The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the latest addition to Samsung’s flagship S-series lineup. Building on the success of its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, this device brings subtle yet impactful upgrades in design, performance, and software. With a focus on AI-driven features, a refined titanium frame, and a new ultrawide camera, the S25 Ultra aims to set a new standard for premium smartphones. In Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review, we’ll dive into its design, display, performance, cameras, and software to see if it lives up to the hype.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
Design & Build Quality
First of all, we will discuss about design and build quality in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review. The Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to design, but it refines it. The phone features a titanium frame that’s now flat instead of angular, giving it a sleeker look. The corners are slightly rounded, making it more comfortable to hold. At just 0.4mm thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the S25 Ultra feels more compact despite its larger display.
The front and back panels are protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2, offering improved durability. While it retains the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, it falls short of the IP69 rating found in some Chinese flagship devices. The built-in S Pen stylus remains a standout feature, though it has lost some wireless functionalities like air gestures and remote camera shutter.
Display Quality
Now, we will discuss about display quality in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review. The S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it one of the largest and smoothest screens on a smartphone. Samsung has slimmed down the bezels significantly, achieving an impressive screen-to-body ratio.
The display supports HDR10+ and delivers excellent brightness levels, peaking at 1,400 nits in auto mode. The new anti-reflective coating improves sunlight legibility, and the LTPO technology allows the refresh rate to drop as low as 1Hz to save battery.
Performance & Software
Now, we will discuss about performance & software in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, the S25 Ultra delivers top-tier performance. Benchmarks show it outperforming its predecessor, especially in CPU-intensive tasks. However, thermal throttling remains an issue during prolonged stress tests.
On the software front, the S25 Ultra runs Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7. The new interface introduces a redesigned notification panel, customizable home screen icons, and a host of AI features. One standout addition is cross-app action, which allows seamless interactions between multiple apps. Other AI tools include AI Select for screen analysis, Circle to Search with audio recognition, and advanced photo editing capabilities in the Gallery app.
Battery Life & Charging
Now, we will discuss about battery life & charging in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review. The S25 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery, unchanged from previous models. However, it delivers better battery life, lasting 14 hours and 49 minutes in active use tests. Charging remains at 45W, with no charger included in the box. A full charge takes 59 minutes, and the phone supports wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Camera Performance
Now, we will discuss about camera performance in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review. The camera setup on the S25 Ultra sees a significant upgrade with a new 50MP ultrawide sensor (replacing the 12MP one). The main camera remains a 200MP sensor, accompanied by a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 50MP 5x telephoto lens.
- Main Camera: Delivers excellent detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy in daylight. Low-light performance is solid, though noise is noticeable without night mode.
- Telephoto Cameras: The 3x and 5x lenses capture detailed shots with good dynamic range, even in low light.
- Ultrawide Camera: Offers wider dynamic range and cleaner nighttime shots but appears slightly softer compared to the S24 Ultra.
- Selfie Camera: A 12MP front-facing camera produces excellent selfies with accurate skin tones and wide dynamic range.
For video, the S25 Ultra supports 8K recording on all rear cameras and introduces an AI audio eraser tool for sound adjustments. Video stabilization is excellent across all modes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sleek titanium design with improved durability
- Large, vibrant 6.9-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset
- Advanced AI features in One UI 7
- Excellent camera performance, especially in daylight
- Long battery life and fast charging
Cons
- No IP69 rating for water resistance
- S Pen loses some wireless functionalities
- Thermal throttling under heavy load
- No charger included in the box
FAQs
Q1: Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra support expandable storage?
No, it does not support microSD cards. It comes with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage.
Q2: Is the S Pen still included?
Yes, but it has lost some wireless functionalities like air gestures and remote camera shutter.
Q3: How long will the S25 Ultra receive software updates?
Samsung promises 7 years of Android updates and security patches.
Q4: Does the S25 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, it does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Q5: Is the S25 Ultra water-resistant?
Yes, it has an IP68 rating, making it dust and water-resistant.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a refined flagship that builds on the strengths of its predecessor. While it doesn’t bring groundbreaking hardware changes, it excels in areas like display quality, AI-driven software, and camera performance. The new ultrawide camera and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset add to its appeal, making it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market.
If you’re looking for a high-quality flagship with top-tier features, the S25 Ultra is worth considering. However, if you already own the S24 Ultra, the upgrades might not justify the switch. For alternatives, check out the iPhone 16 Pro Max or last year’s Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more reviews!
