Samsung just released the Galaxy S25 series. People are questioning the top model: the Galaxy S25 Ultra. We had hands-on time. The big question is how much better it is than last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. Let us break it down.
Quick Verdict: Should You Upgrade
In a nutshell: The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip with extra power and better cooling. It is seriously fast, almost matching Apple's A18 Pro. A slightly tweaked ultrawide camera is included, along with tougher glass, a minor design refresh, and a stylus with fewer "air gestures." Is that enough to justify an upgrade? Let's dig deeper.
Spoiler alert: For most, especially S24 Ultra users, the answer is probably no.
DESIGN: Familiar, but Perhaps a Touch Too Familiar
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra versus Galaxy S24 Ultra Design Comparison
The S25 Ultra moves away from the sharp, rectangular "Note" style of the Ultra line. It now has rounder corners, similar to the standard Galaxy S25. This makes it look more mainstream. It might even resemble some budget Galaxy A or M phones. It loses some of that unique, premium "Ultra" vibe.
Ergonomics might be a step back. It is a tad thinner and lighter, but the completely flat titanium edges do not feel as nice in hand, especially on this size of phone. Just a little curvature would have improved one-handed use.
Meanwhile, the S24 Ultra strikes a better balance. It has slightly rounded edges, sharper corners, and a flat screen that still feels great to hold and looks undeniably premium.
Color-wise, the S24 Ultra is arguably better. Colors on the S25 Ultra feel somewhat muted and less vibrant. The S24 Ultra offered more vivid options such as yellow, purple, green, and orange.
Display: Incremental Nudge in Size
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S24 Ultra Display
Samsung's AMOLED panels are already top-tier. Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with QHD+ resolution, adaptive 120Hz refresh rates, and a super-bright 2600 nits peak brightness. Nothing changed except a tiny size increase. The S25 Ultra's screen measures 6.9 inches due to slimmer bezels, up from 6.8 inches on the S24 Ultra. This size difference is negligible in real-world use.
Both have Gorilla Armor glass with anti-reflective coating and the same ultrasonic fingerprint scanners. Face unlock remains selfie-camera based, meaning it is less secure.
Performance & Software: Power Boost, But Is It Needed
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Performance
The S25 Ultra uses Qualcomm's first 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. It is a slightly enhanced version. On paper, it is a decent jump: 30% faster CPU, 37% more powerful graphics and a 40% faster NPU. Cooling is also supposedly improved with a larger vapor chamber.
Even with the bigger cooler, the S25 Ultra still seems to throttle under heavy load in benchmarks. This could be early software issues that Samsung might fix, but it is worth noting. Despite rumors, RAM and storage options remain the same as the S24 Ultra.
Software-wise, the S25 Ultra launches with Android 15 and One UI 7, a temporary exclusive. Most new features will likely come to the S24 and even S23 series soon. Features like Log video recording and enhanced audio cleaning might remain exclusive, but they are niche features, not upgrade-worthy for most.
Cameras: Ultrawide Gets a Bump, But
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Cameras
The S24 Ultra already had a great camera setup: 200MP main, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide. The S25 Ultra's only camera change is the ultrawide, now 50MP. This is a questionable "upgrade," as the ultrawide is not usually the main focus.
The new chip does improve image processing, people detection, skin tones, and low-light clarity. However, sometimes the software "enhancements" are not ideal, particularly if photos start to look unnatural.
Battery Life: Sticking to the Standard
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Battery
5000mAh batteries are standard for flagship Android phones now. Samsung continues this with the S25 Ultra. Battery life will likely be a full day, maybe a bit more, similar to the S24 Ultra. The new 3nm chip might be more efficient, but real-world testing is needed.
Charging speeds remain the same: 45W wired. The S25 Ultra adds Qi2 wireless charging (up to 15W), but a special case is needed for the magnets. The S24 Ultra already does 15W wireless charging.
Final Verdict: Save Your Money (For Now)
The Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like the most incremental Ultra upgrade yet. The S24 Ultra remains a top-tier phone with plenty of power for years to come. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is impressive, but the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is also strong.
Should you upgrade from the S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra? Absolutely not. Even S23 Ultra owners can likely skip this one.
Should you upgrade to the S25 Ultra if using an older phone? Only if you find a really good deal. Many other great phones are in the same price range or cheaper. The S24 Ultra is now often available at significantly lower prices, making it a smarter buy.
Let us know in the comments what tests you would like to see if we get an S25 Ultra for long-term testing.
