The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is here, and if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the hype (and the hefty price tag), you’re in the right place. After using it daily for two weeks, I’ve put together an in-depth review covering everything from performance, display, AI features, and battery life to the pros and cons of this premium device.
Let’s dive in and see if the Galaxy S25 Ultra is truly the best smartphone of 2025.
Performance: Is the Snapdragon 8 Elite a Game Changer?
One of the most critical aspects of any smartphone is performance—how smoothly it runs during daily tasks.
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip powers the S25 Ultra, making it one of the fastest smartphones in the market.
- Opening apps, switching between menus, and multitasking feel buttery smooth, with no noticeable lag.
- Samsung has always been known for optimized software, ensuring that gestures and navigation feel incredibly responsive.
That being said, compared to the S24 Ultra, the performance difference is not dramatic in daily use. If you’re coming from last year’s flagship, the upgrade might not feel groundbreaking unless you’re a power user.
Display: Samsung Sets the Gold Standard
Samsung has been the undisputed leader in smartphone displays, and the S25 Ultra continues that legacy.
- 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and deep, vibrant colors.
- The new anti-reflective coating makes the screen more visible in direct sunlight—a feature that’s incredibly useful outdoors.
- Extremely thin bezels give the device a near edge-to-edge viewing experience.
If you consume a lot of media or play games on your phone, you’ll love this display.
Camera: New Features, But Is It Enough?
The S25 Ultra introduces some interesting upgrades in the camera department, but are they truly groundbreaking?
New Features in the Camera System:
✅ 10-bit Log Video Recording – Great for professional video editing and cinematic footage.
✅ Picture Profiles – Customizable presets for fine-tuning color temperature, contrast, and saturation.
✅ Smooth Zoom – Allows for smoother zooming in videos, fixing the usual jittery zoom issues in Samsung cameras.
While these additions are cool for content creators, Samsung still falls slightly behind competitors like the Vivo X200 Pro in terms of overall image quality.
- The 200MP sensor is impressive, but larger sensors (like 1-inch sensors in some rival flagships) provide better natural background blur and low-light performance.
- Zooming between lenses is still not as seamless as on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
That said, if you’re upgrading from an older device, you’ll still notice a significant improvement in camera quality.
Audio: Noticeable Improvement in Speaker Quality
One of the immediate differences I noticed in the S25 Ultra was the improved speaker quality compared to the S24 Ultra.
- Richer bass and fuller sound make watching videos or listening to music much more immersive.
- Stereo speakers deliver better clarity at higher volumes without distortion.
While most people use wireless earbuds anyway, it’s nice to see Samsung refining even the smaller details.
AI Features: Gimmick or Game Changer?
With AI becoming a key focus in smartphones, Samsung has introduced several AI-powered features. But are they actually useful?
🔹 Natural Language Search – Allows you to find specific photos and videos by typing in phrases like “basketball game”.
🔹 AI Audio Eraser – Similar to Google’s Pixel feature, it helps remove unwanted background noise in recordings.
🔹 Now Brief – AI-generated daily summaries with weather updates and news highlights.
🔹 Cross-App Actions – Lets Samsung’s AI assistant interact with apps (e.g., sending messages or setting calendar events).
While some AI features feel helpful, others, like Now Brief, still need improvement to provide truly relevant updates.
Battery Life & Charging: Still Good, But Could Be Better
Battery life on the S25 Ultra is solid but not groundbreaking.
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | OnePlus 13 | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 5,000mAh | 6,000mAh (Silicon-Carbon) | 4,852mAh |
| Charging Speed | 45W | 100W | 35W |
| Wireless Charging | Qi2 (with case) | Qi2 | MagSafe |
- 7+ hours of screen-on time, which is good but not a major leap from last year.
- Still stuck at 45W charging, while competitors like OnePlus offer 100W charging.
- Silicon-Carbon batteries could have allowed for a larger battery, similar to the OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh battery.
Samsung did introduce Qi2 wireless charging, but with a catch—you need a certified case to activate the feature. This is a frustrating limitation, considering Apple and OnePlus have fully integrated Qi2.
What Could Be Better?
Even though the S25 Ultra is a fantastic phone, here are a few areas where it could improve:
❌ No Native Qi2 Wireless Charging – Requires a separate case to enable the full feature.
❌ Zooming Between Lenses Still Feels Choppy – Needs further optimization.
❌ Stagnant Charging Speeds – Stuck at 45W for several years now.
❌ Camera Hardware Needs an Overhaul – A larger sensor (instead of 200MP marketing gimmicks) would be more beneficial.
❌ Design Feels Less Premium Than S24 Ultra – Some users may prefer last year’s aesthetics.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is undoubtedly a powerful and premium flagship with:
✔ Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
✔ One of the best smartphone displays in the market
✔ Improved speakers and AI features
✔ Solid battery life and software optimizations
However, for $1,300, Samsung could have pushed the boundaries further—especially in terms of camera hardware, battery innovation, and charging speeds.
Who Should Buy It?
✅ If you own an S22 Ultra or older, this is a fantastic upgrade.
✅ If you want one of the best displays, software, and AI features.
✅ If you prefer Samsung’s ecosystem and long-term software support.
Who Should Skip It?
❌ If you already own an S24 Ultra, the upgrade might feel minor.
❌ If you want the best smartphone camera, competitors like the Vivo X200 Pro might be better.
❌ If you prefer faster charging and better battery tech, OnePlus 13 is a strong alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the S25 Ultra better than the S24 Ultra?
Yes, but the improvements are incremental. The new AI features, improved speakers, and slight camera upgrades are nice, but not a major leap.
2. Does the S25 Ultra have Qi2 wireless charging?
Yes, but only with a Qi2-certified case, which is disappointing compared to competitors that offer native Qi2 support.
3. Is the battery life better than the S24 Ultra?
It’s similar, averaging around 7 hours of screen-on time.
4. Should I upgrade from the S24 Ultra?
If you already own an S24 Ultra, the upgrade isn’t essential unless you specifically want the new AI features and improved speakers.
Would you buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra or wait for next year’s model? Let me know in the comments! 🚀
