Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
Samsung
Galaxy S25 Ultra specs at a glance:
- Body: 162.8x77.6x8.2mm, 218g; Glass front (Corning Gorilla
Armor 2), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), titanium frame (grade 5);
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min), Stylus.
- Display: 6.90" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600
nits (peak), 1440x3120px resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 498ppi;
Always-on display.
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm):
Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M);
Adreno 830.
- Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB
RAM; UFS 4.0.
- OS/Software: Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7.
- Rear camera: Wide (main): 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm, 1/1.3",
0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm,
1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; Telephoto: 50 MP,
f/3.4, 111mm, 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra
wide angle: 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚, 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady
video.
- Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual
pixel PDAF.
- Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps,
1080p@30/60/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS; Front
camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps.
- Battery: 5000mAh; 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min, 25W wireless
(Qi2), 4.5W reverse wireless.
- Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4; NFC.
- Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo
speakers; Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support),
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Circle to Search.
Although the Galaxy S25 Ultra has
many minor improvements, none of them are significant in comparison to the
Galaxy S24 Ultra. Samsung seems to be depending more on AI and software
features than on camera and hardware upgrades to sell the new models.
Design and Display
The
S25 Ultra features a refined design with rounded edges and a textured titanium
frame, offering a premium feel. It boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
with a variable refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120Hz, ensuring smooth visuals
and energy efficiency. The screen achieves a peak brightness of 2,600 nits,
enhancing visibility in bright environments.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: A Refined Evolution
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a slightly larger 6.9-inch display, yet its
physical dimensions have actually slimmed down. It is narrower than the S24
Ultra, marginally thinner, and 14 grams lighter, making it more comfortable to
hold and carry.
Design & Durability
Samsung has introduced Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and rear panels,
marketed as "the industry's first anti-reflective glass ceramic."
This second-generation material, now without the term "glass" in its
name, has been tested to withstand drops from heights of up to 2.2 meters onto
concrete. However, while it's more resilient, intentionally testing its limits
isn’t advisable.
The screen also benefits from Samsung’s second-gen DX anti-reflective
treatment. While the difference between the S25 Ultra and its predecessor may
not be immediately obvious, the reduction in glare is noticeable compared to
standard display materials.
Display & Performance
The new 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel features ultra-thin bezels and a
small punch-hole cutout for the 12MP selfie camera. The nearly invisible
earpiece remains at the top, doubling as part of the stereo speaker system.
Like previous Ultra models, the S25 Ultra retains an ultrasonic fingerprint
scanner. This technology, unlike optical scanners, does not require additional
illumination and offers fast and reliable unlocking. However, it may not perform
optimally with certain glass screen protectors.
Display Quality
The increase from 6.8 inches to 6.9 inches is subtle, and in day-to-day use,
the change may go unnoticed aside from the improved ergonomics. The screen
maintains a QHD+ resolution (1,440x3,120 pixels, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 498ppi
density) and a 120Hz refresh rate. However, Dolby Vision support remains
absent, as Samsung continues to back HDR10+ instead. Additionally, the display
is an 8-bit panel, meaning color transitions might not be the smoothest, though
this is only noticeable in specific scenarios.
Brightness & Refresh Rate
In brightness tests, the S25 Ultra delivered around 1,400 nits in adaptive
mode, while manual operation peaked just below 800 nits. These figures are
respectable but not groundbreaking.
Samsung offers two refresh rate modes—Adaptive and Standard. While both
dynamically adjust refresh rates, only Adaptive reaches 120Hz, while Standard
is capped at 60Hz. The difference is minor, with Adaptive mode better aligning
refresh rates to content, such as matching 24fps and 48fps video playback. In
everyday use, this distinction is unlikely to be a game-changer.
Interestingly, in Adaptive mode, Chrome drops to 60Hz when idle, even if
dynamic content is present. Gaming, however, takes full advantage of the 120Hz
capability, delivering smooth visuals where supported.
Performance
and Battery Life
Powered
by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the S25 Ultra delivers robust
performance suitable for multitasking and demanding applications. The device is
equipped with 12GB of RAM and offers storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Despite
maintaining the same 5,000mAh battery capacity as its predecessor, efficiency
improvements enable the phone to last into the second day on a single charge.
Charging Speed
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 45W charging rating. Samsung offers a 45W charger (or several) that you can use to maximize the phone's potential, but it doesn't come with one. For essentially the same outcome, you can also choose a good third-party power delivery unit, however there may be some differences based on the charger's specific specifications.
We obtained a comparatively consistent 40W up to roughly 24% reported state of
charge using one of those Samsung 45W adapters (the EP-T4510, the
second-generation one, for those who care). Although it's not a very high
value, it comes fairly near to Samsung's claims and the phone keeps it for a
fair amount of time.
Camera
System
The
camera setup includes a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and
telephoto lenses of 10MP and 50MP, providing versatility for various shooting
scenarios. The 50MP ultra-wide lens is particularly notable for capturing
detailed macro shots. The device supports video recording up to 8K resolution.
Video Recording
The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports video recording at up to 4K60 across all
cameras in standard Video mode. Additionally, 8K30 recording is available at
the native focal lengths of the main, ultrawide, and 5x telephoto cameras. Pro
Video mode expands options with 24fps settings for both 4K and 8K, as well as
4K120 for the main and ultrawide cameras.
By default, videos are encoded in h.265 (HEVC), with an option to prioritize
either quality (default) or smaller file sizes. Users can also switch to the
older h.264 codec for compatibility reasons.
All cameras support video stabilization in every mode, though it can be
disabled in settings if external stabilization methods are preferred. Stereo
audio recording is also standard.
4K footage from the main camera delivers excellent detail, wide dynamic
range, and natural colors. The 2x zoom level maintains strong performance,
though some loss in definition is noticeable. The 3x telephoto camera provides
acceptable detail, while the 5x telephoto captures decent detail with
consistent color accuracy.
Low-light performance is solid, with the main camera producing detailed
clips, albeit with some visible grain in darker areas. Exposure control and
dynamic range remain strong. The 2x zoom level introduces more noticeable noise
but remains usable. The telephoto cameras perform better in low light compared
to the S24 Ultra, offering brighter exposure and improved detail retention. The
ultrawide camera also sees improvements over its predecessor.
Stabilization on the S25 Ultra is exceptional—walking-induced shake is
minimal, panning is smooth, and even the 5x telephoto remains remarkably steady
when stationary.
AI
Integration
Samsung
has integrated advanced AI features into the S25 Ultra, such as ingredient
detection for recipe suggestions and the Now Brief hub for daily management.
While these features show potential for practical use and cost savings, they
are still in the early stages and have room for improvement.
Using S Pen in Notes and some AI tricks
There are some neat AI assist features now, which can help you summarize and
translate texts, transform your doodles, and convert voice into text.
AI in Notes
Google Gemini is at the heart of AI, as usual. You can ask Gemini a
lot of stuff to do, even make entire conversations. It can give you ideas on
what to cook based on a photo of your fridge contents, or you can ask for book
or painting ideas. Gemini can also create images for you, which is neat.
Pros
- Enhanced Display: The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED
2X display with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits offers vibrant and clear
visuals.
- Robust Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite
processor ensures smooth and efficient operation across various tasks.
- Versatile Camera System: The combination of
high-resolution sensors and improved ultra-wide capabilities allows for
diverse and detailed photography.
- Extended Software Support: Samsung promises seven years
of OS and security updates, ensuring long-term device support.
Cons
- High Price Point: Starting at £1,249/$1,299,
the S25 Ultra is a significant investment, which may be prohibitive for
some users.
- Marginal Upgrades: Some users may find the
improvements over the previous model insufficient to justify an upgrade.
- Underdeveloped AI Features: The new AI capabilities,
while promising, are still in their infancy and may not yet provide
substantial value.
Verdict
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