Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Overview

Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra represents the pinnacle of what the manufacturer can achieve in 2025, combining premium hardware with cutting-edge AI capabilities. Whilst it doesn't revolutionise the Galaxy S lineup technically, it refines an already excellent formula with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a larger 6.9-inch AMOLED display, and enhanced AI features throughout the user experience.

The device maintains the €1,469 starting price of its predecessor (for the 12/256GB variant), positioning it amongst the most premium Android smartphones available. Its main competitors include the Honor Magic 7 Pro, Oppo Find X8 Pro, and OnePlus 13, with Xiaomi's 15 Ultra expected in spring 2025.

Design and Build Quality

Samsung has harmonised the Galaxy S25 family's design language, bringing the Ultra model closer in appearance to the standard S25. The rear panel is flat, as are the sides, whilst the camera modules—ringed in black—are integrated flush into the back cover.

The Ultra distinguishes itself through premium materials, featuring a titanium chassis that contributes to both strength and lightness. At 218 grams, it's 16 grams lighter than the S24 Ultra, whilst measuring just 8.2mm thick (10.88mm including camera bump). The device is also slightly narrower at 77.6mm versus 79mm, though marginally taller at 162.8mm.

Despite its substantial dimensions, the S25 Ultra houses a 6.9-inch display—0.1 inches larger than its predecessor—thanks to ultra-slim bezels that occupy 92.88% of available space. The build quality is exemplary, with IP68 water resistance, Gorilla Armor 2 screen protection, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.

The titanium finish changes subtly in different lighting, lending elegance to the device, though the glass back does attract fingerprints. An integrated S Pen stylus remains part of the package, though it loses Bluetooth functionality this generation.

Display Performance

Related Reviews

Nikon Z7 II Review: Professional Mirrorless Excellence

★★★★☆ 4.4

The 6.9-inch Super AMOLED display (3120 x 1440 pixels, 498 ppi) delivers outstanding technical performance. Its LTPO technology enables variable refresh rates up to 120Hz, whilst HDR10+ certification and near-infinite contrast ratios showcase OLED's strengths.

Brightness stands out as a particular highlight. Samsung claims up to 2,600 cd/m², and we measured 2,348 cd/m²—exceptional for outdoor visibility. The Gorilla Armor 2 coating significantly reduces reflections, compensating brilliantly in very bright environments. At the opposite end, minimum brightness reaches just 1 cd/m² for comfortable low-light use.

Colour accuracy impresses in Natural mode, which we recommend over the default Vivid setting. Natural mode achieves a Delta E of 1.55—well below the threshold where the human eye can perceive deviations—with a colour temperature of 6,439K, nearly perfect against the 6,500K reference standard. Even Vivid mode's Delta E of 2.25 remains entirely acceptable.

Performance and Processing Power

The Snapdragon 8 Elite powers all Galaxy S25 models, paired with 12GB RAM throughout. Samsung's version runs slightly overclocked at 4.47GHz in a "for Galaxy" variant. Performance proves exceptional across all metrics, particularly in multitasking scenarios where the processor truly excels. No slowdowns marred our testing experience.

Graphics performance matches the CPU's excellence. Frame rates remain consistently high even under heavy load, averaging 125fps in viSer testing. Supplementary benchmarks confirmed the device's outstanding capabilities, though we noted perceptible warmth in the upper portion during intensive tasks.

Importantly, this chip prioritises AI processing alongside raw power—precisely how Samsung intends to differentiate the S25 Ultra from competitors.

Camera System

Related Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Review: Premium Android Tablet Excellence

★★★★☆ 4.3

The S25 Ultra retains four rear camera modules spanning focal lengths from 13mm to 115mm equivalent in 35mm terms. Sensor resolutions remain unchanged except for the ultra-wide camera, which upgrades from 12MP to 50MP.

**Main Camera (200MP, f/1.7, 24mm equivalent):** Using pixel binning, the main sensor produces 12MP images with refined processing. Compared to the S24 Ultra, contrast is slightly less accentuated, peripheral sharpness marginally reduced, but the overall rendering gains naturalism. Sharpness remains high with less saturated colours.

In low light, noise management changes visibly. The S25 Ultra's gentler processing introduces slight smoothing but preserves high detail levels with more precise edges on small elements. However, Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL still manages superior sharpness in similar lighting conditions.

**Ultra-Wide Camera (50MP, f/1.9, 13mm equivalent):** The upgraded sensor delivers improved performance detailed in our separate analysis.

**First Telephoto (10MP, f/2.4, 67mm/3x):** This conventional telephoto matches the S24 Ultra's specifications, producing very similar results with slightly brighter exposure and reduced noise. Low-light performance is nearly identical, with the S25 Ultra rendering slightly warmer, more pleasing tones.

**Second Telephoto (50MP, f/3.4, 115mm/5x):** The periscopic telephoto likewise shows marginal improvements over the S24 Ultra—less noise, softer contrast, more eye-pleasing results. Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL captures more detail, but the Samsung handles low light significantly better.

**Front Camera (12MP, f/2.2):** The selfie camera carries over unchanged, delivering excellent portrait mode with adjustable background blur.

**Video Capabilities:** Recording extends to 8K at 30fps with optical plus electronic "super stabilisation" up to QHD at 60fps. LOG format debuts for videographers wanting greater post-production latitude alongside standard HEVC and H.264. Additional features include hyperlapse, slow motion, and simultaneous front-rear recording.

Battery Life and Charging

Samsung hasn't increased battery capacity from the 5,000mAh lithium-ion pack, even as competitors push well beyond this figure using silicon-carbon technology. Nevertheless, endurance proves excellent: we measured 24 hours 21 minutes on viSer's standardised protocol—several hours longer than the S24 Ultra. A full day away from chargers poses no concerns, though the most demanding uses and AI features can drain the battery noticeably faster.

Charging remains Samsung's Achilles heel, albeit a minor one. The 45W maximum feels conservative when rivals increasingly push faster charging speeds. A full charge requires 57 minutes—perfectly tolerable, but we'd welcome improvement given the premium positioning. Wireless charging likewise caps at 15W. Samsung does sell cases enabling magnetic charging despite the absence of Qi2 certification.

Software and AI Features

The Galaxy S25 Ultra debuts Samsung's long-awaited One UI 7 interface based on Android 15. Key changes include separated quick settings and notifications panels with a cleaner visual design.

**Now Bar** appears on the lock screen (enable Always-On Display), providing real-time action summaries without unlocking—navigation directions, currently playing music, or active timers. Think Dynamic Island without a notch.

**Now Brief** complements this by summarising useful information from your calendar and habits—weather, appointments, traffic on regular routes. Particularly valuable for professional contexts or travel, displaying boarding passes or train tickets at the appropriate moment.

One UI 7 concentrates heavily on AI functionality. Samsung's partnership with Google brings enhanced Circle to Search results and, crucially, the ability to invoke two apps simultaneously with Gemini. The AI can pull from Samsung and Google applications, executing complex requests like conducting online searches whilst creating notes or messaging results to contacts (with user confirmation).

Samsung's own AI, discreetly using Bixby, handles device settings. Voice searches in Settings now accept natural language queries, with AI suggesting appropriate options. The seamless transition between Gemini and Bixby proves genuinely clever.

Additional AI features span noise removal from recordings, automatic mini-film creation, image generation via prompts, and sticker creation—alongside the already-useful text summaries, fraudulent call protection, and automatic translation.

Verdict

The Galaxy S24 Ultra met every criterion expected of an ultra-premium smartphone, and Samsung matches—if not exceeds—that achievement with the S25 Ultra. The device succeeds unquestionably on technical merit, gaining both power and endurance whilst retaining only its minor weakness: charging speed that isn't particularly rapid.

Its singular challenge—shared with competitors—stems from smartphone technology reaching a plateau. Excepting AI-enhanced software, the S25 Ultra doesn't significantly innovate beyond its predecessor. How does one differentiate when hardware has peaked, if not through software features?

Perhaps the S25 Ultra lacks that indefinable extra spark to not merely convince (which it does effortlessly) but truly seduce. Yet this criticism amounts to nitpicking when effectiveness matters most. For those seeking the ultimate Samsung smartphone experience in 2025, the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers comprehensively.