4 min read
Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, its latest flagship smartphone, at this year’s Unpacked 2025 event. The mobile gadget has a lot of new features and upgrades, including a lighter body, a new camera system, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite CPU that was designed just for the device. There are a lot of positive aspects to the phone, but the major question is: is it the right one for you?
It is in your best interest to consider alternative choices since not every flagship model will meet your needs. Consider Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL as an example. With comparable specifications, these two smartphones are head and shoulders above the competition. The gadgets are different from one another due to their unique features. In order to determine which of the two options—the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the Pixel 9 Pro XL—is ideal for you, read on.
Key Features
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | Pixel 9 Pro XL | |
| Display | 6.9-inch QuadHD+ Dynamic AMOLED | 6.8-inch Super Actua |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB RAM | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 16GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Google Tensor G4 |
| Camera | 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto, 10MP telephoto, 12MP wide angle | 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 42MP selfie |
| Dimensions | 6.4 x 3.06 x 0.3 inches | 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 5,060mAh |
| Weight | 218 grams | 218 grams |
| Price | $1,299 | $949 |
Design & Size
Samsung has chosen to soften the corners of the S25 Ultra while maintaining flat sides with tapered edges. This well-rounded style is becoming increasingly popular among smartphone makers; Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is a prime illustration of this shift.
From a size perspective, they’re almost identical. The S25 Ultra weighs 217g, while the Pixel weighs 221g, therefore neither is excessively heavy considering their size. Holding and handling either one is a pleasant experience.
Samsung has maintained its use of titanium for the S25 Ultra’s frame, in contrast to the aluminum used by the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with 1440p resolution and a dynamic 1-120Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a slightly smaller 6.8-inch screen with a 1344p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy’s Gorilla Armor 2 provides superior outdoor durability, outperforming the Pixel’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Additionally, the Galaxy features ProScaler technology in the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which upscales low-res video—a feature most users likely won’t need or notice.
Performance & Software
Google’s Pixel phones, including the Pixel 9 Pro XL, have always lagged behind Samsung in speed. The Pixel 9 series with the Tensor G4 chipset still trails the Snapdragon 8 Elite in performance. The S25 Ultra sees a 37% boost in CPU speed and a 40% gain in NPU performance, with better thermal management.
Camera
The Galaxy S25 Ultra retains its 200MP ISOCELL HP2 main sensor, now enhanced for better light sensitivity and dynamic range. The 50MP ultra-wide camera, upgraded from the previous 12MP, offers sharper wide-angle shots. Its dual telephoto cameras (10MP 3X and 50MP 5X) remain unchanged but provide impressive zoom performance. Samsung also introduces tools like Audio Eraser for cleaner video audio and Virtual Aperture in the Expert RAW app for adjusting depth of field.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, however, focuses on software with features like Video Boost to upscale 4K to 8K. It also boasts a 42MP front camera with an ultra-wide viewing angle.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a large 5060 mAh battery, contributing to its strong performance in battery tests. The S25 Ultra, with its 5000 mAh battery and more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offers improved power efficiency, as seen in our results.
When it comes to charging, the S25 Ultra’s 45W wired charging speed outpaces the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 37W. However, for wireless charging, the Pixel leads with 23W speeds but requires the latest Pixel Stand for maximum charging performance. The S25 Ultra also performed better in battery life tests, lasting about 40 minutes longer, especially during gaming. It also charged slightly faster than the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
