The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better-equipped phone on paper for cameras, display resolution and software support. The POCO X8 Pro Max counters with a much larger battery, faster rated charging and a far lower reported launch price. There is no single worldwide price difference, because both phones are priced per country and per storage tier. This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and regional price references only; it is not a hands-on test or benchmark.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | POCO X8 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite (Samsung New Zealand cites CPU speeds up to 4.47GHz) | MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, 3nm per POCO |
| Display | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120Hz | 6.83-inch 2772×1280 AMOLED, up to 120Hz |
| Rear cameras | 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 5x telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto | 50MP main with OIS, 8MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 5000mAh typical (4855mAh rated, per Samsung NZ footnote) | 8500mAh typical |
| Wired charging | Up to 65% in about 30 minutes with a 45W adapter, sold separately (Samsung UK) | Up to 100W HyperCharge; POCO states 24 minutes to 50% using its in-box charger under its test conditions |
| RAM / storage | 12GB; 256GB, 512GB or 1TB | 12GB; 256GB or 512GB |
| Dust/water | IP68 (Samsung NZ); Samsung UK describes freshwater lab conditions | IP68 claimed, with lab conditions and exclusions listed by POCO |
| Software support | Seven OS generations and seven years of security updates (Samsung UK launch announcement) | Not stated on the POCO pages checked |
Performance
Both phones use flagship-tier chips, but a spec sheet doesn’t say which one runs faster or cooler under sustained load. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and Dimensity 9500s are different designs from different vendors, and only independent benchmarks and thermal tests can rank them. Treat any claim of a clear winner without that data with caution.
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Display
Samsung specifies QHD+ resolution on a 6.9-inch panel with a 1–120Hz variable refresh rate. POCO lists 2772×1280 on a slightly smaller 6.83-inch panel, with refresh up to 120Hz. Samsung’s resolution is higher on paper. Peak-brightness figures from the two makers carry different qualification notes, so don’t compare them directly unless they were measured the same way.
Cameras
This is where the specs differ most. The S25 Ultra has four rear cameras, including two telephotos (3x and 5x) alongside a 200MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide. The POCO X8 Pro Max has a 50MP OIS main camera and an 8MP ultrawide, and no telephoto is listed. If you often zoom, the Samsung offers more focal-length flexibility. Image quality is a different question: megapixel counts and lens counts don’t prove better photos, and no controlled side-by-side results are available here.
#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).
Battery and charging
POCO’s main selling point is capacity. Its 8500mAh typical battery is far larger than the Samsung’s 5000mAh typical figure, and it charges at up to 100W. POCO says it also supports the 100W PPS protocol for wide charger compatibility. Samsung’s 45W charging needs an adapter bought separately. POCO notes that the charger in the box may vary by local seller, and its charging times are lab results that depend on conditions. Capacity doesn’t equal runtime, since screen, chipset efficiency, software and network all affect endurance.
Software support
Samsung’s UK announcement says the Galaxy S25 series gets seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. The POCO pages checked for this comparison don’t state a comparable policy, so parity shouldn’t be assumed. If you plan to keep the phone for many years, check POCO’s policy for your region before buying.
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).
Price difference
Galaxy S25 Ultra
- UK launch RRP: £1,249 (256GB), £1,349 (512GB), £1,549 (1TB). Samsung said general availability began on 7 February 2025. These are original recommended prices, not today’s street prices.
- New Zealand (Samsung NZ spec page): NZ$2,399, NZ$2,649 and NZ$3,149 for the same three tiers.
POCO X8 Pro Max
- Reported launch price: TechRadar’s 2026 review gave $469 / £469 for 12GB/256GB, with 512GB costing a further $50 / £50. TechRadar cautioned that Xiaomi phones weren’t technically available in the US at the time, so treat the dollar figure as a reference rather than a local price.
- A Xiaomi Spain purchase page checked for this comparison showed €0 pending product selection, so no valid Spanish price is established.
What the gap looks like
Using UK figures at the 256GB tier, the launch RRPs are £1,249 for the Samsung and £469 for the POCO. That is a £780 gap, or the Samsung costing roughly 2.7 times as much. This compares original launch prices only. Retailer discounts, trade-ins and the POCO’s current UK price will change the real gap, so check both phones at the same storage tier, in your market, on the day you buy. Don’t apply the UK gap to other countries.
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Which to choose
The S25 Ultra suits you if
- You want a telephoto system, with 3x and 5x lenses.
- You value a QHD+ display and the S Pen ecosystem.
- You want the longest stated update commitment.
The POCO X8 Pro Max suits you if
- Battery size and fast charging matter most.
- You want flagship-class silicon at a much lower reported launch price.
- You’re comfortable with a simpler camera set (main and ultrawide only).
Check before buying a POCO
POCO says 5G support depends on market availability and local operator support, and that listed bands and Wi‑Fi features may vary by region. If you’re importing, confirm the exact model supports your carrier’s bands. Also confirm local warranty terms and whether a charger is included.
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).
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).
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