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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 14, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy A25 5G vs Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G vs Apple iPhone 16: which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.
Ratings: 4.6★ vs 4.8★
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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
★4.6
(176)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
Graphics:Mali-G68
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Apple iPhone 16
★4.8
(219)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
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Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A25 5G vs Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
★4.6(176)Best Buy
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8(219)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy A25 5G | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(176)Best Buy | ★4.8(219)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm) | Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Mali-G68 | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) |
RAM | 6GB (Standard US config) | 8 GB |
Storage | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.5" | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits (HBM) | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support |
Telephoto Camera | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4 | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps (Gyro-EIS) | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps |
Front Camera | 13MP, f/2.2 | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 5,000mAh (Typical) | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | No (Not supported) | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back) | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back |
Dimensions | 6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm) | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) |
Weight | 6.95 oz (197 g) | 6.00 oz (170 g) |
Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock | Face ID |
Extras | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, Samsung Wallet | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Rating:★4.6(176)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
Graphics:Mali-G68
RAM:6GB (Standard US config)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:120Hz
Peak Brightness:1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps (Gyro-EIS)
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.2
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back)
Dimensions:6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm)
Weight:6.95 oz (197 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, Samsung Wallet
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading 120Hz Super AMOLED display (1,000 nits)
- • Guaranteed 4 major OS updates (matches flagship standard)
- • Main camera features OIS (rare for this price point)
- • Includes stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack
- • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
✗ Cons:
- • Exynos 1280 performance is average compared to competitors
- • No official IP rating for water/dust resistance
- • Dated water-drop notch design and thick bezels
- • No charger included in the box
- • Video stabilization (EIS) crops heavily into the frame
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Apple iPhone 16
Rating:★4.8(219)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
RAM:8 GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.00 oz (170 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- • 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- • Added Macro photography support to the non-Pro lineup
- • MagSafe charging speed increased to 25W (requires 30W adapter)
- • New physical Camera Control and Action buttons added
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
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Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Apple iPhone 16 has a slight edge for overall satisfaction. Samsung Galaxy A25 5G remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G excels at: Class-leading 120Hz Super AMOLED display (1,000 nits), Guaranteed 4 major OS updates (matches flagship standard)
Watch for: Exynos 1280 performance is average compared to competitors
Apple iPhone 16 excels at: A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence, 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
Watch for: Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G excels if you value class-leading 120hz super amoled display (1,000 nits). Apple iPhone 16 is better if you prioritize a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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