Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Which Ultra Is Worth Buying?
In this article, we compare the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
If you’re after the best Android flagship, Samsung and Xiaomi have made your decision a lot harder this year. The Galaxy S25 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 Ultra are two absolute monsters, but the big question is: which one actually deserves your money?
Samsung’s been playing it safe, refining its already-successful Ultra formula. Xiaomi, on the other hand, wants to shake things up—especially in the camera department. I’ve compared everything from displays to cameras to charging speeds, so let’s break it down.
Kelechi Edeh
/1. Design & Build
Samsung and Xiaomi clearly have different priorities when it comes to design.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra sticks to its no-nonsense, boxy titanium frame, with each camera lens individually protruding like someone arranged marbles on the back. Meanwhile, Xiaomi went for a bold camera-centric look, slapping on a massive circular “camera Oreo” that screams: Yes, this is a camera-first phone. If that wasn’t enough, they even threw in a vegan leather version for extra grip.
Both phones are IP68-rated, so neither is afraid of a little dust or water. But the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is noticeably thicker and heavier, which might be a dealbreaker if you like a sleeker, lighter device.
Which wins? Depends on your vibe. If you like clean, professional, and minimal, the S25 Ultra is your pick. If you prefer bold, camera-forward aesthetics, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra takes it.
/2. Display
Samsung has been the king of displays for years, but Xiaomi isn’t playing second fiddle anymore.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 2600 nits peak brightness, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra packs a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED with a blinding 3200 nits brightness.
In other words, Xiaomi gets brighter, making it easier to see under direct sunlight, while Samsung’s Gorilla Armor 2 coating does a better job at reducing glare. Both screens are 120Hz, crisp, vibrant, and buttery smooth, so there’s no bad choice here.
Which wins? Xiaomi 15 Ultra. If you want insane brightness levels, Xiaomi has it. If you care more about glare reduction, Samsung’s your guy.
/3. Performance
Both phones run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, but Samsung gets an exclusive overclocked version (aka Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy) that gives it slightly better sustained performance.
That said, you won’t notice much difference in everyday use. Both phones fly through tasks, crush high-end gaming, and have zero lag. But the kicker is some users have said Xiaomi runs hotter under load. After a few rounds of Genshin Impact, the 15 Ultra may start to feel toasty, while the S25 Ultra stays noticeably cooler.
Which wins? Galaxy S25 Ultra. The overclocked chip and better heat management make it the more stable performer.
/4. Cameras
This is where things get spicy. Samsung played it safe this year, sticking with its 200MP main sensor and making small tweaks to the ultrawide and zoom cameras. Meanwhile, Xiaomi went all-in, slapping on a massive 1-inch 50MP main sensor, a 50MP 3x telephoto, and a ridiculous 200MP periscope lens with 4.3x optical zoom.
The result? Xiaomi’s photos seem sharper, more detailed, and have better dynamic range, especially when zooming in. Samsung’s low-light processing is slightly more consistent, but overall, Xiaomi takes the W for photography lovers.
Which wins? Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It has the better zoom, better main sensor, and overall stronger camera package.
/5. Battery & Charging
Samsung’s 5,000mAh battery is solid, but Xiaomi went bigger (5,410mAh) and it shows. But the real dealbreaker is in the charging speeds. The Galaxy S25 Ultra still charges at 45W wired and 15W wireless, while Xiaomi hits 90W wired and 80W wireless.
That means the 15 Ultra charges from 0 to 100% in under 50 minutes, while Samsung takes nearly twice as long. If you hate waiting around for your phone to charge, Xiaomi is miles ahead.
Which wins? Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It lasts longer and charges fast.
/6. Software & Updates
Now, this is where Samsung flexes hard. The Galaxy S25 Ultra gets 7 years of Android updates, while Xiaomi 15 Ultra taps out at 4 years.
That alone makes the S25 Ultra a way better long-term investment. Plus, Samsung's One UI 7 packs cool AI tricks like real-time translations, AI search, and content creation tools, while Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 is cleaner, but less feature packed.
Which wins? Galaxy S25 Ultra. If you want software longevity and AI smarts, Samsung has it in the bag.
Final Verdict: Which Flagship Should You Buy?
Both the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are beastly flagships, but they cater to different types of users. If you want the best cameras, longest battery life, and ridiculously fast charging, get the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
But if you care about software updates, AI-powered features, and a more balanced experience, go with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Either way, both phones are top-tier—so it’s just a matter of picking the one that fits your lifestyle best.
