and will honest comparably to the Galaxy S25. The latter will probably have the benefit of three lenses over two, nonetheless.

The Galaxy S25 can also be anticipated to function a minimum of one new sensor, very presumably the ISCOELL GNJ. This sensor is roughly on par with what’s contained in the Galaxy S24 so far as measurement and it even helps one-micron pixels, identical to the previous system.  Whether or not it is a main improve is difficult to say, however given historical past we’d say that Apple and Samsung will deal with picture processing, coloration, and different particulars in another way and Samsung gives you guide controls, one thing Apple nonetheless doesn’t supply.

It’s price mentioning the iPhone 16 launched a brand new Digital camera Management key, which works like a sensible digital camera shutter key with help for gestures that allow you to zoom out and in, and far more, together with the power to mild press for a cleaner viewfinder. It’s no Professional or guide mode, however for many informal photographers it’s in all probability a extra helpful addition I’d say.

Each cameras needs to be implausible, although Apple tends to take a slight edge with regards to post-processing and its dealing with of colours. The Galaxy S household can typically overexpose photographs, leading to washed-out particulars by comparability. It’s too early to say if the Galaxy S25 will make enhancements right here, besides we will count on it to have among the finest digital camera experiences of 2025.

Different particular options price mentioning

Whereas the SoC and digital camera are among the greater variations, there are many different methods you possibly can count on the Galaxy S25 to vary from the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 might need related show sizes because the Galaxy S collection throughout its base and Plus variants, however the Galaxy S remains to be the superior selection with regards to refresh price and normal show high quality.

You’ll additionally discover barely totally different button configurations than the Galaxy S24, together with a brand new customizable motion button. Lastly, whereas each telephones make the most of USB-C expertise, Apple helps MagSafe expertise for simpler wire administration.

As a lot because the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 expertise are totally different, there are definitely a number of points which are fairly related. This contains customization. Whereas Samsung nonetheless has dramatically higher customization choices, the great is iOS continues to make inroads right here by providing options like an app drawer, widget help, and even the power to alter app permission within the UK. All these adjustments are bridging what was as soon as a a lot wider hole between the 2 platforms.

It’s additionally price noting rumors counsel the Samsung Galaxy S25 Professional may very well be a factor, which might imply that Apple and Samsung each would have bigger and smaller variations of their base and higher-end flagships. The identical rumor claims the Extremely may very well be renamed the Galaxy S25 Be aware. Whereas we’d take this complete report with a grain of salt, it’s definitely fascinating.

Another anticipated similarities? Sure, listed here are simply three extra:

• Each telephones will push AI expertise. Whereas Samsung beat Apple to the punch with its Galaxy AI options, Apple Intelligence is an enormous a part of the brand new iPhone 16 expertise and affords loads of related options. There may be one caveat right here, as a few of its finest options received’t roll out for weeks or months to come back. Ultimately, Samsung nonetheless has a slight edge right here however Apple is rapidly catching up.
• Each telephones could have related prices. The iPhone 16 begins at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus is ready at $899, in the meantime the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are available at $799.99 and $999.99, respectively. The iPhone 16 Plus is admittedly a bit cheaper than the S24 Plus, although you’ll discover related worth throughout the road other than that.
• Each telephones could have sturdy designs and waterproofing. You’ll discover prime quality metals and sturdy glass on each telephones, in addition to the identical stage of water and mud resistance.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is just a bit lower than a half 12 months away, however must you look ahead to it or get the iPhone 16 now? If you happen to’re pissed off by Android and fascinated with switching, it’s unlikely that the Galaxy S25 will change your thoughts. If that’s the case, there’s no purpose to attend, particularly since Apple units don’t often see large worth cuts in response to new telephone launches the way in which many Android units do.

For many who are fairly certain the iPhone 16 isn’t for them, ready for a Galaxy S25 in all probability makes extra sense than going for a Galaxy S24 at this stage except you desperately want a brand new system now. In that case, you would possibly really be higher served by the brand new Pixel 9 ($799 at Amazon), because the telephone is a bit newer and affords a extra iPhone-like expertise in some ways because of the Google Pixel’s related philosophy of simplicity and minimalism.