Samsung S25 vs iPhone 16: Compact Flagships Go Head-to-Head

There are plenty of powerful smartphones in the market today, but many people specifically seek compact phones. Two standout contenders in this category are the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 16. I recently got my hands on both — the S25 in a striking red shade and the iPhone 16 in one of my favorite colors as well. Beyond their beautiful looks, the big question is: which one is the better compact flagship? Let’s break it down.

Pricing and Variants

The Samsung S25 starts at ₹90,000 and comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage in its base variant. In contrast, the iPhone 16 starts at ₹75,000 but offers just 8GB RAM and 128GB storage — quite limited when it comes to storage. Prices can fluctuate slightly over time, and both brands often offer initial cashback or discounts, especially if you buy offline. For Samsung, purchasing directly from its official store or through Samsung Pay might also unlock additional perks.

Design and Build

I bought the S25 from the Samsung VKC Bandra store, and this red color is a website exclusive you won’t find in regular shops. Samsung offers several color options, while the iPhone 16 also has a fresh new palette this year. Both phones have premium metal frames and a matte finish on the back, giving them a sleek feel. In hand, the iPhone 16 feels a bit thicker compared to the S25, and the S25 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use.

The S25 is equipped with a faster USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 port, while the iPhone 16 still uses the slower Type-C 2.0 standard. This difference shows up clearly in tasks like data transfer. Another point to note: the S25 offers dual SIM support, while the iPhone 16 provides only a single SIM slot with eSIM options. Both phones are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, and both feel exceptionally solid in hand.

S25 Plus vs. S25 and Camera Insights

If you’re curious about the S25 Plus, it’s essentially the bigger sibling of the S25. It offers a larger display, slightly bigger battery, and, in my opinion, delivers even better overall value — possibly even outperforming the S25 Ultra in some respects. While the S25 Ultra has excellent cameras, Vivo’s flagship X200 arguably provides even better camera performance at a competitive price point.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the S25 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with a 3nm process, while the iPhone 16 is powered by Apple’s A18 Bionic chip. Both phones have comparable RAM (with the S25 offering RAM Plus for virtual expansion) and come with UFS 4.0 storage on Samsung’s side and NVMe storage on Apple’s.

Daily tasks on both devices feel smooth, and neither phone will let you down. But benchmarks reveal some interesting differences. In AnTuTu scores, the S25 outperforms the iPhone 16, though the Vivo X200 still takes the crown overall. For single-core CPU tests, the iPhone 16 leads, while multicore results show them running neck-and-neck. GPU tests favor the iPhone 16, and 3DMark stability tests also tilt toward Apple, though the S25 benefits from its 120Hz display — compared to the iPhone 16’s 60Hz — which gives it an edge in fluidity.

Battery and Charging

Battery performance is another highlight. After multiple rounds of YouTube playback, 4K 60fps recording, SSD data transfer, and video rendering tests, the S25 consistently delivered slightly better battery life. For example, during SSD file transfers (11GB), the S25 completed the task in just 34 seconds, while the iPhone 16 took over six minutes due to its slower port.

In video rendering, the iPhone 16 edged ahead, but when it came to overall battery endurance, the S25 had around 5% more battery left after all tests — an impressive showing, thanks to One UI 7 and battery optimizations. The S25 carries a 4000mAh battery, while the iPhone 16 houses a 3561mAh cell. Additionally, the S25 supports faster wired charging and offers reverse wireless charging, while the iPhone uses MagSafe.

Gaming Performance

On the gaming front, the iPhone 16 remains locked at 60Hz, so even years from now, it will be limited to 60fps gaming. Rumors suggest that Apple may finally introduce 120Hz displays in the iPhone 17 series. For now, if you want smoother gameplay, the S25 and S25 Plus with Snapdragon 8 Elite can handle 90fps gaming comfortably and even push toward 120fps in some cases.

In a gaming battery test, the S25 dropped about 21% after 40 minutes of 90fps gaming. Notably, neither phone supports bypass charging, which would allow you to power the phone directly without stressing the battery during intense sessions.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering a compact flagship, the S25 and iPhone 16 both offer excellent experiences, but they cater to slightly different needs. The S25 excels in charging speed, display smoothness, and battery life, making it a fantastic all-rounder. The iPhone 16, meanwhile, delivers rock-solid performance, especially in single-core tasks and GPU-heavy workloads, and will serve you well if you’re happy with a 60Hz display.

If you’d like me to compare any other phones with this level of detailed testing, drop your suggestions in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe — more in-depth reviews are on the way!