Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review The Best Galaxy Yet
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is here, and with it comes a wave of design, performance, camera, and AI updates. However, one controversial change is the removal of Bluetooth connectivity from the S-Pen, a feature many longtime users cherished. Despite this, Samsung has refined the Ultra series, bringing an upgraded design, improved handling, and the most powerful chipset in the Android ecosystem. But is it enough to make the S25 Ultra the best smartphone of the year? Let's dive in.
Samsung has made significant strides in refining the design of the S25 Ultra. The new flat frame with rounded corners offers a better grip and an overall improved handling experience. This makes it both aesthetically pleasing and more comfortable to use compared to its predecessor, the S24 Ultra. Additionally, Samsung has upgraded the materials, incorporating Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for better durability and a Grade 5 titanium frame for increased strength.
Surprisingly, despite the larger 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the phone has become thinner, narrower, and lighter than the S24 Ultra. This is achieved through reduced bezels, enhancing screen real estate without increasing physical size. Samsung's commitment to improving durability continues, with the IP68 rating ensuring protection against dust and water.
The S25 Ultra comes in a variety of color options, including Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium White Silver, and Titanium Silver Blue, with exclusive Samsung store colors like Titanium Jet Black, Titanium Jade Green, and Titanium Pink Gold.
The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display retains its 1440p resolution, offering a QHD+ (1,440 x 3,120 pixels) resolution with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. While the panel is still missing Dolby Vision support due to Samsung's commitment to HDR10+, the quality remains top-notch.
One major update is the second-generation DX anti-reflective treatment, which significantly reduces reflections, making outdoor visibility better than ever. However, in terms of brightness, the S25 Ultra reaches around 1400 nits in adaptive mode and just under 800 nits in manual mode, which is not groundbreaking but sufficient for most conditions.
Powering the S25 Ultra is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (For Galaxy), the most powerful Android chip yet. This chipset features boosted CPU performance, ensuring a seamless experience whether gaming, multitasking, or handling AI-driven tasks.
The phone also retains 5,000mAh battery capacity, capable of 45W fast wired charging. While Samsung still provides a USB-C DN980 (3A, 1m cable), users need a 5A-rated cable to unlock the full 45W charging potential. Additionally, Qi2 wireless charging makes its way to the S25 Ultra, ensuring seamless wireless power-ups.
Unlike previous Ultra models, Samsung has kept most of the camera hardware unchanged, relying on AI-driven improvements and Snapdragon 8 Elite's ISP to enhance photo quality. The S25 Ultra features:
While the ultrawide sensor gets a bump to 50MP with f/1.9 aperture, the primary, telephoto, and selfie cameras remain unchanged. Samsung is betting on AI enhancements to deliver better low-light performance, improved HDR, and refined image processing.
Despite the absence of variable zoom beyond 5x, the S25 Ultra maintains a solid reputation as a photography powerhouse. However, fans of Samsung’s 100x Space Zoom may be disappointed by the lack of improvements in zoom capabilities this year.
The S-Pen is still included, but Bluetooth functionality has been removed. This means no more air gestures or using the stylus as a remote camera shutter, which was a beloved feature for many users. While this change may not affect everyone, longtime Note and Ultra users might find it a deal-breaker.
Samsung hasn't given a clear reason for this downgrade, but cost-cutting and low user engagement with Bluetooth S-Pen features could be the reasons. Either way, it’s a controversial move that may frustrate loyal fans.
Samsung is leaning heavily into AI-powered enhancements, offering smarter camera processing, improved on-device translations, and AI-driven optimizations for performance and battery life. Samsung's One UI 7.0 brings a refined experience, integrating Galaxy AI features that make daily tasks easier.
Expect features like:
While hardware upgrades are relatively minor, Samsung is clearly positioning AI as the main selling point for the S25 series.
The S25 Ultra arrives in a slim black box with minimal accessories. Inside, you’ll find:
As usual, no charger is included, so users will need to buy a 45W EP-T4511 charger separately for the best charging speeds.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a fantastic device that refines the Ultra experience with better design, handling, and AI enhancements. However, the lack of major hardware upgrades and the removal of Bluetooth S-Pen features may leave some users underwhelmed.
Pros:
✅ Stunning 6.9-inch AMOLED display with thin bezels ✅ Snapdragon 8 Elite (For Galaxy) delivers top-tier performance ✅ Premium build with Grade 5 titanium and Gorilla Armor 2 ✅ AI-powered camera improvements ✅ Lighter, thinner, and better ergonomics
Cons:
❌ S-Pen loses Bluetooth support (no air gestures or remote shutter) ❌ Camera hardware remains mostly the same ❌ No major battery or charging improvements ❌ Still lacks Dolby Vision support
If you’re coming from an S23 Ultra or earlier, the S25 Ultra is a compelling upgrade. However, if you already own an S24 Ultra, the differences are incremental rather than game-changing. Samsung is betting on software and AI rather than hardware improvements this year—whether that’s enough to justify an upgrade is up to you.