Galaxy S25 Ultra Vs Galaxy Z Flip6

Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:£649.00

Versus £1,249.00 new

See options
Galaxy Z Flip6
Galaxy Z Flip6
Starting at

Refurbished price:£335.00

Versus £1,011.35 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 are distinct smartphone offerings from Samsung, released in early 2025 and mid-2024, respectively. While both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, they cater to different user preferences through their form factors and core functionalities. The S25 Ultra is a traditional slab-style flagship, emphasizing a large display and advanced camera system, whereas the Z Flip6 offers a compact, foldable clamshell design with a focus on portability and unique interaction methods.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Flip6 are designed for extended usability, benefiting from Samsung's commitment to long-term software support.

  • Software Longevity: Both devices are promised seven years of Android OS and security updates from their respective release dates, ensuring they remain current with the latest features and security protocols well into the future. The S25 Ultra, released in February 2025, and the Z Flip6, released in July 2024, offer comparable software lifespans, with the S25 Ultra having a slightly longer remaining update window due to its later launch.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, along with a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back for enhanced drop and scratch protection. The Galaxy Z Flip6, as a foldable, has an IP48 rating, indicating dust and water resistance, and uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover screen and back panel, alongside an enhanced Armor Aluminum frame. The Z Flip6's foldable display uses ultra-thin glass (UTG).
  • Repairability Considerations: While specific repairability scores can vary, the S25 Ultra's traditional design generally offers a more straightforward repair process compared to the complex hinge and dual-screen assembly of the Z Flip6. However, both devices are built with premium materials that contribute to their overall expected practical lifespan under typical usage conditions.

Year of Release

2025

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both smartphones deliver robust performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though their underlying architectures are optimized for their respective designs.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with a current-generation processor, enabling it to handle intensive tasks, graphic-heavy gaming, and complex AI features with fluidity. The Galaxy Z Flip6 also features a powerful current-generation processor, ensuring smooth operation for everyday use and advanced foldable-specific functionalities.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The S25 Ultra typically comes with 12 GB of RAM, with some configurations offering 16 GB, supporting extensive multitasking and quick app switching without slowdowns. The Z Flip6 also includes 12 GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously and maintaining system responsiveness, especially when utilizing its Flex Mode features.
  • Storage and Battery Behavior: The S25 Ultra offers storage options up to 1 TB, catering to users with large media libraries or extensive app collections. Its 5000 mAh battery is designed to provide extended usage throughout the day for most users. The Z Flip6 provides up to 512 GB of internal storage. Its 4000 mAh battery, while smaller, is optimized for its form factor and typical usage patterns, often lasting a full day for moderate users.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience on these two devices differs significantly due to their form factors, offering distinct advantages for different user needs.

  • Main Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a large 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), providing exceptional sharpness and vibrant colors for an immersive viewing experience. The Galaxy Z Flip6's main foldable display is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 2640 x 1080 pixels, offering clear visuals when unfolded.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices boast high brightness levels, with the S25 Ultra reaching up to 2600 nits and the Z Flip6's main screen also achieving up to 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Both displays feature an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and responsive interactions.
  • Unique Display Features: The S25 Ultra's display is protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which also offers anti-reflective properties to reduce glare. The Z Flip6 uniquely offers a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen with a 720 x 748 pixel resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate, allowing for quick interactions and notifications without unfolding the device.

Resolution

1440x3120

1080 x 2640

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, but they are tailored to different photographic priorities and user experiences.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 200 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. This system provides a wide range of focal lengths and advanced zoom capabilities, including a Quad Tele System for multiple optical zoom levels. The Galaxy Z Flip6 has a dual-camera system on its rear, comprising a 50 MP wide-angle main lens and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, focusing on high-quality everyday photography.
  • Photography and Video Features: The S25 Ultra excels in detail capture and offers advanced AI-enhanced features like Audio Eraser for video and improved Portrait Selfie capabilities. It supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second. The Z Flip6's camera system benefits from its foldable design, allowing for unique shooting angles in Flex Mode and using the main cameras for high-quality selfies via the cover screen preview. It also supports various Galaxy AI features for image enhancement.
  • Front Camera and Audio: Both devices feature a 12 MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The S25 Ultra's audio experience is enhanced by stereo speakers and advanced audio processing. The Z Flip6 also provides a capable audio experience for media consumption and calls.

Front camera

12

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond their core features, both devices offer distinct practical elements that influence daily usability and overall experience.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports the latest connectivity standards, including 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. It features a USB Type-C 3.2 port for data transfer and charging. The Galaxy Z Flip6 also offers 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6e, and Bluetooth 5.3, along with a USB Type-C 3.2 port.
  • Biometrics and Navigation: The S25 Ultra incorporates an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. The Z Flip6 utilizes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is integrated into the power button. Both devices offer precise positioning services with support for multiple global navigation satellite systems.
  • Design and Handling: The S25 Ultra is a larger, heavier device at 218g, with dimensions of 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, offering a substantial feel and a large viewing area. It also integrates an S Pen stylus for enhanced productivity. The Z Flip6, weighing 187g, is designed for portability, folding down to a compact 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm, making it easy to carry in smaller pockets. Its clamshell design allows for unique hands-free usage in Flex Mode.

Weight

233 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.9

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip6 represent different philosophies in smartphone design, each excelling in its own right. Users often praise the S25 Ultra for its expansive, high-resolution display, powerful camera system with extensive zoom capabilities, and long-lasting battery, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize multimedia consumption, photography, and productivity with the integrated S Pen. Some users, however, note its larger size and weight as a factor in daily handling.

The Galaxy Z Flip6 is frequently lauded for its innovative foldable design, offering a compact form factor when closed and a full-sized smartphone experience when unfolded. Its unique Flex Mode and versatile cover screen are often highlighted for enhancing user interaction and creative photography. Criticisms sometimes point to the crease on the main display, though improvements have been made, and the battery capacity, while optimized, is smaller than that of traditional flagships.

Users prioritizing a large, uncompromised display, a comprehensive camera system with advanced zoom, and maximum battery life will find the Galaxy S25 Ultra well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value portability, a unique and stylish design, and innovative interaction methods offered by a foldable form factor may lean toward the Galaxy Z Flip6. Both devices offer a long software support lifespan, making them viable choices for extended use. For those considering either model, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative to new purchases, extending the lifecycle of these advanced devices.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons