Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G (12GB + 512GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra achieved a camera score of 146 in the DXOMARK retest, ranking 24th globally and showing limited advancement over the S24 Ultra. Key strengths include excellent long-range telephoto performance, vibrant color rendering, and effective, fast autofocus in well-lit conditions. However, the device struggles with significant image noise in low light, inconsistent exposure, and instability in video recording.

Pete Matheson’s review describes the Samsung S25 Ultra as a refined, "grown-up" flagship featuring a highly effective anti-glare Victus Armor screen and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for superior connectivity. Key pros include reliable all-day battery life, an improved ultrawide camera, and useful Galaxy AI, though the 45W charging speed is considered merely adequate. Cons include a "nerfed" S Pen without remote capabilities, a heavy 232g design, and the lack of native magnets for its new Qi2 wireless charging. www.petematheson.com

In a long-term review, Forbes identifies the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as a refined device prioritizing usability, featuring a lighter titanium frame with rounded corners and a 6.9-inch display with improved anti-reflective Corning Gorilla Armor. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip enables top-tier performance and solid battery life, while updated Galaxy AI features and a new 50MP ultra-wide camera enhance the daily experience. However, the device has downsides, including the removal of S Pen Bluetooth functionality, capped 45W charging, and a high price point that may not justify an upgrade for S24 Ultra owners.

The Gizmodo review labels the Galaxy S25 Ultra a powerful, refined, yet unexciting flagship, featuring a lighter design with comfortable rounded edges and a superior anti-reflective 6.9-inch display. Performance is exceptional thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, though the camera, despite a new 50-MP ultrawide, suffers from aggressive over-sharpening and color, representing only minor hardware upgrades over the S24 Ultra. While One UI 7 improves the interface, the, AI features feel underwhelming, and the loss of Bluetooth functionality for the S-Pen is a noted drawback.

Mashable’s review characterizes the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as a powerful yet highly iterative update, noting that its $1,299 price tag is difficult to justify for owners of recent flagship models. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset provides a massive performance leap and new, rounded corners offer improved comfort, the core experience remains largely similar to its predecessor. The review criticizes the heavy focus on "Galaxy AI" as featuring gimmicky or "hostile" tools, such as the "Now Brief" widget and questionable generative editing, which fail to add significant value. Furthermore, the camera system, highlighted by a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, offers only marginal improvements over the previous generation. Ultimately, the S25 Ultra is described as an excellent, though overly expensive, device that exemplifies the diminishing returns of annual upgrade cycles. Key pros include the new design and superior speed, while the high price, incremental changes, and underwhelming AI features constitute the primary drawbacks.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is described as a refined flagship focusing on comfort and AI, with a lighter titanium frame and rounded corners for improved ergonomics. It features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an anti-reflective coating and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, offering significant performance gains and excellent battery life. While it introduces a new 50MP ultra-wide camera sensor, key drawbacks include its high price, unchanged charging speeds, the removal of Bluetooth from the S Pen, and thermal throttling under heavy load.

According to a Business Insider review, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a high-end flagship phone with a refined design, excellent 6.9-inch display, powerful custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a sophisticated camera system. Key pros include its titanium frame, high peak brightness, seven years of software updates, a 200MP main sensor, upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens, improved Nightography, and the integrated S Pen. However, significant drawbacks include its high $1,300 starting price, basic facial recognition, lack of built-in Qi2 charging magnets, and the fact that many of its capabilities are shared with less expensive S25 models.

PCMag awarded the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra an "Editors' Choice," highlighting its blend of high-end hardware and advanced AI, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. Key pros include its anti-glare 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, refined ergonomic design, class-leading performance, and excellent camera system with a 200MP main sensor and new 50MP ultra-wide lens. However, the review notes significant cons such as the "sky-high" $1,299.99 starting price, modest hardware improvements over the S24 Ultra, unchanged battery life and charging speeds, reduced S Pen functionality, and less secure face unlock compared to competitors.

According to DXOMARK's testing, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera performs well in bright light and long-range zoom, offering good exposure, wide dynamic range, and natural skin tones. However, the device shows inconsistencies, including noticeable image noise in low light, autofocus instabilities in video, and occasional bokeh mode failures, which prevented it from achieving a top global ranking. While the S25 Ultra is strong in portrait and telephoto, its overall rendering consistency and noise control lag behind key competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

According to Android Central, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a premium, "well-rounded" flagship device with a redesigned titanium chassis featuring rounded corners for improved ergonomics and a high-quality 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. However, it notes a lack of protection for users sensitive to PWM flickering and slow 45W wired charging speeds compared to competitors. The phone features a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and 12GB of RAM, delivers a polished software experience with One UI 7 and integrated Galaxy AI tools, and boasts a versatile camera system led by a 200MP main sensor and upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens. A drawback for power users is the loss of S Pen Bluetooth connectivity, removing Air Actions and remote camera shutter features.

According to an Engadget review, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers exceptional performance with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and features a stunning 6.9-inch display with an effective anti-reflective coating. However, the review notes stagnant hardware in areas like battery and charging, a downgraded S Pen that lacks Bluetooth Low Energy support, and AI features that feel like duplicates of existing tools.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review by Tom's Guide highlights several pros, including a refined design with rounded corners, a larger 6.9-inch display with slim bezels and high peak brightness, and exceptional performance powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. The phone also offers "epic" battery life and a superb camera system with a 200MP main sensor and an upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens, complemented by One UI 7's Galaxy AI features. However, cons include the removal of the S Pen's Bluetooth radio and lack of built-in Qi2 charging magnets, requiring a separate case, while its high starting price is also noted as a significant drawback compared to competitors.

CNET characterizes the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as a strong device with notable hardware strengths but significant drawbacks. Pros include a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display noted for extreme brightness and anti-reflective coating, a lighter and more comfortable design, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, and a versatile 50MP ultrawide camera sensor. Cons encompass its $1,300 price, unreliable AI features that aren't exclusive to the Ultra, the loss of S Pen's Bluetooth remote functionality, and the absence of Qi2-native magnetic charging.