The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has sparked considerable debate among tech enthusiasts and professionals alike, with many praising its capabilities and others questioning its necessity for those owning previous Galaxy models. Released recently, this device continues to uphold Samsung's reputation for high-performing flagship smartphones, but it also raises questions about whether the AI-driven features justify the typical improvements seen from generation to generation.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra was unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event, showcasing a design reminiscent of its predecessor but with some subtle yet notable adjustments. Users will notice the new model sports squarer edges, aligning closely with recent flagship designs from competitors like Apple, particularly the iPhone 16 Pro. At the same time, the S25 Ultra has shed some weight, becoming lighter by around 15 grams, and features thinner bezels for enhanced screen real estate.
The display remains one of the standout features, with its 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x display providing stunning visuals and color accuracy. Complemented by Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2, the screen promises durability without compromising its elegance. Initial reviews suggest the screen performs exceptionally well under sunlight, ensuring users can enjoy media without glare interference. Despite these enhancements, the S25 Ultra's design does not deviate dramatically from its predecessors, leading to some criticisms about innovation fatigue.
Another area receiving attention is the camera system, which retains the formidable 200-MP primary sensor from previous models. While the telephoto and ultrawide lenses have received subtle upgrades, the core hardware feels stale for users who expected groundbreaking changes with this release. Notably, the changes made include improvements to the ultrawide lens, which now sports 50 MP, enhancing low-light photography and macros. Yet some reviewers find the photographic outputs, though vibrant and rich with color, to sometimes appear overly saturated and lacking natural warmth—a common critique for previous Galaxy devices.
Photo capabilities remain impressive overall, with features like 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom, but they don't offer the revolutionary leap many anticipated. Samsung claims its camera algorithms are optimized to deliver bolder images, but users familiar with more subtle photographic adjustments seen on competing services may find themselves disappointed.
Performance-wise, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, promising faster, more efficient operation, especially for multitasking and high-resource applications. The device is equipped with 12GB RAM as standard across all models, ensuring fluid performance whether browsing, gaming, or utilizing resource-heavy applications. Initial benchmarks indicate the S25 Ultra performs exceptionally well compared to its competitors, underscoring Samsung's commitment to creating powerful devices.
Software also plays a significant role, as the S25 Ultra runs Android 15 with Samsung's One UI 7 skin. This interface introduces several AI-enhanced features like the Now Bar and Now Brief—tools meant to provide users with instant access to notifications, schedule summaries, and live updates without needing to navigate multiple apps or menus. While some users appreciate these thoughtful integrations aimed at streamlining user experience, others criticize limitations during their initial implementation.
Many reviews highlight the ambition of Samsung's new AI features, often compared to offerings from Google. Features like Circle to Search and AI Select are meant to facilitate complex tasks across applications seamlessly. For example, assisting users to analyze screen content and execute cross-app commands, though opinions are split on the effectiveness and real-world utility of these offerings. Certain reviewers noted frustrating inaccuracies during tests and highlighted concerns over user data and privacy with such extensive AI tracking capabilities for personalizing assistance.
A renewed emphasis on artificial intelligence stands as one of Samsung’s primary selling points for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The phone's ability to perform cross-app functions using voice prompts showcases how far smartphone technology has progressed. Despite this, the question remains whether these capabilities will resonate with the average consumer, particularly if previous phone models continue to receive relevant software updates, potentially mitigating the allure of upgrading.
Battery life has remained consistent with the Samsung Galaxy series, featuring the same 5,000 mAh battery as seen previously, yet users can expect at least 31 hours of video playback, showcasing commendable endurance. Charging features continue to evolve, but the lack of Qi2 wireless charging built-in without additional purchases has drawn mixed reactions from users eager for convenience.
Gauging whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth its price tag of $1,299 heralds varied opinions; some laud its power and performance, citing it as the best-performing Android device yet, whereas others caution potential buyers against upgrading from recent models. Many agree it reaffirms Samsung's commitment to long-lasting devices, with promises of seven years of software updates, something audiences appreciate as they look for longevity alongside performance.
For those still on older Samsung models, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may make sense due to enhanced features, but for current S24 and S23 users, the question of whether it is worth the transition remains. Reviewers caution against making upgrades if the only major distinctions are incremental adjustments. Instead, they suggest waiting to see if upcoming software updates will deliver new features to existing devices, particularly with Samsung frequently enhancing functionality for their users.
Faced with impressive competition from Google’s Pixel line as well as perennial other brands, the Galaxy S25 Ultra emphasizes evolutionary rather than revolutionary improvements; this fact invites serious reflection on future upgrades where substantial benefit must be clearly defined to justify the costs involved.