Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung has officially launched its most premium phone of the year – the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Following the success of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung faced the challenge of improving an already powerhouse flagship. For 2025, the S25 Ultra introduces a sleeker design, a new ultra-wide camera, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip for faster performance.

But are these refinements enough to make it the go-to flagship of the year? Let’s dive into this Galaxy S25 Ultra review and find out.

Design & Build – Sleeker and Stronger

At first glance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t look radically different, but Samsung has made subtle refinements. The sharp, boxy design of the S24 Ultra is gone, replaced by slightly rounded corners for a smoother in-hand feel. The device is also 0.4mm thinner and a bit lighter, adding to its comfort without sacrificing durability.

The frame now uses flat titanium, offering strength while keeping weight manageable. Both front and back are protected by Gorilla Armor Glass 2, which Samsung claims is tougher and more resistant to scratches.

As expected, the phone carries an IP68 rating, though it still lags behind certain Chinese rivals that now boast IP69 protection.

The S Pen remains built into the phone, still useful for productivity, sketching, and quick notes. However, Samsung has stripped away some wireless functions like Air Gestures and remote shutter control—something longtime Note/S Ultra fans may miss.

Display – Bigger, Brighter, Less Reflective

The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Despite the larger screen size, Samsung has managed to make the device narrower thanks to ultra-thin bezels, some of the slimmest on any smartphone.

Display Highlights:

• Resolution: QHD+ OLED

• Adaptive refresh rate: 120Hz down to 1Hz (LTPO)

• Brightness: 780 nits (manual) / 1400+ nits (auto boost)

• HDR10+ support

• New anti-reflective coating for superior outdoor visibility

The reduced screen glare makes the S25 Ultra much easier to use under direct sunlight, and with LTPO power management, the screen balances fluidity with efficiency.

Audio & Security

The stereo speakers continue to impress with clear vocals, strong bass, and excellent loudness—similar to the S24 Ultra’s already class-leading performance.

For biometrics, Samsung sticks with the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner. It’s quick, consistent, and works well even in challenging conditions.

Storage & Software

The S25 Ultra ships in two variants:

• 256GB

• 512GB

There’s no microSD slot, so you’ll need to decide storage upfront.

Software-wise, the phone debuts with One UI 7 on top of Android 15. Samsung has polished the interface with:

• A redesigned quick panel and notification system

• Fresh icon styles with an option to hide app labels

• Built-in AI features across apps and services

AI Features in One UI 7

Samsung is pushing AI as a core experience in 2025. Some standout additions include:

• Cross-App Actions – carry out tasks across multiple apps seamlessly.

• AI Select – replaces Smart Select, now lets you create GIFs or wallpapers from any media.

• Upgraded Circle to Search – now works with audio to identify songs.

• Now Brief – summarizes schedules, podcasts, and news.

• Now Bar – live info (maps, sports, music) directly on the lock screen.

• AI Gallery Tools – remove or add objects, tweak backgrounds, or even sketch edits.

Samsung also promises 7 years of Android OS upgrades and security patches, setting a new benchmark for Android support.

Performance – Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

The S25 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, an exclusive tuned version for Samsung.

Performance Highlights:

• Top-tier CPU scores, leading benchmark charts

• Strong GPU output, great for gaming and heavy tasks

• Everyday usage is buttery smooth

Samsung also introduced an updated passive cooling system, but under extreme loads, the device still throttles—though this is common among performance-heavy flagships.

Battery & Charging

The battery capacity remains at 5,000mAh, unchanged for years, but efficiency tweaks improve endurance.

Battery Results:

• Active use score: 14h 49m

• 45W wired charging: 0–72% in 30 mins, full in under an hour

• Wireless charging & reverse charging supported

Charging is solid but doesn’t match Chinese rivals with 100W+ charging speeds.

Camera System – Small but Smart Upgrades

The Galaxy S25 Ultra continues its reputation as a camera powerhouse.

Camera Setup:

• 200MP main camera

• 50MP 5x telephoto

• 10MP 3x telephoto

• New 50MP ultra-wide (f/1.9)

Daylight

• Main camera delivers sharp detail, natural colors, and wide dynamic range.

• Skin tones are accurate, though facial sharpness could be improved.

• The new 50MP ultra-wide performs well but sometimes lacks crispness compared to last year’s 12MP.

Night

• Night shots retain detail and natural tones, but noise can creep in.

• Dedicated Night Mode cleans things up, though results can look a bit processed.

• The 5x telephoto lens does better in low light than the 3x zoom.

Selfies

• 12MP front camera with autofocus delivers sharp, balanced selfies with excellent colors.

Video

• 8K video recording on rear lenses

• 4K 120fps slow-motion (main + ultra-wide)

• 10-bit HDR recording for improved color depth

• AI Audio Eraser removes unwanted background noise

• Excellent stabilization across all modes

Video quality remains a Samsung strong point, particularly in low light where exposure and colors remain impressive.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra – Key Differences

Upgrades in S25 Ultra:

• Refined design with rounded corners & slimmer profile

• Gorilla Armor 2 protection

• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip

• New 50MP ultra-wide camera

• Anti-reflective display coating

• More AI features in One UI 7

What Stayed the Same:

• 5,000mAh battery

• 45W charging

• S Pen integration (but with fewer wireless functions)

Final Verdict – Should You Buy It?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is not a radical redesign, but a refinement of an already excellent flagship. It delivers:

• A brighter, less reflective display

• A new ultra-wide camera

• A Snapdragon 8 Elite chip

• AI-powered software upgrades

• Long-term 7-year software support

While charging speeds, missing S Pen features, and modest hardware updates may disappoint some, the S25 Ultra remains one of the most complete Android flagships in 2025.

If you want Samsung’s very best this year, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the ultimate choice.