Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Powerful Yet Divisive Flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts AI-powered features, improved cooling, and enhanced battery life, but its camera upgrades are modest. While AI tools like Google Gemini integration impress, some, like Now Brief, underdeliver. A solid choice for those upgrading from older models, but not a game-changer.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Powerful Yet Divisive Flagship

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to push AI advancements in smartphones, but it’s the hardware improvements that truly shine. The device is lighter, thinner, more comfortable to hold, and runs significantly cooler thanks to an upgraded vapor chamber—great news for gamers. The battery life is also impressive.

On the AI front, Samsung retains its lead over Apple, integrating Google Gemini for real-time transcription, image recognition, and smart summaries of videos and meetings. However, features like the Now Brief, designed to provide personalized daily updates, have been inconsistent.

The S25 Ultra’s camera system has seen moderate upgrades, with a new 50MP wide-angle lens improving macro photography, though results can be hit or miss. Low-light photography and video performance are better than before but still fall slightly behind Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. Samsung’s AI-powered editing tools, such as Audio Eraser and object removal, are useful but not always as seamless as Apple’s alternatives.

One controversial change is the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen, meaning users can no longer use it for remote photo capture. However, it remains a valuable tool for productivity and creativity.

While some tech reviewers, like Marques Brownlee, argue that the S25 Ultra offers little innovation over its predecessor, others, like MrWhosetheBoss, praise its smooth user experience and AI integration. The device is undeniably fast, powerful, and fun to use, making it a solid upgrade for those with older phones.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $2,149, with pre-orders available now ahead of its February 14 launch.