Jordan ClarkeSmartphones4 products
The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the reliable choice for those who value software polish. If you want raw battery capacity and gaming specs at a lower cost, the POCO F9 Ultra or F8 Ultra are the clear winners.
The polished flagship traditionalist
The battery-obsessed gamer
Photography enthusiasts on a budget
Hardcore mobile gamers
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | POCO F9 Ultra | XIAOMI 17T Pro | POCO F8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €849.00 | €849.00 | €853.00 | €903.00 |
| ProcessorThe POCO F9 Ultra claims the newest silicon, though in reality, these are all overkill. | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (winner) | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Battery CapacityThe POCO F9 Ultra puts a literal brick of a battery inside its chassis. | Not listed | 8050 mAh (winner) | 7000 mAh | 6500 mAh |
| Display Refresh Rate185Hz is marketing madness, but it sure sounds impressive on a spec sheet. | 120Hz | 185Hz (winner) | 144Hz | Not listed |
The polished flagship traditionalist
A refined, professional slab that does everything well. It is the safe bet for people who hate software bugs.
The battery-obsessed gamer
This is essentially a power bank with a screen attached. It ignores subtlety for sheer endurance and refresh rates.
Photography enthusiasts on a budget
The Leica branding tries to class up the joint. It is a solid middle ground between pure gaming phones and lifestyle devices.
Hardcore mobile gamers
A performance-focused device that leans hard into gaming aesthetics. It runs fast, plays hard, and heats up accordingly.
We are currently in a race to see who can fit the most ridiculous numbers onto a spec sheet. POCO is clearly winning this arms race with their 185Hz screen and massive batteries. It is great if you spend your life playing competitive shooters on a bus, but it is also a recipe for heavy, unwieldy bricks that make your wrist ache.
On the other hand, the Samsung S25 Ultra is the adult in the room. It does not try to sell you a 185Hz screen you probably cannot perceive, focusing instead on a camera setup that actually works for more than just marketing fluff. The Xiaomi 17T Pro tries to bridge this gap with Leica tech, which is a nice touch, assuming you enjoy the 'Leica look' more than raw gaming power.
Spec sheet says one thing, reality says another. While the POCO F9 Ultra boasts an 8050 mAh battery, you are still carrying around a small laptop in your trousers. The S25 Ultra is undeniably the most polished experience, but you pay a premium for the brand and the software maturity.
If you want the best camera, you know where to go. If you want the most battery for your money, follow the POCO path, but keep a cooling pad handy for those long sessions.
If you want a reliable, daily-driver flagship that won't give you a headache, go with the Samsung S25 Ultra. It is the most balanced of the bunch.
If you are a mobile gamer who views your phone as a portable console, the POCO F9 Ultra is the absolute monster you need to dominate the leaderboard.
Prices on amazon.fr as of October 7, 2026. Prices may change.
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