iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Discounted iPhone vs Latest Galaxy
If you want a 6.7-inch+ flagship in 2026 and you're willing to consider both ecosystems, this is the comparison. iPhone 15 Pro Max is now widely available refurbished at $799–$899; the Galaxy S25 Ultra was runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 awards.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple · 2023 · From $1199
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung · 2025 · From $1299
Round wins
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 1 · Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5 ·Ties: 2
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion | 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO |
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Camera | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 5x periscope telephoto | 200MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 4,422 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| OS | iOS 17 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Starting price | $1199 | $1299 |
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy S25 Ultra: 6.9-inch with anti-reflective coating, ~2,600 nits typical. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 6.7-inch ProMotion, ~2,000 nits peak. Samsung wins.
Performance
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraSnapdragon 8 Elite (S25 Ultra) outperforms A17 Pro (15 Pro Max) by roughly 35%.
Camera
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy S25 Ultra: 200MP main + 5x periscope. iPhone 15 Pro Max: 48MP main + 5x telephoto + 12MP ultrawide. Samsung wins on resolution and zoom.
AI features
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy AI is broader and more recent than Apple Intelligence on the 15 Pro Max. iPhone 15 Pro Max supports Apple Intelligence but at lower performance than current-gen iPhones.
Battery
TieRoughly equivalent in real-world use. Both 7+ hours of screen-on time.
S Pen / extras
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraS Pen is a genuine Samsung differentiator. No iPhone equivalent.
Software updates
TieiPhone 15 Pro Max: ~3 years remaining. Galaxy S25 Ultra: 7 years remaining. Galaxy wins on long-term but iPhone has full Apple Intelligence support today.
Price
Winner: iPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished: $799–$899. Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299. iPhone is $400+ cheaper.
Final verdict
Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want the most capable big-screen Android — but also if you want the latest hardware. Buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished if you want into iOS for $400–$500 less than a new iPhone 17 Pro Max — it still supports Apple Intelligence and has 4+ years of iOS support remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra: which to buy in 2026?
Galaxy S25 Ultra for the latest hardware and longest support. iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished for the cheapest path into a Pro-tier iOS phone — $400+ savings vs current Galaxy or iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max still good in 2026?
Yes — won MKBHD's 2023 Best Camera (15 Pro), supports Apple Intelligence, and has 4+ years of iOS support remaining. Refurbished at $799–$899 it's a strong value.
Should I buy iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 17 Pro Max if budget allows ($1,199+) — better cameras, longer support, brighter display. iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished if you want to save $400 and accept the older chip.