The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better fit if you want an S Pen, dedicated telephoto cameras, a sharper display or up to 1TB of storage. The Galaxy A57 5G costs less at its U.S. launch starting price and still offers a 120Hz AMOLED display, IP68 protection and extended software-support commitments. Samsung’s announced U.S. starting prices differed by $750, but those are launch figures from different years—not a current-price comparison.
How much more did the S25 Ultra cost at launch?
Samsung announced a U.S. starting price of $1,299.99 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra on January 22, 2025, and $549.99 for the Galaxy A57 5G on March 25, 2026. The difference between those announced starting prices is $750. Both figures are launch starting prices from different years; they do not establish current prices, equivalent storage configurations, or what a buyer will pay after promotions, trade-ins or carrier terms. Check the price for the exact market, storage, and unlocked or carrier model before buying. Samsung’s S25 launch announcement and its A57 U.S. announcement give the respective launch details.
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Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy A57 specifications
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy A57 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 120Hz | 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED+; up to 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Octa-core processor; Samsung UK lists CPU speeds of 2.9GHz, 2.6GHz and 1.9GHz |
| Rear cameras | 200MP wide with OIS; 50MP ultra-wide; 10MP 3x telephoto with OIS; 50MP 5x telephoto with OIS | 50MP wide with OIS; 12MP ultra-wide; 5MP macro |
| Front camera | 12MP with autofocus | 12MP; autofocus is not listed on the reviewed UK product page |
| Memory and storage | 12GB RAM; 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage listed | Global launch configurations: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB; availability varies by market |
| Battery | 5,000mAh typical capacity | 5,000mAh typical capacity; 4,905mAh minimum rated capacity |
| Charging claim | Samsung says up to 65% in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter and USB-C cable | Samsung says Super Fast Charging 2.0 reaches up to 60% in around 30 minutes |
| Stylus | S Pen and its functionality are listed | No S Pen claim in the reviewed specification |
| Protection and materials | Titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 cover material | IP68 water and dust resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus+ listed on Samsung UK’s page |
| Software support commitment | Seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates announced for the S25 series | Up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and up to six years of security updates |
| Launch software | Android 15 and One UI 7.0 in the January 22, 2025 specification sheet | Android 16 and One UI 8.5 in the global launch table |
Specifications above come from Samsung’s S25 series specification sheet, its global A57 launch announcement, and the UK A57 product page. A57 configurations and some specifications can vary by market. Launch software versions are historical launch details, not a statement of each phone’s current software version.
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Zoom and camera flexibility
The S25 Ultra has two listed telephoto cameras, including a 5x optical option, alongside its wide and ultra-wide cameras. The A57 has a wide, ultra-wide and macro setup, with no telephoto camera listed. That makes the S25 Ultra the more versatile camera system on paper for subjects that benefit from dedicated zoom hardware. These specifications do not establish which phone takes better photos in a controlled comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Sharper screen and more storage headroom
The S25 Ultra pairs a 6.9-inch QHD+ panel with the A57’s 6.7-inch FHD+ panel. Both are AMOLED-class displays with refresh rates up to 120Hz, but Samsung lists a higher resolution and slightly larger diagonal for the Ultra. The Ultra also has a listed 1TB option; the global A57 launch configurations top out at 512GB, and local availability may differ.
S Pen workflows
Only the S25 Ultra has S Pen functionality listed in the reviewed specifications. It is the clearer choice if you expect to write notes by hand, annotate documents or use a stylus. If those tasks are not part of your routine, the A57’s specification sheet does not show a corresponding stylus feature.
Rank #2
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Where the A57 may be the more sensible choice
The A57 is the lower-priced option on the announced U.S. launch-price basis, while retaining a large AMOLED screen, a 5,000mAh typical battery and IP68 water- and dust-resistance rating. It also has a longer support commitment than many buyers may need: Samsung says up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and up to six years of security updates.
Samsung states that A57 use can last up to two days, but that is a manufacturer claim, not an independent battery-runtime result. Both phones have a listed typical capacity of 5,000mAh; capacity alone does not show that they will last the same amount of time. Actual battery life varies with usage and network conditions.
Rank #3
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Charging, durability and software caveats
Samsung’s charging figures are guidance from the manufacturer, not a matched independent charging test: its S25 Ultra claim specifies a 45W adapter and USB-C cable, while its A57 claim is for Super Fast Charging 2.0. Check the included accessories and local compatibility rather than assuming either required charger comes in the box.
An IP68 rating concerns resistance to water and dust ingress; it does not mean a phone is damage-proof or establish its resistance to drops and scratches. The listed glass and frame materials are separate considerations. Likewise, the update periods are Samsung commitments, not a promise that every software feature will be identical across regions or variants. Samsung says AI-feature availability can vary by region, OS/One UI version, model and carrier.
Rank #4
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Which one should you choose?
- Choose the S25 Ultra if you will use the S Pen, want dedicated telephoto hardware including a 5x option, prefer the higher-resolution display or need a listed 1TB configuration.
- Consider the A57 if the lower U.S. launch-price tier is more relevant to your budget and your priorities are a large 120Hz AMOLED display, IP68 protection and long stated update support.
- Compare exact offers before deciding if price is the deciding factor: launch figures are not live prices, and the starting configurations and local availability may not match.
The A57 launched in the U.S. in April 2026, while S25 Ultra U.S. general availability began in February 2025; A57 release timing differs by market. Samsung’s U.S. A57 announcement and S25 series announcement provide those U.S. launch details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
