Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you’ll use its built-in S Pen, want more flexible rear cameras, or prefer the larger screen. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25+ if its 6.7-inch QHD+ display and 3x telephoto camera are enough for you. Both share the same processor family, 12 GB of memory, QHD+ resolution class and adaptive refresh rate up to 120 Hz; the Ultra’s case rests on its added hardware, not a different performance tier on paper.
At a glance: what separates the S25 Ultra and S25+
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S25+ |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+, adaptive refresh rate up to 120 Hz | 6.7-inch QHD+, adaptive refresh rate up to 120 Hz |
| Rear cameras | 200 MP wide, 50 MP ultra-wide, 50 MP 5x telephoto and 10 MP 3x telephoto | 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra-wide and 10 MP 3x telephoto |
| S Pen | Included | Not listed as included in Samsung’s comparison |
| Typical battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | 4,900 mAh |
| Estimated video playback | Up to 31 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Memory and processor | 12 GB; Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | 12 GB; Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Storage tiers listed by Samsung UK | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | Up to 512 GB |
Specifications and estimates are from Samsung’s UK comparison, US comparison and Samsung’s February 2025 business specification sheet. Samsung says models may vary by country, so check the configuration sold in your region.
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How much better are the Ultra’s cameras?
The Ultra offers more camera hardware, particularly for zoom and ultra-wide shooting. Samsung’s UK comparison lists a 200 MP main camera and 50 MP ultra-wide on the Ultra, alongside separate 5x and 3x telephoto cameras. The S25+ has a 50 MP main camera, 12 MP ultra-wide and one 10 MP 3x telephoto camera.
Samsung advertises digital zoom up to 100x on the Ultra and 30x on the S25+. Those are maximum advertised modes, not guarantees that photos at those magnifications will have comparable detail or be useful in every situation. For everyday photos and moderate zoom, the S25+ still has a dedicated 3x telephoto camera; the Ultra makes more sense if you expect to use the additional 5x lens or want the higher-resolution ultra-wide hardware.
#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).
Is the S Pen worth choosing the Ultra?
The built-in S Pen is a straightforward reason to buy the Ultra if you take handwritten notes, sketch, or want to write directly on the screen. Samsung’s US support guide says the Galaxy S25 Ultra “includes its own S Pen for writing and drawing directly on the screen.” The S25+ does not offer that included pen advantage.
Are the displays and battery meaningfully different?
Display size and clarity
The Ultra’s screen measures 6.9 inches diagonally; the S25+ measures 6.7 inches. Both are QHD+ and support adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz. Samsung’s business specification sheet lists peak brightness at 2,600 nits for both. The Ultra gives you a little more screen area, rather than a different resolution class or refresh-rate ceiling. Display measurements are diagonal; rounded corners and the camera opening reduce the usable viewing area.
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).
Battery figures
Samsung lists typical capacities of 5,000 mAh for the Ultra and 4,900 mAh for the S25+. Its US comparison estimates up to 31 hours of video playback for the Ultra and 30 hours for the S25+, based on internal lab conditions. These are manufacturer figures, not independent real-world battery tests or a promise of your daily runtime. The available specifications do not establish a reliable charging-speed advantage for either model.
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Performance, storage and software support
Samsung lists Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12 GB of memory on both phones, so its published specifications do not show a memory or processor advantage for the Ultra. Storage can be a more consequential difference: Samsung UK lists Ultra configurations with 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, while the S25+ is listed with storage up to 512 GB. Confirm the actual configuration offered by your retailer and carrier before buying.
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).
Samsung’s February 2025 business specification sheet identifies Android 15 and One UI 7.0 at launch and states seven years of OS and security updates for both models. That launch-era software label does not establish which version is installed today.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Galaxy S25 should you buy?
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- You will use the included S Pen for handwriting, drawing or on-screen input.
- You want the Ultra’s 5x telephoto camera, separate 3x telephoto camera, or higher-resolution ultra-wide camera.
- You prefer the largest screen or need a listed 1 TB storage option.
Choose the Galaxy S25+ if…
- A 6.7-inch QHD+ display and a 3x telephoto camera meet your needs.
- You do not need the S Pen or the Ultra’s additional camera hardware.
- You want the shared processor and memory specification without paying for Ultra-only features; compare current prices in your market before deciding which offers better value.
Samsung’s published specifications establish the hardware differences, but they do not establish a current price winner. Prices and availability vary by country and retailer. Check the exact regional model, storage tier and live price before placing an order.
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
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).
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.
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