Samsung S25 Ultra Review - Same Price, Some Nice Upgrades

 

Samsung has introduced a new series of Galaxy S devices, aptly designated the Galaxy S25 lineup for the year 2025. I appreciated the decision made by Samsung in 2020 to adjust the numbering system to correspond with the year, and I maintain that sentiment. Over the past few weeks, I have been utilizing the Galaxy S25 Ultra, attempting to reacquaint myself with the benefits of AI assistance and making the most of the S Pen whenever possible. The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands as Samsung’s premier flagship model, equipped with an array of specifications, features, and future-proofing capabilities that one would expect when investing over $1,000 in a smartphone. Given the trend of recent years, significant changes in hardware or specifications are not anticipated; rather, we observe incremental enhancements. For those who prefer to upgrade annually, these new releases may appear somewhat monotonous. However, for users who retain their devices for three to four years, substantial advancements can be expected. Therefore, is the S25 Ultra a worthwhile upgrade? Let us explore this further.

The following is our assessment of last year's model: "For those seeking a smartphone that excels in features, the S24 Ultra stands out as one of the best options available." This perspective naturally extends to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung's comprehensive approach is commendable, as the device is replete with an array of hardware and software capabilities, with artificial intelligence once again playing a significant role. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite for Galaxy processor, complemented by 12GB of RAM. During our hands-on evaluation, the device demonstrated remarkable performance while navigating the One UI 7 operating system, which operates on Android 15. It is important to highlight that Samsung has committed to providing seven years of software and security updates, suggesting that this device may continue to receive enhancements until 2032. The "for Galaxy" designation indicates that this processor is a specialized variant developed by Qualcomm specifically for Samsung, featuring a slightly A significant component of this device's software is the Galaxy AI system, which includes a comprehensive range of AI tools and functionalities. All the popular features from the S24 Ultra are present, such as the highly beneficial Circle to Search with Google, the Generative Edit photo editing suite, Live Translation tools, and the Chat Assist feature that can adjust the tone of your messages and emails for various contexts. Samsung has enhanced this feature by integrating a new on-device large language model (LLM), which is expected to improve the reliability and accuracy of the generative fill tools within the photo editor. Regarding the audiovisual capabilities, the S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz and a Quad HD+ resolution. This large and vibrant screen offers an enjoyable user experience due to its high refresh rate, and the claimed brightness of 2600 nits—consistent with last year's model—ensures excellent visibility in both indoor and outdoor settings. Samsung has also incorporated an advanced glare-reducing screen coating on this device, which is said to be even more effective than that of the previous year. During our observation of the Galaxy S25 Ultra in a brightly lit environment, we encountered no noticeable issues with glare or reflections, leading us to trust Samsung's claims.

The most significant enhancement in audio-visual capabilities is Samsung's newly introduced ProScaler feature, which draws inspiration from the company's premier 4K and 8K television models. This feature is said to enhance image scaling quality by 40 percent, resulting in lower-resolution content streamed from the device appearing sharper and more detailed. We were excited to learn about Samsung's addition of this AV-specific feature and eagerly anticipate testing it across various streaming platforms in our comprehensive review. During a brief trial with a selection of film trailers on YouTube, we observed that 1080p content exhibited a noticeably crisper quality. Regarding the other audio-visual functionalities of this device, it is compatible with HDR10 and HDR10+. The latter has recently gained traction as Disney Plus has committed to supporting this format for select content, while platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Paramount Plus already offer it. Additionally, Dolby Atmos audio is available through both the speakers and headphones; however, Samsung's new Eclipsa Audio immersive format is regrettably not supported. As anticipated, the device lacks a headphone jack, necessitating the use of a USB-C DAC or wireless audio devices. The 25 Ultra is equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, supporting both LE and A2DP codecs.

 This latest Ultra device continues to incorporate many of the hallmark features found in previous Galaxy smartphones. The S Pen makes a return for jotting down notes, and the quadruple-camera system is also present. Samsung has retained three lenses from the S24 Ultra: the 200MP primary sensor, the 50MP telephoto lens, and the 10MP secondary telephoto camera, while enhancing the ultrawide lens from 12MP to 50MP. Additionally, the S25 Ultra is equipped with the same 5000mAh battery as its predecessor. Given that we praised the S24 Ultra for its capacity to endure a full day of intensive use, we have no reservations about the battery performance of this new model.

Picture

The conditions for evaluating picture quality at Samsung's hands-on event were not optimal. We had to depend on a selection of film trailers available on YouTube, so it is advisable to approach these observations with caution. We encourage you to await our comprehensive review of the device, where we will explore this aspect in greater depth. During our viewing of trailers for Superman, Captain America: Brave New World, and Top Gun: Maverick on the Ultra, several features of the display were particularly noteworthy. The colors appeared vibrant and rich, with the vivid blues, reds, and yellows of the latest Man of Steel's suit standing out prominently. Samsung typically favors bold colors, and we are eager to determine whether they have achieved a balance between vibrancy and authenticity in this display. Additionally, the display seemed sharp and clear, likely due to the ProScaler feature enhancing detail. Dramatic scenes of the new Captain America in action exhibited a sense of depth, with well-defined outlines and texture evident in his armored suit. It is premature to render a final judgment or fully evaluate the phone's picture performance capabilities, but we are looking forward to uncovering its true potential in our detailed review.Sound The assessment will be concise: the environment in which we interacted with the phone was excessively noisy, making it unsuitable for evaluating sound quality. Additionally, we were unable to connect headphones, and the device lacked any pre-installed music streaming applications. While we conducted a brief evaluation of the integrated speakers—finding them to produce a spacious and reasonably dynamic sound when held close to our ear—we are not in a position to provide a comprehensive analysis of the phone's audio performance at this time.

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