Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Familiar Yet Appealing Flagship
Refined Design and Display
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra iterates on its predecessor with subtly curved corners, enhancing in-hand comfort. While the design remains largely unchanged, the flatter edges offer a different feel. The limited color options, however, are a drawback. The vibrant, sharp display with Gorilla Glass Armor 2 remains a standout feature, offering excellent anti-reflective qualities.
One UI 7: A Smooth and Enhanced Experience
One UI 7 significantly improves the user experience with smoother performance, a new app drawer, and a redesigned notification panel. Live Notifications provide convenient access to information, while the Now Bar offers timely updates. However, the Settings menu remains cluttered, and some useful Android features are still buried.
Galaxy AI and Gemini: A Focus on Artificial Intelligence
Samsung emphasizes AI with features like Gemini, enabling complex requests across multiple apps. AI Select allows users to interact with on-screen objects using Galaxy AI tools. Natural language search simplifies navigation in settings and the Gallery app. However, the reliance on AI features may not be a strong selling point for all users, especially given their availability on other devices like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
Battery Life and Camera: Incremental Improvements
The Galaxy S25 Ultra retains the 5,000 mAh battery from previous generations, offering decent battery life but not exceeding competitors like the Xiaomi YU7. The camera shows noticeable improvements in image quality and consistency, especially in good lighting. Low-light performance, however, remains a weakness. The Nothing Phone (3a) might be a contender with its dedicated camera features.
S Pen: A Minor Downgrade
The S Pen loses its Bluetooth functionality, impacting remote features. While this change might disappoint some users, it contributes to a lighter device.
Final Verdict: A Good Phone, But at a Premium Price
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a competent flagship with improvements in software and camera. However, its high price and iterative design raise questions about its value proposition compared to competitors. Samsung's trade-in offers can significantly reduce the cost, making it a more attractive option.