For the first time in history, a Samsung phone has surpassed an iPhone in a speed test. The Galaxy S25 Ultra not only defeated the iPhone 16 Pro Max but also became the world’s fastest smartphone in a test conducted by YouTuber PhoneBuff.
In a video uploaded on the PhoneBuff channel, a robotic arm was programmed to open a series of apps and games in order and then reopen them in reverse order. The Galaxy S25 Ultra completed the test in 3 minutes and 7 seconds, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max took 3 minutes and 21 seconds. This result also outperformed the OnePlus 13, which completed the test in 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Notably, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has only 12GB of RAM, whereas the OnePlus 13 is equipped with 16GB of RAM.
For a long time, Apple’s processors have been highly regarded for their CPU performance, consistently outperforming competitors like MediaTek, Qualcomm, and even Samsung. However, in recent years, Qualcomm has significantly narrowed the gap with Apple, although it still lags behind in single-core performance tests. On the GPU front, however, flagship chipsets from MediaTek and Qualcomm have started to surpass Apple’s chips.
One key factor behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s impressive speed is its Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy processor. During the launch event, Samsung confirmed that the entire Galaxy S25 lineup would use this premium chipset, instead of splitting between Snapdragon and Exynos in different regions as in previous years. This marks a major strategic shift for Samsung, ensuring that users worldwide experience the highest possible performance.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy is a custom version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, co-developed by Qualcomm and Samsung to optimize performance specifically for Samsung’s flagship devices. This chip is not only faster than the standard version but also brings significant improvements. According to Samsung, CPU performance has increased by 37%, GPU performance by 30%, and NPU (Neural Processing Unit) speed by 40% compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy and Exynos 2400 found in the Galaxy S24 series. Additionally, the ProScaler Engine enhances image quality by 40%, while the Mobile Digital Natural Image Engine (mDNIe) optimizes power efficiency for the display while maintaining maximum sharpness.
With the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy, the Galaxy S25 Ultra not only excels in everyday tasks but also delivers superior graphics and AI processing capabilities. Enhancements in ray tracing and the Vulkan Engine provide a smoother gaming experience with more realistic visuals and greater detail.
Despite its powerful hardware, the Galaxy S25 Ultra does not suffer from overheating thanks to its improved cooling system. Samsung has incorporated a 40% larger vapor chamber along with new thermal interface materials (TIM) to better manage heat, ensuring that the device remains cool even during demanding tasks.
These results highlight how Qualcomm is gradually closing the performance gap with Apple. If Qualcomm continues to maintain this momentum, future Android flagships could pose an even stronger challenge to the iPhone in speed tests.
