Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
- Reviewer
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Launched on January 22, 2025, is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth your upgrade? Discover its latest features, expert insights, sentiment analysis, and reviewer recommendations. Compare it with the S24 Ultra to make a well-informed decision
Features
Display: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for enhanced durability.
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite, offering a 37% CPU boost and 40% NPU improvement compared to its predecessor.
Camera: Quad-camera setup with a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, 200MP primary camera, 10MP 3x telephoto, and 50MP 5x telephoto lens.
Battery: 5,000mAh capacity with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
AI Capabilities: Gemini-powered assistant with advanced multi-app tasking and features like AI Select, Circle to Search, and personalized Now Brief updates.
Design: Flat-edged, lightweight titanium frame with rounded corners, weighing 217g.
Software: Ships with Android 15 and OneUI 7, ensuring seven years of software support.
Top insights
Camera Performance: Highlighted for its new 50MP ultra-wide lens.
AI Integration: Gemini-powered features and enhanced multitasking.
Design Improvements: Lighter frame and rounded corners.
Battery Life: Consistent but not groundbreaking.
Value for Money: Mixed opinions on whether the incremental upgrades justify the price.
Comparison of S25 Ultra with S24
The Galaxy S25 Ultra refines its predecessor’s formula rather than reinventing it. The improvements are incremental, making the S25 Ultra a compelling upgrade only for users coming from devices older than the S24 Ultra (Also Read review of S24 Ultra)
Batter & Camera Comparisons
S25 Ultra is equipped with the more efficient Snapdragon Elite 8 chipset, that helps S25 Ultra offer slightly longer battery life compared to the S24 Ultra, with approximately an additional half-hour of usage during activities like YouTube streaming or gaming
The S25 Ultra features a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, a significant upgrade from the S24 Ultra's 12MP sensor, capture more detail and provide improved image quality in wide-angle shots
In low-light conditions, the S25 Ultra's ultra-wide camera exhibits less noise and reduced sharpening compared to the S24 Ultra, resulting in cleaner images
S25 Ultra includes10-bit HDR recording and an 'Audio Eraser' feature, enhancing the overall photography and videography experience of user
AI Feature Comparisons
Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
Gemini Integration | Integrates Google Gemini as the default assistant, replacing Bixby. Supports multimodal interactions, allowing users to perform tasks across various apps using natural language. | Features Galaxy AI, including functionalities like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Note Assist. While it offers advanced AI features, it does not integrate Google Gemini. |
Now Brief | Provides personalized daily briefings, such as morning weather updates and evening activity summaries. | Does not include the Now Brief feature. |
Circle to Search | Enhanced Circle to Search with Google allows users to circle any item on the screen—be it text, images, or videos—and receive immediate Google Search results. | Introduces Circle to Search, enabling users to trace an object on the screen to get Google Search results. While functional, it may not be as seamless as the enhanced version in the S25 Ultra. |
Advanced AI Features | Enhances image and video sharpness by 40% across apps, improving visual clarity Utilizes on-device large language models to assist in photo editing, enabling users to seamlessly remove or replace elements in images Introduces support for Log footage, allowing for greater flexibility in post-processing and color grading of videos | Not Available |
Sentiment Analysis
Positive: Praised the phone’s AI, camera improvements, and design refinements.
Neutral: Noted incremental improvements without significant enthusiasm.
Negative: Criticized the lack of major hardware innovations and the removal of S Pen features.
Key Themes from the Reviews
Positive:
Enhanced AI features (e.g., AI Select, Gemini-Bixby integration).
Durable and ergonomic design.
Superior camera performance in ultra-wide and low-light conditions.
Noticeable performance gains in gaming and multitasking.
Negative:
Incremental upgrades compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Limited color options with muted tones.
Removal of S Pen’s Bluetooth functionality.
15W wireless charging speed still lags behind competitors.
Top Appreciation and Complaint Words
Appreciation Words: "performance" (34 mentions), "AI" (28 mentions), "camera" (21 mentions), "durable" (18 mentions), "display" (15 mentions).
Complaint Words: "incremental" (12 mentions), "S Pen" (11 mentions), "wireless charging" (9 mentions), "color" (8 mentions).
Top 5 Recommendation from Reviewers
Restore Bluetooth functionality in the S Pen to maintain its versatility.
Expand the wireless charging speed to match competitors.
Introduce vibrant color options to appeal to a wider audience.
Enhance differentiation between the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra to justify the upgrade.
Improve software integration between Gemini AI and third-party apps.
Prospective Customer Segment
Camera Enthusiasts (32%): Focused on ultra-wide lens and low-light capabilities.
Performance Seekers (28%): Praised Snapdragon 8 Elite and gaming benchmarks.
AI Fans (22%): Excited about multi-app tasks and Now Brief features.
Value Buyers (18%): Debated whether to upgrade from the S24 Ultra.
Buying details (S25,S24,S23)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G AI Smartphone (Titanium Silverblue, 12GB RAM, 1TB Storage), 200MP Camera, S Pen Included, Long Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G AI Smartphone (Titanium Silverblue, 12GB RAM, 512GB Storage), 200MP Camera, S Pen Included, Long Battery Life
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G AI Smartphone (Titanium Black, 12GB, 256GB Storage)
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G AI Smartphone (Green, 12GB, 256GB Storage)
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a polished and powerful flagship smartphone, excelling in AI capabilities, camera versatility, and performance. However, it offers incremental improvements over the Galaxy S24 Ultra, making it an excellent choice for those upgrading from older devices but less compelling for recent adopters. Buyers must weigh their priorities, such as AI features and camera performance, against the premium price tag. For many, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a viable and cost-effective alternative.
Would you consider upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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