The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has arrived, bringing with it subtle advancement that are not to be looked down upon. This latest flagship from Samsung claims to redefine the user experience, both aesthetically and functionally. But does it deliver on its promises? MKBHD gave its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Phone of the Year trophy last year. This is quite a statement especially with phones like the Vivo X200 Pro and OnePlus 13 being favorites over the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy devices for other tech reviewers.
Let’s dive into the standout features and changes that set the S25 Ultra apart from its predecessor and competitors.
A Slightly Fresh Design: Thinner, Lighter, Stronger
At first glance, the design of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is slightly different from the S24 Ultra. However, once you hold it, you can instantly feel it is lighter being 15 grams lighter and 0.4 millimeters thinner than the S24 Ultra. It is also the slimmest Ultra phone that Samsung has produced to date. The body is constructed from a stronger titanium alloy, which incorporates a new compacted molecular structure. This upgrade not only enhances durability but also contributes to a more elegant feel in hand.
Moreover, the introduction of a tougher Gorilla Glass Armor 2 on the front promises to reduce damage. In fact, Samsung reported a 60% decrease in screen damage from devices utilizing the previous Gorilla Glass Armor. Although we shall delve into software upgrades later on it is worth noting that the durability will come in handy as the phone comes with an assurance of 7 years worth of updates.
Color Choices
While the design improvements are commendable, the color options have received mixed reviews. The new shades—such as Titanium Silver and Titanium White—have been criticized for being bland and unexciting. Despite the intent to create interesting color variations, many users feel these hues resemble generic gray or silver.
Enhanced Comfort and Portability
Samsung addressed a persistent complaint by rounding off the corners of the phone after years of sharp edges. This change, while minor, does enhance comfort in everyday usage. However, with a flat-side design, some users might find it less comfortable to hold than its predecessors. Nonetheless, smaller bezels, being 15% reduced, accommodate a slightly larger screen size, moving from 6.8 inches to an impressive 6.9 inches. This adjustment, combined with a sleek body, offers a visually appealing mobile experience.
User Interface & Software Experience
Samsung has also made significant strides with the One UI Android skin. The latest version, One UI 7, has received accolades for its modernized look and improved functionality. The interface is described as intuitive, bright, and fun, flipping the script from a corporate feel to a more user-friendly palette.
Key Features:
- Improved Widget Customization: Users can now customize widgets and quick settings with unprecedented flexibility. Customization is the one feature that has allowed many users to prefer Samsung Galaxy phones over the iPhone line of phones. Fact is, iPhone is rigid with customization and it is with the iOS 17 and 18 that they are trying to catch up. With the Samsung adopting some UI features from iOS but still prioritizing customization, it is clear that Samsung is intent on stealing some of the market in flagship sales.
- Speed Enhancements: Overall performance feels significantly faster, positioning the S25 Ultra in a class of its own.
- Major Android Updates: It promises to support up to Android 22, allowing users to benefit from long-term software improvements.
A Leap in AI Functionality
Samsung’s foray into AI continues with the incorporation of innovative features designed to enhance productivity and inter-connectivity between apps. The AI suite showcases capabilities that stand out significantly in 2024’s smartphone arena. Here are the three primary facets of the AI enhancements in the S25 Ultra:
- Cross-App Functionality
This game-changing feature which was introduced with the launch of their AI has been improved and now gels better. It allows users to communicate commands across multiple applications. For instance, asking your phone to find concert information and add it directly to your calendar can now be executed seamlessly.
- Iterative Upgrades
The AI features that have already existed in past models have received enhancements. For example, the Smart Select function has evolved into AI Select, enabling users to highlight objects on their screen without physical interaction.
- Personalized AI
A standout characteristic of the S25 Ultra is its ability to adapt and learn from user behavior. This means the phone can make personalized suggestions based on your habits, calendar events, and emails. For instance, the phone can remind you of expiring coupons or advise you on when to leave for your flight, reflecting a new era of smartphones acting as intelligent life companions.
Subtle but Impressive Hardware Enhancements
The S25 Ultra does not compromise on hardware either. It houses a Snapdragon 8 Elite 4 Galaxy processor, providing a power boost of 30-40% compared to last year’s model. Accompanied by 12 GB of RAM in the base model, users can expect unrivaled performance.
Display Upgrades
Samsung has maintained its reputation for exceptional displays with the S25 Ultra. The new Hop 3 display technology rolls out improved touch response rates, image quality, and battery efficiency. Paired with upgraded anti-reflective coatings, the screen promises crystal-clear visibility, significantly reducing screen reflections.
A New Era of Camera Technology
One of the most significant upgrades in the Galaxy S25 Ultra is in its camera system. The main camera has been upgraded from 12 megapixels to a whopping 50 megapixels. This enhancement promises brighter, sharper, and higher quality images and videos. For content creators and photography enthusiasts, this is a game changer, allowing for:
- High-Quality 8K Footage: The new advanced video options let users record in log format, significantly elevating the quality of cinematic videos.
- Smooth Zoom Transitions: Zooming in and out has never been smoother. Users now have access to a zoom slider that makes adjusting the focus effortless.
These improvements not only enhance the user experience but also set a new standard in smartphone photography.
Additional notable features include:
- Best Face Editing: This fun editing trick allows users to swap facial expressions from different burst shots, adding a unique twist to photography that was previously seen on Pixel phones.
- Audio Erase in Video Editing: This innovative feature identifies different sounds in videos, allowing users to enhance or minimize audio as needed, showcasing the phone’s robust video editing capabilities.
- AI Select: An improved version of Smart Select, this function intelligently recognizes selected content on the screen, providing relevant actions like directly sending images to the drawing application.
- New Sticker Generator: Users can create completely personalized stickers using text prompts, which adds a fun and creative element to messaging.
- These AI features not only improve usability but also ensure that the S25 Ultra remains competitive with other leading smartphones.
Enhanced Performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip
At the heart of the S25 Ultra is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, touted as the fastest chip in any mobile phone. This significant hardware upgrade results in:
- Blazing Fast Performance: Users can expect snappier response times and smoother multitasking.
- Extended Battery Life: Better efficiency means around an extra hour of battery life, a crucial factor for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day.
With this powerful chip, the S25 Ultra is set to handle demanding applications and high-resolution content effortlessly.
Pricing and Availability
One of the most surprising aspects of the S25 Ultra is its pricing, which remains consistent with last year’s model. The base S25 now includes a new storage option of 512GB, making it even more appealing to users who need ample space for apps, photos, and videos. Meanwhile, the previous S24 Ultra is now more affordable, proving that Samsung is looking out for budget-conscious consumers. There are also upto $900 dollars worth of discounts for people who swap older models of their phones and all are available on the official Samsung websites.
Is the Samsung S25 Ultra Worth The Upgrade
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra redefines what users can expect from a smartphone. With its impressive design, upgraded software, and significant AI capabilities, it positions itself as a leading choice in the competitive smartphone market. While there are points for improvement, such as the color palette and some of the growing pains with AI functionality, the overall offerings make it a compelling upgrade.
Samsung has borrowed from Apple on various aspects which is great for the consumers. Before, Samsung would come up with innovative and futuristic body designs. Although this approach was good for some users, it proved not to be likable for all users with the best example being the Galaxy 7 Edge devices (which Samsung has brought back with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge by the way).
Although the new approach may receive backlash from a few users and reviewers the subtle upgrades are following the simple principle, if it’s not broken – don’t fix it. The main upgrade for all Galaxy devices is the OneUI 7 which, although tries to look like the iOS, blends well with the phones. I guess now it’s up to Apple to make a move.
Ultimately, whether you should upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra depends on your current device and usage needs. Here are some considerations:
- Are you a photography enthusiast? If you value high-quality images and videos, the camera improvements alone could be worth the investment.
- Do you need faster performance for gaming or multitasking? The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip provides top-tier performance that can handle demanding applications.
- Are you looking for advanced AI capabilities? Users who appreciate innovative features like AI editing and personalized stickers will find great value in the S25 Ultra.
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