A Refined Flagship
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives as the latest iteration in the company's flagship lineup, offering incremental refinements over its predecessors. The design boasts a more squared-off aesthetic, exuding a premium and durable feel with its titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2. While the overall look remains familiar, the slimmer and lighter profile enhances ergonomics.
The 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display continues to impress with its crisp resolution, smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and enhanced Vision Booster for vivid outdoor viewing. The screen remains a standout feature, though not a significant leap forward.
Under the hood, the custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy promises a substantial boost in processing power, particularly for AI tasks and general CPU performance. The One UI 7 interface feels snappy and responsive, with AI integration now feeling more intuitive thanks to features like natural language search and context-aware multitasking.
The camera system welcomes a new 50MP ultra-wide sensor, offering improved clarity and dynamic range. The 200MP primary camera and dual telephoto lenses continue Samsung's legacy of stellar mobile photography. While the depth-of-field control and Galaxy Log enhance creative possibilities, the advancements feel evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
The AI-powered One UI 7 steals the show with its multimodal agents, enabling seamless text, speech, and visual interactions. Features like "Circle to Search" and context-aware app suggestions are practical but don't drastically change the user experience from the previous Ultra iteration.
The 5,000mAh battery paired with 45W fast charging ensures reliable, long-lasting performance. However, these are incremental improvements, maintaining parity with earlier models.
Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like a refined iteration of an already impressive formula. Its snappier UI, AI enhancements, and polished design make it a top contender in the premium segment. However, the lack of groundbreaking innovation may leave some yearning for more. For users of the S23 Ultra or newer, the upgrade appeal might be limited.