Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold5

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, a traditional slab smartphone released in February 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, a foldable smartphone launched in August 2023, offer distinct mobile experiences. While both devices represent Samsung's premium offerings, they cater to different user preferences through their fundamental form factors and feature sets. The S25 Ultra prioritizes a conventional, high-end smartphone experience with advanced camera capabilities and a large, flat display, whereas the Z Fold5 provides a versatile, tablet-like screen in a pocketable design.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S25 Ultra, released in February 2025, benefits from a newer launch date compared to the Galaxy Z Fold5, which arrived in August 2023. This difference means the S25 Ultra will receive software updates for a longer period.
• Software Longevity: The S25 Ultra launched with Android 15 and is promised up to seven major Android upgrades, extending its software support well into the future. The Z Fold5, originally on Android 13, has also received updates and is expected to continue receiving them, though its update cycle will conclude earlier than the S25 Ultra's due to its earlier release.
• Physical Durability: The S25 Ultra features a robust design with Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both its front and back, along with a titanium frame and IP68 dust and water resistance, offering strong protection against daily wear and accidental exposure to elements. The Z Fold5, while also featuring an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover screen and back, has a folding display that introduces a different set of durability considerations, though its redesigned hinge offers a more seamless fold. It carries an IPX8 water resistance rating.

Both devices deliver high-level performance, but the S25 Ultra benefits from a newer generation of processing technology.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 3 nm chipset designed for demanding tasks and efficient power use. This allows for smooth operation across various applications, from intensive gaming to complex multitasking. The Galaxy Z Fold5 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which provides robust performance for everyday use, app loading, and multitasking, ensuring a responsive user experience.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both phones offer 12GB of RAM as a standard configuration, enabling efficient handling of multiple applications simultaneously. The S25 Ultra also has a 16GB RAM option in some regions for its highest storage variant, providing additional headroom for power users. Users of both devices can expect fluid transitions between apps and consistent responsiveness.
• Storage Capabilities: Both models offer ample storage options, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, utilizing UFS 4.0 for fast data access and transfer speeds. This ensures quick app launches and efficient management of large files and media.
• Battery Behavior: The S25 Ultra houses a 5000 mAh battery, providing extended usage times, with users reporting over 17 hours of use in adaptive mode. The Z Fold5 features a 4400 mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient processor, generally provides a full day of use for many users, with tested battery life around 11 hours and 20 minutes.

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the S25 Ultra offering a large, traditional screen and the Z Fold5 providing a unique foldable interface.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, offering a large, immersive viewing area typical of a flagship slab phone. The Galaxy Z Fold5, in contrast, offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen and a 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main inner display. The foldable screen provides a tablet-like experience when unfolded.
• Resolution and Clarity: The S25 Ultra's display boasts a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, resulting in a sharp pixel density of approximately 498 ppi. The Z Fold5's main display has a resolution of 1812 x 2176 pixels (around 374 ppi), while its cover screen is 904 x 2316 pixels (around 401 ppi), both offering clear visuals.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The S25 Ultra can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor conditions, and includes an anti-reflective coating. The Z Fold5's main display reaches a peak brightness of 1750 nits, also providing good outdoor visibility.
• Unique Display Features: The S25 Ultra incorporates Corning Gorilla Armor 2 for enhanced screen protection and anti-glare properties. It also includes ProScaler, an AI-based upscaling technology that optimizes content for its QHD+ resolution. The Z Fold5's main advantage is its foldable nature, allowing for a compact phone that transforms into a larger screen for productivity and media consumption.

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, but they are optimized for different photographic priorities.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 200 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 50 MP ultrawide lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. This configuration provides extensive zoom capabilities and high-resolution imaging. The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a triple-camera system with a 50 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S25 Ultra excels in capturing detailed photos across various focal lengths, with enhanced low-light performance and features like 50MP macro shots using its ultrawide camera. Its advanced processor contributes to improved image signal processing. The Z Fold5's camera system, while sharing similar hardware with its predecessor, benefits from software optimizations and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy's image signal processor, leading to improved detail and color accuracy, especially in low-light conditions.
• Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution. The S25 Ultra supports 8K at 24/30fps and offers features like Dual Recording in 4K and log video format for professional-grade editing. The Z Fold5 records 8K video at 24fps.
• Front-Facing Cameras: The S25 Ultra has a 12 MP front camera. The Z Fold5 features a 10 MP camera on its cover screen and a 4 MP under-display camera on its main foldable screen, offering flexibility for selfies and video calls in different modes.