At a starting price of $1,299.99, this phone isn’t for the average consumer it’s for those chasing the best of the best. But is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth the price tag? Or is it a futuristic experiment wrapped in shiny titanium? Let’s break it down.
A Design That Finally Gets Comfortable
One of the most noticeable changes to the Galaxy S25 Ultra is its shape. Gone are the squared, boxy edges that made the phone feel like a brick in your hand. Samsung has finally rounded the corners and slimmed the profile, making the device feel more in line with its siblings in the Galaxy S series.
Despite being the biggest model in the S25 lineup, the Ultra manages to feel more manageable. The new dimensions 6.41 inches tall, 3.06 inches wide, and 0.32 inches thick make it slightly less bulky than last year’s Ultra, while the titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass keep things sturdy yet surprisingly light in the hand.
What’s more, the S25 Ultra is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance. Whether you drop it in a puddle or take it out on a sandy beach, it’ll survive the ordeal without flinching. The only real physical flaw? The S Pen doesn’t sit completely flush inside the phone a minor annoyance, but one worth noting in a device this premium.
The Display: More Than Just Big
Let’s talk screen real estate. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and while that’s only 0.1 inches larger than the previous model, it makes a big difference. Thanks to reduced bezels and an ultra-high resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, the front of the phone is basically all screen.
Brightness maxes out at a stunning 2,600 nits, which means you’ll have no problem seeing this display even under direct sunlight. The anti-reflective coating works beautifully, eliminating most glare and reflections, making it ideal for watching videos, editing photos, or even just browsing on a sunny afternoon.
Add in the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and every swipe, scroll, and animation feels buttery smooth. Whether you’re a mobile gamer, a content creator, or just someone who appreciates crisp visuals, this display will spoil you.
S Pen: Still Here, Just Not As Smart
Samsung’s beloved S Pen makes its return, but this time with a caveat. While you can still doodle, sketch, sign documents, and take quick notes with precision, the stylus no longer supports Bluetooth. That means no more Air Gestures or using the stylus as a remote shutter for your camera.
Samsung claims less than 1% of users actually used those features, so the removal may not affect the masses. Still, for longtime Note loyalists or power users, it might sting a bit.
That said, the pen still works beautifully for pressure-sensitive input, and if you're an artist or student, it remains a standout feature that few other phones offer.
Performance: This Phone Doesn’t Just Run it Flies
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. This isn’t just marketing jargon this chip is genuinely powerful. In benchmark tests, the S25 Ultra scores among the highest of any Android phone in both single-core and multi-core performance. In fact, the only phone that slightly edges it out in some areas is Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.
But what really sets this processor apart is its AI integration. Samsung has moved many AI features on-device, which means faster responses and better privacy. Tasks like generating summaries, editing photos, or searching with natural language happen almost instantly.
Paired with 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, there’s virtually nothing this phone can’t handle. Whether you're gaming with maxed-out settings or editing 8K video, the S25 Ultra barely breaks a sweat.
Battery & Charging: Solid, But No Leap Forward
The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery identical to the S24 Ultra. Samsung claims up to 31 hours of video playback, but in real-world usage (with full brightness and continuous YouTube streaming), the phone lasted around 14 hours and 15 minutes. That’s decent, but not mind-blowing.
Charging speeds also remain unchanged, with 45W wired and 15W wireless. A full charge takes just over an hour, which is acceptable but lags behind rivals like the OnePlus 13, which can hit 100% in just 40 minutes thanks to faster charging technology.
The S25 Ultra does support Qi2 wireless charging but only if you buy a special magnetic case. It’s a step in the right direction, but Samsung clearly prioritized performance and AI over charging this year.
Cameras: A Flagship Photographer’s Dream
The camera system is, in a word, exceptional. The main 200MP sensor delivers stunning shots with sharp detail, vivid colors, and balanced contrast even in low light. Samsung has retained the 3x and 5x optical zoom lenses from the S24 Ultra and added a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, which now supports high-res macro shots as well.
What does this mean in practice? Photos from the Galaxy S25 Ultra pop with color, sharpness, and depth. Portrait mode performs well on both the front and rear cameras, and even nighttime photography looks impressive without blowing out highlights.
Samsung’s 100x Space Zoom is still a neat party trick, although image quality deteriorates at extreme zoom levels. For day-to-day use, the 5x and 3x zooms deliver fantastic results.
On the video side, the S25 Ultra records up to 8K at 30fps, though stabilization is better at 4K. New tools like Log mode for pro color grading, Best Face for group shots, and Audio Eraser for removing background noise show that Samsung is paying attention to creators and casual users alike.
Galaxy AI + One UI 7: The Real Star of the Show
Here’s where things get really interesting. With Android 15 and One UI 7, Samsung’s new Galaxy AI takes center stage and it’s more than just a gimmick.
Imagine saying, “Find pet-friendly restaurants in my area and text them to Sarah,” and the phone automatically searches, compiles the info, and drafts the message without you needing to open an app. That’s the power of Cross App Actions, a feature that lets AI work across multiple apps with a single request.
There’s also Circle to Search, which now works with audio in videos. You can highlight a song playing in the background of a clip and find it instantly. Features like natural language search in settings, portrait stylization, AI editing tools, and call summarization further prove that this phone is built to help, not just perform.
Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates and security patches, putting it on par with Google’s Pixel phones in terms of longevity.
Final Verdict: Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra Worth It?
Absolutely if you want the most advanced Android phone on the market today. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t just powerful it’s thoughtful. It’s designed not only to meet your needs but anticipate them. Whether you're an artist using the S Pen, a photographer leveraging pro-grade cameras, or someone who just wants their phone to actually understand them, this device delivers.
It’s expensive, yes. And some sacrifices like the removal of S Pen Bluetooth or modest charging speed might be deal-breakers for some. But in the bigger picture, this is the most complete Android phone of 2025, blending raw performance, camera excellence, and AI intelligence like never before.
If you're ready to invest in a device that can truly do it all, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the one to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra waterproof?
Yes, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is IP68 certified, meaning it’s resistant to dust and can survive being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. It’s not invincible, but it can handle rain, spills, and even a brief dip in the pool.
2. Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra come with a charger in the box?
No, Samsung no longer includes a charging brick with its flagship phones. You'll get a USB-C cable, but you’ll need to purchase a 45W charger separately if you want the fastest charging speeds.
3. Can I expand the storage with a microSD card?
Unfortunately, no. The Galaxy S25 Ultra does not support microSD cards. However, you can choose between 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users.
4. How good is the S25 Ultra for gaming?
It’s excellent. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, combined with the 120Hz display and improved cooling system, makes this phone a mobile gaming beast. Whether you're playing Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, or high-performance emulators, expect buttery-smooth performance.
5. What makes Galaxy AI different from Google Assistant or Bixby?
Galaxy AI leverages on-device processing to perform intelligent tasks without needing constant internet access. It’s faster, more secure, and capable of things like summarizing calls, performing multi-app tasks, and editing media with AI tools. While it still uses Bixby or Google Gemini for some features, it goes way beyond traditional voice assistants.
6. Does the S25 Ultra support Wi-Fi 7?
Yes, it does! The Galaxy S25 Ultra is future-proof with Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded environments—perfect for streaming, gaming, and smart home setups.
7. How long will Samsung support the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Samsung has committed to 7 years of major Android updates and security patches for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. That’s the longest software support in Android history (equal to Google’s latest Pixels), making it a smart investment for long-term users.
8. Can I use the S Pen from the Galaxy S24 Ultra on the S25 Ultra?
Technically, yes—but not fully. The S24 Ultra's Bluetooth-enabled S Pen will physically work for basic input on the S25 Ultra, but Air Actions and Bluetooth functions won’t work, since Samsung has removed Bluetooth support from the new S Pen.
9. Is the camera better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
It depends on what you’re looking for. The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers higher resolution photos, more flexible zoom options, and AI-powered tools for editing. The iPhone 16 Pro Max still excels in color accuracy and video stabilization. For photography enthusiasts and power users, the Ultra likely offers more creative control.
10. Who is the Galaxy S25 Ultra best suited for?
This phone is ideal for:
- Power users who multitask or create content
- Photographers and videographers wanting pro-grade tools
- Artists and note-takers who love the S Pen
- Tech enthusiasts looking for cutting-edge AI
- Anyone who wants the most complete Android flagship on the market
If you're looking for a phone that can practically do it all—and do it well—the S25 Ultra delivers.