Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: which to buy refurbished in 2026
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Updated 24 October 2026.
Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra refurbished if you want the better zoom camera, a built-in stylus and the longer software promise. Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you already use an iPhone, a Mac or an Apple Watch, or want Apple Intelligence.
Both were top-end phones at launch, and both are now widely sold refurbished. This page compares what matters when buying one second time round.
The key specs side by side
Apple’s figures come from its iPhone 16 Pro Max technical specifications. Samsung’s are its launch specifications.
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2025 | September 2024 |
| Screen | 6.9-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 3120 x 1440 | 6.9-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, 2868 x 1320 |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | A18 Pro |
| RAM | 12GB (16GB on some 1TB models) | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Main camera | 200MP | 48MP |
| Ultra wide | 50MP | 48MP |
| Telephoto | 10MP 3x and 50MP 5x | 12MP 5x |
| Selfie | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | Up to 33 hours video playback (Apple’s figure) |
| Wired charging | 45W | Up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter |
| Wireless charging | 15W | Up to 25W MagSafe with a 30W adapter |
| Weight | 218g | 227g |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
| Extras | S Pen built in | Camera Control button |
Neither phone has a microSD slot, so buy the storage you need. Both start at 256GB, which is plenty for most people.
Design and screen
These are two big phones of almost exactly the same size. The Galaxy is 9g lighter, which you will not notice in a pocket.
The Galaxy’s screen has a higher resolution, and Samsung quotes a higher peak brightness: 2,600 nits against Apple’s 2,000 nits outdoors. It also uses Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, designed to cut reflections.
The S Pen slots into the bottom of the Galaxy. Note that the S25 Ultra’s S Pen has no Bluetooth, so remote features such as using it as a camera shutter are gone. Writing and drawing still work.
The iPhone adds Camera Control, a button on the side. Press it to open the camera and press harder to take a photo. A light double press brings up controls such as zoom.
Cameras
The Galaxy has four rear cameras to the iPhone’s three. Its extra 3x telephoto means mid-range zoom shots, such as portraits, use a dedicated lens instead of a crop.
The iPhone has one 5x telephoto. Apple quotes a 10x optical zoom range from ultra wide to telephoto, and digital zoom up to 25x.
Both take excellent photos in good light. If you zoom a lot, the Galaxy’s extra lens makes it the safer pick.
Battery and charging
The Galaxy charges faster on a cable, at up to 45W with a compatible charger. Apple only says the iPhone reaches 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher.
Wireless charging favours the iPhone. MagSafe charges at up to 25W with a 30W adapter, and the magnets line the phone up for you. The Galaxy manages 15W and has no built-in magnets.
Apple and Samsung measure battery life differently, so the numbers in the table are not directly comparable. On a refurbished phone the battery’s condition matters more than either figure. Check what the listing promises.
Software support and AI
This is where buying refurbished changes the sums. You want a phone that keeps getting security fixes for as long as you own it.
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung promised seven generations of Android upgrades and seven years of security updates for the S25 range. It launched with Android 15 in February 2025.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: it runs iOS 27, released on 14 September 2026. Apple’s UK statements promise a minimum of five years of security updates for recent iPhones. In practice Apple has usually given older iPhones six or seven years of new iOS versions.
Both phones have AI features built in. The iPhone 16 Pro Max supports Apple Intelligence, as does every iPhone 16 model. Samsung’s equivalent is Galaxy AI.
For more on Apple’s track record, read how long Apple supports your iPhone.
Buying either one refurbished
Galaxy S25 Ultra
We do not track Samsung prices yet, so we cannot tell you who is cheapest today. You can see current Galaxy S25 Ultra listings on Amazon Renewed. They are backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
When you get it, check the S Pen is in its slot and writes properly, and that the phone is not locked to one network.
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Compare today’s iPhone prices on our iPhone price pages. Want to spend less? The smaller iPhone 16 Pro starts at £465 in Fair and £552 in Good today.
Our best refurbished iPhones for 2026 guide covers cheaper options too.
Grades and warranties
On a phone at this price, Good grade is usually the best value. In our iPhone tracking it is often £20–£60 cheaper than Excellent. See what the gradings and warranties mean before you choose.
Black Friday is on 27 November 2026, so it may be worth waiting a few weeks if you are not in a hurry.
Our verdict
Pick the Galaxy S25 Ultra for zoom photography, the S Pen and Samsung’s seven-year update promise. Pick the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you are already in Apple’s world or want MagSafe and Apple Intelligence.
Both are excellent phones. Buy the one that fits the devices you already own, then pay as little as you can for a Good-grade model with a proper warranty.
