Samsung has once again raised the bar with the launch of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a phone packed with cutting-edge AI features, a stunning design, and power to spare. But is it truly worth the premium price tag? In this comprehensive review, we break down everything from performance and camera quality to design and battery life. Check out Samsung’s official Galaxy S25 Ultra page for specs and availability.
Design and Build Quality – Sleek, Durable, and Modern
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a refined design with flatter edges, slimmer bezels, and a sleek matte finish on the back. The phone feels luxurious in hand, thanks to its titanium frame—a shift from aluminum that improves durability while keeping the weight manageable. GSM Arena’s hands-on review highlights how the build quality rivals that of premium competitors.
IP68 water and dust resistance is still present, and Gorilla Glass Victus 3 covers the front and back for extra protection. At 6.8 inches, it’s big—but surprisingly ergonomic with excellent button placement.
Display – Arguably the Best in the Business
Samsung has always dominated the display game, and the S25 Ultra is no exception. It sports a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with up to 144Hz adaptive refresh rate. The brightness maxes out at 2,600 nits, making it easily visible in bright sunlight. DisplayMate ranked this screen A+ for its color accuracy and brightness levels.
Whether you’re gaming, streaming Netflix in HDR, or browsing in dark mode, this display delivers crisp visuals and vibrant colors.
Performance – Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 & AI Integration
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip (in most markets), offering substantial gains in CPU and GPU performance. Apps open instantly, multitasking is flawless, and gaming performance is top-tier. Android Authority’s benchmark tests show it outperforms last year’s flagship chip by nearly 25%.
Samsung has also added Galaxy AI, which brings new tools like Live Call Translation, Note Summarization, and Smart Editing for photos—all processed on-device. Learn more about Galaxy AI.
Camera – 200MP Sensor with Game-Changing Zoom
The quad-camera system is anchored by a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP periscope lens (with 5x optical zoom), a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto. Samsung has ditched the 10x optical zoom this year but compensates with improved digital cropping and stabilization. DXOMARK rates the camera among the top in 2025.
Low-light performance is better than ever with Nightography 2.0, and video quality up to 8K at 30fps looks incredible. The selfie camera is 12MP and now supports AI skin smoothing and live background blur.
Battery Life – All-Day Power with Faster Charging
Samsung equipped the S25 Ultra with a 5,500mAh battery, a bump from previous models. Combined with the efficient Snapdragon chip and adaptive refresh rate, it easily lasts over a day with heavy use. Tom’s Guide conducted a battery test showing it achieved 12.5 hours on a single charge.
Charging is fast—65W wired and 45W wireless—with full charge achieved in under 40 minutes. Reverse wireless charging is still available for powering up your earbuds or smartwatch.
Software – One UI 7 with Android 15
The S25 Ultra ships with One UI 7 based on Android 15, offering a smoother, more cohesive interface. Samsung promises 7 years of updates, aligning with Google’s new standard. New features include improved privacy dashboards, custom lock screen widgets, and better app predictions. Explore One UI 7 highlights here.
Bloatware is minimal, and the Galaxy Store now allows for cleaner app installs. You also get seamless integration with Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, and SmartThings.
Storage, Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, all paired with 12GB RAM. There’s still no microSD card support. The base model starts at $1,299, and it’s available in four colors: Phantom Black, Titanium Gray, Navy Blue, and a Samsung.com-exclusive Burgundy. Check pricing on Samsung’s official store.
Carrier and unlocked versions are widely available in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Asia.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional display quality
- Powerful performance and battery life
- Top-tier camera system
- Long software support lifecycle
- Useful AI features
Cons:
- Expensive
- No microSD slot
- 10x zoom removed
Read a detailed pros & cons breakdown on TechRadar.
FAQ – Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Q1: Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra support expandable storage?
No, it does not have a microSD card slot. Check Samsung’s specs page for storage details.
Q2: Is the S25 Ultra waterproof?
Yes, it’s IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. Learn more about IP ratings.
Q3: How good is the battery life on the S25 Ultra?
The 5,500mAh battery easily supports full-day usage, even with heavy multitasking. See battery test results here.
Q4: Is the camera better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
In many ways, yes—especially in zoom and night photography. Compare side-by-side on DXOMARK.
Q5: What Android version does it run?
It runs Android 15 with One UI 7 out of the box. Get One UI 7 details.
Final Verdict – Should You Buy the S25 Ultra?
If you’re looking for the best Android phone in 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra should be at the top of your list. With unmatched hardware, smart AI features, long-term support, and a best-in-class camera, it’s a powerhouse that does it all. Though it comes with a steep price tag, the value it delivers is absolutely worth it for tech enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Shop the Galaxy S25 Ultra now on Samsung’s official store.