The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has landed, and tech enthusiasts everywhere are asking the same question: is this the ultimate smartphone upgrade? As Samsung’s newest flagship, it’s packed with cutting-edge technology and a suite of artificial intelligence enhancements, but does it offer enough to justify its premium price tag? Let’s delve into the details to help you decide if the Galaxy S25 Ultra deserves a spot in your pocket.
Refined Design and Stunning Display
At first glance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra might seem like a familiar face, especially if you’re coming from a recent Samsung flagship. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice a more refined aesthetic with subtly rounded corners and even slimmer bezels, maximizing the immersive 6.9-inch display. This slight reduction in bezel size contributes to a marginally larger screen within a footprint that feels a touch narrower in hand, thanks to the flatter sides. Durability also gets a bump with Gorilla Glass Armor 2, designed to significantly minimize reflections and enhance outdoor visibility, while also offering improved resistance to scratches and cracks. The anti-reflective coating that many appreciated in the previous generation makes a welcome return, further improving screen legibility in various lighting conditions.
While the panel technology itself is described as essentially the same as last year, utilizing what Samsung calls HOP 3.0 display technology (their version of LTPO), it still offers a vibrant and crisp QHD OLED experience with a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. This adaptive refresh rate can scale down to conserve power when the screen is idle or displaying static content. While some competitors boast higher peak brightness levels, the S25 Ultra’s display remains bright and easy to view, even under direct sunlight.
Power and Efficiency Under the Hood
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, a specially tuned version of Qualcomm’s flagship chip. This isn't just a minor speed increase; it brings significant improvements in on-device AI processing, leading to faster, more efficient, and more private AI functionalities. The performance for demanding tasks like gaming and everyday multitasking is exceptionally smooth. To ensure sustained performance during intensive use, Samsung has incorporated a larger vapor chamber, reportedly 40% bigger than its predecessor, which effectively dissipates heat. While the phone might still get slightly warm under heavy load, the improved cooling helps to mitigate potential performance throttling. The base RAM configuration is now reportedly 12GB across the entire S25 lineup, contributing to the smooth and responsive user experience.
In terms of battery life, the S25 Ultra houses the same 5,000 mAh battery as the previous generation. However, thanks to the efficiency of the new processor, users can expect noticeable improvements in battery endurance, potentially gaining an extra hour of usage. Standby time is also reportedly excellent, with minimal battery drain when the phone is not actively in use.
An Evolved Camera System
Photography enthusiasts will find several noteworthy updates in the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera system. While the primary 200MP wide-angle lens and telephoto lenses (10MP 3x zoom and 50MP 5x zoom) appear to be largely the same as the S24 Ultra, the ultrawide camera receives a significant upgrade to a 50MP sensor. This higher resolution translates to sharper images with improved detail and enhanced macro capabilities. The wider aperture on the new ultrawide lens also contributes to better low-light performance.
On the software front, there are enhancements in image processing aimed at providing more creative control. Samsung has also made strides in reducing shutter lag, a long-standing concern for some users, leading to fewer missed moments. However, capturing fast-moving subjects clearly might still present a challenge for some. The aggressive post-processing that Samsung is known for is still present, although there are now options to adjust the level of processing for a more natural look.
For videographers, the S25 Ultra introduces a new Galaxy Log video mode, offering greater flexibility for colour grading in post-production and potentially capturing more dynamic range. The AI audio eraser is a particularly interesting addition, effectively reducing or eliminating background noise in video recordings, which can be incredibly useful in noisy environments.
The Power of AI Integration
A major focus of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is its deep integration of artificial intelligence features. These AI capabilities span across various aspects of the user experience:
- Cross-app Actions: This allows AI to carry out requests that involve interactions between multiple apps, aiming to make your AI assistant more seamlessly integrated.
- Improved Search: Natural language processing now extends to the phone's settings and gallery, allowing you to find what you're looking for using everyday language.
- Generative Editing Tools: The gallery app includes AI-powered tools for adding, removing, and even sketching objects in photos, with impressive fill capabilities for seamless edits. The object eraser is reported to be particularly effective.
- AI Select: Replacing Smart Select, this feature offers more detailed analysis of on-screen content, enabling actions like creating GIFs from videos or extracting and summarizing text.
- Now Bar and Now Brief: The Now Bar on the lock screen provides at-a-glance information about ongoing activities like media playback and navigation, while the Now Brief offers daily summaries of your schedule, news, and more. However, the usefulness of the Now Brief has been questioned.
- Real-time Audio Eraser: As mentioned earlier, this feature helps to isolate voices in video recordings by reducing or eliminating background noise.
- AI Wallpaper Generation: The phone can generate unique wallpapers based on your prompts, with the system intelligently adapting the colour palette of the user interface to match.
- Gemini Integration: Holding the power button now summons an assistant that's a hybrid of Google Gemini and Samsung's Bixby, allowing for more complex and contextual commands, including reaching into apps to perform specific actions.
However, a significant consideration surrounding these AI features is the uncertainty about their future cost. Samsung has indicated that some AI features may require a subscription after 2025, but the specific features and pricing details remain unclear, which may influence purchasing decisions.
The S Pen: A Step Backwards?
The integrated S Pen remains a signature feature of the Galaxy S Ultra line. However, the S25 Ultra marks a notable change: the S Pen no longer supports Bluetooth connectivity. This means the removal of Air Actions and remote camera shutter control, functionalities that some users found convenient. Samsung's justification is reportedly based on data suggesting low usage of these Bluetooth features. Furthermore, older S Pens with Bluetooth capabilities are not compatible with the new model. This downgrade has been a point of disappointment for some, especially considering the premium price of the device.
Connectivity and Charging
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is reported to be "Qi2 ready" for wireless charging but lacks the magnets for full compatibility with Qi2 accessories without a compatible case. While it supports wireless charging, the lack of integrated magnets means accessories won't magnetically snap into place like on some other devices.
Wired charging remains at 45W Super Fast Charging, which allows for a decent charging speed but lags behind some competitors offering significantly faster charging capabilities. A full charge still takes approximately an hour. The phone also supports reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other Qi-compatible devices using the phone's battery. There are reports of potential improvements in cellular connectivity, with some users experiencing better signal strength compared to other devices in the same location.
Software and Long-Term Support
The Galaxy S25 Ultra ships with One UI 7 on top of the latest Android operating system, offering a refreshed user interface with new customization options and features. Notable changes include a separated notifications and quick toggles panel, accessed by swiping from different corners of the screen, and a new look for icons. Samsung continues its commitment to long-term software support, promising an impressive seven years of major Android updates and security patches, ensuring your investment remains up-to-date and secure for an extended period.
Is the Upgrade Worth It? Key Considerations
Deciding whether to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra involves weighing several factors:
- Price: At a premium price point, the S25 Ultra demands a significant investment. Consider if the new features justify the cost, especially if you already own a recent flagship like the S24 Ultra.
- AI Subscription: The potential for future subscription fees for some AI features adds uncertainty to the long-term value proposition.
- S Pen Downgrade: The removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen might be a significant drawback for users who actively utilized those features.
- Incremental Design: While refined, the design is not a radical departure from previous models. If a major design overhaul is what you're looking for, you might be disappointed.
- Value Compared to Alternatives: Depending on your priorities, devices from other manufacturers might offer better value or specific features that are more important to you, such as faster charging, brighter displays, or different camera innovations.
You should consider upgrading to the Galaxy S25 Ultra if:
- You have an older device (e.g., S22 Ultra or earlier) and are looking for a significant leap in performance, display technology, and camera capabilities.
- You want to experience the latest advancements Samsung has to offer, particularly its new AI features and the enhanced ultrawide camera.
You might want to hold off on upgrading if:
- You currently own a Galaxy S24 Ultra, as the changes are largely incremental, and many of the new software features are likely to be rolled out to the older model.
- The potential for AI subscription fees is a concern.
- You heavily relied on the Bluetooth features of the S Pen.
Final Thoughts: A Powerful but Cautious Step Forward
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly a top-tier smartphone with impressive performance, a stunning display, and a versatile camera system. The integration of AI features is a significant step forward, offering genuinely useful tools that enhance various aspects of the user experience. However, the high price, the uncertainty surrounding potential AI subscription costs, and the surprising downgrade of the S Pen give pause for consideration.
While the S25 Ultra refines the winning formula of its predecessor, it doesn't represent a radical reinvention. For users with older devices, it's a compelling upgrade. However, those with recent Samsung flagships might find the changes to be incremental, making it a less essential upgrade at this point. Carefully consider your needs, priorities, and budget before making the leap to Samsung’s latest Ultra flagship.