Newsletter 
This time around, we’re comparing two quite powerful, current-gen smartphones, one from Samsung and the other from Google. It’s a comparison between Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro specs. We’ve already compared the Galaxy S25 Ultra with the larger Pixel flagship, and now it’s time to do the same with the smaller one. These two handsets are quite different, in many ways.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a larger-format flagship, while the Pixel 9 Pro is a more compact one. You’ll notice a ton of differences the moment you see them. We’ll kick things off by listing their specs and will then compare their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio output. With that being said, let’s get to it, shall we?
Specs
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro, respectively
– Screen size:
6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (flat, adaptive 120Hz, HDR10+, 2,600 nits max brightness)
6.3-inch QHD+ OLED (flat, adaptive 120Hz, HDR, 3,000 nits max brightness)
– Display resolution:
3120 x 1440
2856 x 1280
– SoC:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Google Tensor G4
– RAM:
16GB (LPDDR5X)
16GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 4.0)
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1)
– Rear cameras:
200MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, OIS, multi-directional PDAF, 1/1.3-inch sensor, 0.6um pixel size), 50MP (ultrawide, 120-degree FoV, f/1.9 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF 0.7um pixel size), 10MP (telephoto, f/2.4 aperture, OIS, 1/3.52-inch sensor size, Dual Pixel PDAF, 1.12um pixel size, 3x optical zoom), 50MP (periscope telephoto, OIS, 1/2.52-inch sensor size, PDAF, 5x optical zoom)
50MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, EIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV), 48MP (periscope telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, OIS, EIS, 5x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
12MP (wide, f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF, 1/3.2-inch sensor size, 22mm lens)
42MP (f/2.2 aperture)
– Battery:
5,000mAh
4,700mAh
– Charging:
45W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), 4.5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
27W wired, 21W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions:
162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
– Weight:
218 grams
199 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.4/5.3
– Security:
In-display fingerprint scanner (ultrasonic) & facial scanning
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
– OS:
Android 15 with One UI 7
Android 14 (upgradable)
– Price:
$1,299+
$999+
– Buy:
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Samsung.com)
Google Pixel 9 Pro (Best Buy)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Design
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is made out of titanium and glass, while the Pixel 9 Pro uses aluminum and glass. Samsung’s flagship has sharper corners and thinner bezels in comparison. Both phones have a centered display camera hole, but the one on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is smaller and it sits higher on the display. The bezels are uniform on both devices, and both of them have flat displays.
The power/lock and volume rocker buttons sit on the right-hand sides of both smartphones. Their positioning is different, however. On the Pixel 9 Pro, the power/lock button is placed above the volume keys, while it’s the other way around on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both phones have a flat frame all around. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also has the S Pen stylus tucked away in the bottom-left corner.
If we flip them over, you’ll see two completely different backplates. They are both flat, yes, but the camera modules are entirely different. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has five separate protrusions on the back, directly from the backplate. Four of those are reserved for the phone’s cameras. The Pixel 9 Pro has a camera bar on the back, a pill-shaped one. There are three cameras placed inside of it.
Both devices are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is considerably taller and wider, while it’s a bit thinner than the Pixel 9 Pro. Google’s handset is 19 grams lighter, which is expected, considering the size difference.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Display
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra includes a 6.9-inch 3120 x 1440 Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display. That panel is flat, and it supports HDR10+ content. It also supports an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz). The peak brightness here is 2,600 nits, while the screen-to-body ratio is around 92%. The display aspect ratio on the phone is 19.5:9, while the Gorilla Armor 2 from Corning protects the display.
The Pixel 9 Pro, on the flip side, has a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display. The resolution is 2856 x 1280. That panel is also flat, and it supports HDR10+ content. Its refresh rate is adaptive, it goes from 1 to 120Hz. The peak brightness here is 3,000 nits, while the screen-to-body ratio is at around 87%. The display aspect ratio this display offers is 20:9, while the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the panel.
Both of these displays are very good indeed. They’re bright, vivid, and have good viewing angles. The touch response on them is also very good, so no complaints there either. The bezels on the Galaxy S25 Ultra are noticeably thinner in comparison, while that phone’s display also fights off glare a lot better, thanks to Gorilla Armor 2. It’s not even close. Neither phone supports a high-frequency PWM dimming, though.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy fuels the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. That is an overclocked variant of Qualcomm’s most powerful chip. It is a 3nm processor, and it’s paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The phone also uses UFS 4.0 flash storage. The Pixel 9 Pro is fueled by the Google Tensor G4 processor, a 4nm chip. It is paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage.
Neither phone supports expandable storage, in case you were wondering. They both offer really good performance, though. Yes, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a bit snappier in a direct comparison, but the Pixel 9 Pro keeps up, without issues. They do a great job in daily use, regardless of what you’re doing, even if you’re doing heavy multitasking or something of the sort. So, no worries there.
When it comes to gaming, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a better choice if you’re planning on playing graphically demanding games. It simply has a better processor for that, as the Tensor G4 is not made for gaming, let alone for demanding games. It can play them, but not as well as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both phones do get quite warm during gaming sessions, though not too warm.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra utilizes a 5,000mAh battery, while the Pixel 9 Pro comes with a 4,700mAh battery pack. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a considerably larger display, so this difference is not all that significant. In fact, that 4,700mAh battery is more than enough for the Pixel 9 Pro and its 6.3-inch display. Both of these phones offer really good battery life, based on what we’ve seen.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra does take the cake, though. It managed to last us more than the Pixel 9 Pro, but both offer such good battery life that you really don’t have to worry about it. You can get them to go really high in terms of screen-on time as long as you’re not draining them with demanding games on a daily basis. For some people, both of these phones can last for two days on a single charge.
When it comes to charging, the Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 45W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The Pixel 9 Pro supports 27W wired, 21W wireless (with Pixel Stand), and 12W reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy S25 Ultra does charge faster, it takes about an hour for it to charge fully. It will take the Pixel 9 Pro almost an hour and a half to get to 100%. Neither phone comes with a charger in the box.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has four cameras on the back. It includes a 200-megapixel main camera (1/1.3-inch sensor size), a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera (120-degree FoV), a 10-megapixel telephoto unit (1/3.52-inch sensor size), and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera (120-degree FoV).
The Google Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, has one less camera on the back. It features a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor size), a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 123-degree FoV), and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 5x optical zoom).
More often than not, the Pixel 9 Pro provided more natural colors in images, though the Galaxy S25 Ultra was improved in that regard since its launch. It still tends to artificially boost colors, though. We also preferred HDR snaps from the Pixel 9 Pro more often than now, and the same goes for its shutter speed, though the Galaxy S25 Ultra was not far behind on those.
Both phones are capable of providing really compelling zoom shots. They both look really good up to 30x, actually, as long as there’s enough light on the scene. Both are also capable of capturing compelling macro shots.
Audio
You will find stereo speakers on both of these phones. They’re actually similar in terms of quality, and the same goes for loudness. They’re more than loud enough, so no worries there.
What you will not find on either phone is an audio jack. You can connect your wired headphones via the Type-C ports, of course. Bluetooth 5.4 is on offer on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while the Pixel 9 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.3, for wireless audio connections.