Important points of ZDNET
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a premium flagship for users who want to get the most out of their phone, with a starting price of $1,299.
- Key improvements include new Galaxy AI features, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and 50MP Ultra Avid lens.
- There are no major shifts in camera hardware, battery size, or charging speed.
More purchasing choices
Samsung’s Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived. It’s pretty much everything I expected. Galaxy S25 Ultrastarting at the same bold price as last year at $1,299, the company now features a more durable display, an upgraded camera system with useful editing tricks, and the latest Qualcomm processor to keep things running. All mobile phones remain mobile phones. Oh, and yes, AI is everywhere and everything at once.
Also: Samsung is packing for 2025: 5 biggest announcements including S25 Edge and AR Glasses
Last year’s Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung’s Galaxy AI era, but this year we’re seeing the company step up and take on Apple and even Google (for now) in terms of features and capabilities. I feel like there is. Of course, how decorative that honor ultimately is will depend on how invested we are in using AI.
I’ve spent the past day and a half testing the S25 Ultra, and it wasn’t all that surprising to find me both fascinated and bored. After all, this is now the fifth iteration of Samsung’s S-series Ultra models, and the year-over-year changes have been modest and more generous. But if you’re currently using a 3-4 year old phone and are looking to upgrade, consider this first-hand testimonial – I wouldn’t call it a full review yet – mind To. (And if you’re a hobbyist, it’s just as important to you.)
The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big phone, a two-handed affair, and this year it’s here. When I first boxed the S25 Ultra, it felt like the fanciest calculator ever, with its rounded edges and tall stature (and I mean that). Coming from the OnePlus 13 I recently reviewed – although relatively similar in size on paper, the S25 Ultra had a bolder, more imposing presence.
From left to right: iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Kerry Wan/Zdnet
Fortunately, the device isn’t as top-heavy as we remember the previous model, even though it’s wrapped around four rear cameras this time with a thick ring. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor at 16 grams, earning it the title of thinnest Galaxy S Ultra ever. We’ll hear more about the phone’s “not-thin” nature later this year.
Also: I got hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 – and the AI features were surprisingly sophisticated
Another notable design upgrade with the S25 Ultra is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered on the front display. It doesn’t break away from the anti-reflective surface treatment that made last year’s S24 Ultra headlines, but it promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I believe it. My S24 Ultra from last year had numerous micro-scratches after just a few days of testing, but the S25 Ultra Review unit has been pristine so far.
Now, if only Samsung could bring back its glory days. psychedelic aura glow Because these will end S25 Ultra Color Not exciting. Perhaps it’s the nature of titanium’s finish or the harsh reality that consumers are likely to choose safer Colors with black, white and silvery hues than poppy or bright. Anyway, if you want to give your S25 Ultra even a touch of personality, we recommend slapping on a case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfdswl5pavu
Under the hood is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which powers competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experience. Notably, it has increased NPU performance by 40% compared to last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: We tested both, and the winner isn’t so clear
In layman’s terms, AI capabilities on a device need to operate quickly, while requiring less bandwidth and power to operate. I’ve seen the results of the placebo effect firsthand, as my S25 Ultra can quickly remove subjects from the background of a photo (along with shadows) via generative editing and boost Gemini searches in seconds.
You can also chalk up performance to the enhanced Gemini app. This can now be activated with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby or Google Assistant. This makes the transition from other Android phones that use Gemini as the default assistant much more painless.
Speaking of which, as Samsung is confusing it, its new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent can handle natural-sounding conversational behavioral chains, like looking up your favorite sports team’s upcoming schedule or adding a date. Masu. your calendar. Features like Agent primarily work with Google and Samsung apps, but some third-party services like Spotify are also supported.
Also: You can finally ditch your Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. This is why
The important thing is to know how to phrase your commands. For example, when you ask an AI agent create When I sent my road trip Spotify playlist to my wife, she replied that she couldn’t do that. instead I asked it search We’ve curated a list and created a changeable text message with songs suitable for road trips. Ladies and gentlemen, AI.
Considering last year’s S24 series introduced Google’s Circles to search functionality, this year’s S25 series does the same for an enhanced Gemini-Bixby experience. Market now.
Other new Galaxy AI tools like AI Select only reinforce that statement, with the former being an adaptive, context-aware screen selection tool and the latter offering a daily summary of weather, calendar events, and news. Masu.
Also: Samsung appliances are about to get smarter and smarter – thanks to AI
I now wish the brief had shown me more than just political news. Even with my topic preferences set to Technology and Sports within the Samsung News app, the app still features an “Uplifting Morning Ready” Spotify playlist and the latest scoop on signing executive orders from the President of the United States. I’m awake.
According to Samsung, the new 50MP Ultra Wide lens brings out 4x more details than the previous generation’s 12MP sensor.
Kerry Wan/Zdnet
One of the main reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra Phone continues to be the camera, but Samsung hasn’t improved the specs this year, at least on paper. The only hardware change is a 50 megapixel ultra-id lens (up from 12MP) that brings more detail and sharpness from my first shot, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses are the same as last year’s S24 Ultra, including the 200mp width, 50mp 5x telephoto, and 10mp 3x telephoto.
Also, the best Android phones to buy in 2025
There is a big focus on the software side. Samsung introduces useful photo and video features such as 10-bit HDR video recording by default, and captures a wider dynamic range, a new audio eraser feature that allows you to adjust the volume of different frequencies (voices, wind, noise Ability to record in Galaxy Log mode, classified as an audio subject.
The latter feature allows you to better find overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range when recording video, while applying LUTS to mailing for better color and light control can. We’ll be testing more shooting modes in the coming days.
ZDNET purchase advice (for now)
my first full day of testing Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra A few things confirm for me. While I easily appreciate most aspects of the phone, such as the vibrant glare-free display and versatility of the camera and AI features overall, this year’s upgrades feel repetitive and safe.
In the process, Samsung is taking a few steps back as the S Pen Stylus no longer supports Bluetooth controls and gestures. QI2 compatible case Instead of embedding actual technology into your phone.
It’s understandable that early adopters and tech enthusiasts may feel underwhelmed by the S25 Ultra. But considering consumers coming from the S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even older iPhones, Samsung’s new flagship handset checks almost all the boxes. You can also earn generous trade deals through local airlines and retailers.