Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: So near perfection

The day everybody has been ready for has arrived, because the Galaxy S25 Ultra is right here. Unlike it is foldable counterparts, this is not simply one other try at re-wrapping the current simply to reward it once more for an additional yr.

No, we’ve got slimmer bezels, a redesigned chassis, an improved digital camera, and the entire AI you might need! Oh, what’s that? The printer ink is working out once more? That’s okay, the Navy S25 Plus stole all of it, no worries.

But significantly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra seems to be to revolutionize the best way we use our smartphones, in additional methods than one. Can it handle to stay as much as these claims? Or is there one thing lurking within the shadows that retains this cellphone from being the very best? Let’s discover out in our Galaxy S25 Ultra overview!

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Pricing and availability

Samsung shocked many when it revealed that it could not be rising the value of its flagship smartphone. It’s accessible with three totally different storage configurations, with the 256GB mannequin beginning at $1,299. Plus, you will not should fork up extra dough for extra RAM, as we’ve got 12GB of reminiscence throughout the board.

If you go for selecting considered one of these up out of your native service or massive field retailer, you may have 4 colours to select from: Titanium Black, Gray, Silverblue, or Whitesilver. However, there are three extra colours which are solely accessible via Samsung’s on-line storefront: Titanium Jadegreen, Jetblack, and Pinkgold.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Specs

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Design and show

Now that I’ve had a couple of weeks with the Galaxy S25 Ultra below my belt, my preliminary impressions nonetheless stand. I admire Samsung altering the design to carry it in keeping with the opposite telephones in its flagship lineup. Now if you look throughout all of Samsung’s newest telephones, its flat edges so far as the attention can see, and that stage of uniformity is welcome.

There is one kink within the armor, so to talk, that I’ve come to comprehend, nonetheless. And it is the identical drawback that Apple faces, as there’s simply nothing actually particular about Samsung telephones anymore. I’m positive in some unspecified time in the future I wrote that the curved edges have to be banished to the shadow realm, however I do not assume that was the suitable take.

Don’t get me mistaken, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels nice to carry and use, but it surely’s simply too darn slippery. I really assume I’d’ve most well-liked for Samsung to take the Apple method from the iPhone 14 Pro Max with the polished body. At least this might give me some kind of grip with out feeling the necessity to bury the cellphone in a case for the remainder of its life.

It’s the identical drawback that I’ve had with each the iPhone 15 Pro Max and now 16 Pro Max. The matte end on the body simply would not lend itself effectively to getting used case-less. Even if you happen to go for Samsung Care+, which claims “limitless repairs,” that is simply one other potential headache ready to occur.

Unfortunately, the magnetic alignment protocol of Qi2 charging is not constructed into the cellphone itself. This implies that I can not simply say “I’m good,” and use a MagSafe PopSocket to maintain my cellphone in my hand. So as a substitute, you are left counting on both Samsung’s personal magnetic case, or one of many third-party case choices on the market.

A recurring theme that I’ve felt all through my time with the Galaxy S25 Ultra is that I desire a cellphone that is worthy of the “Ultra” title. There are just some too many papercuts that maintain that from turning into a actuality, and it is already began to put on down my pleasure.

The redesigned chassis, allowed Samsung to make the show 0.1-inches bigger than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. So we’ve got a 6.9-inch slab of AMOLED glass staring us within the face all day and evening.

It’s an opportunity for Samsung to flex its muscle groups and present that it makes the very best shows on the earth, and for somebody like me, I’d should agree. The display seems to be completely gorgeous, and surprisingly, I did not instantly swap the colour profile to the “pure” tone, as I’ve somewhat loved the pop and punch provided by the S25 Ultra’s show.

However, there’s an asterisk connected to this and nearly any machine that makes use of a Samsung OLED panel; if you happen to endure from Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), keep away. While the likes of Honor and OnePlus are implementing options to assist fight PWM, Samsung has executed nothing of the kind.

I do not at present have the particular show measurements, however I do know that it will not take lengthy to have an effect on those that endure from PWM. During our virtually two-hour-long hands-on session, my colleague Nick Sutrich remarked that he would not have been in a position to have a look at the screens for for much longer, as that comparatively quick period of time managed to take a toll.

Perhaps I would not really feel as strongly as I do if I did not occur to work with somebody who has to fret about PWM on telephones. But I’m really grateful for Nick, as a result of, with out him, I would not have any concept that PWM is a “factor,” not to mention being taught about the way it impacts folks.

It could be one factor if Samsung would peel again the veil a bit, offering an precise purpose as to why it is not working to treatment these points. That’s not the case, and as a substitute, the most well-liked Android cellphone maker on the earth continues to chop out a portion of its potential shopper base for causes we won’t clarify.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Performance

When life offers you lemons, you let Samsung accomplice up and slap a “for Galaxy” on the model sticker. Well, that is what the state of affairs was like, as there have been variations of Qualcomm’s newest chips particularly made accessible for Samsung flagships over the previous few years.

However, that is not precisely the case with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, as Samsung defined that it labored with Qualcomm to develop a customized model of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. As you in all probability might have guessed, a lot of the reasoning will be attributed to bettering the on-device AI capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy goals to take away the reliance on the cloud for AI processing whereas providing some form of peace of thoughts that your AI creations aren’t straight getting used to coach Bixby or Gemini.

So what does the “strongest” Android cellphone thus far really feel like in day-to-day utilization? Just like each different flagship Galaxy cellphone. That’s not a tongue-in-cheek remark, neither is it meant to be taken as a unfavourable.

For 99% of people that resolve to improve to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it’ll really feel precisely the identical because the Galaxy S24 Ultra. And if you happen to’re upgrading from an older Galaxy Ultra, or a flagship from one other model, the S25 Ultra will really feel such as you simply completed doing a clear set up of Windows on a brand-new SSD.

Outside of emulation, I’ve but to expertise any hiccups, slowdowns, or something of the kind with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, once I carried out our gauntlet of benchmarks, I did discover a couple of oddities.

Of the 5 telephones which are included within the chart above, all of that are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Galaxy S25 Ultra solely got here in first in one check. Just one. In each different benchmarking check, Samsung’s newest and biggest is definitely outperformed by one, or most, of the competitors.

It’s unlikely that you’d discover a lot of a distinction between the S25 Ultra and the CrimsonMagic 10 Pro, however I can not assist however marvel why the outcomes performed out this fashion. Perhaps there’s some kind of synthetic bottleneck that Samsung and/or Qualcomm have carried out. Unfortunately, I haven’t got a solution, however I can be to see whether or not these numbers start to shift as soon as software program updates are rolling out regularly.

We’re on the precipice of one thing nice

Whenever I get my arms on a brand new machine, one of many first issues I do is load it up with the entire greatest emulators. Doing so offers me a reasonably good thought of what efficiency might be like, particularly since I really like making an attempt to see what units are able to working my favourite Switch video games.

With the entire efficiency positive factors which were described to us in regards to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and the 8 Elite for Galaxy, I could not wait to see what the S25 Ultra might do. However, that is the place I hit a brick wall, one which I can not work my method round.

Between the Snapdragon 8 Elite being such a brand new chip, and Nintendo’s endless warpath in opposition to Switch emulators, growth has just about slowed to a crawl. Following the demise of each Yuzu and Ryujinx in 2024, there have been a couple of forks which are nonetheless kicking round, however none of them have been optimized for Qualcomm’s newest chip.

Adding one other layer of frustration is the shortage of driver assist, as some emulators permit you to set up and use customized GPU drivers. The purpose that that is necessary, from what I’ve been advised, is that Qualcomm’s native Adreno drivers simply aren’t superb. And with the 8 Elite being so new, driver growth merely hasn’t picked up a lot steam for the most recent units.

So whereas upgrading from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and its Adreno 740 GPU to the 8 Gen 3 with the Adreno 750 wasn’t an enormous leap, that is not the case with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Qualcomm’s 2025 flagship chip introduces the Adreno 830 GPU, which makes use of a “newly sliced structure.”

This is how Qualcomm claims the 8 Elite is ready to present a 40% increase in efficiency and effectivity. Unfortunately, a brand new structure implies that third-party driver growth has to principally begin from scratch.

That was a long-winded method of claiming: good luck making an attempt to get wherever with higher-end emulation for the foreseeable future. But on the identical time, as soon as the entire puzzle items fall into place, the 8 Elite can be unstoppable.

Battery life and charging

One somewhat shocking space of enchancment has come within the type of battery life. No, Samsung is not utilizing an even bigger battery, and we’re nonetheless caught in 2019 with 45W wired charging speeds. But over the previous few weeks, I’ve come to comprehend that I haven’t got any anxiousness in regards to the Galaxy S25 Ultra working out of juice earlier than I’m able to go to mattress.

Mind you, I do not maintain probably the most common hours, waking up between 7 AM and 9 AM, and never going to mattress till after 2 AM. Not as soon as did I discover myself needing to pop the cellphone on the charger simply to provide me a couple of additional minutes of doom-scrolling social media.

This is what I’d count on from a flagship cellphone, particularly one which’s touted as being 40% extra energy environment friendly than its predecessor. However, that is the identical track and dance that we have been offered by many Android cellphone makers lately, so it is sort of become an “OEM who cried wolf” state of affairs.

The “greatest” battery day I’ve had resulted within the S25 Ultra lasting from round 6 AM till it gave up the ghost round 8 AM the subsequent morning. According to the Battery exercise web page, I had about six hours of display on time, which was comprised of some YouTube, Pokemon TCGP, Discord, social media scrolling, and some different random apps.

Even on the day that I end off this overview, the S25 Ultra manages to carry up like a champ. My day began round 9:30 AM when my spouse kicked me off the bed. After preparing for the day and checking in with my compadres, I wanted to go take some extra digital camera samples.

While making stops at a couple of totally different locations, the complete time I used to be taking photos, the S25 Ultra was unlocked with the Camera app open. Not as soon as did I even really feel the cellphone get heat, however that is in all probability because of the 30-degree climate and never a lot the cellphone needing to work extra time to maintain issues cool.

Here I sit, at a bit previous 11:30 PM, and the S25 Ultra is at 26%. I additionally know that even when I do not go to mattress till 2 or 3 AM, I will not must plug it in till then. Which is only a peace of thoughts that I fairly take pleasure in.

All of that being stated, I believe it is an absolute disappointment that no enhancements had been made to the charging speeds on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Sure, if you happen to use Samsung’s particular case, you “unlock” the power to make use of the Qi2.1 protocol, however there isn’t any precise profit to that in addition to including a magnet.

Which, by the best way, I can already do with loads of third-party instances. And, I’m not restricted to only a clear case design both. Worst case state of affairs, I snag a dbrand pores and skin and a MagSafe ring adapter, and name it a day.

If it weren’t for telephones just like the OnePlus 13 with its 100W wired charging and 50W wi-fi charging, then we in all probability would not be so irritated. On high of that, Samsung making the S25 Ultra Q2.1 compliant, whereas limiting charging speeds, and requiring using a first-party case, simply looks like a slap within the face.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Cameras

Is it simply me, or is it sort of ironic that when Apple makes sure adjustments, Samsung tends to observe swimsuit? For occasion, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is now 6.9 inches, up from the 6.7-inch 15 Pro Max. No? What in regards to the transfer from a 12MP ultrawide to a 48MP ultrawide? Sound acquainted?

Anyways, the one digital camera improve that Samsung launched with the Galaxy S25 Ultra over its predecessor is a brand new 50MP ultrawide lens. Last yr’s mannequin provided a 12MP sensor, which carried out effectively sufficient however undoubtedly fell flat in sure conditions.

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As is the case with the 200MP essential lens and the 50MP telephoto sensor, you are not really taking a 50MP ultrawide {photograph}. Instead, we find yourself proper again on the 12MP “candy spot” because of pixel binning. This permits for extra mild and element to be captured, which might are available in fairly helpful contemplating that the ultrawide digital camera doubles as your macro lens.

That being stated, I’ve by no means actually had an issue with the photographs that I’ve taken from the very best Samsung telephones over time. My issues have stemmed from the slight delay between tapping the “Capture” button and the image really being taken.

However, I assume Samsung may need solved the issue as soon as and for all. Maybe. There are two photos that I’ve included that make me really feel like this $1,300 cellphone is definitely a potato. No, like actually. I do not know what occurred, however neither image ought to’ve turned out this fashion.

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Other than these two anomalies, I’m virtually tempted to depart my trusty Canon 70D behind and simply begin utilizing the S25 Ultra for all of my images wants transferring ahead. There’s loads of versatility simply within the sheer variety of cameras, plus, issues like Expert RAW and Camera Assistant give me much more flexibility when snapping photographs.

This is not the tip of the road for our Galaxy S25 Ultra digital camera protection, as I’m additionally engaged on a somewhat in-depth digital camera comparability. You undoubtedly will not wish to miss it.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Software and Galaxy AI

If you have used a Samsung cellphone previously couple of years, you may really feel proper at dwelling with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Yes, there are a couple of dramatic adjustments, such because the addition of Now Brief, the extra “bubbly” UI, and the redesigned Notification Shade/Quick Toggles drawer. But for probably the most half, One UI nonetheless feels the identical as earlier than.

I can not assist however really feel as if the rationale why Samsung waited so lengthy to launch One UI 7 for the Galaxy S24 sequence was extra to do with the AI integration than the precise UI adjustments. Then once more, there is a purpose why I’m writing about it, and never engaged on software program for Samsung or one other cellphone maker.

UI adjustments apart, principally the whole lot about Samsung’s software program on the Galaxy S25 Ultra works the identical. There is one curious exception, as Samsung made the odd choice to principally conceal lock display notifications. If it weren’t for some others within the business, I do not know the way lengthy it could’ve taken me to seek out the repair, however I actually want Samsung would cease making adjustments to primary options for seemingly no purpose.

At the very least, it might’ve let everybody in on the key forward of time. Or possibly, add a display that exhibits up through the preliminary setup course of that lets you resolve the way you need notifications to seem.

Now that I do know what the issue was and have mounted it, my cellphone works simply as I’d have anticipated it to out of the field. But right here we’re once more, at one other a kind of “paper-cuts” that proceed so as to add up and trigger frustrations and irritations.

That being stated, for as a lot as I desire Google’s aesthetics, One UI is simply too good to cross up. There actually aren’t many compromises with regards to what you may make the Galaxy S25 Ultra do. Sure, you may’t have the cellphone do all of the AI duties domestically on-device, however that is solely a handful.

At least with One UI, the aforementioned drawback with lock display notifications will be remedied. It was only a matter of discovering the settings panel to make the wanted adjustments. This is not the case with each OEM on the market, as some options will merely be eliminated or modified with none method of “going again.”

Not to say that Samsung continues to steer the cost with regards to software program updates. Since it is being launched with One UI 7 based mostly on Android 15, the S25 Ultra can be formally supported for seven years, till 2032.

The good AI for another person

If you managed to sit down via and browse my long-winded hands-on impressions, I first wish to thanks. Now, I wish to apologize. I genuinely got here away pondering that the entire new Galaxy AI and Gemini-infused options would change my life in a single day. In observe, it is had little or no precise impression.

While it is true that the Now Brief widget lives on my dwelling display, I’ve made checking it a part of my each day routine. However, the “shimmer” is beginning to put on off, as are the opposite options that Samsung introduced.

The drawback is that I simply do not assume this was designed for folks like me in thoughts, no less than not but. Yes, my life is busy sufficient that it makes my head spin, however none of these issues will be solved by AI. Why? Because I make money working from home, and neither my one-year-old nor I ever really depart the home.

Shortly after the S25 Ultra arrived, I’ve slowly been coming to this realization, and consequently, have been making an attempt to fabricate ways in which Galaxy AI and Gemini can “assist.” Maybe I’m simply not pondering far sufficient exterior of the field, however I can solely go to date with making an attempt to make issues up.

Don’t get me mistaken. I’m not saying that it is fully ineffective. I’m simply saying that for somebody like me, and the place I’m at at present in life, there’s simply not a lot that AI can do to assist.

What actually drove this level dwelling was Now Brief, with it displaying the identical few issues each day: the climate, my sleep rating, upcoming calendar occasions, and information from subjects that I do not care about and may’t change. Rinse and repeat for days and weeks, and I’ve realized that I’m both a background character in The Truman Show or Groundhog Day.

The greatest caveat (for me)

For as nice as One UI 7 appears to be to date, there’s one factor that stopped me from transferring my essential SIM card to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s undoubtedly not the shortage of options, as a result of Samsung does a superb job at packing its flagship telephones to the brim. Instead, the expertise fell flat for me each time it got here to making an attempt to make use of a couple of app at a time.

This is totally subjective, however for me, each time I discovered myself wanting or needing to multitask, I used to be instantly reminded of my endearment for foldable telephones. Of course, as an iPhone proprietor, I’m conscious of the constraints of iOS and you can’t even use split-screen apps if you wish to.

But the thought of shrinking the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s show into two virtually 3.5-inch screens simply feels archaic. Oh and if you must really kind in both of these app home windows, you are higher off simply grabbing your pill or laptop computer. It’s undoubtedly attainable to do the whole lot I’ve described, however it’ll undoubtedly check your endurance.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: The Competition

Here’s a stunning revelation that you just weren’t anticipating — the iPhone 16 Pro Max is not the most important competitors to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s a competitor, for positive, however I’d argue that the OnePlus 13 really takes dwelling that crown. Why? Well, to borrow from our overview, “The OnePlus 13 is the very best Android cellphone ever made. It’s the one cellphone I’ve ever given an ideal overview rating as a result of there isn’t any space the place the cellphone falters or wants actual enchancment.“

Another large purpose why the OnePlus 13 is value consideration over the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the value. Even whereas “missing” a fourth telephoto lens, the OnePlus 13 is simply $899 in its base configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. And if you wish to get 512GB of storage, you additionally get 16GB of RAM, all for simply one other $100. I might actually maintain going, however simply go try Nick’s overview to see why.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max might be the cellphone that you’re going to see most in comparison with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and for good purpose. Both telephones sport 6.9-inch shows, highly effective digital camera techniques, and steep value tags. However, I’d go as far as to say that the S25 Ultra is the higher alternative if you’d like the very best AI expertise, as Apple has quite a lot of work to do.

What if you happen to’re on the lookout for the final word cellular gaming expertise? Then I’d level you within the course of both the CrimsonMagic 10 Pro or the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro. Both telephones have built-in lively cooling techniques, together with a couple of distinctive options that assist separate them from each different slab of glass on the market. Plus, they’re each cheaper than the S25 Ultra when matching up storage configurations.

And if the OnePlus 13 or iPhone 16 Pro Max would not scratch the images itch, there’s at all times the Vivo X200 Pro. In his overview, Harish Jonnalagadda, Senior Editor of Asia, says “… the X200 Pro has what’s arguably one of many strongest digital camera packages, and the mix of the 50MP essential lens and versatile zoom lens offers it a definite benefit.”

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Should you purchase it?

You should purchase this if…

• You need probably the greatest Android telephones of 2025.
• You’re already entrenched in Samsung’s ecosystem.
• You wish to see what Galaxy AI and Gemini can do for you.
• You need a particularly versatile digital camera system.

You should not purchase this if…

• You’re on a finances.
• You endure from PWM.

After realizing my pleasure in regards to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I totally anticipated to lastly transfer my private SIM card over. Yet right here I stand, some three weeks or so later, and that hasn’t occurred.

On paper, the S25 Ultra is the whole lot one might need. It has the most recent Galaxy AI options which are supercharged by Google Gemini. Now Brief is the proper thought if you do not have a lot time however wish to rapidly make amends for what’s taking place all through the day. And I believe my prayers in regards to the digital camera’s shutter lag have lastly been answered.

If I lived in a vacuum or did not care about foldable telephones, there’s an excellent probability that the S25 Ultra could be my each day driver. In a way, it’ll proceed to be, but it surely simply will not be the place my essential SIM card resides. Instead, will probably be my essential Android cellphone in the intervening time, no less than till the subsequent foldable cellphone will get introduced, at which level I’ll have one other choice on my arms.

To reply the query posed, I in all probability would not improve if I already had the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Sure, the improved ultrawide sensor is a pleasant contact, and the AI options might repay, however there’s simply not sufficient but that will sway me to take action. That being stated, if in case you have the finances (or are due for an improve), and are utilizing a cellphone from earlier than 2024, then the S25 Ultra is totally value it. Just ensure you do your due diligence and go searching on the competitors earlier than making the ultimate choice.