Hello
I recently picked up a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to possibly replace my Android-sidekick Pixel 9 Pro.
Here are my initial thoughts about it from using it for a week.
Build quality
Tied 1st: S25U & 16PM
2nd: P9P
The redesign of S25 Ultra with completely flat sides and display is a winner for me. It feels very good in the hand gone are the issues with gaps between display and frame. iPhone is possibly one notch better in weight distribution but on the other hand Samsung weighs less.
Pixel is by no means a badly built phone but it just does not compete with the other two. The shiny sides picks up micro scratches more easily and I very much prefer the titanium frame over the aluminum.
Display
1st: S25U
2nd: 16PM
3rd: P9P
iPhone and Samsung basically has the same panel and both look absolutely stunning in terms of color accuracy and light output. The one thing that puts Samsung in the lead is the anti-reflective display. It is such a huge difference when using the phone outdoors or in brightly lit rooms. A real game changer. S24 Ultra had the same coating but I was not at all happy with this display. It had a grainy look and some rainbow effects when tilting the phone - issues that are completely gone with S25 Ultra.
iOS does seem more consistent when it comes to applying the right color calibration based on the app that is used. Games look very vivid while photos look accurate. 16PM is still most accurate, but S25U wins in every scenario where there is light.
Pixel really does not come close to either S25U or 16PM. It just feels a bit bland and less sharp.
Audio
1st: 16PM
2nd: S25U
3rd: P9P
S25U has noticeably better sound from the internal speakers than last years 24U. Still, the iPhone is a clear winner here with a fuller and more natural sound. Both S25U and P9P sounds tinny in comparison and slightly distorted at higher volumes.
Battery
1st: 16PM
2nd: S25U
3rd: P9P
Both S25U and 16PM can be used for a full day without charging with around 9h screen-on-time and plenty of photography. Pixel dies by 9pm with the same usage. 16PM is still more reliable in terms of battery usage, especially when doing plenty photography where S25U sometimes drains the battery faster. Also, 16PM has super quick notifications and does not seem to do quite as heavy "battery optimization" as the Androids but still maintains the best battery life.
Software
Tied 1st: 16PM, S25U and P9P
This is really a question of preference, nothing else.
16PM: iOS is the most refined operating system for mobile phones with an incredible attention to detail. The way it works with other Apple products is second to none. However, despite Apples attempts to make it more customizable and open, it is still nowhere near Android in terms of personalization.
S25U: Latest OneUI is more refined than ever and feels very "iOS"-like in the design language (just look at the Control Center). It is by far the most fun phone to use of the three and it is loaded with features - some of them are useful and some are not. You can basically make your phone look and operate just as you want without limitations. For me personally, this is not how I use my phone. I care less about how the operating system looks and it can be a bit stressful to have so many options. If you get started with customization it will surely consume lots of time that maybe could be spent on something else (I am not judging here...). However DeX is a cool and unique feature that turns the phone into a computer. S-pen can be useful to do quick notes or draw something that comes up in your mind. To be honest, I don't use the pen that much but it might be very useful to some.
P9P: The AI king. Google has done a much better job than Samsung to integrate AI more seamlessly in the operating system. The Pixel software itself is not that much fun but feels more professional than OneUI and iOS. Less playful, more business-like. You could also call it a bit boring and bland. It is also less customizable than OneUI unless you install a different launcher. It is the perfect choice for the Android purist that does not want any bloatware and want to use Android like the creator imagined it.
Side note: Apps on iOS overall feels a lot more refined and less buggy. It also seems like iOS is getting updates to apps quicker than Android. iOS, despite being more "locked down" than Android, has the best developer APIs that makes it easy to create smooth and high performing apps with advanced features. Android apps just feels a bit "older" and less fresh.
Performance
Tied 1st: 16PM and S25U
2nd (far behind): P9P
For the first time ever, a non Apple SoC is on the top of the performance benchmarks. This is pretty huge. The new qualcomm chip in S25U is a true beast. Comparing to Tensor on the P9P, it is a night and day difference. You will not only notice this in demanding apps like games or Lightroom - it is obvious from the first second you are using the phones. S25U is just a lot smoother and quicker than P9P in everything you do. Also, it never gets hot like the P9P. In games, S25U completely kills the P9P with high frame rates and less heat.
iPhones have always been my favorite phones when it comes to performance. This year though, 16PM feels slightly less smooth than last years 15PM. S25U is the most smooth Android phone I have used to date. When comparing them, they perform at the same level. I will give a small edge to 16PM for better game performance and quicker camera processing. It does seem like Apple still have some advantages from creating both the software and hardware. They can make a perfect match.
Camera
1st: 16PM
Tied 2nd: S25U and P9P
Cameras are very personal and taste will differ here. I prefer 16PM by a pretty big margin for the following reasons:
It is hard to crown a winner because it really depends on what needs you have. If you want the best overall performing Android phone - get the S25U. There are phones that are better in certain areas (like camera) but they will not have the same high "lowest point" as S25U. It is just an easy phone to recommend because it isn't really bad at anything. S25U can also be purchased with good deals (like trade-in).
If you want the most bang for the buck Android phone and you don't need the very best performance - get a good deal on a Pixel 9 Pro. In Sweden, where I live, the carriers and retailers have more or less permanent offers on this phone. It usually sells around 700-800 EUR. This is the best midrange phone you can get and if you like the stock Android experience, you will not be unhappy.
16PM is by far the phone with the highest average score when all aspects are considered - it has a fantastic camera, top class performance and a fantastic display. If iOS is an option, you can't go wrong with this one.
I recently picked up a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to possibly replace my Android-sidekick Pixel 9 Pro.
Here are my initial thoughts about it from using it for a week.
Build quality
Tied 1st: S25U & 16PM
2nd: P9P
The redesign of S25 Ultra with completely flat sides and display is a winner for me. It feels very good in the hand gone are the issues with gaps between display and frame. iPhone is possibly one notch better in weight distribution but on the other hand Samsung weighs less.
Pixel is by no means a badly built phone but it just does not compete with the other two. The shiny sides picks up micro scratches more easily and I very much prefer the titanium frame over the aluminum.
Display
1st: S25U
2nd: 16PM
3rd: P9P
iPhone and Samsung basically has the same panel and both look absolutely stunning in terms of color accuracy and light output. The one thing that puts Samsung in the lead is the anti-reflective display. It is such a huge difference when using the phone outdoors or in brightly lit rooms. A real game changer. S24 Ultra had the same coating but I was not at all happy with this display. It had a grainy look and some rainbow effects when tilting the phone - issues that are completely gone with S25 Ultra.
iOS does seem more consistent when it comes to applying the right color calibration based on the app that is used. Games look very vivid while photos look accurate. 16PM is still most accurate, but S25U wins in every scenario where there is light.
Pixel really does not come close to either S25U or 16PM. It just feels a bit bland and less sharp.
Audio
1st: 16PM
2nd: S25U
3rd: P9P
S25U has noticeably better sound from the internal speakers than last years 24U. Still, the iPhone is a clear winner here with a fuller and more natural sound. Both S25U and P9P sounds tinny in comparison and slightly distorted at higher volumes.
Battery
1st: 16PM
2nd: S25U
3rd: P9P
Both S25U and 16PM can be used for a full day without charging with around 9h screen-on-time and plenty of photography. Pixel dies by 9pm with the same usage. 16PM is still more reliable in terms of battery usage, especially when doing plenty photography where S25U sometimes drains the battery faster. Also, 16PM has super quick notifications and does not seem to do quite as heavy "battery optimization" as the Androids but still maintains the best battery life.
Software
Tied 1st: 16PM, S25U and P9P
This is really a question of preference, nothing else.
16PM: iOS is the most refined operating system for mobile phones with an incredible attention to detail. The way it works with other Apple products is second to none. However, despite Apples attempts to make it more customizable and open, it is still nowhere near Android in terms of personalization.
S25U: Latest OneUI is more refined than ever and feels very "iOS"-like in the design language (just look at the Control Center). It is by far the most fun phone to use of the three and it is loaded with features - some of them are useful and some are not. You can basically make your phone look and operate just as you want without limitations. For me personally, this is not how I use my phone. I care less about how the operating system looks and it can be a bit stressful to have so many options. If you get started with customization it will surely consume lots of time that maybe could be spent on something else (I am not judging here...). However DeX is a cool and unique feature that turns the phone into a computer. S-pen can be useful to do quick notes or draw something that comes up in your mind. To be honest, I don't use the pen that much but it might be very useful to some.
P9P: The AI king. Google has done a much better job than Samsung to integrate AI more seamlessly in the operating system. The Pixel software itself is not that much fun but feels more professional than OneUI and iOS. Less playful, more business-like. You could also call it a bit boring and bland. It is also less customizable than OneUI unless you install a different launcher. It is the perfect choice for the Android purist that does not want any bloatware and want to use Android like the creator imagined it.
Side note: Apps on iOS overall feels a lot more refined and less buggy. It also seems like iOS is getting updates to apps quicker than Android. iOS, despite being more "locked down" than Android, has the best developer APIs that makes it easy to create smooth and high performing apps with advanced features. Android apps just feels a bit "older" and less fresh.
Performance
Tied 1st: 16PM and S25U
2nd (far behind): P9P
For the first time ever, a non Apple SoC is on the top of the performance benchmarks. This is pretty huge. The new qualcomm chip in S25U is a true beast. Comparing to Tensor on the P9P, it is a night and day difference. You will not only notice this in demanding apps like games or Lightroom - it is obvious from the first second you are using the phones. S25U is just a lot smoother and quicker than P9P in everything you do. Also, it never gets hot like the P9P. In games, S25U completely kills the P9P with high frame rates and less heat.
iPhones have always been my favorite phones when it comes to performance. This year though, 16PM feels slightly less smooth than last years 15PM. S25U is the most smooth Android phone I have used to date. When comparing them, they perform at the same level. I will give a small edge to 16PM for better game performance and quicker camera processing. It does seem like Apple still have some advantages from creating both the software and hardware. They can make a perfect match.
Camera
1st: 16PM
Tied 2nd: S25U and P9P
Cameras are very personal and taste will differ here. I prefer 16PM by a pretty big margin for the following reasons:
- The best OIS technology (Optical Image Stabilization) of any smartphone out right now. It makes a huge difference, especially at 5x tele. I can shoot 2-3 stops longer exposure on the iPhone with the same motion blur as P9P or S25U.
- Almost no periscope artifacts on 5x tele
- The most open camera APIs. Third party apps can use the same features and sensor output as the stock camera app.
- Excellent RAW support without any processing at all (Regular RAW, not ProRAW)
- Very quick shutter. Images look exactly like the viewfinder when you pressed the button, even at 48MP
- Very reliable. Images turns out as you expect them even in the most demanding scenes
- S25U has one more optical focal length (3x between 1x and 5x) which will improve images taken between 3x and 5x
- P9P has the most powerful astrophotography mode of any mobile phone camera
- S25U and P9P has high resolution (50MP) on Tele
It is hard to crown a winner because it really depends on what needs you have. If you want the best overall performing Android phone - get the S25U. There are phones that are better in certain areas (like camera) but they will not have the same high "lowest point" as S25U. It is just an easy phone to recommend because it isn't really bad at anything. S25U can also be purchased with good deals (like trade-in).
If you want the most bang for the buck Android phone and you don't need the very best performance - get a good deal on a Pixel 9 Pro. In Sweden, where I live, the carriers and retailers have more or less permanent offers on this phone. It usually sells around 700-800 EUR. This is the best midrange phone you can get and if you like the stock Android experience, you will not be unhappy.
16PM is by far the phone with the highest average score when all aspects are considered - it has a fantastic camera, top class performance and a fantastic display. If iOS is an option, you can't go wrong with this one.
