Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: The best of Android? [Video]

2025’s biggest Android phone launch is undoubtedly the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but how does it compare to Google’s current top-tier Pixel 9 Pro XL? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why compare the “Ultra” to the “Pro”? Well, our readers voted the Pixel 9 Pro as runner-up in the “Phone of the Year 2024,” with last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra only scraping into the top 5. By fixing a number of the glaring errors and issues with the previous generation, Google has crafted arguably the best Pixel to date—although it feels like we say that every year.

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The Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly is still a great phone and a worthwhile purchase, but does the Galaxy S25 Ultra surpass it in every area, as some seem to expect? This is everything you need to know.

Hardware

Samsung has upped the ante with the Galaxy S25 Ultra once again this year. This is an ultra-premium smartphone in every single regard, from the materials to the fit and the finish. Sure, there are annoyances and frustrations at falling behind some Chinese OEMs in the camera hardware stakes, but at its core, this is one of the best smartphone packages around.

Let’s not take anything away from Google and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. It’s yet another refined and well-made Android phone with very iPhone-like quality. You get premium materials in a polished package. Conversely, Samsung just continues to show that it can make pristinely crafted tech, but this time around, it has a bit more finesse. It’s nipped, tucked, and streamlined without diminishing the quality.

Although it has a marginally slimmer build, it is still a behemoth. The edges have been softened with rounded corners, but the S25 Ultra retains some of the boxy design aesthetic while keeping room for extras like the S Pen. Because of that, it’s almost impressive just how the Pixel 9 Pro XL manages to stack up. It, too, is a big, bold phone that is similarly large with only 3g between them – 221g vs. 218g.

There is also a tale of two screens because while both are exceptional, one has an edge. We have been spoiled with some of the best mobile displays over the past few years, but Samsung has one ace up its sleeve, and it’s here again. The anti-glare coating is an incredible achievement, and you’ll see more and have a better experience viewing and using your phone practically everywhere.

One major upside is that each panel on the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Galaxy S25 Ultra is completely flat, so there are no worries about corner drops or dings. The specs line up closely at QHD+ resolution, high maximum brightness, and 120Hz refresh rates. It’s a toss-up until you factor in the anti-glare coating. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also has much smaller screen edge bezels if that is something you care about.

There is no contest when we talk about performance and internals. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB RAM, and even faster UFS 4.0 storage onboard. The Pixel 9 Pro XL hangs in there but is blown out of the water in areas such as gaming performance but relies heavily on AI-powered tasks to gain an upper hand. The extra 4GB of RAM could be important as Gemini becomes a greater component within Android 16 and beyond.

Software

The good news is that Android 15 is the base for both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Things are similar but not the same despite both being under the banner of “Android.”

One UI 7.0 is more refined than ever before, with lots of tweaks for a slick daily experience. While it’s not quite as “clean” as Google’s version of Android for the Pixel series, it has a distinct feel that is perfect for Samsung hardware. Gemini and Galaxy AI are a greater component in this specific build of One UI for the Galaxy S25 series. On Pixel, Gemini is still a little tacked on and more of an optional add-on at that.

Without delving into the specifics, at least until Android 16 arrives, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a lot more AI features that you can utilize to control your phone. Depending on how you feel about AI and Gemini, this might be a negative.

Another point in favor of the S25 Ultra is the usage of much better internal components. There is a performance gulf that can’t be bridged by the Pixel’s software tuning alone. Throw in the 7 year update support window and it’s understandable why people stand by Samsung. Sure, the Pixel can match the update plan, but will the Tensor processor hold up as well as the Snapdragon 8 Elite? It remains to be seen.

Battery

We’re anxious to see just what the Galaxy S25 Ultra is capable of when it comes to battery longevity. Our recent experiences with the Snapdragon 8 Elite mean we’re confident that it will be a battery beast. With both phones packing 5,000mAh internal cells, you should be able to get a full day with absolutely no issues whatsoever.

Neither device has particularly fast charging when compared to the likes of OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Oppo. That said, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has faster wired charging, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL hits higher speeds when using a compatible Pixel Stand. If you are worried about battery wear and tear, charge limiting is present on the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Camera

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s raw camera specifications haven’t changed drastically compared to its predecessors. Similarly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is not the best, but it remixes the formula of previous Pixels. It has a great zoom camera, but it can’t quite compete with the capabilities of the 100x S25 Ultra system. We wouldn’t recommend photos above 30-40x as AI can oversharpen to the extreme.

I’d argue that both of these cameras are right at the top of the totem pole when it comes to Android smartphone camera systems. They aren’t the most cutting-edge, as some of last year’s sensors have been utilized. On the Samsung, it’s the 200-megapixel main wide camera that is undoubtedly the star of the show here, though. This is still a great sensor that allows for high-resolution shots or pixel-binned tack-sharp images.

Google threw in an upgraded 42MP selfie camera on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is almost just over 3x the resolution of the 12MP selfie camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The bigger sensor and higher resolution are going to be important if you take lots of selfies and selfie videos.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra bests the Pixel 9 Pro XL camera system not just in raw hardware. If you want camera functions, it’s another no-contest. From a dedicated Pro mode to improved video recording resolutions, the S25 Ultra could be a verifiable content-creation machine, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro XL showcases improvements in AI and off-device processing with features like Video Boost.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: Which is the best choice for you?

About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

Every single year, Samsung shows up and does just enough to take a seat at the top table. Google has quietly worked on its own device lineup, and for the first time in a few years, the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels easier to recommend with no issues, problems, or potential pitfalls save the SoC.

We’re talking about two $1,000+ smartphones and that means there should be no compromises. If you just care about that, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a better buy. Samsung has refined One UI, thrown in the biggest and best new chip, plus builds on the already impressive S24 series.

In reality, the Pixel 9 Pro XL might provide a better value proposition as it is heavily discounted and almost 5 months old once the Galaxy S25 Ultra hits store shelves. You will also be able to get Android 16 very soon, which we doubt will be available for Samsung phones for a little while, given the slow rollout of One UI 7.0.

It’s too early to suggest that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the “best Android phone” of the year, but it will no doubt be in contention as previous Samsung flagship phones have in years gone by. That said, the Pixel and devices like the OnePlus 13 could dull the sheen of the latest launch as ground has been ceded by the Korean tech giant.