I used both Apple iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra daily for over a month in real Bangladeshi conditions heat, outdoor glare, busy networks, and mixed usage habits. The experience couldn’t be more different. The iPhone 8 Plus still feels reliable for calls, camera basics, and smooth iOS stability, but it clearly shows its age. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, on the other hand, feels like a future-ready powerhouse with massive performance headroom, flagship cameras, and long-term software confidence.

The iPhone survives as a budget iOS option, while Samsung dominates premium buyers. In this comparison, I’ll break down price reality, gaming, network, camera, display, and who should actually buy which phone based purely on my hands-on use in Bangladesh.

During my testing period, I physically visited Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park, and smaller Dhaka mobile markets, alongside checking online stores like Pickaboo and Daraz. The Apple iPhone 8 Plus launched back in 2017 and is no longer officially sold in Bangladesh. As per MobileDokan, it was initially launched at around BDT 114,900. But today it survives only in the unofficial or refurbished market, ranging between BDT 12,000-15,000, depending on condition and battery health.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched globally in early 2025, officially entered Bangladesh with a starting price close to BDT 1,99,999. Unofficial units appeared slightly cheaper initially, but official pricing now dominates due to warranty demand. The lack of official iPhone 8 Plus support heavily affects resale and repair confidence, while Samsung’s local presence stabilizes long-term value.

The difference in gaming performance is dramatic. The iPhone 8 Plus runs on Apple’s A11 Bionic, which was powerful in its time, but today it feels stretched. In NanoReview’s cheapest recorded benchmarks, the iPhone 8 Plus scores around Geekbench single-core 1092, multi-core 2921, and AnTuTu 497740. In real use, PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile ran smoothly only on medium settings. Longer sessions caused noticeable warmth near the camera module, especially in non-air-conditioned rooms. Genshin Impact was playable but inconsistent, with frame drops after 15–20 minutes.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra, powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (Galaxy-tuned), is on another level. NanoReview lists its lower benchmark ranges around Geekbench 3147 single-core, 9750 multi-core, and AnTuTu Score 2731492. In practice, I played PUBG at 120Hz, CODM on max settings, and Genshin Impact at high without throttling. Even after long sessions, heat was controlled. Compared to phones like Galaxy S23 Ultra or iPhone 14 Pro, the S25 Ultra still feels more stable and future-proof for gaming-heavy users in Bangladesh.

• Using the iPhone 8 Plus felt familiar and dependable, but also limiting, small screen by today’s standards, slower app reloads, and aging battery life.

• The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra felt like carrying a mini workstation: faster multitasking, smoother scrolling, and zero hesitation in daily tasks.

• Battery anxiety was constant on the iPhone 8 Plus, with the Samsung S25 Ultra, I stopped thinking about charging until night.

• Repair and servicing favored Samsung strongly due to official support in Bangladesh.

• iOS stability still shines on the iPhone 8 Plus, but Android flexibility and power clearly dominate here.

I tested both phones using Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel SIMs across Dhaka and nearby suburban areas. The iPhone 8 Plus supports 4G LTE only, and while call quality remained clean, data speeds fluctuated during peak hours. In crowded areas, I noticed slower 4G LTE recovery and weaker indoor signals. Wi-Fi performance was stable but capped by older modem hardware.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports advanced 4G LTE bands and full 5G readiness. Even though 5G network is limited in Bangladesh, network stability on 4G was noticeably better. Calls were clearer, data stayed consistent, and Wi-Fi 6E performance was stronger in congested networks. Compared to older flagships like Pixel 6 or iPhone 12, Samsung clearly feels more future-proof for Bangladesh’s evolving networks.

Using the Apple iPhone 8 Plus daily, I relied on its dual 12MP cameras for quick shots, documents, people, and casual street scenes. In bright daylight, colors looked natural and skin tones stayed believable, which still feels very “iPhone.” Portrait mode worked, but edge detection often failed with complex backgrounds. As soon as light dropped indoor rooms, evening streets, or power-cut lighting, noise crept in fast, details softened, and dynamic range collapsed. Video was stable for short clips, but low-light footage looked dated.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra felt far more dependable. Its multi-camera setup handled harsh sunlight, indoor mixed lighting, and night shots without hesitation. Night photos retained texture, colors stayed controlled, and video stabilization remained consistent even while walking. Compared to rivals like Pixel 8 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung’s flexibility, especially zoom and night reliability, made it the more confidence-inspiring camera for real Bangladeshi use.

Living with the iPhone 8 Plus, its IPS LCD felt accurate but clearly old-school. Indoors, text looked sharp and colors were balanced, making it fine for reading news or WhatsApp. Outdoors, especially under Dhaka’s midday sun, brightness wasn’t enough, I often tilted the phone to read maps or messages. Long scrolling sessions were comfortable, but the lack of high refresh rate made animations feel dated.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s AMOLED display was on a completely different level. High brightness made outdoor use effortless, even on rickshaws or open rooftops. The high refresh rate kept scrolling fluid, and colors popped without looking artificial. Watching YouTube, gaming, or editing photos simply felt more immersive. Compared to older OLED phones, Samsung’s panel felt brighter, smoother, and easier on the eyes for long daily use in Bangladesh.

If you want an affordable iOS phone for calls, messaging, and casual use, the iPhone 8 Plus still works. For performance, longevity, gaming, camera, and network confidence, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the clear winner.

The iPhone 8 Plus survives as a budget iOS option, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra dominates every modern expectation. For most Bangladeshi buyers, Samsung offers far better long-term value.

Is the iPhone 8 Plus still usable in 2026 Bangladesh?

Yes, for basic tasks, but battery life, updates, and performance limitations are very noticeable compared to modern Android flagships.

Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra overheat during gaming?

In my testing, heat stayed controlled even during long sessions, outperforming older flagships and remaining comfortable in warm Bangladeshi rooms.

Which phone has better camera reliability?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers more consistent results across lighting, zoom, and video, while the iPhone 8 Plus struggles badly in low light.

Is 5G important right now in Bangladesh?

Not essential yet, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 5G network support makes it far more future-proof than the LTE-only iPhone 8 Plus.

Which phone offers better resale value locally?