Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra After 5 Months: Worth the Hype?

After five months of daily use, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has had time to prove itself  or not. Does it still hold up as Samsung’s flagship king, or has the shine faded? Here’s our full, long-term review. its 2025 powerhouse the Galaxy S25 Ultra and it’s turning heads for all the right reasons. If you’re after top-tier hardware, meaningful AI upgrades, and one of the sharpest displays on the market, this phone checks nearly every box.

Samsung Galaxy S25
Launch
AnnouncedJanuary 17, 2025
StatusAvailable
Box Accessories
ChargerNot included (sold separately)
HandsfreeNo
CoverNot included
Design
BuildTitanium frame, Gorilla Glass Armor front & back
Dimensions162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm
Weight232 g
ColorsPhantom Black, Titanium Gray, Sapphire Blue
Display
Type6.8″ QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits peak
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels (~500 ppi)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Armor
BezelsExtremely slim
Platform Specs
OSAndroid 15, One UI 7
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 4 (Elite variant)
CPUOcta-core
GPUAdreno (latest)
Memory
Card SlotNo
Variants12GB + 256GB / 12GB + 512GB / 16GB + 1TB
Back Cameras
Main 200 MP (wide), OIS
50 MP (ultrawide)
50 MP 3x telephoto, OIS
50 MP 5x telephoto, OIS
FeaturesAI scene optimization, Real-time stabilization, HDR, Leica lens tech
Video8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, HDR10+, Super Steady
Front Camera
Main12 MP (wide), Dual Pixel AF
Video4K@60fps, HDR10+
Sound
SpeakersStereo speakers tuned by AKG
3.5mm JackNo
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.4
NFCYes
USBUSB Type-C 3.2
SIMDual SIM (Nano + eSIM)
Security
FingerprintUltrasonic under-display
Other SensorsFace unlock, Accelerometer, Gyro, Compass, Proximity, Barometer
Battery
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable
Charging45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
AI Features
On-device AILive Translate, Circle to Search, Note Assist, Photo Editing, Voice Summarizer
IntegrationGalaxy AI (on-device, privacy-first)
Misc
S Pen SupportYes
ModelsSM-S928U, SM-S928B
Price$1199 (base variant)

We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.

Design & Build Quality

Samsung hasn’t gone wild with a redesign and that’s not a bad thing. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sticks to the tried-and-true premium build, but now it’s tougher with a titanium frame. It feels solid in hand, and the flatter edges make it more comfortable to grip. The matte glass back helps avoid fingerprint smudges, while the updated mic and AKG-tuned stereo speakers provide a great audio experience. You also get tactile, clicky side buttons. Available in Phantom Black, Titanium Gray, and a standout Sapphire Blue.

Display

The 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED screen is a beauty. It’s sharp, colorful, and super bright hitting 3000 nits, which means no squinting under sunlight. Scrolling feels buttery smooth thanks to the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Plus, HDR10+ support makes movies and games look extra punchy. The bezels? Practically gone.

Camera System

The Ultra lives up to its name with a 200MP main camera, and the photos it takes are sharp, vivid, and hold up even in low light. The 50MP ultra-wide is solid for landscapes, and the dual zoom lenses (3x and 5x) deliver crisp results without needing to get close. Galaxy AI steps in for things like real-time stabilization and smart auto-settings; it’s noticeable, especially when shooting on the move.

Video-wise, you get 8K at 30fps with impressive stabilization. It’s great for content creators or anyone who just wants pro-level footage from their phone.

Performance

Under the hood is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite, and it flies. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or editing video, this thing doesn’t stutter. Paired with Android 15 and One UI 7, it’s fast and responsive.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI is baked into the experience, offering smarter suggestions, faster translations, and real-time transcription all without needing the cloud. It’s privacy-first and speedy.

AI Features

AI is everywhere on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it’s actually useful. Live Call Translate helps you chat in different languages during phone calls even offline. Circle to Search is a cool Google feature that lets you find info just by circling something on your screen. There’s also Note Assist to auto-summarize or translate notes, a wallpaper generator that makes custom designs based on your style, and powerful photo editing tools like object removal and background fill.

Bixby’s voice features are also smarter, letting you summarize long audio recordings or create voice notes that sound natural. Most of this runs on the device, so it’s quick and doesn’t rely on the cloud.

Battery & Charging

The 5000mAh battery holds up well except around a day and a half of use unless you’re constantly shooting 8K video. Fast charging hits 65% in about 30 minutes, and you still get wireless and reverse charging options. Heat management has improved, so no more uncomfortable warming while charging or gaming.

Storage, RAM & Connectivity

You can grab the S25 Ultra in these combos:

  • 12GB + 256GB
  • 12GB + 512GB
  • 16GB + 1TB

There’s no microSD slot (typical for flagships now), but with this much built-in storage, you probably won’t need it. You get full 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, eSIM support, and fast USB-C 3.2 for charging and file transfers.

Pricing

Samsung kept things steady:

VariantOfficial Price (USD)
12GB + 256GB$1199
12GB + 512GB$1299
16GB + 1TB$1399

Compare

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

FeatureGalaxy S25 UltraiPhone 16 Pro Max
Display6.8″ QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz6.7″ LTPO OLED, 120Hz
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 4Apple A18 Pro
Rear Camera200MP + 50MP + 3x + 5x48MP + 12MP ultra-wide + 5x zoom
Front Camera12MP12MP
SoftwareAndroid 15, One UI 7iOS 26
Battery5000mAh, 45W charging~4500mAh, 27W charging
AI FeaturesGalaxy AI (on-device)Apple Intelligence (cloud + local)
S Pen SupportYesNo
Storage OptionsUp to 1TBUp to 1TB
Price Start (USD)$1199$1199

The iPhone has its ecosystem, top-tier video, and long support. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra shines in camera flexibility, display, charging, and built-in AI. Both are great, it depends on what you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts

TheSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t just throw specs at you it delivers where it matters. Better battery, sharper photos, smarter features, and a solid build. It’s a serious flagship that feels like it’s built to last and to impress. If you’re upgrading this year, this phone deserves to be on your shortlist.

FAQs

Will the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have an S Pen?

Yes, the S Pen is built in just like the last few Ultras

Is the camera better than the S24 Ultra?

Yes, especially in night mode and zoom clarity. AI also improves stabilization.

Will there be Exynos variants of the S25 Ultra?

Nope. It’s Snapdragon 8 Elite everywhere.

What’s new in software?

One UI 7 brings Galaxy AI tools, better multitasking, Smooth Animations and more customization.

When was the Samsung S25 Ultra released?

It launched in January 2025 during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event.

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