I went into this comparison with zero intention of being impressed by an old phone, but daily use changes perspective. I carried the iPhone XR and the Galaxy S25 Ultra for more than a month in Bangladesh, switching SIMs, gaming at night, shooting photos in traffic, and using them under heat and network pressure. The iPhone XR still feels calm and dependable for basics, but it’s clearly living on borrowed time. The Galaxy S25 Ultra feels built for today and tomorrow, faster, brighter, more confident in every task. Pricing in Bangladesh makes this comparison interesting, not equal. Below, I break down real pricing reality, gaming stress, network reliability, camera consistency, display comfort, and who each phone truly makes sense for, based only on my own use.

Before writing this, I walked through Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park, and several Mirpur and Mohammadpur shops. I also checked reliable Bangladeshi online stores. The iPhone XR is no longer officially sold, so every unit you see is unofficial, refurbished, or used. That’s why prices vary wildly.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is officially available, which immediately changes buyer confidence. Unofficial units are cheaper, but official ones hold value and feel safer long term. In Bangladesh, this official availability matters more than spec sheets, especially if resale or after-sales support matters to you.

Unofficial / Grey Market Buying Risk

With the iPhone XR, condition risk is high unless you check carefully. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, grey units save money but warranty clarity becomes the trade-off.

I tested both phones with long gaming sessions in a warm room, no cooling typical Bangladesh use. The iPhone XR still handles PUBG Mobile and CODM smoothly at balanced settings, but after 25–30 minutes, heat builds up and frame drops start, especially in Genshin Impact. It’s playable, just clearly limited by age.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra felt relaxed in comparison. Games stayed smooth for much longer, visuals remained stable, and heat was better controlled. Even extended sessions didn’t cause noticeable throttling. Reference data supports this, but my hands-on experience made the difference obvious the Samsung simply doesn’t feel stressed.

Battery Health Reality

Most XR units showed battery wear, cutting gaming time short. The S25 Ultra maintained performance and endurance far more reliably.

The iPhone XR’s LCD display offers decent sharpness and accurate colors indoors, but outdoor brightness is limited and contrast feels flat by today’s standards. It’s comfortable, just outdated.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s AMOLED panel is brighter, sharper, and smoother thanks to higher resolution and refresh rate. Outdoor visibility is excellent, blacks are deeper, and scrolling feels fluid. Technically, Samsung’s display is far more advanced for daily use.

I rotated SIMs like a regular user, office hours, evening traffic, and late-night scrolling, across Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel. The difference showed up quietly, not dramatically.

• iPhone XR: On 4G LTE, it stays usable and clear for calls, but data speed feels inconsistent during peak hours. Indoors, I often waited a few seconds longer for pages to load. No 5G means it already feels behind the curve.

• Galaxy S25 Ultra: Signal holds stronger in crowded areas, data recovers faster after drops, and browsing feels steadier overall. Even where networks struggle, it feels less affected.

• Wi-Fi experience: XR works fine on clean networks but struggles more on busy routers. The S25 Ultra stays stable, even on overloaded connections.

• Future readiness: XR is limited to today’s networks. S25 Ultra feels ready for what Bangladesh networks are moving toward.

The iPhone XR uses a single 12MP wide camera with a modest aperture. In daylight, it still produces clean photos with natural colors and good dynamic range. Autofocus is reliable, but the lack of extra lenses limits flexibility. Low-light performance drops quickly, noise increases, details soften, and night shots struggle. Video remains stable, but overall consistency feels dated.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra uses multiple high-resolution sensors with advanced optics and larger apertures. In real use, photos are sharper, low-light results are cleaner, and video stabilization is more effective. Technically and practically, Samsung delivers more consistent output across lighting and video.

• Everyday feel: The iPhone XR feels familiar and steady, good for routine tasks without surprises. The Galaxy S25 Ultra feels fast and confident, especially when multitasking or switching heavy apps.

• Age vs readiness: Using the iPhone XR, I’m always aware it’s an older phone doing its best. With the Samsung S25 Ultra, nothing feels close to its limit, even after long days.

• Handling comfort: The Apple iPhone XR is lighter and easier to manage one-handed. The S25 Ultra is heavier, but the larger screen makes reading, gaming, and watching content more enjoyable.

• Camera trust: I use the iPhone XR when lighting is simple. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the phone I reach for when conditions are unpredictable.

• Buying logic: The XR only makes sense if budget is tight and condition is verified. The Galaxy S25 Ultra suits users thinking long-term.

Buy the iPhone XR only if your budget is tight and you can verify its condition. Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want performance, longevity, strong cameras, and network confidence.

The iPhone XR survives on reliability and low entry cost. The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers power, consistency, and future readiness. For most Bangladeshi users today, Samsung is the smarter long-term choice.

Which phone handles long gaming sessions better?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra stays smoother and cooler during extended gaming.

Is the iPhone XR still usable in 2026 Bangladesh?

Yes for basic use, but aging battery and hardware limits are increasingly noticeable.

Does the iPhone XR support 5G locally?

No. The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 5G and is more future-proof.

Which camera is more dependable overall?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers more consistent photos and videos across conditions.

Which phone suits long-term buyers in Bangladesh?