Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Samsung’s AI-driven powerhouse raises the bar

Galaxy S25 Ultra review

Rating: 9/10

It has the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, paired with the Titanium chassis and not to forget the updated Galaxy AI features that offer better integration throughout the device via the new One UI 7 update.

Not just that, Samsung has also updated the camera setup with the all-new 50MP ultra-wide sensor that can now shoot macro shots as well. Coming to the other aspects, the design has also changed over the past few generations and combined everything together. Samsung’s latest Ultra seems to be a power-packed device that seems to have the best of almost everything. So how does the phone fare when put under rigorous testing? Read on to find out more.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Design and display 

From the moment of unboxing the phone and holding it for the first time, one will realise that Samsung has made functional design changes for the greater good. What I mean is that the design has shifted from that sharp and boxy look and feel to a more curved yet flat design language. The curved corners make the phone feel more comfortable than the entire Galaxy S Ultra phone we’ve seen in recent years. The slightly thicker and flat side rails add to the grip of the phone despite the overall bigger footprint.

Galaxy S25 Ultra review display

For what it's worth, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s design is still unmistakably Samsung, and you won't need an explanation. The premium feel of the phone and the entire island-style camera placement are still there, and the newly added bigger camera rings add more substance to the design compared to the previous generation models.

The phone is also 14 grams lighter than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This weight difference might feel a little less, but it makes a big difference when it comes to day-to-day usage. The phone feels comfortable to hold even during prolonged usage, whether you are browsing Instagram Reels or playing BGMI for hours.

Talking about the build quality, the phone comes with a Titanium frame and a glass ceramic back panel for added durability. The IP68 rating is still there. So no worries in case the phone gets wet or you accidentally drop it in the pool.

Moreover, Samsung has also added the 2nd-generation Gorilla Glass Armor at the front of the phone, which not only adds to the durability and makes the phone scratch-resistant but also makes the display less reflective.

Talking about the display, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a 1440x3210 pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate that delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colours. With slim bezels and a high screen-to-body ratio, the viewing experience feels immersive, whether you’re streaming, gaming, or browsing.

Galaxy S25 Ultra review side

Samsung has also added a new ProScaler technology, which enhances image clarity and scaling by 40% over previous models. Now, the feature works, but you will have to really pay attention to notice the differences that the technology makes in real-world scenarios.  This AI-driven processing optimises visuals across different resolutions—HD+, FHD+, and QHD+—while managing power efficiency. The peak brightness of 2,600 nits ensures excellent visibility, even in direct sunlight, while the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate provides a smooth scrolling experience.

Samsung has incorporated Corning Gorilla Armor 2 for enhanced durability and reduced reflections, improving visibility in various lighting conditions. Additionally, the Eye Comfort Shield minimises blue light exposure, allowing users to customise colour tones for a comfortable viewing experience. The display also supports customizable font sizes, styles, and resolutions, adding to its flexibility.

Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display is simply the best you can find in a smartphone, whether its the brightness of the display, viewing angles or colour reproduction.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Performance

On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which claims to bring up the performance by 37% for CPU and 40% for NPU over the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The real-world difference here is noticeable – I'm not sure if the performance boost matches the exact numbers claimed by the company,  but the phone feels snappy, fast and smooth. It feels much more responsive than the older one. Paired with 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB, the device is built to handle demanding tasks effortlessly.

Galaxy S25 Ultra review camera

One might argue that Galaxy S Ultra phones have never been a slouch when it comes to performance and what sets the S25 Ultra apart from them. It’s the NPU and the AI performance that make a big difference. Putting the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra side-by-side in the AI processing comparison, I noticed that the latest Galaxy is really quick compared to the S24 Ultra. Now, Galaxy S24 Ultra does everything; it's just the performance boost that makes a big difference here. Things like the Reflection eraser or AI editing tools work like a breeze on the phone. If you use the Live transcription Call recording transcript-like features that rely on on-device processing, then the performance increase is evident here.

From daily multitasking to photo editing and app switching, performance remains smooth and lag-free. The Adreno GPU ensures fluid gameplay for resource-intensive titles like Genshin's Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile, offering high frame rates and consistent responsiveness. The newly redesigned vapour chamber – also called TIM – and graphite cooling system helps regulate heat efficiently, allowing for extended gaming sessions without thermal throttling.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: One UI 7 and Galaxy AI

It is an AI phone, and the major highlight of the phone revolves around its AI-powered capabilities and One UI 7 update that brings deeper and better integration system-wide. The company positions this as its most intelligent smartphone yet, integrating Galaxy AI and Google's Gemini to enhance user experience.

Samsung has made a significant push towards AI-driven functionality in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The inclusion of Google Gemini as the primary assistant marks a major shift, replacing Bixby as the default AI companion. Gemini enables cross-app actions, allowing users to complete tasks like adding events to calendars with simple prompts. While useful, these features are not exclusive to the S25 Ultra and can be accessed on other devices running Gemini, reducing their impact as a selling point.

Gemini AI integration

Now Brief

Samsung has also introduced Now Brief, a personalised feed designed to provide updates on weather, news, and routines. However, in its current state, it lacks depth, often surfacing irrelevant content such as random Spotify playlists with few or no followers. While it has potential, its functionality remains limited compared to established alternatives like Google Discover.

One UI 7, on the other hand,  brings a fresh visual overhaul and new usability features. The most noticeable change is the split-screen notification and quick settings panel. Swiping from the left brings notifications, while the right swipe reveals quick settings. There’s the option to revert to a unified layout as well.

Another addition is the Now Bar, Samsung’s take on live updates for apps. It is designed to display real-time information like sports scores and media controls. It works fine, but there could be more app integration. The settings menu has also been optimised with AI-assisted search, aiming to make navigation easier.

Overall, One UI 7 is the biggest and most intuitive update. Simply put, it is the best user interface in an Android smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Camera

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features a quad-camera setup with a 200MP primary sensor (f/1.7), a 50MP ultrawide lens (f/1.9), a 50MP telephoto lens (f/3.4) with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4) with 3x optical zoom. The front camera has a 12MP sensor (f/2.2) with autofocus. The camera supports optical image stabilization (OIS) and digital zoom up to 100x. Video recording includes UHD 8K at 30fps, along with slow-motion capabilities of 240fps at FHD and 120fps at UHD.

The updated camera hardware, along with Samsung’s ProVisual engine, aims to enhance image processing. The shutter speed has been improved, reducing lag and capturing sharper images. Samsung has also worked on uniformity across sensors, ensuring consistent colour tones when switching lenses.

In daylight conditions, the primary sensor captures sharp details with balanced contrast and dynamic range. The ultrawide lens maintains distortion control while preserving accurate colours and shadows. The 5x zoom lens delivers detailed images with minimal loss of quality, while the 30x zoom remains usable, though the 100x zoom softens details.

Bokeh performance is refined, with natural depth separation and accurate edge detection in portrait shots. The phone handles varying lighting conditions well, capturing highlights and shadows with minimal noise. The night mode optimizes low-light performance by reducing noise while maintaining colour accuracy.

Samsung has focused on colour consistency across lenses, making transitions between ultrawide, primary, and zoom seamless. The enhanced shutter speed ensures less motion blur, improving usability in fast-moving scenes.

Talking about the camera experience, the redesigned camera app is now much faster to load and offers controls in a more accessible format, with most of the menu options just a tap away and placed at the front beneath a small button. That’s something that adds to the overall camera experience of the phone apart from the solid image quality.

You can check out more camera samples here.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Battery

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that supports 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. The numbers are the same as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. But, the performance has improved. Thanks to the updated chip, which is more power-efficient and has better thermal management, the battery life is impressive here, and the phone can easily last for more than a day, even with heavy usage.

The device charges from 0 to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

To improve battery longevity, Samsung has the Battery Protection feature with three modes: Basic, Advanced, and Maximum. The Adaptive mode, which combines elements of Basic and Maximum, optimizes charging by capping it at 80% during sleep hours. Charging resumes only when the battery level drops below 95%, reducing wear and prolonging battery health.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers an upgraded experience across performance, AI capabilities, and camera improvements while retaining the familiar Galaxy Ultra identity. The design refinements make it more comfortable to hold, and the display remains one of the best in the industry. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset enhances speed and efficiency, making multitasking and AI-driven tasks smoother. Camera upgrades, particularly the improved ultrawide and telephoto lenses, offer better image consistency and faster shutter response.

Samsung’s push towards AI integration with One UI 7 and Galaxy AI brings practical enhancements, though some features still feel like work in progress. Battery life remains strong, with improved efficiency and smart charging features for longevity. While the core formula of the Ultra series remains intact, the refinements make the Galaxy S25 Ultra a well-rounded premium flagship.

For those looking for top-tier performance and have the money to spend (around Rs 1,29,999), the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the epitome of flagship smartphones.