The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is here and, to be frank, it isn’t exactly the update we’ve been waiting for.
Yes, there are tweaks and improvements here and there but it is NOT something that’ll give current S24 Ultra users a case of FOMO.
If you’re in the market for a new phone and you want to save some money, get more value, and do both things without impacting performance, our advice is to get a refurbished phone from either Apple or Google.
What Are The Best Samsung Galaxy S25 Alternatives Right Now?
Top-Rated Galaxy S25 Alternatives For Less
iPhone 15 Pro Max 512GB – Natural Titanium – Unlocked
Pro iPhone power at half price with years of updates left.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A17 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP + 12MP + 12MP triple camera
- A17 Pro crushes all tasks
- 6-7 years of iOS updates
- Strong triple cameras
- All-day battery life
- 20W charging feels slow
- Heavy at 221g
Go for this if you want the biggest iPhone screen and pro performance with updates for years ahead. Refurb saves over $500—grab 256GB or higher for storage you won't outgrow. Buy it now from Back Market.
Galaxy S24 Ultra 1000GB – Purple – Unlocked
Flagship S Pen power at half the new price.
- Display: 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 120Hz
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB
- Main Camera: 200MP + 50MP + 10MP + 12MP quad
- S Pen for real productivity
- Huge sharp 120Hz display
- Top Snapdragon performance
- Strong zoom cameras
- Heavy and bulky build
- 45W charging is slow
Go for this if you need S Pen, big screen and pro cameras without new-phone prices. Refurb from Back Market at $545-$655 with 12-month warranty is a no-brainer. I'd pick 256GB for the storage headroom.
Google Pixel 9 Pro 128GB – Black – Unlocked
Pixel 9 Pro's pro camera and 7-year updates at half new price.
- Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Google Tensor G4
- RAM: 16GB
- Main Camera: 50MP + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 5x telephoto
- Outstanding triple camera system
- 7 years of software updates
- Smooth 120Hz OLED display
- 16GB RAM for multitasking
- Tensor G4 not benchmark king
- Battery good but not class-leading
Camera enthusiasts and update seekers should pick this over newer budget options—Pixel software support lasts till 2032. Refurb savings from Back Market make it a no-brainer at under $600. Go for it if photos matter; I'd take 256GB for the extra space.
iPhone 16 Pro Max 1000GB – Natural Titanium – Unlocked
Pro iPhone power at half new price with years of updates ahead.
- Display: 6.9 inches Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz
- Processor: Apple A18 Pro
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 48MP Fusion + 48MP UW + 12MP 5x Tele
- Huge 120Hz OLED display
- A18 Pro crushes all tasks
- Pro cameras with 5x zoom
- All-day 4685mAh battery
- 20W charging is slow
- Heavy at 227g
Go for this if you need iPhone Pro Max size, cameras, and endless updates without new prices. Refurb from Back Market at under $930 saves big over retail. Grab 256GB or higher—you'll thank me later.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL 128GB – Black – Unlocked
Pixel 9 Pro XL's top cameras and 7-year updates at half price.
- Display: 6.8-inch LTPO OLED Super Actua, 120Hz
- Processor: Google Tensor G4
- RAM: 16GB
- Main Camera: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP triple
- Seven years of OS updates
- Excellent cameras for photos
- Big bright 120Hz display
- 16GB RAM handles multitasking
- Tensor G4 not the fastest
- 37W charging is slow
Camera lovers and long-term Android users should pick this for unbeatable software support at refurb prices. You're saving over 50% from Back Market with full flagship perks. Go for it over new—go 256GB or higher for storage breathing room.
Galaxy S23+ 512GB – Black – Unlocked
A big-screen flagship with elite battery life at a mid-range price.
- Display: 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- RAM: 8GB
- Main Camera: 50MP + 12MP + 10MP Triple Camera
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is exceptionally fast
- Outstanding battery life that easily lasts a full day
- Large, bright 120Hz display is perfect for video
- Premium build quality feels much better than A-series
- Screen resolution is lower than some older Galaxy models
- 45W charging is still slower than many rivals
If you want a big-screen Samsung flagship but don't want to pay $1,000, this is the one to buy. The battery life is superb and the performance holds up perfectly today. I'd go for the 256GB version to make sure you have enough room for photos and 4K video.
Why These Phones, And Why Refurbished?
To be frank, the main reason is simple: smartphone technology plateaued years ago.
The difference between the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S25 is minimal. You literally need advanced benchmarking tools to spot the actual difference.
Newer phones cost more, quite a bit more in some cases, thanks to a near-constant cycle of global chaos, but what you’re actually paying for isn’t what you think:
- Slightly more performance from its system-on-a-chip, when the previous generation was over-powered for what 99.9% of people use it for.
- Slight improvements to camera technology.
- Minor design changes and new, largely useless features that were only included to bulk-out marketing campaigns.
Buying a slightly older flagship, say one or two generations back, saves you anywhere from 40% to 60% versus the cost of a brand new flagship phone.
And best of all, because these are flagship-grade phones, in most cases, you’re getting:
- The best possible camera tech for less.
- More storage for less, all of a sudden 1TB of storage becomes affordable.
- Go with iPhone or Pixel and you’ll get years of fast software updates, taking you well inside the 2030s.
WHY LOOK BEYOND THE GALAXY S25 ULTRA?
While Samsung’s Ultra series represents the pinnacle of its smartphone technology, some users might want something a little different.
Alternatives can excel in areas that Samsung doesn’t necessarily dominate, making them compelling options:
- Software Experience: Google Pixel devices offer the cleanest Android experience, often with exclusive features like cutting-edge AI tools.
- Compact Options: If you’re after a smaller device without sacrificing power, some alternatives – like iPhone Pro models – are perfect for one-handed use.
CHOOSING BASED ON YOUR PRIORITIES
Your ideal phone will depend on what matters most to you. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- Camera Quality: If photography is your priority, go with Apple’s Pro and Pro Max models; they’re the industry standard right now (especially for video). Nothing else comes even remotely close for professional use cases.
- Operating System: Pixel phones and iPhones get the most consistent updates, though not all Pixel phones get 7 years of updates (only newer models; Pixel 8 series and up). Again, this is yet another area where the iPhone is strongest.
- Price: You can bypass the Apple, Google, Samsung premium by buying refurbished which brings the price of Ultra and Pro Max models down to mid-range / base model pricing levels.
- Design and Size: Whether you prefer a compact device or a larger screen for media consumption, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. Use our Phone Sizes Database to compare phone sizes.
KEY TAKEAWAY
- If you want my advice, I’d go with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL as a direct, Android-based alternative – it is by far and away the most advanced and capable phone on the market right now.
- For most people, though, I still think a refurbished Pro or Pro Max model from Apple’s iPhone 14, 15 or 16 series is the one to go for.
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