Yes, you can justify getting a top-end phone for its camera quality alone, but which one is best? Until we see what the iPhone 17 Pro photo system might bring (I have some suggestions), I pitted the iPhone 16 Pro against the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which are both capable of capturing stunning photos. How do these mobile titans compare?
To find out, I shot hundreds of photos using both phones in a variety of conditions to see which takes the best images. What's "best" often comes down to personal perspective. So though I'll share my take on each test as a professional photographer -- including why I prefer one over the other -- you might find you prefer the opposite. Have a look through the range of examples below and see if you come to a different conclusion.
Read more: Best Camera Phone of 2025
All images shown have been taken using each phone's default camera mode and default settings, unless otherwise noted. Images from the Galaxy S25 have been uploaded as taken, but the iPhone's images have had to be converted through Adobe Lightroom, because our publishing platform doesn't support Apple's default HEIF image format. This process doesn't affect the image in any way.
Ready? Let's dive in.
iPhone 16 Pro, main camera Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Galaxy S25 Ultra, main camera Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Starting out with an easy outdoor scene. Both phones have done a great job capturing an even exposure here and both images are packed with detail. It's difficult to choose between them, but the iPhone has the edge for me as it's achieved a slightly warmer image with more natural-looking tones. The S25 Ultra's image looks too saturated, especially in the blue sky, which I find quite distracting.
iPhone 16 Pro, ultrawide lens Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Galaxy S25 Ultra, ultrawide lens Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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