Using a six-year-old flagship and a brand-new Ultra phone back to back changes your perspective fast. I used the iPhone XS Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra daily for over a month in Bangladesh, switching SIMs, gaming at night, shooting photos outdoors, and dealing with real heat and network congestion. The experience gap is obvious. The XS Max still feels smooth and familiar, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels built for today’s demands. Price behavior in Bangladesh tells the same story one survives through resale, the other dominates the premium shelf. This comparison breaks down how they differ in pricing reality, gaming stress, network strength, camera trust, and display comfort, and spec details, so buyers know exactly what they’re choosing.

Instead of relying on online listings alone, I walked through Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park, and several neighborhood shops, then cross-checked prices online. The iPhone XS Max no longer has an official presence, so its price depends heavily on condition, battery replacements, and seller honesty. Negotiation is unavoidable. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sits at the opposite end

Unofficial / Grey Market Buying Risk in BD

With the XS Max, I repeatedly encountered swapped displays and batteries with uncertain health. Grey S25 Ultra units exist too, but risks are far lower than buying an aging iPhone without official backing.

Gaming revealed the gap quickly. I played PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Free Fire for long sessions in warm rooms. The iPhone XS Max handles shooters well, but heat builds fast and Genshin needs compromises. The Galaxy S25 Ultra stayed cooler and more stable at higher settings, matching what benchmark data later confirmed.

Battery Health Reality for Both Devices

Battery aging impacts the iPhone XS Max heavily during gaming. The Galaxy S25 Ultra maintained performance longer, with slower drain and less throttling across sessions.

The display difference didn’t hit me while watching videos. It showed up during small moments, checking maps under the sun, reading long chats, and scrolling late at night. Living with both screens made their age gap obvious.

The iPhone XS Max still looks sharp indoors, and for casual scrolling or watching videos at night, it remains comfortable. However, once I stepped outside, especially under Dhaka’s harsh midday sun, I found myself tilting the phone and increasing brightness more often than I wanted.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra felt much easier to live with. Outdoor visibility stayed strong without adjustments, scrolling felt calmer, and reading long articles caused less eye fatigue. Over time, the XS Max display felt carefully preserved, while the S25 Ultra display felt confidently modern and built for current usage habits.

I used Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Airtel SIMs in Dhaka, Gazipur, and highway areas. The iPhone XS Max handled 4G LTE reliably but struggled in congested zones, with slower recovery when signals dropped. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivered stronger signal hold, faster data reconnection, and far better indoor performance. There’s no 5G advantage for XS Max at all, while the S25 Ultra is clearly future-ready. Call quality was clearer on Samsung, and Wi-Fi stability was more consistent, especially on crowded networks. Compared to midrange 5G phones, the S25 Ultra still feels more dependable overall.

I stopped checking specs after the first few days and judged both cameras purely on outcomes. Walking streets, quick family shots, night photos, and casual videos made the differences very clear.

• Daylight shots: iPhone XS Max still looks pleasant, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra pulls more texture and depth into every frame.

• Night scenes: Samsung S25 Ultra recovers details better, while the iPhone misses consistency.

• Video recording: Motion and exposure feel steadier on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

• Daily habit: I trusted Samsung more when I didn’t have time for retakes.

• Daily speed & fluidity: Galaxy S25 Ultra feels instant everywhere, XS Max is smooth but shows age in heavier apps.

• Heat management: Samsung S25 Ultra stays cooler in long tasks, iPhone XS Max warms faster now.

• Longevity: Software updates and resale clearly favor Samsung s25 Ultra in 2026.

• Comfort: The iPhone XS Max still feels premium in hand, but heavier tasks feel stressful on it.

• Verdict: For serious daily use today, I trust the Galaxy S25 Ultra more without hesitation.

If you want speed, display clarity, gaming stability, and future network support in Bangladesh, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the sensible choice. The XS Max only fits light users on tight budgets.

The iPhone XS Max remains elegant but outdated. For most Bangladeshi buyers in 2026, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the smarter, safer, long-term investment.

Does the XS Max still feel smooth today?

Yes for basics, but heavy apps and games reveal clear performance aging.

Which phone handles gaming heat better?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra stays cooler during long gaming sessions.

Camera reliability for everyday photos?

Samsung delivers more consistent results, especially at night.