Summary
Highlights
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra appears visually similar to its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, with minor changes like slightly boxier edges, a physically thinner design, and thinner bezels resulting in a 6.9-inch screen. It also features more durable Gorilla Glass and more pronounced camera rings, but these changes don't significantly impact usability. The real changes lie internally.
The S25 Ultra primarily features only one of the three major advancements expected in 2025 flagships: the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It lacks features like IP69, Qi2 magnets, a 10x zoom, or high-frequency PWM dimming. The S Pen was even downgraded. Samsung is accused of playing it incredibly safe, offering minimal upgrades due to a lack of competitive pressure in markets like the US, where other strong competitors aren't as prevalent.
The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip is the phone's best feature, making it incredibly fast and efficient, rivaling Apple's A18 Pro chip. Samsung has improved cooling with a 40% larger vapor chamber. All international S25 models will receive this chip, ensuring consistent performance globally. The One UI 7 software, built on Android 15, includes iOS-inspired features like a 'Now Bar' for ongoing activities and a revamped notification shade. Lock screen customization is also enhanced with more styles.
Samsung's AI features offer a mixed bag. Object Eraser in the Photos app and natural language search in settings and the gallery are highly praised. AI select is decent for quick summaries or GIF creation, but less responsive than desired. Daily briefs are considered weak and not very helpful. A significant concern is Samsung's unclear messaging about the cost of these AI features, which are free only until the end of 2025, leaving users wondering about future charges.
A major point of contention is the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen, disabling its remote control capabilities. Samsung justified this by stating low user activation, but this contradicts the 'Ultra' philosophy of including advanced features for niche users. While the camera app gained a log feature (beneficial for a small group), the S Pen's downgrade signifies a cost-cutting measure rather than an enhancement, suggesting Samsung prioritizes mass appeal over premium features.
The S25 Ultra's design choices, such as omitting a silicon carbide battery, IP69 certification, and Qi2 magnets, are attributed to cost savings and a focus on broad appeal. Despite these omissions, the phone remains very good. It boasts one of the best displays, excellent battery life due to the new chip's efficiency, and fine cameras (with the 50MP ultrawide being a genuine upgrade). However, it misses the opportunity to be the absolute best, which is expected for its premium price.
The S25 Ultra is described as 'awesome but not the best,' a notable shift from previous years. The video notes that the competition has caught up, highlighting Samsung's complacency. Minor improvements include slightly faster charging and a thoughtful repositioning of the SIM card tray. The regular S25 and S25 Plus offer the same software and AI features, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, providing better value for most users at lower price points.