Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: The best Samsung phone yet?

When it comes to our devices, more often than not, we find ourselves on the lookout for the latest upgrades in high hopes of getting something faster, smarter, and more efficient. Case in point: Samsung has released its Galaxy S25 Ultra as part of its latest flagship lineup.

While many might assume that the device may not look drastically different from its predecessor at first glance, the real magic lies under the hood. This new model boasts advanced AI-powered upgrades, camera enhancements, and improved performance—highlighting the brand’s commitment to making your smartphone work smarter, not harder.

But the big question remains: is it worth the upgrade? If you’re holding onto an older model, this might just be the push you need. In this article, we put the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra through its paces to see if it’s truly the next big thing—or just another incremental step forward. Here are our thoughts.

Design & Specs: 

Despite minor changes to its design, the new S25 Ultra model features a 6.9-inch screen which is slightly larger than the S24 Ultra which has a 6.8-inch display. Some slightly noticeable differences include the curved edges and flat sides of the S25 Ultra as opposed to the S24 Ultra’s sharp edges and curved sides. In my opinion, I do prefer this design, as it looks more sleek and polished, and it feels more comfortable holding it in your hand.

The phone also sees the brand’s signature Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and it offers Quad HD+ resolution, vibrant colours, and an exceptionally bright display at 2,600 nits, which enhances the overall visual experience. Additionally, the S25 Ultra also has an anti-reflective coating, making it easier to see your screen under harsh lighting.

One thing that I really appreciate about the phone is that it comes with the new Gorilla Glass Armor 2. In essence, it gives added protection and improved durability – and even after using it for a month without a screen protector, the phone is free of scratches. This is a huge plus, especially if you’re someone prone to accidental drops.

One other notable feature is its lighter build. In this model, Samsung has trimmed about 15 grams off its device, making the phone feel a lot more comfortable to hold, especially for extended use.

The S25 Ultra offers seven different options for you to choose from which include Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Gray, Titanium Black and Titanium Whitesilver. There are also three additional colours Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Jadegreen and Titanium Pinkgold, which you can purchase exclusively on Samsung’s official website.

The S Pen, on the other hand, which is cleverly tucked at the bottom of the S25 Ultra phone, also gets a new update. It’s slimmer, however, it’s missing Bluetooth connectivity which means you won’t be able to use the air gestures that previous Samsung models previously had. I wouldn’t say this was much of an issue considering only a few actually used them. Nevertheless, it’s still great for note-taking and sketching, but it’s just not as versatile as it was before the upgrade.

Performance

The Samsung S25 Ultra boasts a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor which is incredibly fast. This chip is one of the biggest upgrades from its predecessor and is significantly faster. We’re talking about 35-40% faster in certain applications especially when you’re gaming.

In addition to the processor, you also get 12GB of RAM, giving you a snappier experience and allowing you to multitask effortlessly, and you can run some of the other demanding apps without facing any problems.

For those wondering, the new phones from the flagship lineup (S25, S25+ or the S25 Ultra) will reflect the same processor and 12GB of RAM, so you can have the same experience across the board. Ultimately, it offers a pretty big step up from the previous models.

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s battery life is quite impressive. In fact, you could probably get away with over 30 hours of battery life with a single charge and even up to two days with light use. However, if you’re using a lot of the apps or streaming videos on YouTube or Netflix, the phone could last up to about 15 hours of usage – which is still pretty decent as compared to other mobile devices.

Camera

In terms of its cameras, the S25 Ultra has a camera system that’s quite similar to its recent predecessors. Namely, it includes the main 200MP camera, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 50MP 5x telephoto camera that’s capable of zooming to 10x magnification, or beyond with digital zoom.

I took the phone out for a day at the new Rainforest Wild Asia and I was truly impressed with how the camera managed to capture all the details when I zoomed into a subject.

But where this phone truly shines is its improved 50MP ultra-wide camera. What’s great about this feature is that it works better in low-light conditions, and the photos came out a lot crisper and it produced better-detailed images indoors and in other dim environments.

Live Translate

Most of us experience a lot of pressure and stress when it comes to visiting foreign countries where English is not their first language. Thankfully enough, with the Samsung S25 Ultra, translating has become a breeze thanks to its Interpreter feature.

On my recent trip to Osaka, Japan, I got to put this feature to the test. For some background, I’ve always struggled with Japanese when I travel. However, with the Interpreter, I was able to order food and ask for directions without awkward fumbling. The translations were smooth, and for the first time, I actually felt like I could hold a proper conversation.

On a side note, despite its extensive list of languages within the Interpreter app, not every language is currently supported on it. But, when you do have the right language downloaded to your phone, all you need to do is hit the mic button to talk, then do the same when the other person is ready to respond. It’s simple and easy to use, and I’ve come to appreciate what a handy device the phone has been for my travels.

AI Features 

One thing that I especially liked about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the AI features. It’s equipped with Google’s AI assistant Gemini, and is seamlessly integrated across the different apps on the phone. A powerful productivity tool, this feature comes in handy when you need help with things like finding information and sending it to contacts, setting calendar events, or summarising YouTube videos.

Another feature that I was impressed with is the Drawing Assist. Now, users can generate AI images using text prompts or doodles and have them customised according to their favourite art styles.

The bottom line 

Overall, I really think that the Samsung S25 Ultra is one worth splashing on if you haven’t upgraded your phone in the last two years. You’ll appreciate the difference with the additional features like the performance boost, smarter AI features, and added durability that makes the phone a solid step up from what you currently have.

The Interpreter app is a total game-changer if you travel often, and the camera upgrades—especially in low-light settings—are definitely worth mentioning if you’re a camera hobbyist.

That said, the S25 Ultra is an incredibly well-rounded device. It’s fast, durable, and packed with useful upgrades that make everyday use feel seamless and effortless. If I were using an older model, I wouldn’t hesitate—it’s a powerhouse that makes everything feel smoother, faster, and just better overall. And honestly? That’s enough reason to make the switch.

The Samsung S25 Ultra is available starting from $1,678 (256GB) or $1,858 (512GB), or $2,218 (1TB) at the Samsung store.