Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review, A Powerful Upgrade

If you’re considering buying a true flagship phone and wondering if the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth your hard-earned money, you’ve come to the right place. In this Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review, I’ll delve beyond the specs, share my hands-on experience, and provide clear conclusions—so you can make an informed decision.

First Impressions and New Features

Design and Feel

From the moment I picked up the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I noticed its exquisite craftsmanship. The ultra-narrow bezels and titanium body give it a premium feel, and its weight of approximately 218 grams (compared to approximately 233 grams in its predecessor) is a significant difference.

One noteworthy detail: the S Pen is still present, but its motion-sensing functionality has reportedly been removed.

In short: its look and feel are superb. However, if you previously used the previous generation Ultra, you might not find the dramatic design changes immediately apparent.

Screen and Hardware Highlights

The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It also comes with upgraded protective glass—Corning Gorilla Glass 2—which is said to withstand drops from approximately 2.2 meters.

Hardware-wise: This phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite (Galaxy version) chip, supports Wi-Fi 7 and UWB, and boasts excellent heat dissipation (through an enlarged liquid cooling system).

So, yes, in a purely technical sense, its hardware configuration is flagship-level. But as some reviewers have pointed out, the so-called “major” improvements compared to last year are actually only incremental.

Specifications

Body dimensions	5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 in
Weight	162 gm
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Display type	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Display size	6.2 inches, 94.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)
OS	Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Internal memory	128GB (up to 512 GB) 12GB RAM, UFS 4.0
Cameras	50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Camera features	Best Face, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery type	Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Charging	25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
Colours	Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold, Coral Red, Blue Black

Below is a brief specifications comparison for your reference:

Item	S25 Ultra (typical)
Display	6.9 inch QHD+ LTPO, 1 to 120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Elite variant
Main camera	200MP, improved ultra wide, telephoto options
Battery	5000 mAh, fast charging supported
Software	Android 15 with One UI, extended updates

Comparison Table: S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra

Area	S24 Ultra	S25 Ultra
Main change	Refined performance	Slight weight reduction, AI features
Camera	Strong	Higher MP, software tweaks
Battery	5000 mAh	5000 mAh, better efficiency
Value	Mature	Incremental upgrades

Comparative Analysis: Performance Comparison

Since you may also be considering other options (or previous models), here’s a comparison of the S25 Ultra:

• Compared to last year’s model: The protective glass has been improved, it’s lighter, and AI/software features have been enhanced. However, many hardware specifications are merely iterative upgrades rather than revolutionary breakthroughs.
• Compared to competing flagship models: The S25 Ultra remains highly competitive in terms of camera versatility, screen quality, and software ecosystem. The Guardian calls it “still the benchmark for superphones.”
• Compared to high-value flagship models: If budget is your primary consideration, you might find slightly older models or non-Ultra versions to offer better value. The Ultra’s price falls into the high-end category.

Also Read,

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Camera System: Pixels Aren’t Everything

While the S25 Ultra’s 200MP sensor is impressive, the real highlight lies in the improvements to the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. The 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor shows a significant improvement in low-light performance compared to previous models.

In my experience, even at 5x telephoto zoom, close-up shots still capture clear details; however, at very high digital zoom, noise and sharpness become noticeable. If you primarily shoot everyday scenes, you’ll get excellent results. But if you frequently zoom in low-light conditions, you’ll find its limitations.

A practical tip: I shot a dimly lit city scene at sunset; the ultra-wide-angle lens preserved color and detail well—but moving objects in the scene (such as pedestrians) showed slight blur unless I switched to manual mode. Reviewers also mentioned this.

Battery Life and Daily Use

Despite its large screen and flagship-level specifications, many users report that this phone easily lasts a full day—and sometimes even into the next day under moderate use. On Reddit, one user commented:

“The battery life is simply amazing! My previous phone would only last a day, but the S25 Ultra lasts a day and a half… and there’s still 20% left.”

My experience: watching videos, browsing the web, taking photos → the battery was still around 25-30% by evening. If you enable adaptive refresh rate and adjust the brightness to medium, the battery life is even better.

Software and AI Features: A Real Advantage or Just Gimmick?

Samsung has increased its investment in “Galaxy AI” features: on-device generative editing, intelligent suggestions, and improved voice transcription.

Real-world experience: Some of these features are indeed very useful (e.g., the sketch-to-image function in the Notes app). However, some other features still feel somewhat incomplete or unstable. The Guardian review noted that while the hardware configuration is excellent, “the AI ​​tools are sometimes impressive, and sometimes they can’t even handle the simplest things well.”

My opinion: Don’t buy this phone just for the AI ​​features—they’re just icing on the cake. What truly gives it value is its powerful hardware and excellent build quality.

Size, Weight, and Ease of Use

This is a large-screen phone: a 6.9-inch screen and approximately 8.2mm thick.

If you have small hands, one-handed operation might be a bit difficult. The good news is: the weight of approximately 218 grams is acceptable. Even after extended use, I didn’t experience fatigue. However, if portability is a priority, size is still a factor to consider.

Value Considerations: High Price, High Expectations

The starting price (approximately $1299) places it in the high-end price range.

If you frequently upgrade your phone and crave cutting-edge features, the S25 Ultra is almost certainly the best choice. But if you’ve been using your phone for a longer period, last year’s model might offer almost the same functionality at a lower price.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Flagship-level display with top-tier refresh rate and brightness.
• Powerful and versatile camera system with high resolution and optical zoom.
• Excellent battery life and superior build quality.
• Long-term software support and a rich feature set.

Disadvantages

• The price remains high; for some users, the improvement in value compared to its predecessor may not be significant.
• AI features are sometimes impressive, sometimes unpredictable.
• The body size may feel slightly bulky for some users.
• S Pen action/gesture functionality has been reduced.

Who should buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra? Who should consider other options?

You should consider the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you meet the following criteria:

• Want to experience the best performance of Android in 2025.
• Use your phone for photography/zoom/creative work.
• Prioritize a device that can last for many years, so durability is important.
• If you don’t mind the high price and larger size, you can consider the following alternatives:
• Prefer a smaller phone or a more compact design.
• More budget-conscious and don’t need top-of-the-line zoom or resolution.
• Want the “Ultra” designation but are willing to accept a lower-priced model from last year.
• Your phone is primarily for basic tasks, and you value simplicity and ease of use over cutting-edge features.

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Conclusion

In this Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review, I found this phone to represent the pinnacle of Samsung’s tablet-style flagship series: exquisite build quality, excellent display, outstanding camera capabilities, and long-term software update support. The real question is: is it worth the price for you? If you will use and value its advanced features, then the answer is yes. Otherwise, you might consider waiting or opting for a slightly lower-priced model.

Call to Action:

If you have already used (or plan to use) the Galaxy S25 Ultra, please share your thoughts in the comments section—which feature impressed you the most? What features surprised you? If you are comparing different phones, please subscribe to our channel to get timely in-depth reviews and upgrade information.

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