Comparison
Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Small Flagship or Big Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the better cameras, a 6.9-inch QHD+ screen, an S Pen, a bigger battery and faster charging. The Galaxy S25 has the same chip and RAM in a small 162 g phone.
Buy the Galaxy S25 if you want a compact, light flagship with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB of RAM. Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want a 200MP camera with 5x zoom, a 50MP ultra wide, a built-in S Pen, a 5000 mAh battery and a big 6.9-inch screen.
You want the best Galaxy S25 cameras and 5x zoom
You want a big 6.9-inch QHD+ screen
You want the S Pen
You want the biggest battery and faster charging
You want a small, light phone
You want flagship speed
Your photos are mostly at 1x and 3x
You don't need an S Pen
Skip both if: you want a big screen without the Ultra price. Look at the Galaxy S25+.
The short version
Both phones use the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM, a 120Hz LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen at 2600 nits peak, a 10MP 3x telephoto, a 12MP selfie camera, IP68, Wi-Fi 7, Galaxy AI and up to seven major Android updates.
The Ultra is bigger in every way. It has a 6.9-inch QHD+ screen with anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2, a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra wide, a 50MP 5x telephoto, a built-in S Pen, a 5000 mAh battery with 45W charging and a titanium frame.
The S25 is 6.2 inches and 162 g. It is one of the smallest flagships you can buy, and it costs much less.
What's different
See every spec side by side
| Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2025 | February 2025 |
| Screen | 6.2" FHD+ (1080 x 2340) | 6.9" QHD+ (1440 x 3120) |
| Refresh rate | 1 to 120Hz | 1 to 120Hz |
| Front glass | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Armor 2, anti-reflective |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB (Canada) | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Main camera | 50MP | 200MP |
| Ultra wide | 12MP | 50MP |
| Telephoto | 10MP 3x | 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| S Pen | No | Built in |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25W | 45W |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W |
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
| Size | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 162 g | 218 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Refurbished price | From $659.99 | From $1,199.99 |
Size: the real decision
The S25 weighs 162 g and is 70.5 mm wide.
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The S25 Ultra weighs 218 g and is 77.6 mm wide. That is a 56 g difference, and you feel it in your hand and your pocket.
If you want a phone you can use with one hand, the S25 is the clear pick. If you watch a lot of video, read, game or work on your phone, the Ultra's 6.9-inch QHD+ screen is a real upgrade.
Cameras
The S25 has a strong camera setup for its size: 50MP main, 12MP ultra wide and 10MP 3x telephoto.
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In daylight, photos look great.
The Ultra adds more on every front. Its 200MP main camera has a much bigger 1/1.3-inch sensor, which helps in low light. Its 50MP ultra wide is sharper for wide shots and macro. And its 50MP 5x periscope telephoto gives real long-range zoom for concerts, sports and wildlife. The Ultra also records 4K at up to 120 fps. The S25 records 4K at up to 60 fps.
Battery and charging
The Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery and charges at 45W wired, up to about 65% in 30 minutes.
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The S25 has a 4000 mAh battery and charges at 25W, about 50% in 30 minutes. Both support 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for earbuds or a watch.
Samsung rates the S25 at up to 29 hours of video playback. In GSMArena's active use battery test, the Ultra scored about an hour and a half more than the S25.
S Pen, screen and build
Only the Ultra has a built-in S Pen, for notes, sketches, signing documents and precise editing.
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Note that the S25 Ultra S Pen does not have Bluetooth, so there are no Air Actions or remote shutter.
The Ultra screen uses Gorilla Armor 2 with an anti-reflective coating, which really cuts glare in bright light. The S25 has Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Ultra has a titanium frame, the S25 aluminum. Both are IP68.
Same speed, same software
Both phones use the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM, so apps and games run equally fast.
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Both get the same Galaxy AI features and up to seven major Android updates, so they will be supported for the same length of time.
Price range
Refurbished, the Galaxy S25 starts at $659.99 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,199.99. The Galaxy S25+ starts at $919.99. Higher storage and better grades cost more. Prices on this page update live from our store.
Browse the full Galaxy S25 series or see the newer Galaxy S26 series. Have an older phone? You can sell or trade it in.
Should you buy new or refurbished?
Refurbished makes the Ultra much easier to afford, and both phones have years of updates left.
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Every phone we sell is inspected and tested, unlocked, and backed by up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only. Read new vs used vs refurbished to learn more.
Still choosing? Our buying guides: best phones in Canada, best camera phones, best battery life and best phones for seniors.
FAQ
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth it over the S25?
If you want 5x zoom, the S Pen, a big screen or longer battery life, yes. If you want a compact phone, the S25 has the same chip and RAM.
Do the S25 and S25 Ultra have the same chip?
Yes. Both use the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM.
Does the Galaxy S25 have a 5x zoom?
No. The S25 has a 10MP 3x telephoto. The S25 Ultra has a 10MP 3x and a 50MP 5x telephoto.
How much bigger is the S25 Ultra?
The Ultra has a 6.9-inch screen against 6.2 inches and weighs 218 g against 162 g.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra come with an S Pen?
Yes, it is built into the phone. It does not have Bluetooth, unlike the S Pen on the S24 Ultra.
Évitez le prix du neuf
Procurez-vous le Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra d'occasion à partir de $1,199.99, testé par de vrais techniciens, avec une garantie d'un an et des retours sous 14 jours.
