I used the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for nine months. Does it still deserve its premium price tag? I’ll share my thoughts on design, display, performance, AI, camera, battery, and software. Let’s see what I discover.
Design and Build Quality
The S25 Ultra’s design screams flagship, but it’s not without quirks. Here’s what I’ve noticed after months of use:
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A titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protect the phone from scratches. This helps it stay looking new, even after months of use.
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Holding the S25 Ultra feels classy. It’s large, but once you get used to it, smaller phones feel small. The titanium rails and slim bezels make it look premium.
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Samsung’s rounded edges feel better than the S24 Ultra’s sharp corners. However, the boxy frame is still less comfortable to hold.
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S Pen Downgrade: No Bluetooth means no air actions or remote camera shutter. I only used it for signing documents, but it feels like a step back.
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Repair Advantage: Dropping the phone a few times didn’t damage it. Research shows Samsung’s repair costs are lower than those of competitors, which is a big plus.
The S25 Ultra’s display remains a standout feature, and after months of use, it’s clear why it’s unmatched:
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The 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is vibrant and sharp, with 3000 nits peak brightness. It performs well in all lighting conditions.
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Extra Brightness Mode: This feature boosts the screen’s brightness outdoors. It ensures you can see clearly in any environment.
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The S25 Ultra features an anti-reflective coating. This coating reduces reflections more effectively than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This makes it great for viewing content.
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Adaptive Color Tone: The display changes colors with lighting and use. This gives you natural and vibrant visuals. Thin bezels further enhance immersion.
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The 480Hz PWM rate is like Apple and Google, but lower than some Chinese brands.
The display stands out with its tuning and anti-glare tech, beating the OnePlus 13. It’s a daily joy to use.
Performance:
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the S25 Ultra is a beast, but it doesn’t always lead the pack:
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I’ve edited videos, created Reels, and multitasked without slowdowns. The phone handles gaming and heavy editing.
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AnTuTu score jumped from 2.2 million to over 3 million after the One UI 8 update. Geekbench 6 scores improved to 3000 (single-core) and 9700+ (multi-core).
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Games like BGMI run at 120fps, providing smooth gameplay. In a one-hour test, performance was stable, but not as strong as the OnePlus 13.
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Frame Rate Drops: The S25 Ultra drops frames sooner than rivals like the OnePlus 13. This is disappointing for a phone called “Ultra.”
Most users find the performance flawless. However, hardcore gamers may see it lag behind some competitors during long sessions.
Galaxy AI and Gemini:
The Galaxy AI and Google’s Gemini work together in the S25 Ultra. This combo makes it a strong tool for both productivity and creativity.
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I used Gemini’s Nano Banana model to turn a selfie into a realistic photo with Virat Kohli at Big Ben. It got 30 million impressions on Instagram.
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Gemini makes thumbnails from photos. It also combines elements into social media images. This helps streamline my workflow.
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Gemini helped me pick outfits for Diwali. They suggested a blue kurta and a Nehru jacket. It answers questions instantly.
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Samsung’s AI features simplify tasks. The gallery app’s AI edits objects, and AI search in settings makes navigation easy.
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Now Bar and Now Brief:
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Quick media controls and app notifications are on Now Bar.
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Now Brief gives you weather, calendar, and travel updates.
It could suggest schedule tweaks based on sleep or energy scores.
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The AI combo feels futuristic. I hope Samsung improves features like Now Brief to use AI more actively.
Camera:
The S25 Ultra’s camera system is reliable, but it’s not the best in every scenario:
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The camera has a 200MP wide lens, 50MP 5x telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto, and ultrawide lens. The 3x lens is outdated, producing noise and over sharpening in low light.
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Photos are vibrant with excellent colors and contrast. The 10x zoom captures DSLR-like images. Portraits show natural skin tones and softly blurred backgrounds.
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Low-Light Performance: The 1x and ultrawide lenses work well in low light. However, the 3x and 5x lenses struggle. They show more noise and lose detail. This is especially true when compared to rivals like the Vivo X200 Pro or Xiaomi 15 Ultra.
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Video Excellence: Stabilization is top-notch, rivaling the iPhone. The front camera records high-quality Reels. Google’s Pixel 10 XL has better detail and color in some cases.
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Selfies: They look great in any light and are perfect for social media.
The camera works well for most users. However, competitors with bigger sensors perform better in tough conditions.
Battery Life:
The 5000mAh battery is decent but lags behind competitors:
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Daily Usage: I get a full day with 15-20% left for light use. Heavy use lasts 13 hours or 7 hours of screen time.
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Samsung’s battery optimization provides solid performance, but rivals like OnePlus 13 last longer. Charging takes an hour with a 45W+ charger, but slower chargers take 1.5 hours.
The battery life is sufficient but not a standout, especially for heavy users.
Software:
Samsung’s One UI 7 (upgraded to One UI 8) is a highlight, offering stability and customization:
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The new UI has fresh icons, smoother animations, and a customizable notification shade. It also features a scrolling app drawer.
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Now Bar and Widgets: The Now Bar manages media and apps. Lock screen widgets add features, but app support is still behind the iPhone.
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Weather Features: The weather widget and animated wallpaper (like snow or rain) are easy to use. However, Google’s weather app provides more options for widgets.
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Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates. This ensures your device stays current for a long time. One UI 8’s stability reinforces their reliability.
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Good Lock: This app lets me tweak volume steps, colors, and more, making the phone uniquely mine.
One UI 7 is smooth and packed with features. However, some small issues, like the corner radius, remain.
Is the S25 Ultra Still the Android King?
After nine months, the S25 Ultra remains a top contender but isn’t flawless:
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Why It Shines:
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Unmatched display with anti-glare coating.
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Powerful performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite.
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Game-changing AI with Galaxy AI and Gemini.
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Reliable camera for photos and videos.
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Premium design and low repair costs.
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Seven years of software updates.
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Where It Falls Short:
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Battery life lags behind competitors.
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The 3x telephoto lens is outdated.
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Gaming performance trails rivals with the same chip.
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S Pen feels like an afterthought.
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The S25 Ultra costs ₹1,30,000 on Flipkart, but it’s built to last 4-5 years. It’s a good investment for those who want a premium Android phone and have a budget of ₹1-1.3 lakh.
Final Thoughts
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top choice due to its great software, display, and reliability. It’s a reliable flagship. It has a top-notch display and smart AI features. This makes it a fantastic choice for the 2025 festive season.
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