Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review – Still an Android powerhouse

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Would I recommend the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

The short answer is yes, but with a big caveat I would apply to most premium smartphone reviews I do.

The S25 Ultra is expensive, and year-on-year, the hardware and design upgrades aren't enough to justify switching from, say, the S24 Ultra, even if we set AI aside for a moment.

However, if you're upgrading from a mid-range phone or a much older S Series, it's definitely worth considering, especially when there are great deals to be had. With so many good offers throughout the year, paying full price for a Samsung phone doesn't make sense.

That said, the S25 Ultra does bring some nice changes, even if they are incremental. I've been obsessed with the new curvier design since launch. Those squared edges always felt a bit awkward on a phone this size, so this redesign is a win.

It also packs the most powerful Android chip to date and a noticeable camera upgrade, with the ultrawide sensor jumping from 12MP to 50MP for sharper, more vibrant ultrawide and macro shots.

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

But if you're upgrading just for the AI features, don't bother. They're interesting and offer a glimpse of the future, but they're not yet a reason to switch unless you have a very specific use case.

A quick final note before diving into the details, along with a specs table for good measure. Flagship phones from Apple and Samsung have pretty much peaked in a lot of ways, so it makes sense that the focus is shifting to AI and software updates.

That's probably why Samsung teased the S25 Edge at Galaxy Unpacked in January and why Apple is rumoured to launch the iPhone 17 Air later this year. Both are said to be ultra-thin and a fresh take compared to what we've seen in recent years.

The design everybody's been waiting for

Maybe not everyone, but like many others, I prefer the rounded corners and new flat edges. It's also lighter and slimmer than the S24 Ultra, so it doesn't feel like a brick. That said, I still find the iPhone 16 Pro Max easier to hold.

The bezel is also 15% thinner, making the front of the phone nearly all screen. Add in a titanium frame, Corning Gorilla Armor 2 protection, and anti-reflective glass that makes the screen easier to see in bright sunlight, and you've got a handset that's as tough as it is good-looking.

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Beyond the design changes, the S25 Ultra also sets itself apart with the S Pen which is great if you love doodling or taking notes. But, in a move that's stirred up some controversy, Samsung has removed the Bluetooth functionality, so we've lost features like remote camera control, Air Actions, and the ability to control apps like PowerPoint from a distance during presentations.

You can get the S25 Ultra in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, or Titanium Whitesilver. Samsung's website also offers access to three exclusive colours: Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Pinkgold.

Just like with the iPhone 16 Pros, I wish Samsung had gone for bolder colours with the S25 Ultra.

Image: Samsung

Top-tier performance and great battery life

The new Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite 8 is the fastest Android chip available and can help perform more AI functions than ever before.

Samsung says the new chip is 40% faster at handling AI-related tasks, 37% quicker for general use, and 30% better for graphics. It's also made the cooling system 40% bigger, helping the phone stay cool and perform better over time.

But if, like me, all you care about is speed and responsiveness, then yes, it definitely delivers on both.

Similarly, the battery life is still fantastic, easily lasting over a day with regular use and around seven hours of on-screen time. Unfortunately, dreams of magnetic wireless charging are still just that unless you consider being Qi2 ready a step in the right direction. You need a magnetic phone case to then magnetically charge the S25 Ultra.

The cameras pack a serious punch

The camera system on the S25 Ultra is mostly the same as the previous model, with one key upgrade: the ultrawide camera now boasts a 50MP sensor instead of 12MP. This means better detail for wide shots, plus a boost for macro shots as well.

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

I did find it takes a bit of effort to switch the camera to macro mode - unfortunately, it's not something you can do manually. Another small gripe is that night mode shots can sometimes look a little too saturated, like the night sky turning a bit too blue.

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

But honestly, these are minor issues. Overall, the images are exactly what you'd expect: sharp, bright, vibrant, and full of detail. I've also always been a fan of portrait mode and the results still deliver!

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

If you're after a quick verdict on how it compares to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I'd say they each have their strengths. For me, it depends on my mood and the kind of photography I'm doing - sometimes I prefer the S25 Ultra, while other times I go for the iPhone 16 Pro Max's slightly more muted, realistic shots.

AI features still finding their feet

Don't get me wrong, Samsung's new AI features are useful and intuitive at times, but I wouldn't say they're the main reason to buy this phone. That said, here's my take after using Galaxy AI for a couple of weeks.

First up, the partnership with Google means you can long press to launch Google Gemini, the new default assistant. The results were a bit hit or miss, especially with directions since I really had to enunciate location names. It's still a work in progress, and I'd double-check the info, but it's a handy feature to have.

One feature I was excited about in theory is Now Brief. It gives you a daily summary based on your routine, covering things like your sleep, weather, schedule, and even Spotify recommendations. Though I have no idea why it thinks I'm into jazz. At the end of the day, it recaps your photos and step count. It's customisable, so you can choose what you want to see, and if you have a Galaxy Watch, it syncs with Now Brief. Since I've only had the phone for a couple of weeks, it hasn't quite figured me out yet. I'll need more time with it to see how well it adapts.

Image: Mariam Gabaji/Finder

Then there's Now Bar, Samsung's answer to Apple's Dynamic Island. It sits at the bottom of the screen and gives you quick access to your favourite apps, media controls, and key info right from the lock screen.

There are a few other features that we've seen versions of from the Pixel series or that are also a part of other Android phones like Circle to Search, which now includes the ability to record and identify music, call transcription or audio eraser.

What is exclusive to Samsung and might be pretty handy for some people is its translation feature for phone calls though you can get it on older devices.

My main concern is that we still don't know how much it'll cost to access these AI features after the end of 2025 when they stop being 'free' according to Samsung's fine print.

All opinions expressed in this review are based on the author's own experience with the phone. Use this review for informational purposes only.

How to buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on a phone plan

You can sign up for a 12-, 24-, or 36-month phone repayment plan with Optus, Telstra or Vodafone.

How to buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra outright

Price

RRP: $2,149.00

Where to buy

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