Before forming any opinion, I carried both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max as my primary phones for over a month in Bangladesh outdoors, in traffic, on mobile data, and during long workdays. Living with them daily revealed differences you don’t notice in spec sheets. The Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like a power tool, offering more control, faster charging, and a brighter display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max focuses on stability, smoother performance, and reliable long-term behavior. 

Pricing in Bangladesh, especially unofficial imports, changes their value significantly. In this comparison, I break down real pricing, gaming stability, network reliability, camera consistency, and display comfort based purely on my own usage experience.

During my testing period, I physically visited Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park, and IDB Bhaban, and also checked trusted online shops. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra launched globally in early 2025, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max arrived slightly earlier in late 2024. At launch, the S25 Ultra’s official price in Bangladesh was noticeably high, but unofficial units quickly became common. The iPhone 16 Pro Max launched at a premium, and even now, its grey-market price remains strong due to demand.

Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra unofficially sells for less than its launch price, making it more accessible. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, although officially limited, holds higher resale and stable pricing. Availability strongly affects value, The Samsung offers more flexibility, while Apple costs more but feels safer long-term.

Price source: Samsung Bangladesh, Apple authorized resellers, Local retailers, and platforms like DeficesFinder, Gadget & Gear and Daraz. 

I tested both phones with PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Free Fire in long sessions, often in warm rooms without air conditioning.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra uses Samsung’s latest flagship chipset, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max runs Apple’s newest A-series processor. Both score high on benchmarks, but sustained performance matters most. According to NanoReview, the Galaxy S25 Ultra stays above average for Android flagships, while the iPhone leads in single-core tasks.

Phones like the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro and ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro perform better in long gaming sessions, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers similar power with better thermal control.

In practice, the iPhone felt different rather than faster. Frame rates stayed more stable over time, even when warm, showing Apple’s industry-leading single-core performance. Compared to Samsung, I noticed fewer frame drops, though peak speed was slightly lower.

Overall, the iPhone delivers consistency close to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and even competes with gaming-focused Android flagships.

• The Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like a power-user device, I constantly used split screen, S Pen notes, and customization.

• The iPhone 16 Pro Max feels calmer and more predictable; animations stay smooth no matter what I do.

• Samsung heats up faster under stress, but cools down quicker.

• iPhone stays warm longer, but performance remains steady.

• Battery life is strong on both, but Samsung charges much faster.

• Software updates feel safer on iPhone 16 Pro Max, feature freedom feels better on Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

For network testing, I deliberately used both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max as my primary phones for over a month with Bangladeshi SIM cards. I tested them extensively on Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel networks, switching SIMs between the two devices to remove location bias. My testing included voice calls, continuous mobile data usage, hotspot sharing, and Wi-Fi connectivity across indoor and outdoor environments. Bangladesh’s network congestion, inconsistent indoor coverage, and variable signal strength make modem performance easy to judge in real life, and these conditions clearly highlighted how each phone behaves beyond speed test numbers.

I used both phones as my main cameras for everyday photos, street shots, family moments, night scenes, and casual video clips without treating them like test devices. The differences become obvious only after repeated real use.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Performance

• • Delivers extremely detailed daylight photos, especially noticeable when cropping or using zoom.

  • Long-range zoom is genuinely useful for outdoor shots in Bangladesh.

  • Low-light photos look brighter, but colors can vary slightly between lenses.

  • Video quality is strong, though stabilization feels less consistent than iPhone.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Camera Performance

• • Produces more natural colors and consistent results across all lenses.

  • Low-light photos look realistic rather than overly bright.

  • Video recording is more stable, especially handheld night videos.

  • Less flexible zoom, but more dependable for point-and-shoot use.

Instead of focusing on numbers, I judged both displays based on long hours of daily use, outdoors, indoors, and late at night. Comfort and visibility matter more than specs in real life.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

- Noticeably brighter under direct sunlight, very useful outdoors.

- Colors look more vivid, making videos and photos pop.

- Smooth scrolling feels great, but brightness can feel harsh at night.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

- Feels more balanced and comfortable for long viewing sessions.

- Better color accuracy, especially noticeable when editing photos.

- Slightly dimmer outdoors, but easier on the eyes indoors and at night.

In my daily use, Galaxy S25 Ultra’s screen performs better in bright outdoor light, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display feels more natural and easy on the eyes during extended use.

Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want more features, faster charging, brighter display, and advanced zoom. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want smoother long-term performance, better video, and reliable software support.

After extended real-world use, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels ideal for power users, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max suits users who value stability and consistency. Both are excellent, your usage style decides the better choice.

Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra overheat more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra heats faster during gaming, but iPhone maintains steadier performance over longer sessions.

Which phone handles gaming better overall?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers more consistent frame stability, while Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers stronger peak performance.

Which camera is more reliable for daily photos?

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max provides more consistent colors, while Galaxy S25 Ultra excels in zoom and fine detail.

Which phone gives better value in Bangladesh?

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra usually offers better unofficial pricing, while iPhone 16 Pro Max keeps stronger resale value.

Which is better for long-term use?