4 Reasons I’d Pick This Android Phone Over The Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may be one of the best Android smartphones out there, but it’s not the only Ultra phone on the market. Xiaomi debuted its Xiaomi 15 Ultra recently at MWC 2025, and Vivo is also set to launch its X200 Ultra later this month. OnePlus’ sister brand Oppo recently introduced the Find X8 Ultra, its take on an Ultra-series smartphone featuring top-tier hardware and the best camera tech the company has to offer.

After using the phone for a week, here’s why I think the Find X8 Ultra might actually be a better Ultra smartphone than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Read our review

4 A large phone that actually feels ergonomic

It’s big, but far more comfortable to hold than the Galaxy S25 Ultra

One of the issues we faced with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and something often criticized on Reddit, is its design. Samsung switched to a boxy look with the S25 Ultra, and while the company added rounded corners, the edges remain too straight and sharp, making the phone feel uncomfortable in hand. On the other hand, Oppo’s Find X8 Ultra nails both design and in-hand feel.

Though Oppo also uses a flat-edge design, the back glass subtly curves into the sides, making the phone a delight to hold. The frosted glass finish on the Shell Pink Find X8 Ultra I’m using also adds grip, making it less slippery. And despite the huge camera module on top, Oppo has managed the weight distribution well, which means the phone doesn’t feel top-heavy despite a huge camera module.

3 Battery that lasts longer and charges faster

One of the few phones that truly nails both

It’s been years since Samsung meaningfully upgraded the battery on its top-tier smartphone. The Galaxy S25 Ultra still comes with the same 5,000 mAh battery found in the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which itself had the same battery as the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and so on. While battery life on Samsung’s flagship is still decent, brands like OnePlus and Oppo have moved on to larger batteries better suited for heavy usage days.

Oppo has truly nailed the battery experience on the Find X8 Ultra. It comes with a massive 6,100 mAh battery that easily lasts a full day. On some occasions, I couldn’t even drain the battery in two days — despite 5.5 hours of screen-on time with relatively light use.

Then there’s the charging speed. The Find X8 Ultra supports 100W fast charging, powering the phone to 100% in around 40 minutes. In comparison, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, despite its smaller battery, still takes close to an hour to fully charge due to its comparatively slower 45W charging speed.

And it’s not just Oppo. Phones like the OnePlus 13R, which cost half the price of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, offer larger batteries and faster charging speeds. It’s about time Samsung upgraded both the battery size and charging tech on its Ultra phones.

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2 It’s got better water and dust resistance ratings

Dual IP ratings make this phone tougher than most

Most flagship smartphones today are built to handle everyday conditions, offering strong water and dust resistance. This means you can comfortably take them to the pool, use them in the rain, or even submerge them underwater for short periods. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, for instance, comes with an IP68 rating, which is the standard for top-tier phones.

But the Oppo Find X8 Ultra takes things a step further. It ships with dual IP ratings: IP68 + IP69. That means, in addition to regular dust and water protection, it’s also rated to withstand high-pressure water jets. While most people won’t intentionally spray their phones with high-speed water, it’s a “nice to have” feature that adds peace of mind and makes the phone feel more rugged and reliable.

1 This camera is built for serious photography

You’re not sacrificing anything on the camera front

Let’s talk about the camera. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is arguably one of the best camera phones of 2025, but after using the Oppo Find X8 Ultra, I realized you’re not missing out on much. The Find X8 Ultra features a capable camera system packed with some of the best hardware available today.

While I’ve always appreciated Samsung’s image processing, with photos from the Galaxy S25 series looking vibrant and punchy, using the Find X8 Ultra has been a breath of fresh air. Oppo’s processing leans toward a more natural look, and the phone’s True Chroma Camera sensor helps maintain consistent color temperature across shots.

I’ve enjoyed shooting with the Find X8 Ultra. You can check out a few sample shots I captured:

Oppo’s overall package just feels more balanced

The Find X8 Ultra may lack a few features compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, such as global AI tools or stylus support, but it still delivers a lot for its price. The Find X8 Ultra may not be available globally just yet, but it clearly shows that even Samsung’s best smartphone still has room for improvement.