Is there such a thing as the ‘ultimate phone design’? That was my first thought as I held the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and turned it over in my hand. It has undeniably shed the last vestiges of the Galaxy Note design, adopting a more uniform and blockier look akin to the rest of the Galaxy S lineup. The Galaxy S25 Ultra not only mirrors its S25 siblings more closely than ever but also bears a striking resemblance to an iPhone.

However, this is not mimicry. Instead, it may signify the inevitable evolution towards the ultimate smartphone design—where form meets function in a way that feels natural, refined, and optimized. There is a moment of nostalgia for the once-iconic Galaxy Note, a device that redefined the flagship experience with its integrated stylus. Yet, Samsung has achieved a remarkable feat: making the S25 Ultra slimmer, lighter, and squarer without losing the S Pen. That alone is worth celebrating.

Once the discussions around the design changes settle—including the slightly larger screen compared to the S24 Ultra—attention will inevitably shift to the deeply integrated AI experience.

With the S25 series, Samsung has seamlessly blended Galaxy AI, Bixby system-level intelligence, and Google’s Gemini generative AI. Samsung proudly showcases its partnership with Google, integrating Gemini’s capabilities through a long press of the power button or a tap on the virtual home button. While the synergy between Gemini, Google apps, and Samsung’s ecosystem isn’t always flawless, when it works, it feels effortless and incredibly useful.

Samsung promises a more intuitive experience through AI-driven personalization. By observing user habits and leveraging data from Samsung-connected wearables like the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch, and SmartThings accessories, the S25 Ultra curates insights tailored to individual lifestyles. This intelligence manifests through Now Brief home screen widgets, offering personalized morning and evening summaries.

For those concerned about privacy, Samsung has taken significant measures to safeguard user data. With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite for Galaxy, a dedicated Personal Data Engine ensures that sensitive information remains secure. Additionally, Samsung’s Knox security system reinforces protection, both on the phone and across its expansive ecosystem.

During my time with the S25 Ultra, I found the AI-driven insights in my briefs intriguing but not yet fully realized. This is the kind of feature that evolves over time, learning and adapting to deliver meaningful personalization after weeks of usage.

AI permeates every aspect of the S25 Ultra, including photography. While Samsung has kept the physical camera array largely unchanged, it has upgraded the ultrawide sensor to 50MP. The real magic, however, comes from the improved Pro Visual Engine, which enhances overall image quality. If users struggle to capture the perfect shot, Gemini can now provide real-time suggestions to refine photos.

Beyond traditional photography, Samsung has taken AI-powered creativity to new heights. The Sketch to Image tool, now more refined, allows users to generate stunningly realistic AI-enhanced additions using the S Pen. This opens up limitless possibilities for digital artistry and creative expression.

Audio capabilities have also received an AI boost. The S25 Ultra can identify music playing in videos, recognize melodies when hummed, and clean up distorted audio in recordings—ensuring that every sound is crisp and immersive.

With a refined design, enhanced AI capabilities, and better performance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most powerful and intelligent Ultra device yet. Despite these advancements, Samsung has maintained the same price point—$1,299.99 in the US, £1,249 in the UK, and an even more competitive AU$2,149 in Australia. That alone is a significant achievement.

For loyal Samsung Galaxy S Ultra fans, the S25 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Android innovation. A smartphone that doesn’t just keep up with the times but defines them. This is the future of mobile technology.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Specifications

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Release Date and Price

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra made its grand debut at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025, and hit the shelves on February 7, 2025. If you’ve been eagerly waiting for Samsung’s latest powerhouse, the wait is officially over.

This year, Samsung has kept the pricing in line with its predecessor, so if you were expecting a price hike, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in three storage configurations: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, and all models come with 12GB of RAM to ensure smooth performance. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, there’s a storage option that suits your needs.

As for colors, Samsung has kept things sleek and premium. The standard options available everywhere include Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Grey, and Titanium Black. But if you want something a little more exclusive, Samsung’s official store has three extra shades: Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Pinkgold, and Titanium Jetblack. These special editions add a touch of personalization to an already stunning device.

Now, let’s talk about the price. The Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t cheap—flagship phones rarely are—but given the cutting-edge tech packed inside, it’s priced competitively in the high-end market. Here’s what you’ll be paying depending on the storage variant you choose:

Sure, those prices might make your wallet flinch, but the good news is that Samsung and most major carriers frequently offer deals, trade-in discounts, and financing options. If you’re upgrading from an older device, you can likely knock a decent chunk off the price. Also, if history is any indicator, seasonal promotions will roll out throughout the year, giving you even more chances to save.

Whether you’re looking for a top-tier smartphone experience or simply want to own the latest and greatest from Samsung, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is here, and it’s every bit as premium as you’d expect.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Design

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra brings a fresh and refined design, standing out with its sleek titanium frame and a slightly more rounded body. Some may feel like the design is too similar to the iPhone, especially with the flat sides, but for me, this shift makes the device much more comfortable to hold compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which had more angular edges that could dig into your hand after extended use. The rounded corners on the S25 Ultra make it feel smoother in the hand, so it’s easier to grip and carry around. But, if I’m being picky, Samsung could’ve softened the sharpness of the left and right edges just a bit more, as it still feels a touch too rigid for my taste. Apple has a knack for beveling those edges in a way that makes the phone feel even more ergonomic, and I think Samsung could’ve taken a cue from that.

In terms of build quality, the S25 Ultra feels as sturdy as ever, with the titanium frame giving it a premium and durable feel. Despite being slightly thinner than its predecessor, the bezels around the screen have been slimmed down, allowing Samsung to stretch the display size a bit from 6.8 inches to 6.9 inches, all without making the phone any bulkier. And let’s talk about that gorgeous screen—it’s an AMOLED display that not only looks vibrant and sharp but also offers some of the best colors and contrast in the industry. With Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protecting the display, it’s much more durable than before, which is a relief considering how easily some of these high-end devices can crack with the wrong impact.

The rear camera system continues to be a standout feature of the S25 Ultra. Samsung has gone for a more subtle, floating camera design that’s sleeker than the bulging patch you get with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The quad-camera setup stands out, but it doesn’t overwhelm the aesthetics, maintaining that balance between style and functionality.

Weighing in at 7.69 ounces (218 grams), the S25 Ultra is lighter than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which weighed in at 8.22 ounces. That might not sound like much, but in the hand, it does make a noticeable difference. While it’s still a hefty phone compared to others, the lighter weight makes it easier to hold for longer periods, especially when you’re watching videos or browsing the web.

As for color options, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in four elegant shades: Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silverblue, and Titanium Whitesilver. The Silverblue is a particularly nice option, offering a pop of color without being too flashy. If you want something a bit more unique, you can head over to Samsung’s online store, where you’ll find three exclusive colors: Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Pinkgold, and Titanium Jetblack. These shades give the phone a more personalized touch, which is a nice bonus for those who like a little more flair with their tech.

Now, there are a couple of design trade-offs to consider. One of the biggest changes is the removal of the Bluetooth radio in the S Pen. This means you won’t be able to perform remote actions like taking photos or controlling your music via air gestures. Samsung explained that this feature wasn’t widely used, so they decided to ditch it to make the phone lighter and more affordable. While this won’t bother everyone, it’s a noticeable omission if you’re someone who enjoyed using the S Pen’s Bluetooth capabilities.

The other minor trade-off is the lack of built-in magnets for Qi2 wireless charging. While the phone does support Qi2, if you’re someone who uses magnetic Qi accessories—like car mounts or docks—you’ll need to buy a special case to take full advantage of that functionality. It’s a bit of a letdown, considering that most high-end phones now include this feature by default.

Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a well-balanced blend of stunning design and cutting-edge technology. It’s lighter, more comfortable to hold, and offers a premium feel that matches the flagship status of the device. But with a few design compromises here and there, it’s clear that Samsung has made some thoughtful changes to prioritize comfort and usability, even if it means sacrificing a few niche features.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Display

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra brings a display that stands as a testament to what flagship screens should be. With a 6.9-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED panel, it’s the largest screen we’ve seen in the Ultra series so far, providing an immersive experience that’s perfect for any task, from gaming to video streaming. The best part? Despite this increase in size, Samsung has managed to slim down the bezels by 15%, giving the display a more expansive feel without increasing the overall bulk of the phone. This means you get more screen real estate, which is great for multitasking, watching movies, or just browsing your favorite apps.

The resolution is a stellar 3120 x 1440 pixels, which is higher than the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 2868 x 1320 Super Retina XDR display. But here’s the kicker: by default, the phone runs at FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080), which still looks fantastic for most use cases. Samsung did this to help save battery life, and honestly, you won’t notice much difference unless you dive deep into the settings and switch to the higher resolution. Even at FHD+, the display is stunningly sharp, with vibrant colors and deep contrasts that make media pop.

This display also benefits from an adaptive refresh rate, which means it automatically switches between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the content you’re viewing. So when you’re reading or using static apps, it drops to 1Hz to save battery, but when you’re gaming or scrolling through your feed, it jumps to 120Hz for that ultra-smooth experience. If you’re all about optimizing battery life, you can even manually set it to 60Hz, but personally, the smooth motion at 120Hz is worth the slight trade-off in battery consumption.

One of the most exciting updates is Samsung’s ProScaler technology, which takes a cue from its TV tech. ProScaler is a form of image upscaling that enhances lower-resolution content to look sharper on the S25 Ultra’s Quad HD+ screen. This is especially useful when watching older videos or playing games that don’t run in high resolutions, offering a much better viewing experience than standard upscaling methods. It’s a feature that really enhances the overall versatility of the phone, making it feel even more premium.

The screen itself is beautifully flat with minimal interruptions. Unlike the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has that noticeable camera island cutout, the Galaxy S25 Ultra keeps things clean with just a small circular hole-punch for the 12MP front-facing camera. This ensures that the screen remains largely uninterrupted, making it perfect for watching movies, playing games, or just browsing the web. You’ll hardly notice the cutout, and it doesn’t detract from the overall viewing experience.

Under the display, you’ll find the ultrasonic fingerprint reader, which adds a layer of security and convenience. Initially, I had a bit of trouble with my thumbprint not being recognized, but I suspect it was due to the dryness of my skin at the time. After registering multiple digits, I had much better success, and the fingerprint scanner worked well. If you’re ever in a pinch, the phone also supports face recognition and PIN entry for unlocking, giving you a variety of ways to secure your device.

Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display is a visual marvel, offering not just stunning resolution and vivid colors but also advanced features like ProScaler and a buttery-smooth adaptive refresh rate. Whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or simply browsing, the display provides an excellent experience that sets a high bar for other smartphones in the market.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI features

The AI features of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are packed with impressive capabilities that elevate the overall user experience. One standout feature is the cross-app actions, which brings a new level of convenience to multitasking. With the deep integration of Google Gemini, you can use voice commands to perform tasks across multiple apps simultaneously. For example, you can ask the phone to “look up the date and time of the Oscars, add it to my calendar, and send a text to Mike with the details.” The phone efficiently fetches the information, updates your calendar, and sends the text to your contact — all with a simple voice command. This is a real demonstration of how agentic AI can streamline your daily tasks and enhance productivity.

Cross-app actions go beyond Samsung’s native apps — they work seamlessly with Google’s apps and third-party apps like WhatsApp and Spotify. It’s exciting to imagine how this functionality could expand in the future, enabling even more interactivity between apps.

Another fascinating AI feature is AI Select, part of One UI 7. This feature scans content on your screen and suggests relevant actions. For instance, if you’re watching a YouTube Short, AI Select might suggest creating a GIF from a portion of the video. This adds a layer of intelligence that simplifies your interaction with content on the phone.

The Circle to Search feature also gets an upgrade on the S25 Ultra, making it even more powerful. By long-pressing the home button, you can activate Circle to Search, which now recognizes not only text like emails, phone numbers, and URLs but also sounds and music from videos. This makes it even easier to gather information or take action on the content you’re interacting with on the phone.

For those who love a personalized touch, Now Brief offers a daily summary of your day, covering everything from weather and news to your calendar appointments and even Spotify recommendations. While the feature is still evolving, with more time it could become a great tool for streamlining your morning routine. Currently, though, it feels a bit basic, with some of the news suggestions leaning towards clickbait rather than actionable information. However, Samsung is continuously refining it through the Personal Data Engine, a system that tailors the insights to your preferences, much like a personalized language model.

Additionally, the Now Bar adds quick access to important updates on your lock screen, such as sports scores, reminders, and directions. Similar to Apple’s Live Activities, this feature lets you seamlessly flip through stacked notifications for timely info. Samsung could further enhance this feature by integrating more partners, such as Uber for ride updates or DoorDash for food delivery tracking.

When it comes to Google Gemini, the AI’s capabilities extend even further. You can ask Gemini to analyze videos, summarize them, and provide detailed insights. For example, asking Gemini about a video on YouTube can result in a detailed summary of the content. You can also use it to ask about photos you take — I tested it by asking about a church in San Jose, and Gemini quickly provided the answer, identifying it as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph.

Lastly, searching your photo library becomes much easier with natural language queries. For example, typing “flower close-up” will instantly pull up macro shots from your camera roll. You can get as specific as you want, such as searching for “fountain with icicles around it,” and the phone will sift through your images and display the most relevant results. This is a huge time-saver and makes photo management feel more intuitive.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra continues Samsung’s legacy of powerful camera systems, offering a wide range of lenses and impressive photography features. At first glance, the camera array looks strikingly similar to that of its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, but the lenses now appear to float above the chassis, creating a visually appealing upgrade. However, while the design has been tweaked, the core specifications have remained largely unchanged, maintaining the same stellar performance that users expect from the Galaxy Ultra series.

Here’s a quick rundown of the camera specs:

• Main Camera: 200MP
• 5x Telephoto: 50MP (also provides 10x zoom through a sensor crop)
• 3x Optical Zoom: 10MP
• Ultra-wide: 50MP
• Front-facing Camera: 12MP

The standout update on the S25 Ultra is the 50MP ultra-wide camera, which provides better low-light performance and more detailed macro shots, thanks to its higher pixel count and the use of pixel binning. The main 200MP sensor also utilizes pixel binning in its default 12MP mode, which combines four pixels into one for enhanced image quality in most everyday shots.

In terms of overall photography capabilities, the S25 Ultra excels. The lenses and sensors capture incredible detail, producing vibrant, rich colors in most situations. However, as is typical with Samsung cameras, you’ll notice that many images have over-saturated colors — skies often look a little too blue, and green foliage pops with intense color. If you prefer more natural-looking images, this might be a drawback. But if you like vivid, eye-catching shots, Samsung’s approach will likely appeal to you. Personally, I appreciated the extra detail in my photos, especially those taken with the 200MP main camera, which offered more resolution and detail compared to other flagship phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The 50MP ultra-wide camera impressed me the most, particularly with its nighttime performance. It delivered sharp images with accurate colors and remarkable detail, even in low-light conditions. The macro shots taken with this camera rivaled those captured with the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s dedicated macro mode, further showcasing its ability to produce high-quality, close-up shots.

When it comes to zoom, the 5x telephoto with its 50MP sensor is surprisingly effective, offering great clarity without the need for a dedicated 10x optical zoom. I’ve become less concerned with the absence of the 10x optical zoom since the 5x zoom is more than sufficient for most use cases, and the 10x zoom is achieved through a sensor crop, which maintains a decent level of quality. While I generally steer clear of the 30x and 100x Space Zoom modes due to the potential for over-reliance on AI processing and image guesswork, I was pleased with the results at 5x and 10x zoom during my test shots, like when photographing a woodpecker in a California park.

One small criticism I have with the S25 Ultra’s camera system is the color bleeding that can occasionally occur. This issue was subtle but noticeable in one instance when the green of a leaf bled into the blue sky around it. I suspect this is due to the algorithmic Pro Visual engine, which processes the colors in real time. It’s a minor flaw, but a slight tweak could potentially resolve it.

For pro-level photographers, Samsung continues to improve its software. The Expert RAW app, which offers advanced manual controls for serious photographers, now includes virtual aperture settings. This feature allows users to adjust the aperture from f/1.4 to f/16, offering a way to mimic the effects of depth of field and bokeh, though it’s important to note that this is a digital effect. While it’s a nice tool for users who want more creative control over their photos, the quality of the bokeh effect wasn’t as dramatic or natural as what you’d get from a professional camera with a physical aperture.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Software and Updates

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces One UI 7, which brings a streamlined and enhanced experience, thanks to a combination of AI-powered features and thoughtful design upgrades. This version is particularly focused on making everyday tasks easier, with a few notable improvements across the system.

One of the standout changes in One UI 7 is the separation of notifications and quick settings. Now, you can access your notifications by swiping from the top left and the quick settings by swiping from the top right. This new design is reminiscent of a Control Center layout, making it incredibly intuitive to use, especially for those familiar with other operating systems. The interface is clean and user-friendly, giving you quicker access to the settings you need without cluttering the screen.

In terms of AI enhancements, call transcripts have been added as a helpful feature. After you hang up a call, you can view a transcript of the conversation, and if it’s a longer discussion, you can even ask the system for an AI-generated summary. This can be especially useful for those who need to keep track of important details or prefer reading the information instead of listening to it again. It’s a small but very practical update that can save time and effort.

Samsung also took the opportunity to simplify the camera app. With a cleaner interface, it’s now easier to find the controls you need, giving you more room to focus on the live view when taking photos. This improvement is great for users who want a more streamlined photography experience, allowing them to focus on their subject rather than navigating through the app’s menus.

As for software support, Samsung continues to impress by offering 7 years of software and security updates, which is the longest period available for any current phone, matching Google’s commitment for its Pixel devices. This extended support ensures that the S25 Ultra will continue to receive new features, improvements, and security patches long after its release, making it a solid investment for future-proofing.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Performance

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a punch with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, overclocked for added power, coupled with 12GB of RAM. This combination makes it one of the fastest smartphones available, delivering exceptional performance in everyday tasks and heavy-duty activities like gaming and multitasking.

In benchmarking tests, the S25 Ultra shines, delivering impressive results across various metrics. Here’s a quick comparison of the performance scores of the S25 Ultra against its competitors:

As seen in the table, the S25 Ultra is impressive in terms of multi-core performance, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, it trails slightly behind in single-core performance, which is a strength of Apple’s chip.

In gaming, the S25 Ultra stands out as a powerhouse. While playing “Diablo Immortal”, it maintained rock-solid frame rates even during intense moments, such as when battling multiple enemies. This proves that the S25 Ultra is more than capable of handling graphic-heavy games without any noticeable lag or slowdown.

When compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the S25 Ultra excelled in graphics performance, posting a much higher frame rate in the 3DMark Solar Bay Unlimited test, further solidifying its gaming credentials.

However, when it comes to video transcoding, the S25 Ultra took 30 seconds longer than the iPhone 16 Pro Max in the Adobe Premiere Rush test. While still fast, this could be a deciding factor for users who prioritize video editing and transcoding tasks.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Battery Life & Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra inherits the same battery capacity as its predecessor, but subtle optimizations promise an hour of extra video playback. While not a revolutionary leap, real-world performance is impressive. Most users can comfortably navigate a full day of heavy use, often ending with a healthy 30-40% charge remaining. A two-day stretch is possible with lighter usage, but for active individuals, it’s a reliable all-day companion.

Charging speeds are a mixed bag. The 45W wired charging, while not the fastest on the market, is still respectable. A full charge takes just over an hour, but the real highlight is the rapid top-up. Reaching 70% in just 30 minutes is incredibly convenient for those on the go. However, the omission of a charging brick in the box is a notable drawback. Users will need to ensure they have a compatible adapter to maximize the 45W potential.

Wireless charging on the S25 Ultra supports the Qi2.1 standard, bringing improved magnetic compatibility for cases and chargers. Unfortunately, the charging speed remains capped at 15W. This feels sluggish compared to the blazing-fast wireless charging solutions offered by some competitors, like the Honor Magic 7 Pro. While Qi2.1 offers advantages, the slow charging speed is a definite compromise.

Despite the slower wireless charging, the S25 Ultra’s battery life is a strong point. The combination of all-day battery life and relatively quick wired charging makes it a dependable device for power users. While the lack of a charger and the slow wireless charging are valid criticisms, they don’t overshadow the overall solid performance.

Buy it if…

You want a big-screen Galaxy without the bulk

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a 6.8-inch screen without increasing the size or weight compared to its predecessor, making it easy to handle. It also comes at the same price as last year’s model, offering great value.

You own other Samsung products

If you have other Samsung devices, the S25 Ultra acts as a hub in the Samsung ecosystem, providing seamless integration through features like Samsung DeX and AI-powered controls for smarter device management.

You want top-tier performance and battery life

Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM, the S25 Ultra delivers excellent performance. It also boasts 17+ hours of video playback, offering some of the best battery life in its class.

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t need the S Pen

If you don’t use the S Pen or its related features, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus offers similar performance and a larger screen at a lower price, making it a more affordable option.

You’re not into AI

The S25 Ultra integrates AI features like call transcription and camera enhancements. If AI isn’t essential for you, simpler models may be a better fit.

Conclusion

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top-tier smartphone that delivers a premium experience. Its impressive camera system, featuring a 200MP main sensor and advanced AI capabilities, captures stunning photos and videos. The device’s performance is exceptional, thanks to the powerful Snapdragon processor and ample RAM. Additionally, the S25 Ultra boasts a gorgeous display, long-lasting battery life, and a refined design.

However, the S25 Ultra is not without its drawbacks. The price tag is steep, making it inaccessible to many consumers. Additionally, some users may find the device’s size and weight cumbersome. While the camera system is impressive, some may find the image processing to be over-saturated.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a remarkable smartphone that excels in many areas. It’s a great choice for those who want the best of the best and are willing to pay for it. However, potential buyers should consider the device’s size, weight, and price before making a purchase.