The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025. It was released on February 7, 2025, and represents the pinnacle of Samsung’s flagship S-series lineup. It has cutting-edge hardware, advanced AI capabilities, and a sleek design. This smartphone aims to set new benchmarks in the premium Android market. It competes directly with top-tier devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces subtle yet meaningful design refinements over its predecessor, the S24 Ultra. In light of Galaxy S25 Ultra’s design, it has the following parameters:
- Measurements: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
- Weight: 218 grams
- Display: 6.9-inch
- Galaxy S25 Ultra’s colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Jade Green, Titanium Jet Black, and Titanium Pink Gold
Some other features of S25 Ultra are:
- It is 14 grams lighter than the S24 Ultra, making it easier to handle.
- The phone features a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front, paired with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, ensuring durability against scratches and drops.
- Its IP68 rating offers robust protection against water and dust.
The S25 Ultra exudes a premium, modern aesthetic. The built-in S Pen remains a hallmark feature, though it no longer includes Bluetooth functionality, limiting its use to writing and drawing tasks.
Critique: Some reviewers note that the flat sides make the phone less comfortable to hold compared to competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has smoother beveled edges. The removal of Bluetooth from the S Pen may disappoint users who relied on its remote shutter capabilities.
Top 5 Smartphones of 2025: Features, Performance, and Prices
Display
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 3120 x 1440-pixel resolution (QHD+), up from the 6.8-inch screen of the S24 Ultra. The display supports HDR10+ and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, reaching a peak brightness of 2600 nits for vivid visuals even in bright sunlight. Samsung’s ProScaler technology, an AI-driven upscaling feature, enhances lower-resolution content for sharper visuals, particularly noticeable in videos and games. The bezels are 15% thinner, maximizing screen real estate.
Reviewers praise the display with CNET calling it “the greatest phone screen ever” for its vibrant colors and sharpness. The anti-reflective coating on the Gorilla Armor 2 reduces glare, improving outdoor visibility.
Performance
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by:
- Custom Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- 3nm chipset with an octa-core CPU (six cores at 3.53GHz, two at 4.47GHz)
- Adreno GPU
- 40% increase in NPU performance, 37% in CPU, and 30% in GPU
- Galaxy S25 Ultra’s storage: 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
- 40% larger vapor chamber: Ensures efficient thermal management for sustained performance during gaming or multitasking.
Running on Android 15 with One UI 7, the software experience is smooth and customizable, with Samsung promising seven years of updates until 2032, matching industry leaders like Google and Apple.
Performance Note: The chipset’s efficiency and power make it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming (e.g., Night Crows, Wuthering Waves) and video editing, with no noticeable lag or overheating.
Camera System
The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera setup includes:
| 200MP Wide-Angle Lens (f/1.7) | Captures sharp and detailed images |
| 50MP Ultra-Wide Lens (120° FOV) | Offers improved low-light performance and macro photography |
| 10MP Telephoto (3x optical zoom) | Ideal for portraits and moderate zoom |
| 50MP Periscope Telephoto (5x optical zoom) | Supports up to 10x optical and beyond with digital zoom |
The front-facing 12MP camera delivers natural selfies with enhanced skin tones. The ProVisual Engine, paired with the Snapdragon’s spatio-temporal filter, reduces blur and enhances clarity in low-light scenarios. New features include 10-bit HDR video recording, Audio Eraser for noise reduction in videos, and Galaxy Log mode for advanced color and light control.
Galaxy AI Features
The S25 Ultra integrates Google Gemini and Samsung’s Galaxy AI that:
- Provides personalized notifications, such as weather alerts or daily highlights.
- Displays stacked alerts (e.g., timer, music, exercise) for quick access.
- Allows cross-app tasks via voice commands, like searching for a restaurant and texting the details to a friend.
- Enhances photo and video editing with AI-driven tools.
- Isolates and removes unwanted sounds (e.g., wind, crowd noise) from videos.
Battery Life
The 5000mAh battery supports up to two days of moderate use, with 7.5 hours of active usage across Wi-Fi and 5G. It supports 45W wired charging (65% in 30 minutes), Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, and Wireless PowerShare. However, Qi2 wireless charging requires a compatible case due to the lack of built-in magnets.
Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s price starts at $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$2,149 for the 256GB model. Pricing varies by storage capacity and region:
| STORAGE CAPACITY | PRICE |
| 256GB | $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$2,149 |
| 512GB | $1,419 / £1,349 / AU$2,349 |
| 1TB | $1,659 / £1,549 / AU$2,749 |
Pros and Cons
Some Galaxy S25 Ultra’s pros and cons are:
| Pros | Cons |
| Stunning 6.9-inch AMOLED display with ProScaler for enhanced visuals. Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for top-tier performance. Versatile quad-camera system with upgraded 50MP ultra-wide lens. Long battery life and seven years of software updates. Sleek titanium design with IP68 rating and Gorilla Armor 2. | High starting price of $1,299, slightly more expensive than the S24 Ultra in some markets. S Pen lacks Bluetooth functionality, reducing its versatility. Qi2 wireless charging requires a separate case. AI features can be inconsistent and are not exclusive to the Ultra. Flat sides may feel less comfortable than competitors’ designs. |
Sales and Market Impact
Despite being described as “the most boring Ultra phone of 2025” by some, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has dominated sales, with 8.4 million units sold by June 2025, far outpacing rivals like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (0.5 million), Vivo X200 Ultra (0.219 million), and Oppo Find X8 Ultra (0.210 million). Samsung’s strong brand, global availability, and reliable software support contribute to its success.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a refined flagship that excels in display quality, camera versatility, and performance, making it a top choice for Android enthusiasts. While its AI features show promise, their inconsistencies and availability across the S25 series reduce the Ultra’s exclusivity. The design improvements and robust build quality make it a compelling upgrade for users with older devices, but those seeking a thinner form factor may prefer the S25 Edge, and budget-conscious buyers might opt for the S25 or S25+. For users seeking the ultimate Android experience, the S25 Ultra remains a formidable contender, though its high price and minor drawbacks warrant careful consideration.
