Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Refined Flagship with AI at Its Core

 The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, announced January 22, 2025, and released on February 3, 2025, at Samsung’s Unpacked event in San Jose, California, represents an incremental evolution of the Ultra lineup, blending refined design, robust hardware, and advanced AI capabilities into a single package​. Its 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh delivers industry-leading brightness and color accuracy, while the custom-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset paired with up to 16 GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage powers everything from everyday multitasking to intensive gaming​. The camera array is headlined by a 200 MP main sensor supplemented by upgraded telephoto and ultra-wide modules, further enhanced by Galaxy AI features and ProScaler video processing​. Battery life remains robust thanks to a 5000 mAh cell supporting 45 W wired and 15 W wireless charging, delivering up to 31 hours of video playback​. It ships with Android 15 and One UI 7, backed by seven years of guaranteed software updates, though its iterative improvements and reduced S Pen functionality may leave some power users wanting more​.

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Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy S25 Ultra adopts a grade-5 titanium frame with Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, providing enhanced scratch resistance and structural rigidity compared to previous models​. Measuring 162.8 × 77.6 × 8.2 mm and weighing 218 g, it is slightly slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, courtesy of reduced bezel thickness around the expanded display​. Samsung’s refined design language features softened corners and flat edges, aligning the Ultra more closely with the rest of the S series and enhancing in-hand comfort despite its large footprint. The handset retains IP68 certification for dust and water resistance up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes, ensuring durability in a variety of environments​.

Display

At its core is a 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel offering a Quad HD+ resolution of 3120 × 1440 pixels (~498 ppi), resulting in razor-sharp text and detailed imagery​. The 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate intelligently balances fluid animation with power efficiency, automatically adjusting based on content demands​. Peak brightness reaches 2600 nits, ensuring legibility even under direct sunlight, while HDR10+ certification and Always-on Display functionality reinforce its multimedia credentials​. A DX anti-reflective coating further minimizes glare, making this display one of the brightest and most color-accurate panels in the flagship segment​.

Performance and Hardware

Samsung equips the S25 Ultra with a custom-tuned Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (3 nm), featuring an octa-core CPU (2×4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) and an Adreno 830 GPU for top-tier graphics performance​. Configurations include 12 GB or 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM paired with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of UFS 4.0 storage, delivering swift app launches and seamless multitasking​. An enlarged vapor-chamber cooling system dissipates heat more effectively during extended gaming sessions, maintaining consistent performance under load. Benchmark scores reinforce its prowess, with an AnTuTu v10 result of 2,207,809 and GeekBench 6 multicore of 9,846, placing it among the fastest Android devices available​.

Camera System

Main and Ultra-wide

The S25 Ultra’s quad-camera setup is led by a 200 MP f/1.7 main sensor (1/1.3″, 0.6 µm pixels) with multi-directional PDAF and optical image stabilization for high-resolution stills under diverse lighting conditions​. A new 50 MP f/1.9 ultra-wide lens (120° FOV, 0.7 µm pixels) replaces last year’s 12 MP unit, offering clearer landscape shots and sharper group photos at the edges of the frame​. In dim environments, the main and ultra-wide cams retain fine detail while controlling noise, all while preserving Samsung’s signature punchy color science, particularly in vibrant reds and blues​.

Telephoto and Video

For zoom versatility, the device includes a 10 MP f/2.4 3× optical telephoto module and a 50 MP f/3.4 periscope lens delivering 5× optical zoom, both equipped with OIS and PDAF to ensure sharp, distortion-free imagery at range​. Video recording supports up to 8K at 24/30 fps, 4K at up to 120 fps, 10-bit HDR10+, and stereo sound capture; Samsung’s new Night Video mode adds an Audio Eraser feature to suppress ambient noise during low-light movie recording​.

Battery and Charging

A 5000 mAh Li-Ion battery powers the S25 Ultra, offering up to 31 hours of video playback and nearly 15 hours of active use in GSMArena’s standardized tests. Wired charging peaks at 45 W (PD 3.0), replenishing roughly 65% in 30 minutes; Qi2-ready wireless charging tops out at 15 W, and reverse wireless support allows 4.5 W accessory charging​. Real-world usage confirms all-day battery endurance even with continuous gaming, 120 Hz refresh, and 5G connectivity enabled​.

Software and Features

Out of the box, the S25 Ultra runs Android 15 with One UI 7, promising seven years of major OS upgrades and security patches—among the longest update commitments in the industry​. One UI 7 integrates Galaxy AI enhancements—leveraging Google’s Gemini and Samsung’s ProScaler—to enable generative photo edits, real-time translation, and context-aware workflows across apps​. The built-in S Pen remains a defining feature, although it now forgoes Bluetooth connectivity and Air Gesture functions in favor of basic stylus capabilities, a step back for remote-shutter and presentation control enthusiasts​. Additional perks include Samsung DeX for desktop-style experiences, Ultra Wideband (UWB) for precise spatial awareness, and Circle to Search for instant, on-screen lookups​.

Price and Value

The base model (256 GB/12 GB RAM) starts at $1,299, rising to $1,659 for the 1 TB/12 GB configuration—matching last year’s Ultra pricing despite upgraded internals​. While its premium tag places it alongside the iPhone 16 Pro Max and OnePlus 13R, the S25 Ultra distinguishes itself through its integrated S Pen, superior display technology, and extended software support. For users who demand maximalist feature sets and long-term value, the S25 Ultra warrants its price; meanwhile, those satisfied with strong performance at lower cost may prefer the Galaxy S25+ or competing flagships like the Pixel 9 Pro​.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra upholds its position as one of 2025’s most complete flagship smartphones by combining a refined titanium design, an industry-leading display, flagship-grade performance, and a versatile camera system. Although its iterative nature and pared-back S Pen features prevent it from feeling revolutionary, the addition of Galaxy AI tools and a seven-year software commitment make it a compelling choice for users seeking a future-proof, do-it-all device​.

Advantages

• Premium build and durability: Grade-5 titanium frame with Gorilla Armor 2 and Victus 2 glass offers exceptional scratch and drop resistance​.

• Outstanding display: 6.9″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with Quad HD+, 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh, and 2600 nits peak brightness ensures readability and vivid colors​.

• Top-tier performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite, up to 16 GB RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, and enhanced cooling deliver class-leading benchmarks and sustained performance​.

• Versatile camera array: 200 MP main, 50 MP ultra-wide, dual telephoto lenses with optical zoom, and ProScaler video processing cover every photography scenario​.

• Long battery life and fast charging: 5000 mAh cell with 45 W wired and 15 W wireless charging, plus up to 31 hours video endurance​.

• Software longevity and AI features: Seven years of updates and integrated Galaxy AI enhancements in One UI 7 expand productivity and creative possibilities​.

Disadvantages

• Incremental upgrades: Changes over the S24 Ultra are modest, making it feel like a minor refresh rather than a groundbreaking leap​.

• Reduced S Pen functionality: Removal of Bluetooth and Air Gesture support limits remote control capabilities, diminishing stylus versatility​.

• High price point: Starting at $1,299, it remains one of the most expensive Android phones, potentially deterring budget-conscious buyers.

• Bulk and weight: At 218 g and nearly 163 mm tall, it may be unwieldy for one-handed use or small hands​.

• Lack of major hardware innovations: Aside from camera and AI refinements, hardware changes are relatively conservative compared to competing flagships​
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