Sony Xperia 1 VII vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Which Premium Device Is Better?
We pit Sony's camera-focused flagship against Samsung's feature-packed beast to see which one makes more sense, especially for buyers in the Indian market.
If you're shopping for a top-tier Android phone in 2025, your shortlist probably includes the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the new Sony Xperia 1 VII. Both are spec monsters. Both come with Snapdragon 8 Elite chips. Both devices aim to serve as your daily driver, photo studio, and entertainment hub all in one.
But here’s the thing: these two flagships approach premium from very different angles. Sony continues to focus on its traditional strengths—prioritizing pro-grade camera controls, microSD expansion, and headphone jacks. Samsung, meanwhile, is offering a more mainstream (and arguably more polished) experience, with AI smarts and a proven camera setup that just works.
Which phone should you actually consider buying? We break it down.
Kelechi Edeh
/1. Design & Build
Both phones are big and flat, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra is noticeably heavier at 218g compared to the Xperia’s 197g. Samsung invests heavily in a titanium frame and Gorilla Armor protection, whereas Sony maintains the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a more modest, compact design.
Where Sony wins fans is with its extras: a physical shutter button, microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. These are rare finds in 2025, especially in a flagship. That said, Samsung counters with a higher IP68 rating and a more premium in-hand feel.
Which wins? If you want pro features and a lighter build, the Xperia 1 VII. For durability and luxury, the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
/2. Display
Samsung’s 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is one of the best in the business: QHD+, 120Hz refresh rate, and a blistering 2600-nit peak brightness. It also includes anti-glare tech that actually makes a difference in Indian sunlight.
Sony’s 6.5-inch OLED panel is smaller and capped at FHD+ resolution, though it does offer Creator Mode for color-accurate viewing and up to 20% more brightness than its predecessor. However, when it comes to streaming, gaming, and overall visual appeal, Samsung's display appears superior.
Which wins? Galaxy S25 Ultra. Bigger, sharper, brighter, and simply more immersive.
/3. Cameras
The Xperia 1 VII caters to those who prefer manual control. It has a variable telephoto lens (85–170mm optical zoom), a top-tier 48MP ultrawide, and features borrowed from Sony Alpha cameras like real-time tracking, pose estimation, and dual-layer HDR capture. But the results? A bit mixed. Telephoto quality can be soft, and video still lacks punch.
Samsung’s 200MP main sensor, paired with two telephoto lenses (3x and 5x) and a 50MP ultrawide, delivers consistently sharp, color-rich images across scenarios. Add Galaxy AI tools for editing and auto-optimization, and it becomes the more reliable shooter for most people.
Which wins? The Xperia is the preferred choice for camera enthusiasts, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra is suitable for everyone else.
/4. Performance
Both phones run the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but Samsung uses a custom Galaxy version that unlocks tighter AI integration and slightly higher clock speeds. In day-to-day use, they’ll both fly through apps and games, but Samsung has the edge in thermal management and AI-assisted multitasking.
Which wins? The Galaxy S25 Ultra emerges victorious due to its superior tuning and future-proof AI support.
/5. Battery & Charging
Both pack 5000mAh batteries, but charging is another story. Sony is still stuck at 30W wired charging and 15W wireless. Samsung offers 45W wired, 25W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless. For users in India who value quick top-ups, this matters.
Which wins? The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers faster and more flexible charging options.
/6. Software & Updates
Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates. Sony, however, offers just 4 years. Both ship with Android 15, but Samsung’s One UI 7 is more polished, packed with AI features, and proven in India.
Which wins? Galaxy S25 Ultra. No contest.
/7. Price & Value
The Xperia 1 VII is expected to retail at ₹1,49,999 (~$1,750), whereas the Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at a slightly lower ₹1,29,999 (~$1,500). While Sony’s pricing puts it firmly in the ultra-premium tier, Samsung offers more flexibility, with additional storage variants (up to 1TB), better local availability, and frequent launch offers or bank discounts.
Which wins? The Galaxy S25 Ultra wins because it offers more choices, better accessibility, and greater long-term value in India.
Conclusion
The Xperia 1 VII is a niche masterpiece; the kind of phone that still believes in giving you control, ports, and pro tools. It’s a dream for videographers, manual shooters, and people who miss expandable storage.
But for everyone else? The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra just makes more sense. It’s the better all-rounder: stronger display, good battery life, smarter camera system, and unmatched software longevity. If you want a phone that delivers every time you pull it out of your pocket, this is it.
That said, if you’re someone who knows exactly why they want an Xperia, then you probably don’t need this comparison to begin with.
David Adubiina
