The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives as the crown jewel of Samsung’s latest flagship lineup, bringing a blend of sleek design updates, powerful performance, and subtle camera enhancements. While it doesn’t leap forward in radical ways compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it refines several key elements and introduces a suite of AI-driven improvements, making it an enticing choice for fans of premium Android devices. However, some longtime enthusiasts might be disappointed by the removal of the popular S-Pen Bluetooth remote functionality.
Design and Build: A New Look That Feels Right
Samsung has finally reimagined the Ultra’s design, shifting to a flat aluminum frame with gently rounded corners. This change makes the phone not only more attractive but also easier to grip. The front is fortified with second-generation Gorilla Glass Armor, while the back uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced durability. The frame is made from grade 5 titanium, lending it exceptional strength with a lightweight feel.
At 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm and weighing just 218 grams, the S25 Ultra is thinner, narrower, and lighter than the previous model. Its IP68 rating assures protection against dust and water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters. The redesign focuses on comfort and premium quality, with a sturdy build that stands up well to everyday use.
Display: Expansive, Bright, and Crisp
The S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a sharp 1440 x 3120 pixel resolution, resulting in nearly 498 pixels per inch. The screen benefits from LTPO technology, allowing an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1 Hz up to a smooth 120 Hz. Peak brightness reaches an exceptional 2600 nits, providing excellent visibility in bright environments.
With shrunken bezels, the screen-to-body ratio is impressive, enhancing immersion whether you’re watching videos or browsing. The display supports HDR10+ and always-on mode, ensuring rich color, deep blacks, and practical usability at all times.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Powers the Experience
Samsung’s move to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 “for Galaxy” chip marks a major boost in raw power and efficiency. This 3nm processor includes two powerful cores clocked at 4.47 GHz combined with six energy-efficient cores running at 3.53 GHz. Paired with 12 to 16 GB of RAM depending on the configuration, the S25 Ultra handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications effortlessly.
UFS 4.0 storage across all models ensures fast app loading and file transfers. The device runs Android 15 with Samsung’s own One UI 7 skin. Samsung pledges up to seven major Android version updates, promising long-term software support.
Connectivity is state-of-the-art with 5G capability, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and even eSIM support for more flexible carrier options.
Camera System: AI Enhancements Over Hardware Upgrades
While Samsung opted not to overhaul the primary camera hardware, it focused on software and AI improvements to elevate image quality. The 200MP main sensor remains, delivering detailed and vibrant photos with optical image stabilization (OIS) and phase detection autofocus.
The ultrawide camera sees a noteworthy update from the previous generation: it now sports a 50MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and autofocus, resulting in sharper, clearer wide-angle shots. The telephoto setup includes a 10MP 3x zoom lens and a 50MP 5x zoom lens, both equipped with OIS.
The 12MP selfie camera continues to offer solid performance with dual pixel autofocus.
In video recording, the S25 Ultra supports 8K video at 24 or 30 frames per second, along with various 4K and 1080p options, supported by stereo audio capture, electronic image stabilization, and HDR10+ processing. These combined factors ensure steady, high-resolution footage for enthusiasts.
Battery Life and Charging: Balanced and Quick
The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5000mAh battery, similar to its predecessor but optimized for better efficiency thanks to the new chipset. It supports 45W wired fast charging, capable of replenishing approximately 65% of the battery in just 30 minutes.
Qi2 wireless charging is included, allowing up to 25W charging speeds, along with 4.5W reverse wireless charging to power compatible accessories on the go.
Samsung now ships the phone with a 3A-rated USB-C charging cable, sufficient to deliver the full 45W charging power safely—no need for a 5A cable as with previous models.
S-Pen Changes: A Loss that Stings
One significant and somewhat surprising change in the S25 Ultra is the removal of the S-Pen’s Bluetooth connectivity. This means the stylus no longer supports air gestures or remote camera shutter functions. While the S-Pen is still included and retains its traditional writing and drawing capabilities with low latency and high precision, the loss of remote features might disappoint users who relied on them for convenience and creative flexibility.
Software and AI: More Than Just Power
Samsung is leaning on AI and software refinement to differentiate the S25 Ultra. This includes enhanced image processing powered by the new Snapdragon ISP that improves photo and video quality without needing new camera hardware.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7, offering a clean, user-friendly interface optimized with new customization options and intuitive controls. Features like Samsung DeX have been improved for a desktop-like experience when connected to external displays, while Wireless DeX lets you go cable-free for presentations and multitasking.
Packaging and Accessories
The S25 Ultra comes in a sleek black box containing the phone, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable rated for 3A, and a SIM ejector tool. Samsung no longer includes a charger brick in the retail packaging, encouraging users to rely on existing chargers or purchase one separately.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in several variants to suit different storage needs: 256GB, 512GB, and a whopping 1TB, all with 12GB RAM (a 16GB RAM option exists for the 1TB model). Pricing starts at around $970 for the base model and climbs to over $1,100 for the largest storage variant, depending on the retailer and region.
Final Verdict: A Premium All-Rounder with Subtle but Solid Improvements
The Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t reinvent the wheel but rather sharpens it. It combines a more refined and durable design with a bright, crisp display and the speediest chipset on Android. Although camera hardware remains mostly unchanged, boosted AI processing improves photography and videography. Battery life and charging keep pace with expectations for top-tier smartphones.
The biggest drawback for some might be the removal of S-Pen remote features, stripping away a unique selling point for creative professionals and power users. Still, the comprehensive feature set, high build quality, and future-proof software support make the S25 Ultra a strong contender for anyone seeking a premium flagship device in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are the main camera improvements on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The S25 Ultra retains the same 200MP main sensor and telephoto cameras from its predecessor but upgrades the ultrawide camera to a 50MP sensor with autofocus and a wider f/1.9 aperture. Improvements in photo and video quality mainly come from AI-powered image processing thanks to the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
Q2: Does the S Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra support fast charging, and what accessories are included?
Yes, the S25 Ultra supports wired fast charging at 45W, wireless charging at 25W with Qi2 compatibility, and reverse wireless charging at 4.5W. The box includes a USB-C to USB-C 3A-rated charging cable, enough to reach full fast charging speeds, but no wall charger is provided.
Q3: Why was Bluetooth connectivity removed from the S-Pen, and how does this affect its use?
Samsung removed Bluetooth support from the S-Pen on the S25 Ultra, which eliminates the remote-control features like air gestures and camera shutter control. The stylus still functions normally for drawing and writing, but users lose the convenience of using it as a remote input device.
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