Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: The Tables Have Turned!

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra plays it safe with a spec bump over last year's model, offering a more durable design and upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Despite incremental changes, it doesn't push the envelope in terms of new features, with no significant upgrades like IP69, silicon carbide battery, or a 10x zoom. While it offers excellent performance, battery life, and display quality, its lack of bold innovation makes it feel more like a refined version of the previous model rather than a game-changer. For $1,299, it's great, but not the best in a competitive market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like a minor upgrade from last year's S24 Ultra, with visual changes like boxier edges and thinner bezels.
• 😀 The S25 Ultra includes the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which is significantly faster than last year's model, but it's not the only flagship with this upgrade.
• 😀 While Samsung's software, One UI 7, offers great new AI features like object eraser and natural language search, some features like the daily brief are underwhelming.
• 😀 The S25 Ultra’s camera upgrades are subtle but impactful, especially the 50MP ultra-wide camera that improves low-light performance and corner sharpness.
• 😀 Despite playing it safe with incremental updates, the S25 Ultra performs excellently, especially in terms of speed, efficiency, and display quality.
• 😀 The removal of the Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen, while not heavily used, shows Samsung's focus on cost-saving and streamlining features.
• 😀 Samsung's pricing strategy in the U.S. makes it a go-to brand, with little direct competition from other major Android brands in the region.
• 😀 The S25 Ultra is great but doesn’t push boundaries, which feels like a missed opportunity given its high price tag of $1,299.
• 😀 The Snapdragon 8 Elite offers amazing performance, but this chip will also appear in other Android flagship phones, reducing the S25 Ultra’s uniqueness.
• 😀 Battery life has improved with more efficient performance, lasting longer than previous models, but charging speed remains marginally faster, not a huge leap.
• 😀 Samsung's S25 and S25 Plus models offer similar software and hardware features at a more affordable price point, providing better value for most consumers.

Q & A

What are the main physical differences between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the S24 Ultra?

The main physical differences include slightly boxier edges, a thinner bezel, and a slightly thicker but physically thinner design. The screen size is now 6.9 inches instead of 6.8 inches, and the glass is made from a more durable Gorilla Glass.

What is the major new feature in the S25 Ultra compared to its predecessor?

The major new feature in the S25 Ultra is the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. This new chip provides better performance, especially in multicore benchmarks, and enhances overall efficiency.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip globally?

Yes, all international versions of the S25 Ultra will come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, meaning there will be no region-specific Exynos chip this year.

How does Samsung's One UI 7 software compare to its previous versions?

One UI 7, built on Android 15, has been well-received for its user-friendly features, including elements inspired by iOS, like the new now bar at the bottom for ongoing activities and the customizable notification shade.

What AI features are included with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and how effective are they?

The S25 Ultra includes several AI features such as the object eraser for removing background objects from photos, natural language search, and AI Select. Some features, like the object eraser and photo search, work well, while others, like the daily briefs, are criticized for being underwhelming and repetitive.

Why did Samsung remove Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen in the S25 Ultra?

Samsung removed Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen because less than 1% of users ever activated the feature. This decision was made to simplify the device, even though it removed certain remote control functions.

How does the camera system in the S25 Ultra compare to previous models?

The camera system in the S25 Ultra is largely the same as the previous year's model, but the 50MP Ultra-wide camera has been upgraded, resulting in sharper images, especially in low light. The rest of the cameras offer solid performance but are not drastically improved.

Does the S25 Ultra support silicon carbide batteries or IP69 certification?

No, the S25 Ultra does not have a silicon carbide battery or IP69 certification, which are features found in some competitors' devices. This omission was likely due to cost-saving measures.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra considered the best flagship phone available?

While the S25 Ultra is a solid flagship with excellent performance, a bright display, and a good camera system, it is not considered the best in the market due to its lack of groundbreaking features and the increasing competition from brands like OnePlus and Vivo.

How does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's battery life and charging speed perform?

The battery life of the S25 Ultra is praised, with users able to end the day with 30-40% remaining. Charging speed has slightly improved, but not significantly compared to its predecessor.