Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: Strong Performance, Familiar Formula
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung’s latest high-end phone, and it checks plenty of boxes for anyone looking to upgrade. But don’t expect a massive leap over last year’s model.
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Elite chip offers plenty of power
- Camera performance is reliable
- 7 years of software and security support
Cons
- AI tools lack a standout feature
- Camera upgrades are minor
- Steep price tag
Score: 4/5
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
The S25 Ultra is a premium device, and Samsung has stuck to what worked well in the past. It’s a solid phone, no question, but people expecting sweeping changes or new ideas may not find them here. If you’re already a fan of Samsung and want a top-tier phone, this model won’t disappoint. But for those considering a switch from the Galaxy S24 Ultra, there’s not a lot of motivation unless your current phone is showing its age.
Samsung kept up its push for AI features, but most of them feel like extras, not essentials. There’s nothing here that feels like a must-have, and sticking to last year’s winning formula makes this phone easier to skip unless you’re upgrading from an older model.
Design
The S25 Ultra brings a big 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, running at up to 120Hz. The display is vibrant and sharp with slim bezels, and the small hole for the selfie camera is barely noticeable during use. Samsung has also gone with smoother edges, so the phone feels nicer in your hand. Even with Gorilla Armor 2 glass, spending this much on a phone means you’ll want a case for extra safety.
While this new Ultra device is 18g lighter than the S24 Ultra, the difference is hard to notice for most people—unless someone points it out first. Over 200g is hefty for a phone either way.
Samsung offers seven color options for the S25 Ultra in Australia, but most are just different shades of black, silver, or grey, with green or pink-gold for those wanting something different. It would be more fun to see bolder colors at this price, especially since the standard S25 and S25+ come in a wider range.
Note-taking fans will still find the S-Pen housed within the phone, now without Bluetooth. You can keep jotting notes or sketching, but lost features like remote shutter controls may matter to some users. Samsung says few people used those extras. If you’re not attached to those S-Pen tricks, you probably won’t miss them.
The S25 Ultra’s IP68 water resistance rating means it will survive quick dives or spills, but don’t go swimming with it—water resistance is not waterproof.
Camera
High-end cameras are a big selling point for flagship phones, and Samsung’s S25 Ultra mostly sticks with what worked before. There’s a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 200MP wide, plus dual telephoto lenses at 50MP and 10MP on the back, along with a 12MP selfie camera.
The main camera difference compared to last year is the upgraded 50MP ultrawide, which helps with landscape shots. But that’s about it—overall, the camera package is pretty similar to the S24 Ultra. Shots look great, selfies are clear, and everyday photos are quick and easy. If you have last year’s model, it’s hard to get excited about the changes.
You still get up to 100x “Space Zoom,” but images at max zoom aren’t sharp and are best left as a fun extra. Lower zoom levels up to 10x look pretty good, with solid detail.
Low-light performance is where Samsung says it made improvements. Comparing to rival flagship phones, the S25 Ultra pulls ahead in color and detail in some scenes, especially on selfies, thanks to software tricks that light up your face before the shutter snaps. Still, compared to the previous Ultra, the leap isn’t huge. You’ll notice a difference if you’re jumping from an older model, but for recent users, improvements may seem small.
Performance
Samsung’s S25 Ultra packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM. Storage goes from 256GB up to 1TB, with no microSD slot, but dual SIM and eSIM support are present. In benchmarks, the S25 Ultra matches or even beats Apple’s best in some tests, which hasn’t happened in a while. Day-to-day use feels snappy, and there’s more than enough power for any app or game.
Most people won’t use this much power all the time, but it helps keep the phone running smoothly for years. Samsung promises 7 years of major Android updates and security patches, so the S25 Ultra should stay current for a long time.
AI tools are a big talking point this year, but while the S25 Ultra brings Galaxy AI alongside Google’s Gemini and Bixby, there’s little here that stands out. Features like Now Brief are supposed to show quick, useful info, but in practice, it’s more like a weather widget or basic day summary. Drawing Assist lets you sketch an idea and turn it into AI-generated art, but results look similar to what you get from other phones, and the creativity feels limited.
Battery Life
At 5,000mAh, the S25 Ultra’s battery is average for a flagship Android device. In testing, the phone handled a demanding YouTube run with no issues, and daily use should easily last most people until bedtime—even with the bright screen and fast processor.
Samsung doesn’t include a charger, just a USB-C cable. Wired charging supports up to 45W if you have the right brick. Wireless charging is here, with support for Qi2. The phone charges at Qi2 speeds, but without built-in magnets for docking, you may need a special case for best results.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: Final Thoughts
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra gives you strong performance, a polished screen, reliable camera results, and long-term software support. It’s expensive, and the changes are minor compared to last year. If you’re upgrading from an S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra, you may want to wait unless you really want the latest chip or are drawn to minor camera tweaks.
For those coming from an older phone, the S25 Ultra will feel like a big step up, and its software longevity is a plus. If you want a powerful phone that handles anything you throw at it, you’ll be happy with this choice. But for most people, last year’s models—or even the more affordable S24 FE—cover all the essentials for less money.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Price and Availability
In Australia, the S25 Ultra starts at $2,149 for 256GB, $2,349 for 512GB, and $2,749 for 1TB. That’s a big investment, so weigh if you really need all the extras before you buy.
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