Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review
The S25 Ultra suits people who shoot zoomed subjects, demand the fastest chip, and can accept daily charging and slow refueling. Anyone who'd rather have a smaller phone, fast charging, or better battery life should consider a smaller Galaxy S25 or a competing flagship that prioritizes charging speed and endurance.
This review is written with AI assistance from Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a polished, large-screened flagship with a genuinely useful 5x periscope zoom and the fastest mobile chip today, but its 45W charging and 5000mAh battery feel outdated against 2025 rivals, and the 200MP sensor adds little over last year's 50MP in real-world shots.
Design & Build
At 218g and 8.2mm thick, the S25 Ultra sits heavier and noticeably thicker than most 2025 flagships, a trade-off Samsung makes for its large 6.9-inch body and pen slot. The titanium frame is grade 5, which resists bending better than aluminum, and Gorilla Armor 2 on the front is rated Mohs 6—harder than the glass on older phones, though still prone to fine scratches from sand and dust. The phone feels solid in hand, the matte titanium sides offering more grip than polished rivals, but that weight adds up during extended use. IP68 submersion rating is standard for the tier, and the pen remains practical for quick notes, though it's a niche feature in a 2025 context where most use their phone without a stylus.
Display
The 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED runs at 120Hz with no stutter during scrolling, and the 2600-nit peak brightness lets you read outdoors in full sun without squinting. At 498 ppi, resolution is sharp enough that individual pixels don't show at normal viewing distance. The 19.5:9 aspect ratio is tall and narrow, which feels cramped for landscape gaming but natural for reading and vertical video. Gorilla Armor 2 and the DX anti-reflective coating reduce reflections compared to older flagships, a genuine improvement when you're in bright spaces. Colors are vibrant and accurate for media consumption, and the always-on display adapts well to ambient light, though sustained outdoor use will trigger adaptive brightness dimming to preserve battery.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is the fastest silicon in mobile phones today, and it shows. Demanding games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail run at high settings with stable frame rates, and multitasking between heavy apps (video editing, photo processing, large spreadsheets) happens without perceptible lag. Benchmark scores (AnTuTu 2.2M, GeekBench 9846) lead the market, though in real use the gap between this and last year's flagship feels smaller than the numbers suggest. Thermal throttling will cap performance after 20-30 minutes of sustained gaming in warm climates, dropping frame rates from steady to stuttering, a limitation every flagship faces but one you'll notice more in regions above 30°C ambient. The 12GB base RAM is sufficient, though the 16GB option in the 1TB model offers marginal benefit for the premium.
Software
One UI 8 on Android 15 is clean and responsive, with useful Samsung-specific touches like wireless DeX and full keyboard/mouse support via USB-C. The promise of 7 major Android upgrades means you'll get security patches and OS updates until 2031, longer than most rivals offer. Bloatware is lighter than before, though Samsung still pre-installs apps you may never open. The interface is intuitive for switching between apps and managing files, and the always-on display integrates well with notifications. Performance remains consistent after weeks of use; Samsung's software rarely degrades.
Camera
The quad camera setup is where the S25 Ultra separates from lower-tier phones. The 200MP main sensor captures exceptional detail for crops and large prints, though in low light it relies heavily on computational processing to avoid noise, and the improvement over a well-tuned 50MP is marginal in everyday shots. The 3x telephoto and especially the 5x periscope zoom are the real strength: the periscope lets you frame people and distant landmarks clearly from 80-100+ meters away without visible softening, a capability most competitors still lack. The 50MP ultrawide is serviceable but uninspired, with distortion correction that sometimes feels over-processed. Video is where the phone shines—8K recording at 24/30fps and 4K at 120fps with stable gyro-EIS let you shoot demanding action without a tripod. The selfie camera is adequate for video calls but not exceptional.
Battery & Charging
The 5000mAh battery delivers about a full day with moderate use (6-7 hours screen-on), but heavy gaming, video streaming, or navigation drains it by mid-afternoon. The Insights data promises 14:49 hours of active use, which translates to real-world endurance closer to a single evening of mixed activity. Charging is the weak point: 45W wired reaches 65% in 30 minutes, which is handy for an emergency top-up before leaving home, but a full recharge from empty takes roughly 50 minutes. By 2025 standards, this lags—rivals regularly offer 100W+ charging that fully recharges in 20-25 minutes, a meaningful advantage if you're frequently switching devices or traveling. The 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless are present but slow; Qi2 support is a minor credibility point but doesn't offset the wired shortfall.
Value & Verdict
At roughly $630 USD (€682, ₹92k), the S25 Ultra is competitively priced against other flagship phones, but that price tag expects leadership in battery endurance and charging speed—areas where it lags. The camera system, especially the 5x zoom and video capabilities, justifies the cost if you shoot distant subjects or create video content regularly. The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures raw performance will outlast cheaper alternatives by months. If you prioritize processing power, optical zoom, and a large, bright screen, it's a solid choice. If battery anxiety frustrates you or you prefer faster charging, look elsewhere. The 256GB base model feels tight; stepping to 512GB is practical unless you stream everything.
Connectivity & Features
Sub-6 5G covers most urban and suburban areas with useful speeds; mmWave in the USA adds gigabit bursts within 100m of towers but is overkill for typical use. Wi-Fi 7 tri-band support ensures fast local transfers and streaming. NFC handles Samsung Pay and contactless payments seamlessly. Ultra Wideband (UWB) support is a future-proofing feature most users won't tap into yet. Samsung DeX transforms the phone into a desktop with a monitor and keyboard, a niche but powerful feature for professionals. The lack of a microSD slot means you're locked into internal storage, forcing a jump to 512GB if 256GB feels cramped.
Verdict
The S25 Ultra suits people who shoot zoomed subjects, demand the fastest chip, and can accept daily charging and slow refueling. Anyone who'd rather have a smaller phone, fast charging, or better battery life should consider a smaller Galaxy S25 or a competing flagship that prioritizes charging speed and endurance.
- 5x periscope zoom frames distant subjects clearly without visible softening, something most rivals still can't match at this price
- Snapdragon 8 Elite handles heavy gaming and sustained multitasking without meaningful slowdown
- 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED at 2600 nits stays readable in direct sunlight and scrolls without stutter
- Titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 resist bending and drop damage better than previous glass designs
- 45W charging is slow for 2025—rivals now push 100W or more, meaning a full recharge here takes about 50 minutes versus 20-25 elsewhere at similar prices
- 5000mAh battery demands daily charging; even moderate use drains it by evening, and sustained gaming or video cuts that short
- 200MP sensor is a numbers game; it barely outperforms the 50MP it replaces in everyday light, and the extra pixels cost clarity in shadows and competitive battery drain
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, January 22 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~92.5% screen-to-body ratio), Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~498 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min15W wireless (Qi2 Ready)4.5W reverse wireless |
| Software | Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm (6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), titanium frame (grade 5) |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG |
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra support 5G?
Yes. The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Galaxy S25 Ultra use?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on the Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).
What display does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have?
A 6.9 inches, 116.9 cm2 (~92.5% screen-to-body ratio) Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~498 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy S25 Ultra battery?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min15W wireless (Qi2 Ready)4.5W reverse wireless.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has NFC.
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra water resistant?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus rating.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra support a microSD card?
No, the Galaxy S25 Ultra does not support expandable storage.
Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the Galaxy S25 Ultra does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Galaxy Z TriFold
Galaxy Z Fold7
iPhone 17 Pro Max
