Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
A comprehensive examination of Samsung's latest flagship smartphone, analyzing its incremental updates and AI-powered features.
Table of Contents
Is the Samsung S25 Ultra Worth the Upgrade?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a conservative evolution that prioritizes software innovation over hardware revolution. With a rating of 8.5/10, it remains an excellent flagship smartphone that delivers a refined experience, particularly through its advanced AI features and long-term software commitment. This incremental update focuses on AI capabilities and minor design refinements rather than significant hardware changes, making it more appealing to those upgrading from older models than S24 Ultra owners.
Key Specifications
| 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1,900 nits peak brightness, Enhanced Gorilla Glass Armor | |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | |
| 12GB LPDDR5X RAM | |
| 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 storage | |
| 200MP main (f/1.7, OIS), 50MP telephoto (upgraded from 12MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS), 10MP periscope (f/4.9, 10x optical zoom, OIS), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) | |
| 12MP front camera (f/2.2) | |
| 5,000 mAh | |
| 45W wired charging, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | |
| Android 15, One UI 7.0 with Galaxy AI features | |
| 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm, 233g | |
| IP68 water and dust resistance | |
| Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support | |
| Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, 5G, UWB, NFC | |
| Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, facial recognition |
Introduction
Sometimes a new phone is released and consumers might think it's merely the same device from the previous year with minimal changes. While such reactions can be exaggerated, in the case of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, there are indeed few dramatic changes to note. The new lineup consists of the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, with incremental rather than revolutionary updates.
Familiar Design
The exterior design of the S25 and S25 Plus appears remarkably familiar. The color options show minimal differentiation from last year's models. Both the 6.2-inch and 6.7-inch variants maintain the same dimensions and continue the flat, cold design aesthetic. One minor change worth noting is the repositioning of the 5G antenna, which has been moved to the opposite side, providing a subtle indicator of the new model.
Performance
Most significant changes in the S25 series are internal. The devices feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip specifically optimized for Samsung, along with slight improvements to the steam chamber cooling system. Memory has been upgraded to 12GB of RAM across the board. These enhancements deliver notable performance improvements, with benchmark scores showing approximately 15-20% better performance compared to the previous generation. The improved cooling system also helps maintain peak performance during extended use.
Ultra Model Enhancements
The S25 Ultra has received several cosmetic modifications compared to its predecessor. While maintaining a similar battery capacity and button configuration, the corners appear sharper and more rectangular, with notably larger camera rings. The bezels have been reduced by approximately 15%, resulting in a larger display area. Internal improvements include the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for Galaxy and a 40% larger steam chamber for enhanced thermal management. The front display protection has been upgraded with improved Gorilla Glass, and the camera system now features a new 50-megapixel camera replacing the previous 12-megapixel sensor.
Software & AI
The remaining cameras and components—from battery capacity to display brightness—remain largely unchanged from previous models. The primary focus of the new series is software enhancements. This approach reflects a return to the traditional smartphone upgrade cycle: a significant leap followed by incremental refinements. This strategy makes sense considering the success of the S24 lineup, which was well-received by consumers. The S24 Ultra was particularly praised, suggesting that maintaining the core formula prevents unnecessary changes to a successful product. However, it's worth noting that this conservative approach has been applied across multiple generations, potentially making the design appear increasingly dated.
AI Software Options
The most substantial new feature is the AI assistant, activated by holding the power button. This assistant represents a hybrid of Google Gemini and Samsung's Bixby, combining strengths from both platforms. While Gemini handles general inquiries and information retrieval, Bixby's capabilities are utilized for device-specific functions and local actions. This dual approach creates a versatile assistant that can both answer factual questions and perform specific device tasks such as adding events to the calendar. The assistant handles these requests directly rather than simply opening applications and requiring manual input. This integration provides genuine utility that many users will find beneficial, though it's noteworthy that voice activation appears to be absent.
Another new feature is "IA Selection," which extends beyond standard text selection capabilities. Accessible via the side panel or screenshot function, it provides context-aware selections of on-screen content. For example, when reading an article, the text tool can summarize selected content. When viewing videos, the tool can easily create GIFs from selected segments.
Minor Improvements
Additional enhancements include natural language processing in system settings and gallery search functionality, allowing users to find content using conversational queries. This feature particularly benefits less tech-savvy users by simplifying content discovery. The new models also include an AI-curated information tab that presents contextually relevant information based on the time of day. Additionally, the devices incorporate audio enhancement tools similar to those previously implemented in Google Pixel phones. This feature enables audio cleaning in videos—whether captured by the device or imported—by isolating voices and removing background noise with a single button press.
Software Updates
A significant advantage of the Samsung ecosystem is its commitment to long-term software support. The company offers 7 years of software updates for its flagship devices, ensuring longevity and continued access to new features. Many of the AI capabilities introduced with the S25 series could potentially be made available to S24 users through software updates in the near future. The One UI 7 interface represents a significant visual refresh that arguably makes a more substantial difference than the hardware changes implemented in the S25 series. The updated interface provides a refreshed aesthetic that includes some design elements reminiscent of iOS, such as the redesigned lock screen.
Samsung S25 Ultra vs. Competitors
How does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stack up against its main competitors? Let's compare it with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
| Feature | S. Galaxy S25 Ultra | S. Galaxy S24 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | January 2024 | September 2024 | |
| $1,199 | $899 (current price) | $1,199 | |
| 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED | 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED | 6.9" OLED | |
| 1,900 nits peak | 1,750 nits peak | 2,000 nits peak | |
| 120Hz Adaptive | 120Hz Adaptive | 120Hz Adaptive | |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Apple A18 Pro | |
| 12GB | 12GB | 8GB | |
| 200MP main | 200MP main | 48MP main | |
| 50MP 3x Telephoto | 12MP 3x Telephoto | 12MP 3x Telephoto | |
| 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 4,685 mAh | |
| 45W Wired, 15W Wireless | 45W Wired, 15W Wireless | 30W Wired, 15W MagSafe | |
| Android 15, One UI 7.0 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | iOS 18 | |
| 7 years of updates | 7 years of updates | ~6 years (estimated) | |
| 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
Benchmark Results
The benchmark results of the Samsung S25 Ultra demonstrate flagship capabilities with impressive scores across major testing platforms. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor shows significant improvements over previous generations, particularly in CPU and GPU performance under sustained loads, thanks to the enhanced cooling system.
| Benchmark | Score/Level |
|---|---|
| AnTuTu 10 | 2,742,399 |
| Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) | 3008 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core) | 9065 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | 3,875 |
| PCMark 3.0 Work | 18,205 |
| GFXBench Aztec Ruins (High) | 60 fps |
| Storage Read Speed | 3,250 MB/s |
| Storage Write Speed | 2,800 MB/s |
While these scores are impressive, it's worth noting that real-world performance often differs from synthetic benchmarks. During intensive gaming and multitasking scenarios, the S25 Ultra maintains high performance levels with minimal thermal throttling, a significant improvement over previous generations.
Overall Score
After extensive testing across multiple categories, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra earns high marks in most areas. While the incremental nature of the hardware upgrades prevents it from achieving perfect scores across the board, the device's excellent performance, impressive camera capabilities, and long-term software support make it a compelling flagship option.
Pros
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with enhanced cooling system
- Advanced hybrid AI assistant with enhanced capabilities
- Improved 50MP telephoto camera replacing 12MP sensor
- 7 years of guaranteed software updates
- Reduced bezels for larger screen experience
- Enhanced thermal management with 40% larger steam chamber
- Intelligent context-aware selection tools
- Natural language gallery search
Cons
- Minimal external design changes from previous generation
- No significant battery or charging improvements
- Camera hardware updates limited to one sensor
- Power button AI assistant lacks voice activation
- Premium pricing with incremental hardware improvements
- Many AI features may eventually come to S24 models
- Conservative approach may disappoint innovation seekers
Final Verdict
Should You Buy It?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a conservative evolution that prioritizes software innovation over hardware revolution. With a rating of 8.5/10, it remains an excellent flagship smartphone that will satisfy most premium users, particularly those focused on long-term software support and AI capabilities.
The S25 lineup is absolutely a manual of few changes with zero risk from Samsung. And because of that, they would run at zero risk with the target demography. The S25 Ultra is best suited for power users who demand maximum performance, photography enthusiasts who appreciate versatile camera systems, productivity-focused individuals who will leverage the AI features, and those upgrading from devices older than the S23 generation.
Current S24 Ultra owners may want to wait for the next generation unless specific AI features are particularly compelling, as many software enhancements may eventually arrive via updates to current devices. Samsung's strategy of refinement rather than reinvention delivers a polished, capable flagship that maintains the company's position in the premium smartphone market while acknowledging the reality of smartphone maturity.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most S24 Ultra owners, the upgrade may not be compelling enough to justify the cost. The S25 Ultra features incremental improvements like the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 40% larger steam chamber, and upgraded 50MP telephoto camera, but many of the AI features may eventually come to the S24 Ultra through software updates. If you're particularly interested in the improved thermal management or enhanced telephoto capabilities, the upgrade might be worthwhile. Otherwise, waiting for the next generation would be more cost-effective.
The main differences include:
- Upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)
- 40% larger vapor chamber for better thermal management
- 50MP telephoto camera replacing the previous 12MP sensor
- 15% smaller bezels resulting in a slightly larger display area
- Sharper, more rectangular corners and larger camera rings
- Enhanced Gorilla Glass protection
- New hybrid AI assistant combining Google Gemini and Bixby
- One UI 7.0 with additional AI features and visual refreshes
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a more versatile camera system with higher resolution sensors than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The S25 Ultra's 200MP main camera offers significantly higher resolution than the iPhone's 48MP main sensor, allowing for more detail and better cropping flexibility. The S25 Ultra also has a more comprehensive zoom system with both a 3x optical zoom (50MP) and a 10x periscope lens (10MP), whereas the iPhone 16 Pro Max typically offers a 3x optical zoom. However, the iPhone generally produces more consistent colors and more natural-looking images straight out of the camera. The S25 Ultra excels in zoom capability and low-light photography, while the iPhone typically offers better video recording quality and more natural portrait mode results.
The Samsung S25 Ultra introduces several new AI features:
- Hybrid AI Assistant: Combines Google Gemini and Bixby, activated by holding the power button
- IA Selection: Context-aware selection tool that can summarize text or create GIFs from videos
- Natural Language Gallery Search: Find photos using conversational queries
- Audio Cleaning: Isolate voices and remove background noise in videos
- AI-Curated Information: Contextually relevant information based on time of day
- Enhanced Translation: Improved real-time translation capabilities
Many of these features build upon the foundation established in the S24 series but with improved processing speed and capabilities thanks to the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
Samsung has committed to providing 7 years of software updates for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This includes both major Android OS upgrades and security patches, which means the device should remain supported until approximately 2032. This extended support policy is one of the longest in the Android ecosystem, matching Google's commitment for Pixel devices and exceeding most other Android manufacturers. The long-term support adds significant value to the device, potentially extending its usable lifespan well beyond the typical 2-3 year upgrade cycle.
While the S25 Ultra maintains the same 5,000mAh battery capacity as its predecessor, it does offer modest battery life improvements thanks to the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. In real-world usage, users can expect approximately 10-15% better battery life compared to the S24 Ultra, particularly during standby periods and when using AI features that now run more efficiently. The 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging capabilities remain unchanged from the previous generation. For most users, the S25 Ultra should comfortably last a full day of heavy use, with moderate users potentially stretching to 1.5 days between charges.