Samsung and Google have unleashed their flagship titans: the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Both promise cutting-edge performance, stunning displays, and powerful AI features, but which one is the better buy for you?
Let’s explore their key features – and their biggest differences – to see how they stack up.
Design & Display
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sticks closely to its predecessor’s design but introduces subtle improvements, such as rounded corners for better comfort, and a slimmer, lighter build.
Its 6.9-inch AMOLED screen with 2600 nits peak brightness, improved anti-reflective coating, and slimmer bezel make it a pleasure to use.
The flat edges and titanium frame give it a premium feel, while the exclusive Corning Gorilla Armor 2 provides exceptional durability.
Luke Baker
In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro XL adopts a more derivative design, evoking comparisons with the latest iPhones. While the matt back and camera visor add character, the flat edges and shiny frame feel less distinct.
However, its 6.8-inch OLED Super Actua display delivers stunning colour accuracy, 3000 nits peak brightness, and exceptional HDR performance, making it a worthy competitor in visual quality.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The S25 Ultra offers a bigger display, and more refined design with better durability, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL excels in display brightness and colour accuracy.
Performance
The Galaxy S25 Ultra, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM, offers blistering performance in gaming and multitasking.
The One UI 7 software feels fluid, and the integration of Galaxy AI offers features like Now Brief, which offers regularly updated summaries, and enhanced Circle to Search.
Additionally, its AI-powered ProScaler feature enhances image quality, though its impact is subtle.
Luke Baker
Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes a different approach, focusing on AI rather than raw performance. Despite the Tensor G4 chip being slower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it boasts 16GB of RAM, enhancing AI-driven tasks and future-proofing the device.
Features like Add Me in group selfies, and Pixel Screenshots with AI summaries highlight Google’s software-centric innovation. While the software experience is comparable, Google’s Gemini assistant outperforms Samsung’s offering thanks to deeper integration with apps and services.
However, you can always swap Bixby for Gemini as well.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
In our Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the S25 Ultra scored 9413 points, leaving the Pixel 9 Pro XL behind with only 4554 points. Based on that, the S25 Ultra wins in raw speed and gaming performance.
Cameras
The S25 Ultra retains the Galaxy S24 Ultra‘s camera setup, with only the ultrawide sensor upgraded to 50Mp.
Despite its ageing 10Mp 3x telephoto sensor, Samsung’s software improvements deliver more natural skin tones and better detail.
The addition of 8K Log recording might appeal to videographers but lacks ProRes-equivalent quality.
Luke Baker
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, however, pushes boundaries with a new 42Mp selfie camera and advanced AI features like Zoom Enhance, which sharpens low-resolution zoom shots.
Despite a nearly identical rear camera system to the Pixel 8 Pro, Google’s superior image processing produces stunning results in both daylight and low-light conditions.
Add Me and Reimagine features bring additional creativity to photography but may feel gimmicky to purists.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Ultimately, the Pixel 9 Pro XL leads with better selfie performance and AI-enhanced photography, while the S25 Ultra remains strong for video recording and colour accuracy.
Other differences
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Pro XL opts for a slightly larger 5,060mAh cell.
However, the latter can only charge at up to 37W, compared to the S25 Ultra’s 45W wired charging. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers slightly faster wireless charging at 23W, compared to the S25 Ultra’s 15W.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL charges from 0 to 55% in 30 minutes, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra can go from flat to around 70% charged in just half an hour.
Battery life is comparable, with both phones lasting for at least a day of moderate use, although the S25 Ultra benefits from a larger vapour chamber for better thermal management.
Software longevity is evenly matched, with both brands promising seven years of updates.
Price & Availability
The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at £1249/$1299 for the 256GB model and rises to £1349/$1419 for the 512GB version. Additionally, the 1TB model is priced at £1549/$1659.
It’s available on the Samsung UK and Samsung US sites, and there are also some appealing offers available on Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Check out our guide to the best Samsung Galaxy S25 series deals to make sure you’re getting the best price.
The 128GB model starts things off from £1,099/$1,099, while the 256GB model costs £1,199/$1,199, the 512GB unit costs £1,319/$1,319, and the range-topping 1TB model will set you back £1,549/$1,549.
Outright, the phone is available from the likes of Google and Amazon in the UK and Google and Amazon in the US.
See more options in our Pixel 9 deals article.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a top-tier display, gaming performance, and durability, but its camera upgrades disappoint.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, shines with AI features, smart software, and great cameras, especially for selfies, while being more affordable.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your needs but you should choose the S25 Ultra for power and hardware and the Pixel 9 Pro XL for AI, photography, and value.