Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
When a maker splits one phone into several versions, the job of picking falls to you. Here that means the Galaxy S25+ or the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Of the 6 areas we compared, the Galaxy S25 Ultra wins 2. If one area explains the result, it’s camera. Money matters here as well, since the Galaxy S25 Ultra started out $300 above the Galaxy S25+. Here’s where the Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25 Ultra part ways, and where they don’t.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Camera Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Galaxy S25+ wins
- Display7.1
- Performance5.9
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera1.4
- Battery & Charging2.6
- Display6.9
- Performance5.9
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera5.5
- Battery & Charging2.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has 5× optical zoom versus 3×
At 5× versus 3×, this is a decisive lead for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from.
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The Galaxy S25+ has a 0.99 oz lighter build
If weight is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Galaxy S25+ leads clearly with 6.70 oz to the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 7.69 oz. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S25 Ultra lists 200 MP for main camera, while the Galaxy S25+ lists 50 MP. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera
A clear win for the Galaxy S25 Ultra: 50 MP against 10 MP. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the Galaxy S25 Ultra a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
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The Galaxy S25 Ultra has an extra rear camera
Here the Galaxy S25 Ultra pulls well ahead of the Galaxy S25+, with 4 compared to 3. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
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The Galaxy S25+ has a 0.04 in slimmer body
The Galaxy S25+ doesn’t just edge this one; 0.29 in against 0.32 in is a lead you’ll feel. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S25+ 6.24 in × 2.98 in × 0.29 in
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.41 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
If compact matters to you, the Galaxy S25+ is the one to look at. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is physically larger all round. The Galaxy S25 Ultra weighs in 0.99 oz above the Galaxy S25+. The Galaxy S25+ keeps a lower profile: 0.04 in thinner than the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.24 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 6.70 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Titanium |
Display
Too close to call
Both the Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25 Ultra cover display equally well on paper. Net result on display: level.
Performance
Too close to call
If performance matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Either phone will serve you equally well on performance.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the slight upper hand on memory & storage. The Galaxy S25 Ultra scores with a bigger top storage option. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone. Anyone shopping mainly on memory & storage should start with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Max storage
Galaxy S25+: 512 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra: 1 TB Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s bigger maximum.
Camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
When it comes to camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is comfortably ahead. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the edge with 5× optical zoom versus 3×. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping. If camera is your priority, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the phone to pick.
Optical zoom
Galaxy S25+: 3× Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5× The Galaxy S25 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
Main camera
Galaxy S25+: 50 MP Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200 MP Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
On paper, the battery & charging comparison ends all square. For battery & charging, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on software & updates; the numbers are close throughout. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 513 ppi | 498 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (winner) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | 10 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 5× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 W | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 (One UI 7) | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.24 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.29 in (winner) | 0.32 in |
| Weight | 6.70 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,000 (winner) | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 30% apart, a difference of $300. The value question is simple: are 5× optical zoom versus 3× and a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera worth $300 to you? If so, the Galaxy S25 Ultra makes sense.
Launch prices in the US as of January 2025; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S25+ if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6.70 oz vs 7.69 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.29 in vs 0.32 in)
- you’d put the $300 saving toward something else
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you want more optical reach (5× vs 3×)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 50 MP)
- you want the stronger telephoto camera (50 MP vs 10 MP)
- you want more lenses to choose from (4 vs 3 rear cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Galaxy S25+ or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you value a 0.99 oz lighter build above everything else.
Does the Galaxy S25+ last longer on a charge than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On paper, the Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Is the Galaxy S25+ bigger than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Going by the official dimensions, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the larger one: 6.41 × 3.06 × 0.32 in against the Galaxy S25+’s 6.24 × 2.98 × 0.29 in.
Which has the better camera, the Galaxy S25+ or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the stronger camera setup, with 5× optical zoom versus 3× and a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera.
Which costs less, the Galaxy S25+ or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Going by launch prices, the Galaxy S25+ costs $300 less than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Prices as of January 2025; current offers may differ.
Is the Galaxy S25+ lighter than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25+ is lighter, by 0.99 oz.
Executive Summary
My short version of the Galaxy S25+ versus the Galaxy S25 Ultra: they share a family, not a spec sheet. It’s hard to argue with 5× optical zoom versus 3×, which is exactly what the Galaxy S25 Ultra brings. I’d also count a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera in the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s favor. The Galaxy S25+ isn’t without merit: a 0.99 oz lighter build is a real advantage.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Galaxy S25+ suits buyers focused on portability; the Galaxy S25 Ultra suits those focused on memory & storage.
My pick: the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with one exception: if you care more about a 0.99 oz lighter build than anything else, go for the Galaxy S25+.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.