Samsung has once again raised the bar in the Android world with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in February 2025. As the most premium device in the Galaxy S series, the Ultra variant is known for its S-Pen integration, massive AMOLED display, cutting-edge cameras, and powerhouse performance.
But in a market dominated by Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google’s Pixel 10 Pro, the question remains: does the S25 Ultra still deserve the “Ultimate Flagship” title?
This review covers everything you need to know — design, display, performance, cameras, S-Pen functionality, battery, price, and comparisons.
Design & Build Quality
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Material: Aerospace-grade aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus 3 (front and back).
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Finish Options: Phantom Black, Titanium Gray, Emerald Green, and a new Burgundy Red.
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Weight & Size: 234 grams; still a chunky phone but slimmer than the S24 Ultra.
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Durability: IP68 water & dust resistance, reinforced armor aluminum frame.
💡 Key Design Upgrade: Slimmer bezels and a slightly curved screen edges give it a sleeker look without the discomfort of old curved designs.
✅ Verdict: Premium build that feels solid in hand, though heavier than Apple’s titanium-based iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Display & Visual Experience
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Size: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X.
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Resolution: Quad HD+ (3200 × 1440).
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Brightness: Record-breaking 2800 nits peak brightness, making it the brightest phone display in 2025.
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Refresh Rate: Adaptive 1–200Hz with LTPO technology.
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S-Pen Support: Still the only flagship with a built-in stylus.
📺 Experience: Watching HDR10+ content is breathtaking, and gamers will love the 200Hz refresh rate, which makes animations silky smooth.
✅ Verdict: Best display in the smartphone industry, period.
S-Pen Features: Productivity Powerhouse
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Latency: Ultra-low 2.0ms latency makes writing and drawing feel natural.
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New Features:
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AI Note Summarizer (auto-summarizes handwritten notes).
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Live Translate (translate handwritten text instantly).
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Smart Air Gestures for easier navigation.
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🖊️ For professionals, students, and creatives, the S-Pen remains a unique selling point unmatched by any other flagship.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy
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Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (exclusive tuned “for Galaxy” edition).
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RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM standard, storage from 256GB to 2TB (UFS 4.1).
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Software: Android 15 with One UI 7.0, optimized with AI features.
Benchmark Results:
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Geekbench 6: 3,200 single-core / 10,500 multi-core
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3DMark GPU Test: Outperforms iPhone 16 Pro Max in sustained performance.
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Gaming Test: Genshin Impact, PUBG, and Fortnite run at 200fps ultra-smooth.
✅ Verdict: A beast for gaming and multitasking. Slightly ahead of Apple in GPU, but Apple’s A18 chip wins in raw CPU efficiency.
Camera Review: The 200MP Monster Returns
Samsung’s camera game remains strong with the quad-lens setup:
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Main Sensor: 200MP ISOCELL HP3 (improved with AI noise reduction).
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Ultra-Wide: 48MP with wider field of view.
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Telephoto 1: 50MP with 5x optical zoom.
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Telephoto 2: 50MP with 10x optical zoom (periscope).
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Front Camera: 40MP selfie shooter with autofocus.
Camera Features:
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8K video at 60fps with HDR10+
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AI-powered “Astro Mode” for star photography
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Director’s View 2.0 with live multi-camera recording
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Super Steady Pro for action shots
📸 Camera Comparison:
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Daylight Photography: Sharper and more detailed than iPhone 16 Pro Max.
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Low-Light: Apple edges ahead with better night mode optimization.
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Zoom: S25 Ultra dominates with 10x optical vs iPhone’s 5x.
✅ Verdict: If zoom photography and detail matter most, the S25 Ultra is the king of cameras in 2025.
Battery Life & Charging
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Battery Size: 5,500mAh — largest in any Galaxy S series yet.
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Charging:
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65W wired (50% in 15 minutes).
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30W wireless charging.
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Reverse wireless charging (phones, earbuds, smartwatches).
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Endurance Test:
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2 days of normal usage.
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12 hours of gaming/video playback.
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Longer-lasting than iPhone 16 Pro Max by ~3 hours in real-world use.
✅ Verdict: Samsung finally delivers both huge capacity and fast charging — something Apple still lags behind.
Software & AI Features (One UI 7.0 + Android 15)
Samsung leans heavily on AI in 2025, bringing new productivity tools:
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AI Summarizer: Summarizes long emails, documents, or notes.
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AI Photo Editor: Remove objects, enhance details instantly.
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AI Voice Assistant: Works offline and integrates with SmartThings.
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Multi-App Split Screen: Run 3 apps simultaneously on one display.
✅ Verdict: Smarter and more productive than iOS 19 in terms of customization and multitasking.
Pros & Cons of Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros:
✔ Brightest and smoothest 200Hz AMOLED display
✔ 200MP camera with insane zoom capabilities
✔ Biggest battery with fastest charging in a flagship
✔ S-Pen still unmatched for productivity
✔ Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 performance
✔ Loaded with AI-powered features
Cons:
✘ Heavy at 234 grams
✘ Expensive starting at $1,299
✘ Cameras can over-sharpen images
✘ One UI still not as polished as iOS
Price & Availability
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256GB model: $1,299
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512GB: $1,499
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1TB: $1,699
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2TB: $1,899
Released globally in February 2025, available via Samsung stores, carriers, and online retailers.
Final Verdict: Is It the Ultimate Android Flagship?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra cements its position as the best Android flagship in 2025. With its S-Pen, record-breaking display, monster battery, and zoom cameras, it’s a phone built for professionals, creators, and power users.
If you want maximum productivity and versatility, the S25 Ultra is the best choice. However, if you prefer simplicity, smoother software, and better low-light photography, the iPhone 16 Pro Max might be more appealing.
👉 Bottom line: For Android lovers, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the ultimate all-rounder flagship of 2025.
FAQs
Q1: Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra come with the S-Pen?
Yes, the S-Pen is included and built into the phone.
Q2: How does the S25 Ultra compare to the iPhone 16 Pro Max?
It has a brighter display, bigger battery, and better zoom camera, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max wins in raw performance and iOS ecosystem integration.
Q3: What’s the charging speed of the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
It supports 65W wired charging (50% in just 15 minutes) and 30W wireless.
Q4: Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra good for gaming?
Yes, with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and a 200Hz AMOLED, it’s one of the best gaming smartphones available.
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