Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, enters the market with a hefty price tag of $1,299, promising a blend of cutting-edge technology and refined design. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this new device truly offers enough advancements to justify an upgrade, especially for those already familiar with Samsung’s previous models. The S25 Ultra targets users who demand high performance and a comprehensive range of features, incorporating advancements in AI technology, an improved camera system, and robust processing power. But does it live up to expectations?
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S25 Ultra upholds Samsung’s reputation for producing large, substantial devices, with this year’s iteration featuring refined aesthetics and a more comfortable feel. Visually, the S25 Ultra promises a sleek and modern appearance, characterized by rounded edges and a lighter frame, making it the thinnest Galaxy S Ultra model to date. Weighing 16 grams less than its predecessor, the device’s reduced top-heaviness and thicker camera rings contribute to a balanced, easier-to-handle build. Despite packing a lot into its frame, the design ensures durability without compromising on style.
Furthering its durability, the S25 Ultra integrates the new Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front display, enhancing both drop and scratch resistance. This is accompanied by an anti-reflection surface treatment carried over from the previous model, ensuring the screen remains glare-free in bright conditions. Despite significant practical improvements, available color options have lost some vibrancy, potentially driving users toward personalized cases for additional flair. The thoughtful design modifications are clear nods to enhancing user experience and device longevity without succumbing to unnecessary fragility or brightness in colors.
Performance and Processing Power
Embedded within the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, marking a substantial leap in its processing capabilities. This state-of-the-art chipset demonstrates a 40% increase in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance when compared to the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, equipping the S25 Ultra with extraordinary on-device AI functionalities. Users will notice significant improvements in speed and efficiency, particularly in scenarios requiring lower bandwidth and power consumption, enabling more robust autonomy for the device’s AI tools.
The enhanced processing power is no idle boasting point, manifesting in nearly every aspect of the device’s functionality. Complex tasks, such as those handled by the Generative Edit tool, which removes subjects from photos, and the Gemini app’s rapid search results, become seamless. The new power button functionality, now launching the Gemini app, refines the user experience by streamlining access to AI features, reducing the reliance on previously mandated voice assistants like Bixby. These improvements underscore a user-centric design, aiming to provide a more fluid and responsive smartphone experience.
AI Integration and Capabilities
Samsung stakes a strong claim in the realm of AI technology with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, competing head-to-head with tech giants like Google and Apple. The S25 Ultra’s AI capabilities extend beyond basic functionalities, providing a range of tools designed to enhance everyday tasks. The Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent stands out, offering natural, conversational responses while executing complex chains of actions. This AI agent’s competency in understanding and carrying out multi-step commands underscores Samsung’s commitment to creating intuitive and efficient user interactions.
However, the AI agent is not without its limitations. The requirement for precise command phrasing occasionally hampers the intuitive use of these advanced features, reminding users of the need for clarity when interacting with the AI. Nonetheless, supplementary tools like AI Select, which acts as an adaptable selection tool, and Now Brief, offering personalized daily updates, cement Samsung’s leadership in AI applications within the smartphone market. Despite Now Brief’s tendency to prioritize political news, which may not align with all user preferences, these tools bring considerable convenience and intelligence to the user experience.
Camera Enhancements
Arguably, one of the most significant upgrades in the Galaxy S25 Ultra is its camera system, heralding the introduction of a new 50MP ultrawide lens, effectively replacing the previous 12MP sensor. This enhancement results in vastly improved detail and vividness, particularly evident in macro photography. Accompanying this primary sensor update, the remaining camera components continue from the S24 Ultra, featuring the impressive 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto lenses, ensuring a versatile and high-quality photography array.
Software upgrades complement the hardware improvements, with features like default 10-bit HDR video recording enhancing dynamic range and adding a professional touch to video captures. The Audio Eraser feature affords users greater control over audio frequencies during video recording, while Galaxy Log mode offers more sophisticated video recording management and post-editing capabilities. These advancements build a compelling case for the S25 Ultra as a device ideal for photography enthusiasts seeking premium-quality imaging and control over their creative outputs.
User Experience and Practicality
The practical user experience with the Galaxy S25 Ultra over three days of testing reveals a device that is both captivating and somewhat predictable. Samsung’s annual iterations traditionally bring incremental changes, and while the S25 Ultra stays true to this trend, it impresses with its evolutionary enhancements. Existing users of the S-series Ultra models may find the improvements modest, yet for those upgrading from older devices, the benefits are strikingly more pronounced, signaling a worthwhile investment.
The device’s substantial size dictates a two-handed use, yet its refined and lighter design makes it more comfortable to handle, mitigating some of the bulk traditionally associated with larger phones. The integration of AI technology across various functionalities significantly streamlines the user experience, although precision in command phrasing is required. Overall, the enhancements reflect a clear intention to offer a more harmonious and practical interaction for users, effectively blending power with usability.
Value for Money
Samsung’s newest flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, has hit the market with an eye-watering price of $1,299. Promising a blend of top-tier technology and sophisticated design, the big question is whether this hefty price tag is justified, especially for those who already own previous Samsung models. The S25 Ultra is aimed at users who seek high performance and a full suite of features. It incorporates significant advancements in AI technology, an enhanced camera system, and robust processing power, promising an upgrade on many levels. For those who demand exceptional performance and cutting-edge features, the S25 Ultra promises to deliver. But does it really meet these high expectations?
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra is packed with state-of-the-art technologies. It promises exceptional processing power for multitasking and gaming, a highly advanced AI for personalized user experience, and a camera system that could potentially rival professional photography equipment. Potential buyers are keen to see if these upgrades offer a noticeable improvement over previous models or if the claimed enhancements are more hype than substance.