Samsung ’s flagship lineup for 2025 has arrived , with three new phones landing . On top of the line sit down theSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra , one of the mighty contestants for psyche position inour skillful phones list . Right underneath it is theGalaxy S25 Plus , which gets the basic right while excluding some luxury characteristic from the Ultra . Samsung ’s ameliorate AI functionality gives us a coup d’oeil of what phone acclivity may look like in the coming twelvemonth .
Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Plus execute the proficient Samsung hardware and software , but the Ultra adds extra turn such as an anti - musing display , a 5X telephoto tv camera , and the useful S Pen . However , with a $ 300 chasm between them , there is definitely elbow room for pondering if those features aimed at specific exploiter are really worth the extra expenditure .
Below , we will manducate over those similarity and remainder to facilitate you settle whether you should go for the more hardheaded S25 Plus or go all in with the expensive S25 Ultra .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: specs
1 - 120Hz
HDR10 +
1,600 nits brightness , 4,500 nit peak brightness
Gorilla Armor 2
12 GB + 512 GiB
12 GB + 1 TB
200 - megapixel primary , OIS
50MP ultrawide
10MP telephoto , 3x optical rapid growth
50MP periscope telephoto , 5x optical rapid climb
Front camera :
12MP , f/2.2 , autofocus
50MP primary , OIS
12MP ultrawide
Front : Up to 4K@60fps
5 constant of gravitation
Wi - Fi 7 , dual - band
Samsung DeX
Wireless institutionalise
overturn tuner charge
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: design
The newly launch Samsung Galaxy Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Plus get limited advance over previous generation . Of the two , the Ultra feel more radically changed , with curvier corners and 2-dimensional rails around the edge ( compare to the S24 Ultra ) . It is also the sole Samsung phone ( among candy bars ) to see discrete from the residual .
The Galaxy S25 Plus , on the other mitt , feels overfamiliar since Samsung practice the same template for every earphone asunder from the Ultra and its foldables . Being the only Samsung phone with the distinct design , the Ultra definitely palpate more attractive . While the 2-dimensional frame reach the S25 Ultra see leaner , it also piddle it uncomfortable to use , equate to wind edge previously .
While the S25 Plus has also gone under the lathe for completely flat edge , the design does n’t appear too from the last twelvemonth ’s headphone . Compared to the Ultra , the Galaxy S25 Ultra ’s corners are much curvier , which , in comparison , subdue the wallop that the Ultra ’s new inaugurate curves have when you look at both phones side - by - side .
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S25 Plus are both monumental phone , despite being leaner than respective predecessor . The S25 Plus is relatively small and observably lighter and should be your selection if you favour wash room . With these phones , Samsung has reduced the bezel around their displays , which makes even the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels sleeker .
In terms of manipulation , though , the Galaxy S25 Plus feel more ergonomic and easier to habituate . Unlike the Ultra , the Galaxy S25 Plus ’ flat border do not feel as sharp , primarily due to the low-cal weight .
As with previous generation , the Galaxy S25 Ultra catch a consecrate S Pen slot while the S25 Plus does n’t . The time slot on the Ultra feels closer to the ( now rounded ) corner , and might feel slightly more accessible if you have used previous Note series or Ultra phones from Samsung .
Another fundamental difference is the material used for frames . While The Galaxy S25 Ultra is furbished with a titanium frame , the S25 Plus gets a less suave reprocess aluminum admixture in its shoes . The Ultra also uses a sturdier Gorilla Armor 2 to protect its methamphetamine hydrochloride back while the S25 Plus sticks to an old Gorilla Glass Victus 2 . The newer glass is more repellent to scrub . Meanwhile , we found the Galaxy S25 Plus ’ back looking glass to inscribe more well . Nonetheless , both phones have similar resistance to piss and dust , with the same IP68 rating .
Both phones now come with aesthetically jacklight up tv camera modules with raw rings around them . These rings are only for a visual spot and do not affect the functioning of the tv camera . However , theserings are merely glued oninstead of being integrate within the camera glass , which might raise concern about long - terminal figure durability . Unfortunately , it ’s too soon for us to comment on the matter for now , but we will advise tendering extra care for the photographic camera while using the earpiece .
Samsung follow Apple ’s strategy with color for its phones , offer punchier and more saturated shades ( of similar people of colour ) on the S25 and the S25 Plus while offering muted versions on the Ultra .
With a discrete design , more enduringness , and elusive colors , the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like a better choice here , unless you explicitly want a tall phone that does not feel heavy by any measure .
Winner : Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: display
The displays on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S25 Plus are indistinguishable , unlike their design . The only apparent deviation is their sizes , where the Galaxy S25 Plus make a 6.7 - inch covert , while the Ultra features a 6.9 - in dialog box .
Both displays have the same QHD+ resolution with 1440 x 3120 pixels . Both have the same LTPO AMOLED technical school underneath and get an adaptive refresh pace up to 120Hz . The minor size of it on the Plus stand for to a slightly better acuity on newspaper , though the difference wo n’t come along to the eyes .
Since the Galaxy S25 serial is back by AI upgrade , Samsung hop-skip bragging about the displays ’ brightness . Since the displays themselves have n’t changed much since the S24 serial , we expect the newer models to also have the same 2,600 nit of peak brightness . Both phones also get HDR10 + keep for rich contrast when watch content on apps such as Apple TV+ , Amazon Prime Video , Disney Plus . Unfortunately Netflix will not in full utilize this power and scale back content to a more inferior HDR10 since its HDR content supports a rival codec , Dolby Vision . If you binge Netflix obsessively , you might desire to consider a non - Samsung flagship , such as theOnePlus 13 .
Besides the size , the only apparent difference of opinion between the display on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S25 Plus is the protection on top . The Galaxy S25 Plus gets Gorilla Glass Victus 2 from a few old age ago , while the Ultra begin the latest and more long-wearing Gorilla Armor 2 . The Armor 2 also brings an anti - reflective finish that will offer up dear readability than the Plus as well as last class ’s Ultra .
If you tend to cram the phone in the same pocket as your keys or other sharp objects , the Ultra might be better . But for other exercise cases , both displays are mostly the same .
achiever : Tie
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: performance
The Galaxy S25 serial is fully powered by Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon 8 Elite , making it one of the uncommon occasions when Samsung does not deploy the Exynos crisp in sealed marketplace . Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S25 Plus are claimed by Samsung to apply an overclocked “ For Galaxy ” edition of the Snapdragon 8 Elite , with a slight rise over the variant that power other flagships , including the OnePlus 13 .
Samsung read the chipset offers roughly 40 % better CPU and 30 % in force GPU functioning over the previous propagation , though the messaging apply to both phones . Likewise , the entire S25 serial suffer 40 % large vapor chambers to fritter away heat from the powerful chip . Samsung does not reveal the exact size of it of these chamber for each speech sound , but the Ultra can be expected to domiciliate a bigger building block due to its slightly big sizing .
Samsung claims the souped - up fleck allows for faster carrying out with the neural processor , which accelerates AI applications . Besides the variations in the sizes of the vapor chambers , there is no distinguish agent for differences in performance .
Both the S25 Ultra and the Plus get 12 GB of RAM as standard across all reposition variants , though the Ultra also gets a 1 TB alternative . Overall , the performance on both phones is likely to be neck and neck . So , if you are take care to choose between one of the phone purely for the performance , either should be near , though the S25 Plus will be a better note value for money . For gaming , you might want to take the phone that better beseem your essential for bioengineering and allow for prolonged usage .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: battery and charging
The Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S25 Plus have much in common when it comes to their barrage backup and charge . There ’s only a 100mAh difference between the battery capacitance of both phones , with the Galaxy S25 Plus jug with its 4,900mAh coterie . The expectant 5,000mAh bombardment on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is unlikely to make a considerable difference , especially when accounting for the increased power white plague of the slightly bigger showing on the Ultra .
Both phones consistently last past 24 hr , with over five hours of covert exercise . If your utilization drop to about three hours , both the Galaxy S25 and the S25 Ultra might be able to pull through the 48 - hour crisscross .
In terms of charging too , both Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Plus support charging speeds up to 45 W . Although Samsung does not include a charger within the box , you’re able to use any third - political party battery charger that supports USB charge standards , including USB Power Delivery ( USB - PD ) and Programmable Power Supply — the latter of the two is Modern and more effective .
Despite similar charging speeds , the Galaxy S25 Ultra is peculiarly faster when it come to charging . However , the divergence may only be marginal — about 5 to 10 proceedings .
The Galaxy S25 serial publication is also among the first flock of mainstream phones apart from the iPhone to support the unexampled Qi2 wireless charging protocol . We say mainstream since the HMD Skyline keep going Qi2 , but is n’t a phone most will have heard of . The criterion allows for faster wireless commit with rate going up to 15W. However , unlike the iPhone and the Skyline , there are no magnets inside the Galaxy S25 serial publication — since that is not an essential requirement for the Qi2 standard . That stand for you would have to rely on a case to get MagSafe - similar functionality to both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra — including someofficial compositor’s case from Samsung .
Both phone also support inverse wireless charging but at a much sluggish pace . This can be used to charge other earphone but is primarily useful for charging supplement , such as wireless earbuds .
Once again , little differences direct this comparison towards a tie .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: camera
The cameras on the Galaxy S25 Ultra are among its delineate feature and what set it aside not just from the Galaxy S25 Plus but the entirety of the Galaxy batting order . For one , there are four cameras on the back , include a 200 - megapixel primary wide - slant , a 50MP ultrawide - slant , a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom , and another 50MP hit man with 5X telephoto periscope . The aggregation of both a 3X and 5X telephoto makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra a rather unparalleled telephone , besides gird it for smashing photography .
The Galaxy S25 Plus , on the other hand , features a 50MP primary television camera , a 12MP ultrawide - angle , and 10MP telephoto with 3X zoom . Even though the 10MP telephotograph seem vulgar on both phones , the Ultra ’s 3X shooter uses a bigger sensor , allow for well - lit and sharper shots .
On the front , both telephone set get the same 12MP selfie camera with autofocus .
In possibility , the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the skillful alternative if you want to capture more compelling images . Moreover , the Galaxy S25 Ultra also have legato passage effects when zooming in or out . Meanwhile , the Galaxy S25 Plus is n’t lusterless in seclusion , though it come along less attractive when images are compare to the Ultra .
The lower megapixel count and the lack of a consecrate telephotograph beyond 3X means the images shot with the Plus are more grainy and not as penetrating when you crop into them . Meanwhile , the Galaxy S25 Ultra come forth as the more telling photographic camera speech sound , and evenbeats the iPhone 16 Pro Maxin a lineal competition .
Both phones also get AI enhancement that better the paradigm quality using procreative AI models . Additionally , both can be used to trance altogether exposure using Samsung ’s Expert RAW app .
In terms of video , both phones can catch 8 K telecasting at 30fps . While the Galaxy S25 Ultra can also capture 4 K videos at up to 120fps , the S25 Plus is limited to 4 K at 60fps — unless you ’re recording a slo - mo , which enables the 4 K 120fps mode on both phones . Besides even videos , both phones can be used for recording with HDR10 + for wider dynamic stove .
Samsung also brings an improved variant of Audio Eraser to videos , which will allow you to remove distracting scope noises — whether it ’s just background noise , born disturbance , or music — from video recording recorded using the phones . It is available across the entire serial .
Winner : Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: software and updates
The Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Plus conserve conservation of parity in term of their software experience . Both devices are among Samsung ’s firsts to get the updated One UI 7 based on Android 15 . Samsung also promises seven year of software system updates for both phones .
While there are n’t significant hardware changes , the Galaxy S25 serial gets improvements to its AI features . Covered in the glare is Samsung ’s raw “ Now Brief , ” which , Samsung claims , is intended to turn like a personal assistant . It is mean to grow as you expend more fourth dimension with the telephone and make your clock time with it easier . In unretentive , it gives you personalized insights based on the metre of the day . you may command the datum it access from apps , giving you some flexibility over what you like it to see .
This adds onto the already existing feature such as Circle to Search , Live interlingual rendition , AI bring forth electronic messaging , and so on . To care for these features , you would need to habituate Samsung ’s own apps and sign into a Samsung account on your twist .
It may still be a little former to wrap up our heads around all theclaims Samsung makes for its AIapplications , but the theory seems fascinating . Thankfully , it does n’t separate in terms of accessibility , and all S25 sound get like functionality . Older phones might get it too , even though the S25 serial would work requests faster because of a more open nervous processor .
During our early days with the twist , the Now Brief does not seem groundbreaking . Whether the caliber of data better over time is something we will view out for .
Another chief attractor of One UI 7 is the Now Bar , which is a pill - shaped dynamical appliance for the ignition lock screen . It changes based on the app you are using — for illustration , it can be a timer , a music player , etc . , much like the iPhone ’s Dynamic Island . Ne caveat here is that the Now Bar is limited to the lock screen , unlike the iPhone , which is usable even while the phone is unlocked .
Since there is practically no difference in the package experience between phones , this tend to marry once more .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $ 1,300 for the 256 GB variant . Even though the pre - ordering time period is over and the phones are now on open sale , Samsung is still extending the same benefits where you’re able to get a 512 GB variation for the same Mary Leontyne Price . The 1 TB manikin is presently available for $ 1,420 , but the prices will increase by $ 240 once the promotion finish .
The S25 Plus is price at $ 1,000 for the 256 GB edition , but Samsung is currently letting you advance to 512 GB for as little as $ 20 . Beyond that , you will have to devote $ 1,120 for the bigger store variant .
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: verdict
The Galaxy S25 Plus nails all the basics you would expect from a gamy - end phone . Besides superfast performance and bug - free software , it offers a promising set of AI tools that set it ahead of the similarly equipped flagship such as the OnePlus 13 . The Galaxy S25 Ultra has extra bells and whistles on top that raise its status as the more premium earphone .
You would desire to consider the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want well build quality , an anti - reflective display ( though with the same display quality ) , a better set of cameras , or the convenience of the S Pen . You also get the additional public lavatory of a TB of storehouse with the Ultra , which is miss from the storage options for the S25 Plus .
Meanwhile , the Galaxy S25 Plus is a well value for money . With a base price difference of $ 300 , you may access like AI feature article , as proficient computer hardware and presentation , slightly substandard but still great television camera , battery and charging solutions . basically both phone bid a like insurance premium experience , but the Ultra adds an spare touch of luxury . It totally depends on whether you want to expend an spare $ 300 on that or not .