Galaxy S25 Ultra • Unlocked vs Galaxy S25+ • Unlocked

Galaxy S25 Ultra • Unlocked
Galaxy S25 Ultra • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$739.99

Versus $1,299.00 new

See options
Galaxy S25+ • Unlocked
Galaxy S25+ • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$560.00

Versus $999.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Plus, both released in February 2025, represent Samsung's premium smartphone offerings, each designed to cater to slightly different user preferences. While sharing the same core operating system and a powerful processor, the Ultra model distinguishes itself with a more advanced camera system, a larger display, and an integrated stylus, whereas the Plus model offers a streamlined yet capable experience. Both devices run on Android 15 with Samsung's One UI 7, ensuring a consistent software experience across the board.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Plus are built with durability in mind and benefit from Samsung's commitment to long-term software support, influencing their practical lifespan.

  • Software Longevity: Samsung has pledged 7 years of operating system and security updates for the S25 series, meaning both devices are expected to receive support until approximately 2032. This extended support ensures continued access to new features and security patches, prolonging their usability.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both its front and back, which offers enhanced scratch resistance and improved drop protection compared to previous generations. The S25 Plus, on the other hand, utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its front and back panels. Both models incorporate an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
  • Build Materials: The S25 Ultra is constructed with a titanium frame, contributing to its robust feel and structural integrity. The S25 Plus features an aluminum frame, which also provides a durable yet lighter build.

Release Year

2025

2025

Last OS Compatibility

Yes

No

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus are equipped with a high-performance processor designed for demanding tasks, though the Ultra model includes an enhanced cooling system.

  • Processing Power: Both devices are powered by the same current-generation processor, ensuring smooth performance for everyday applications, multitasking, and graphically intensive games. This processor is designed to handle on-device AI tasks efficiently, providing a responsive user experience.
  • Thermal Management: The Galaxy S25 Ultra incorporates a vapor chamber cooling system that is approximately 40% larger than its predecessor, which helps in dissipating heat more effectively during sustained heavy workloads like extended gaming sessions or video editing. The S25 Plus also features an improved vapor chamber, about 15% larger than the S24 series, contributing to stable performance.
  • Storage and Memory: The S25 Ultra is available with 12GB of RAM and storage options up to 1TB, with some regions offering a 16GB RAM variant. The S25 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM and offers storage configurations up to 512GB. Both utilize fast internal storage technology for quick app loading and data access.

Memory

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus offers vibrant visuals, with the Ultra model providing a slightly larger canvas and enhanced protection.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: Both phones feature Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The S25 Ultra has a 6.9-inch display, while the S25 Plus features a 6.7-inch display. Both offer a QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in sharp and detailed images.
  • Brightness and Clarity: Both displays can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The S25 Ultra's display is further enhanced with Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which includes anti-reflective properties to reduce glare, making it easier to view content in direct sunlight.
  • Visual Enhancements: Both the S25 Ultra and S25 Plus include ProScaler, an AI-based upscaling technology that enhances lower-resolution content to appear sharper on their high-resolution displays.

Resolution

1440x3120

1440x3120

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus are designed for versatile photography, with the Ultra model offering a more comprehensive and advanced setup.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a quad-camera array, including a 200 MP main wide-angle sensor, a 50 MP ultrawide camera, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The S25 Plus comes with a triple-camera setup, comprising a 50 MP main wide-angle sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Ultra's larger main sensor and wider aperture contribute to improved light-gathering capabilities, which can result in better low-light photos and more detailed images. Both phones offer robust video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution at 30 frames per second.
  • Front Camera and Features: Both devices share a 12 MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. Both models also support advanced features like Log mode for video recording, providing greater flexibility for post-production.

Miscellaneous

Beyond their core features, both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus offer a range of practical elements that enhance daily usability, with the Ultra including an exclusive productivity tool.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both smartphones support the latest wireless standards, including 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring fast and reliable connections. They feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and both omit a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometrics and Sensors: Both models include an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. They also feature a suite of other sensors for various functionalities.
  • Design and Handling: The S25 Ultra has a weight of 218 grams and dimensions of 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, featuring a titanium frame and rounded corners. The S25 Plus is lighter at 190 grams and more compact with dimensions of 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.3 mm, built with an aluminum frame. The S25 Ultra also uniquely integrates an S Pen, offering precise input for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.

Weight

8 oz

7 oz

Screen size (inches)

6.9

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Galaxy S25 Ultra often highlights its exceptional camera versatility, particularly the advanced zoom capabilities and the high-resolution main sensor, which users find beneficial for capturing detailed images in various conditions. The integrated S Pen is consistently praised for enhancing productivity and creative tasks. The display's anti-reflective coating and high brightness are also frequently mentioned as significant advantages for outdoor use. Some users, however, note that despite the large battery, heavy usage can still lead to a need for mid-day charging, and the device's size and weight might be a consideration for those preferring a more compact phone.

The Galaxy S25 Plus receives commendation for its balanced performance, vibrant display, and comfortable handling due to its slightly smaller form factor and lighter build. Users appreciate its capable camera system for everyday photography and its reliable battery life that typically lasts a full day. Criticisms are less frequent but sometimes point to the absence of the Ultra's more advanced camera features or the integrated S Pen.

Users prioritizing the most advanced mobile photography tools, a larger display with anti-reflective properties, and the unique functionality of an integrated stylus will find the Galaxy S25 Ultra well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those seeking a premium Android experience in a slightly more manageable size, with strong performance and a capable camera system for general use, may lean toward the Galaxy S25 Plus. Both devices offer a long software support lifespan, making them sustainable choices for extended use. For those considering a quality-assured refurbished option, both models are available, providing an eco-friendly alternative to new purchases.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons