Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has officially arrived, bringing with it a refined design, upgraded AI features, and an even brighter display. But is it truly worth upgrading if you already own the Galaxy S24 Ultra? While it’s undoubtedly one of the best smartphones of the year, many of its improvements feel incremental rather than groundbreaking. If you’re coming from an S23 Ultra or an older device, the S25 Ultra is a solid upgrade, but S24 Ultra owners might want to hold off. This review will break down each aspect of the phone to help you make an informed decision, examining its design, performance, software, and value for money.
Design and Build Quality
Samsung has continued its push toward premium materials, introducing a Grade 5 titanium frame while retaining the Gorilla Armor 2 glass for both the front and back. This makes the device lighter yet stronger, improving durability while maintaining a premium feel. The combination of these materials ensures better resistance against drops and scratches, making the S25 Ultra one of the most durable smartphones available.
The S25 Ultra’s dimensions are 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, and it weighs 218g. This means it’s slightly larger than its predecessor, offering a better grip and a slightly larger screen-to-body ratio. The curved edges are minimal, keeping the same flat-screen approach as the S24 Ultra. The phone also maintains IP68 water and dust resistance, making it just as durable as previous Ultra models. Users can confidently take it in light rain or dusty environments without worry.
One notable omission this year is the removal of the charging coil for the S Pen. Unlike the S24 Ultra, which included a coil for wireless charging and connectivity enhancements for the stylus, the S25 Ultra drops this feature, meaning the S Pen may not have the same level of seamless integration over time. This could potentially lead to reduced efficiency and usability for frequent S Pen users who rely on its seamless pairing and power functionality.
Display
One of the standout features of the S25 Ultra is its 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display. With a 1440 x 3120 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, this is Samsung’s brightest display to date. This makes it excellent for outdoor visibility, HDR content, and smooth scrolling, ensuring an immersive viewing experience whether you are watching videos, gaming, or browsing the web.
The slight increase from 6.8 inches (S24 Ultra) to 6.9 inches gives users a more immersive experience while keeping bezels minimal. Adaptive refresh rate technology (1Hz-120Hz) helps conserve battery life by adjusting the screen refresh rate dynamically based on content. The Always-on Display feature remains, providing notifications and essential information without significantly impacting battery life.
Samsung has also made improvements in color accuracy and HDR capabilities, making photos and videos appear even more vibrant. Users will notice deeper blacks, brighter whites, and more detailed contrast, making it one of the best smartphone displays on the market today.
Camera & Video
Samsung retains the 200MP main sensor, but key changes come in zoom technology. Instead of the 10x periscope zoom in the S24 Ultra, the S25 Ultra now features a 50MP periscope with 5x optical zoom. While this may seem like a downgrade, image processing improvements ensure better zoom quality at mid-range distances. Samsung’s new AI-assisted computational photography enhances images, resulting in clearer shots even in challenging lighting conditions.
Camera Breakdown:
- 200MP primary sensor – Delivers excellent detail with improved low-light processing, reducing noise and enhancing clarity.
- 10MP 3x telephoto lens – Great for portrait shots with optical zoom, capturing subject depth and background blur effectively.
- 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens – Provides high-quality zoom images with better stability and sharpness.
- 50MP ultrawide sensor – Improved autofocus and Super Steady video, making it ideal for landscapes and action shots.
The video recording capabilities remain top-tier, supporting 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, alongside enhanced HDR10+ recording and stereo sound capture. Content creators and casual users alike will appreciate the ability to shoot ultra-detailed videos with smooth stabilization.
Battery – Powering Your Day
The 5000mAh battery in the S25 Ultra remains the same as the S24 Ultra, but efficiency improvements from the Snapdragon 8 Elite help extend battery life. Samsung has focused on optimizing background processes and AI-driven battery management to ensure a longer-lasting device.
Charging speeds remain at 45W wired (65% in 30 minutes), 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. While these are solid, they don’t match some competitors offering 100W+ charging speeds. However, battery endurance has improved slightly, allowing most users to get a full day of use even under heavy workload conditions.
OS, Features & Updates – The Software Experience
Samsung is focusing heavily on AI with One UI 7 on top of Android 15. The Galaxy AI features include:
- Circle to Search – Quickly search for anything on-screen.
- Live translation – Real-time AI-driven translations during calls and messages.
- AI-powered photo editing – Enhanced background removal and intelligent object erasing.
- Smarter notifications – AI organizes notifications based on importance and user behavior.
Samsung has also committed to 7 years of major Android updates, matching Google’s Pixel lineup and ensuring long-term software support. This commitment gives users confidence that their device will remain up to date with the latest features and security enhancements.
Price & Value – Is It Worth It?
The S25 Ultra is a premium device, but does its price justify the performance and features it offers? With a starting price of $1,249 / €1,199, it remains one of the most expensive Android flagships on the market. While the premium materials, AI features, and camera system add value, the lack of major upgrades from the S24 Ultra makes it harder to justify for existing Ultra users.
However, if you’re upgrading from an S23 Ultra or older, the improvements in software support, display brightness, and AI processing make it a more compelling option.
Final Verdict & Stadio Score Rating
Using the TechStadio Score System, here’s how the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rates:
| Category | Score (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Screen | 4.5 |
| Camera & Video | 4.5 |
| Battery | 4.5 |
| OS & Features | 5 |
| Price & Value | 3.5 |
Final Stadio Score: 4.4/5
Final Thought: The S25 Ultra is an amazing phone, but if you own an S24 Ultra, save your money this year.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra worth upgrading from the S24 Ultra?
A: If you already own the S24 Ultra, the improvements are minimal, making it hard to justify the upgrade unless you really want the latest AI features.
Q: What are the biggest improvements in the S25 Ultra?
A: The main upgrades include better AI features, improved mid-range zoom quality, a slightly larger and brighter display, and longer software support.
Q: How does the battery life compare to the S24 Ultra?
A: Battery life remains similar, but the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset provides slight improvements in overall longevity.
Q: Is the camera downgrade from 10x to 5x zoom a problem?
A: Not necessarily. The new 5x zoom lens offers better image processing, delivering clearer shots at mid-range zoom levels compared to the older 10x system.
Q: How long will the S25 Ultra receive updates?
A: Samsung has committed to 7 years of major Android updates, ensuring longevity and security for the device.
Q: Why did Samsung remove the charging coil for the S Pen?
A: Samsung removed the wireless charging coil for the S Pen in the S25 Ultra, meaning the stylus no longer charges in the same way as previous models. This could impact its long-term usability compared to the S24 Ultra’s S Pen.
Sources & References
- GSMArena – Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Specifications
