Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review
Well-known YouTuber Marques Brownlee has uploaded his Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review. The conclusion isn’t exactly positive – according to Brownlee, the S25 Ultra is an incremental upgrade of the S24 Ultra and, besides minor design changes, offers only one major improvement – the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The smartphone has become slightly more angular, has thinner bezels, and a slightly larger 6.9-inch display, but doesn’t offer any significant new features.
Several features have even been removed or reduced, including the 10x zoom camera, the S Pen’s Bluetooth function, and high-frequency PWM dimming. Samsung has omitted Qi2 magnets, a silicon carbide battery, and IP69 certification. Thus, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has received an upgrade, it doesn’t offer any real innovation.
The One UI 7 software, based on Android 15, also offers only minor usability improvements, such as the “Now Bar” for quick access to apps, an improved notification system, and better lock screen customization. While some AI features, such as the Item Eraser and AI-powered search, are useful, others, such as Daily Briefs, seem rather unnecessary. Samsung has also not yet revealed whether AI features will require a paid subscription after 2025.
Samsung dominates the US market and can therefore release minor upgrades without major innovations. Competitors like OnePlus and vivo, on the other hand, offer better features at lower prices, making the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra less attractive at its €1,449/$1,299 price point.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review Overview:
- Design Updates
- More classic edges, narrower bezels
- Slightly larger 6.9-inch screen (compared to 6.8 inches on the S24 Ultra)
- More robust Gorilla Glass, but still fragile
- Hardware Upgrades
- Snapdragon 8 Elite chip – faster, more efficient
- 40% larger vapor chamber for better cooling
- 50MP ultra-wide camera – sharper images, improved low-light performance
- Downgrades and Missing Features
- S Pen downgraded – lost Bluetooth functionality, no remote camera trigger or media controls
- No 10x zoom camera – limited to 5x optical zoom
- No high-frequency PWM dimming for better eye comfort
- No IP69 certification (still waterproof, but not ultra-waterproof)
- No silicon carbide battery (compromised the battery life)
- No Qi2 magnets for better wireless charging
- Software and AI features
- One UI 7 with Android 15 brings minor improvements
- “Now Bar” – Quick access to running tasks
- Improved notification system
- AI features:
- Good: Object eraser, AI-powered settings search
- Weak: Daily reports (largely redundant)
- AI features only free until 2025 – future costs unknown
- Competition
- Samsung is playing it safe in the US due to a lack of competition from brands like vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.
- Alternatives:
- OnePlus 13 – Brighter display, IP69 protection rating, better battery, and significantly cheaper.
- vivo X200 Pro – Better cameras, but must be imported.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is still an excellent smartphone, but at €1,449/$1,299, it’s no longer the best choice. The OnePlus 13 or the vivo X200 Pro may offer better value for money.
Pros:
- Fast and smooth performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Good ultra-wide-angle camera with more sharpness and better low-light performance
- Bright, crisp display with anti-reflective coating
- One UI 7 runs smoothly
Cons:
- Minimal upgrades over the S24 Ultra
- S Pen downgrade without Bluetooth functionality
- AI features may become chargeable after 2025
- Missing premium features like Qi2, IP69, 10x zoom, PWM dimming, etc.
- Competing products offer better value
