Poco F7 Ultra vs Galaxy S25+: A Flagship Battle of Power, Cameras, and Value

The flagship arena is heating up with two standout contenders—Samsung’s Galaxy S25+ and the Poco F7 Ultra. Both devices boast powerful chipsets, stunning AMOLED displays, and cutting-edge features. But while one leans toward refined camera performance and long-term software support, the other packs serious horsepower and value that’s tough to beat.

The Poco F7 Ultra enters the scene with a blazing Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset, massive battery, and 120W wired charging—features you’d expect from a much pricier device. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25+ brings Samsung’s polish, camera excellence, and a promise of 7 years of updates, setting a new bar in longevity.

Both phones feature IP68 certification, ultrasonic fingerprint scanners, flagship-level displays, and impressive designs—but they differ in their approach to performance, camera tuning, software fluidity, and even weight.

In this detailed comparison, we’ll cover everything from hardware design and gaming performance to camera samples and battery charging speeds. So whether you’re a power user, a mobile gamer, or just someone who wants the most bang for your buck—we’ve got all the data you need.

Let’s dive into the full side-by-side review of the Poco F7 Ultra vs the Galaxy S25 Plus and see which one is right for you.

Design and Build Quality:

When it comes to design, both the Poco F7 Ultra and the Galaxy S25+ take a premium approach, though with slightly different philosophies. The Galaxy S25+ leans heavily into minimalism with a clean, flat aluminum frame and subtly curved corners. It’s sleek and sophisticated, especially in its new color options like Icy Blue, Shadow Mint, and Coral Red. It weighs just 188g, making it surprisingly light for a flagship phone, and the symmetrical design makes it feel well-balanced in hand.

The Poco F7 Ultra, meanwhile, comes across bolder. It sports a striking glass back with Poco’s signature yellow or matte black colorways, and it feels hefty at 214g. It also has slightly more rounded edges compared to the flatter frame of the S25 Plus. The camera bump on the Poco is larger and more pronounced, and since it’s placed off-center, it causes the phone to wobble when laid on a flat surface. Samsung’s camera design, on the other hand, is much more flush and balanced.

Both phones use matte glass on the back, but Samsung clearly states it uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for durability, while Poco doesn’t specify what type of glass is used. That might raise a question or two for those who value scratch resistance. Still, both phones feel solid and refined—this isn’t budget territory by any means.

In terms of ingress protection, both are rated IP68, meaning they can withstand dust and water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. So you’re good for splashes, spills, or even an accidental dunk. Button placement is also ergonomic on both—volume rockers and power buttons are easy to reach, and tactile feedback is consistent.

Overall, if you’re after a cleaner, more elegant look, the Galaxy S25+ wins in aesthetic. But if you like something more aggressive and performance-focused, the Poco F7 Ultra delivers a bold, gamer-friendly vibe that feels just as premium.

Display Specs and Biometrics:

Both the Poco F7 Ultra and Galaxy S25+ bring flagship-grade displays to the table, and at first glance, they seem nearly identical—but closer inspection reveals some key differences. Each phone features a 6.67-inch flat AMOLED display, perfect for immersive viewing, content consumption, and high-frame-rate gaming. Both panels support a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring ultra-smooth scrolling and animations across the system UI.

However, brightness is where the Galaxy S25 Plus pulls ahead. In typical usage under bright sunlight, the Galaxy reached a whopping 1,557 nits, while the Poco maxed out at 1,120 nits. When it comes to peak brightness with only part of the screen lit (such as HDR playback), Samsung goes even further, hitting 2,760 nits compared to Poco’s still-impressive 1,467 nits. That makes the S25 Plus far more legible in extreme lighting conditions, especially outdoors.

 

Color accuracy and vibrancy are top-notch on both, and both phones support HDR10+, making them excellent for watching high-quality videos. Samsung, however, tends to offer slightly more realistic color calibration out of the box, while Poco has a bit more contrast and pop—great for those who prefer punchier visuals.

For screen protection, the Galaxy uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, one of the toughest glass options on any phone right now. Poco doesn’t mention the specific protection it uses, which may concern users who tend to go caseless.

In terms of biometrics, both phones utilize ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensors, which are more secure and faster than traditional optical ones. The ultrasonic readers work even with wet fingers and unlock quickly and reliably. Facial recognition is also available on both devices, but neither should be relied on for serious security.

If we’re purely looking at the display and biometrics, the Galaxy S25+ clearly edges out with better peak brightness, superior durability, and slightly more accurate tuning. Poco is no slouch, but Samsung simply has the polish and refinement we’ve come to expect from its premium displays.

Software Updates and Apps:

When it comes to software, both the Poco F7 Ultra and the Galaxy S25+ are running the latest Android 15 out of the box, but their skins and update policies differ quite a bit. Poco uses Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 2, while Samsung runs its refined One UI 7. Both offer smooth animations, fluid transitions, and a modern aesthetic—but the feel and functionality are noticeably different.

One UI 7 leans into Samsung’s ecosystem strengths. It offers split quick toggles, new AI features like Sketch-to-Image, and contextual tools with the revamped Now Bar. Samsung also includes Samsung DeX, allowing the S25 Plus to function as a desktop when connected to an external display—something Poco can’t match.

HyperOS 2, on the other hand, has made major strides this year. It brings cleaner visuals, faster animations, and some surprisingly useful AI tricks like object erasing in the gallery, smart transcription in the recorder app, and AI-powered wallpapers. It’s fast, fluid, and much lighter than MIUI ever was.

Where Samsung absolutely dominates is in the update commitment: the S25+ promises seven years of OS and security updates, setting the industry standard. In contrast, Poco offers four years of OS updates and six years of security patches—still solid, but not quite as future-proof.

In terms of bloatware, Samsung’s One UI still comes with some preinstalled apps, but they’re mostly useful or easy to remove. Poco’s HyperOS has also cleaned up its act, but you’ll likely see more ads or push notifications unless you tweak some settings.

Overall, One UI 7 offers a more mature, feature-rich, and future-proof experience, especially for power users. HyperOS 2 feels leaner and snappier, and it’s a big leap forward for Poco, but Samsung maintains a lead with its software polish and longevity.

Performance and Chipsets:

Under the hood, both the Poco F7 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Plus come equipped with the mighty Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, though there’s a catch. Samsung uses a customized version of the chipset called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, which offers slightly higher clock speeds on its prime cores for extra muscle during demanding tasks.

In day-to-day performance, both phones are beasts. Multitasking is buttery smooth, apps open instantly, and even heavy editing tasks or file exports are handled with ease. Poco’s 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM gives it a noticeable edge when juggling background apps, while the Galaxy comes with 12GB by default.

Storage-wise, both use UFS 4.0, so read/write speeds are blazing fast across the board. However, benchmark numbers reveal an interesting trend: the Galaxy consistently scores slightly higher in Geekbench and 3DMark, while Poco excels in AnTuTu and app-based render tests.

Both phones also feature dedicated cooling systems, with the Poco boasting a more aggressive thermal design—though during stress tests, it tends to heat up more than the Galaxy. Still, neither device suffers from thermal throttling under normal use.

Ultimately, performance differences are minor in real-world usage. But if you’re looking for slightly better burst speed and smoother multitasking, the Galaxy S25+ edges ahead, while the Poco F7 Ultra offers more RAM at a lower cost, making it a performance powerhouse in its price class.

Gaming Performance and Tests:

When it comes to gaming, both the Poco F7 Ultra and Galaxy S25+ are absolute champs—but they go about it differently. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, both phones can easily run the most graphically intense games like Genshin Impact, COD: Mobile, and PUBG at high settings with stable frame rates.

In real-world tests, the Galaxy started out strong with a solid 60 FPS in most games but gradually dropped to the mid-40s after 15 minutes of heavy gameplay. The Poco, on the other hand, maintained consistent smoothness, though exact FPS tracking was disabled by default. Thermal management becomes important here—the Poco gets warmer faster, peaking at 54°C, while the Galaxy hit 52°C under load.

Interestingly, in longer sessions with games like Wuthering Waves, the Galaxy managed to retain more stable frame rates despite slightly higher temps. The Poco’s liquid cooling system spread heat well across the chassis, but the performance curve occasionally dipped under stress.

Touch response and screen smoothness were flawless on both phones, with the 120Hz refresh rate adding fluidity to gameplay. The stereo speakers and vibrant AMOLED panels also made for an immersive mobile gaming experience.

Ultimately, both phones are gaming-ready, but the Galaxy offers slightly better frame stability, while Poco leans into aggressive performance and faster thermals—ideal for shorter, high-intensity play sessions.

Software Updates and Apps:

The Poco F7 Ultra runs on Xiaomi’s latest HyperOS 2, layered on top of Android 15, while the Galaxy S25+ ships with One UI 7, also based on Android 15. Both operating systems bring smooth animations, redesigned UI elements, and deep AI integration—but they feel very different in daily use.

HyperOS has been significantly refined this year. The animations are slick, there’s a lot more lockscreen customization, and Poco has built-in AI tools in the gallery like object remover, sky replacement, and even AI-enhanced transcription inside the Recorder app. The OS feels faster than MIUI ever did, with fewer bugs and better optimization.

On the other hand, One UI 7 feels more polished and intuitive. Samsung has added “Sketch to Image”, Instant Slow-Mo, and the impressive Galaxy AI suite. Features like Circle to Search, live translation, and Samsung DeX set it apart in terms of utility and ecosystem experience.

When it comes to software longevity, Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates, while Poco guarantees 4 years of OS and 6 years of patches. That’s a huge win for the S25 Plus in terms of future-proofing.

Both phones have some pre-installed apps—Samsung leans more toward integrated services, while Poco lets you uninstall most of the bloatware. Overall, Samsung delivers a more refined UI, but Poco’s customization and AI tools offer a playful, feature-rich alternative.

Battery Life and Charging Speed:

The Poco F7 Ultra is armed with a massive 5,300mAh battery, while the Galaxy S25 Plus comes with a slightly smaller 4,900mAh unit. In real-world usage, both phones easily last a full day, but Poco pulls slightly ahead due to more aggressive power management and a larger cell.

Where Poco completely dominates is in charging speed. It supports 120W wired charging, going from 0 to 100% in just around 32 minutes, while the Galaxy maxes out at 45W, taking about 82 minutes to fully charge. Poco also wins in wireless charging, offering 50W, compared to Samsung’s 15W.

Both phones support reverse wireless charging, but if fast power top-ups are a priority, Poco clearly takes the lead in this department.

Connectivity:

Both the Poco F7 Ultra and Galaxy S25+ come fully packed with the latest connectivity features, but there are subtle differences. They both support 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS, and reverse wireless charging, making them ready for future-proof networking and accessory integration.

However, Samsung offers eSIM support, which is missing from the Poco. This could be a key feature for users who want dual SIM flexibility without needing a physical second card. On the other hand, Poco includes an IR blaster, cleverly tucked into the camera bump, letting users control home appliances—something the Galaxy doesn’t offer.

Both phones provide excellent call quality and fast, stable internet across Wi-Fi and 5G networks. During testing, we noticed better signal retention on the Galaxy, particularly in areas with weaker coverage.

In terms of smart features, Samsung’s Samsung DeX stands out, enabling a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor. Poco lacks an equivalent desktop mode, but still delivers a robust, smooth experience for regular connectivity tasks.

Cameras Specs and Performance

Main Camera Quality (Daylight and Indoor)

Both the Poco F7 Ultra and Galaxy S25+ feature 50MP main cameras, but their processing approach is noticeably different. The Galaxy S25 Plus tends to produce more natural-looking photos with a slightly cooler tone and excellent balance between shadows and highlights.

Poco, on the other hand, leans toward sharper images with a bit of magenta tint and more aggressive HDR. Indoors, the difference narrows, but Samsung still retains more detail in mixed lighting. Contrast levels are better controlled on the Galaxy, while Poco sometimes over-processes shadows.

Ultrawide Lens Performance

Poco steps it up with a 32MP ultrawide camera, while the Galaxy relies on a 12MP shooter. Despite the numbers, Samsung’s ultrawide captures more balanced colors and handles exposure more consistently. Poco’s ultrawide sometimes introduces visible grain even in good light, particularly in the sky.

Indoors, Poco’s photos can look over-processed with an almost “HDR-overkill” feel. Galaxy S25+ prioritizes highlights, delivering more realistic indoor shots with slightly dimmer but more usable shadows.

Portrait Mode and Edge Detection

Portrait mode is where Samsung flexes its optimization. The Galaxy S25+ shows more accurate edge detection, especially around hair and tricky outlines. Even without the extra megapixels, Samsung’s color tuning and background blur look more professional.

Poco offers sharper portraits with boosted contrast and saturation, which might appeal to users who want more social-media-ready shots. However, highlights can be blown out at times on Poco, especially in sunny outdoor settings.

Telephoto and Zoom Capabilities

This is a clear win for Samsung. The Galaxy S25+ features a dedicated 3x telephoto lens with 10MP resolution, while Poco F7 Ultra has a 2.5x 50MP telephoto lens. While Poco offers stronger digital zoom up to 60x, image quality degrades quickly beyond 10x.

Samsung maxes out at 30x but retains better clarity at all zoom levels. The Galaxy also handles zoom in low-light better, with less noise and better contrast.

Low Light and Night Photography

In night mode, Samsung continues its lead with better detail retention and dynamic range. The Galaxy processes night shots with a natural touch, avoiding overly warm or saturated results.

Poco adds more contrast and sometimes exaggerates shadow detail, which may look dramatic but less realistic. With the ultrawide, both struggle with noise, but the Galaxy still produces cleaner, more color-accurate images. Night portraits are handled better on the Galaxy, with improved hair separation and skin tone handling.

Video Recording Quality

Both phones support 4K and 8K recording, but there are limitations. Poco records up to 8K at 24fps, while the Galaxy goes slightly further at 8K 30fps. In our 4K 30fps test, Samsung outperformed Poco in exposure handling, color consistency, and autofocus.

Poco struggled with fluctuating lighting and occasional focus hunting. Ultrawide video from Poco was noticeably oversharpened and less color accurate. Samsung offered smoother footage, better stabilization, and more reliable color reproduction throughout all video modes.

Front Camera & Selfie Performance

Poco’s 32MP front camera captures sharp selfies with noticeable facial enhancements, which might appeal to social media users. The Galaxy’s 12MP front camera captures more realistic skin tones and better handles highlights and background exposure.

In low light, the Galaxy produces warmer, softer selfies with better noise control. Video-wise, Samsung wins again with support for up to 4K 60fps recording on the front, while Poco caps at 1080p 60fps and often struggles with white balance shifts.

Microphones and Audio Capture

When recording videos in noisy environments, the Galaxy S25+ has noticeably better noise suppression. Whether it’s cars, chatter, or ambient noise, the Galaxy filtered it out more effectively while keeping the subject’s voice clear. Poco’s mic picked up more background noise and was less consistent in varying environments.

Price and Availability

The Poco F7 Ultra is aggressively priced, starting at around $810 USD for the 16GB + 512GB variant. It’s available in select markets via Xiaomi’s official store and major e-commerce platforms.

In contrast, the Galaxy S25+ comes in at a steeper $999 USD starting price for the 12GB + 256GB version. It’s widely available globally through Samsung stores, carriers, and online retailers. Both devices are available in multiple colorways, but Samsung offers more choices. Poco’s yellow-black branding is iconic, while Samsung’s Icy Blue and Shadow Mint turn heads.

Availability may vary depending on your region, and some early-bird bundles or trade-in deals may apply. You might also get charger bundles with Poco, while Samsung typically omits it. Ultimately, Poco is the better value pick for specs per dollar, while Samsung targets users looking for a premium brand experience with broader support.

Conclusion

The Poco F7 Ultra proves itself as a true flagship disruptor, delivering top-tier performance, blazing-fast charging, and impressive hardware at a competitive price. It’s an ideal choice for users who prioritize raw speed, power, and value over brand prestige. Its 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging are class-leading, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset ensures ultra-smooth performance in gaming and multitasking.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus offers a more polished experience with refined software, consistent camera quality, and unmatched long-term support—seven years of updates is hard to ignore. Its One UI 7 is intuitive and filled with smart features like Samsung DeX, and the camera system delivers more natural and consistent results across various scenarios.

While the Galaxy S25+ costs nearly $200 more, it may be worth it for users who value camera quality, software stability, and a mature ecosystem. Meanwhile, Poco F7 Ultra is the better pick for power users, mobile gamers, and anyone looking for incredible hardware at an accessible price.

Both phones are excellent in their own ways—it just depends on what matters most to you.

BUY SAMSUNG Galaxy S25+ here

BUY Poco F7 Ultra here