Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Galaxy of AI

Samsung Galaxy S25 sequence was unveiled final month as the most recent flagship cellphone from the corporate. It was one of many first main cellphone launches in India after the OnePlus 13, and everybody, together with me, was desirous to see what Samsung needed to supply. Because it seems, the South Korean big caught to the ‘why repair it if it isn’t damaged’ ideology, and did not actually carry any main modifications to the telephones. Aside from the standard incremental {hardware} upgrades, the one change was the brand new design of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the brand new Galaxy AI options.

Nonetheless, after utilizing the top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Extremely for a few weeks, I consider that it may nonetheless be one of the best all-round flagship Android smartphone of the yr, or no less than a prime contender. The cellphone begins at Rs. 1,29,999 for the 256GB possibility. In the meantime, the 512GB and 1TB variants are priced at Rs. 1,41,999 and Rs. 1,65,999. All variants get 12GB of RAM and can be found in a bunch of color choices.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Design: Slimmer and flatter

• Dimensions – 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm
• Weight – 218g IP
• Score – IP68

One of many first belongings you’ll discover concerning the new Galaxy S25 Extremely is its flat body and rounded corners. It now contains a uniform design in keeping with the remainder of the Galaxy S25 sequence. The flat body and rounded corners additionally make the cellphone extra comfy to carry. Whereas it not has a singular design, it additionally will not poke your palm inside 5 minutes of use.

No extra rounded sides

Samsung has used grade 5 titanium for the body, and also you get Gorilla Armor 2 safety on the again. The cellphone is now barely slimmer and round 14 grams lighter than the Galaxy S24 Extremely. It continues to be IP68-rated for mud and water resistance. I consider Samsung may’ve completed higher right here, as rivals are on the market providing higher ingress scores, together with OnePlus, which now provides an IP69 score on the OnePlus 13.

On the entrance, the Galaxy S25 Extremely continues to supply an anti-reflective coating, which I feel extra cellphone producers ought to do. The entrance can also be protected by Gorilla Armor 2. The bezels on the display are additionally barely slimmer.

The anti-reflective coating on the display means fewer reflections

On the again, the digital camera rings now characteristic a unique design, and seem like floating. They’re considerably extra protruded than earlier than as properly. The flash is in the identical location because the Galaxy S24 Extremely. Every thing else on the again stays the identical as earlier than.

The digital camera rings on the Galaxy S25 Extremely are extra pronounced

The left body homes the Quantity keys and the Energy button, whereas the highest homes the speaker grille. You may discover the USB Kind-C port, second speaker, and SIM card tray on the backside. The underside left nook has the slot for the S Pen, which now lacks Bluetooth assist (unhappy face). You may not use the S Pen as a distant digital camera shutter or for any air gestures.

The opening for the SIM card tray is now on the alternative aspect

The Galaxy S25 Extremely is out there in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, and Titanium Whitesilver colors. Nonetheless, you too can get the cellphone in Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Pinkgold color choices if you are going to buy it on-line by way of the Samsung retailer. Our evaluate unit got here in Silverblue, which will get a touch of blue on the rear panel.

When it comes to design, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is premium throughout.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Show: Attractive as at all times

• Measurement and kind – 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+ decision
• Refresh fee – 120Hz
• Safety – Corning Gorilla Armor 2

The show on the Galaxy S25 Extremely is just not a significant improve from the predecessor, however that does not imply it is a unhealthy factor. It is nonetheless one of many best-looking panels on a smartphone, and it is now barely greater at 6.9 inches. The show helps HDR10+, as much as 120Hz adaptive refresh fee, and is protected by Gorilla Armor 2, which is alleged to be harder. In my few weeks of use, the display didn’t choose up any scratches. Samsung continues to supply a non-reflective coating on the show, which is nice when watching content material, but it surely additionally implies that the general brightness of the panel is affected. Whereas I did not have any points utilizing the cellphone underneath direct daylight, it did seem much less shiny than, say, the Google Pixel 9.

The cellphone will get a barely greater 6.9-inch show

The Galaxy S25 Extremely provides a 120Hz refresh fee and two modes – Adaptive or Commonplace. You too can select the color mode of the show between the Vivid and Pure choices. The cellphone additionally permits you to regulate the display decision (HD+, full-HD+, and QHD+) as per your liking. There’s Widevine L1 assist as properly, so you’ll be able to relaxation assured that each one Netflix and streaming content material will play in full-HD decision.

The cellphone provides an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which works simply in addition to the final one. It is quick, has virtually a zero error fee, and is positioned in a very good place. It additionally works in case your finger is moist.

The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is superb

Total, a wonderful show, as at all times, and you will love watching content material or enjoying video games on the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Software program: Extra AI

• OS – Android 15
• UI – One UI 7
• Software program assist – 7 years

This yr’s Galaxy Unpacked occasion for the Galaxy S25 sequence was largely about Galaxy AI. The telephones did not actually get many main updates, however the software program definitely did. The Galaxy S25 Extremely runs Android 15-based One UI 7 out of the field and comes with a bunch of latest AI options that make the cellphone extra helpful. You may learn all concerning the new Galaxy AI options here.

Aside from new AI options, you get the traditional One UI appear and feel, however with a number of enhancements. There is a cut up notification and Fast Toggles menu now, which works equally to iOS. You may pull down the notifications drawer by swiping down from the left aspect of the display, whereas the Fast Toggles present up while you swipe down from the proper. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to return to the earlier design if this is not to your liking.

The cellphone will obtain 7 years of OS and safety updates

The cellphone additionally comes pre-installed with Google apps and some from Microsoft, however there is no bloatware. You too can use the S-Pen included contained in the cellphone to navigate and carry out varied features. Nonetheless, the S-Pen not has a battery and due to this fact does not assist Bluetooth performance, which is a bit disappointing. The pen nonetheless helps scribbling, drawing,m and writing with handwriting recognition, however you’ll be able to not use it as a distant for the digital camera shutter or carry out Air gestures.

The S-Pen not helps Bluetooth and lacks a battery

Samsung DeX continues to be accessible on the Galaxy S25 Extremely and allows you to join your cellphone to a monitor and use it as a desktop pc.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Efficiency: Flagship in all sense

• SoC – Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
• RAM – 12GB LPDDR5X
• Storage – As much as 1TB UFS 4.0

This cellphone goes to final you years, and you’ll not see any main slowdown in efficiency even 3-4 years down the road. Sure, it is that highly effective. The 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy CPU might not ship the identical high-end AnTuTu scores as a number of the different flagships which can be centered on all-out efficiency (such because the OnePlus 13, iQOO 13, and Realme GT 7 Professional), however all the things is tremendous easy and quick on the cellphone. There isn’t any lag in any respect.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC makes positive all the things is operating easy

I ran our common set of artificial benchmarks to see how the cellphone carried out, and under are the outcomes. Do word that each one of those assessments had been completed with the decision set to QHD+.

The Galaxy S25 Extremely simply outperforms telephones such because the iPhone 16 Professional Max, Google’s Pixel 9 Professional XL, and even the Vivo X200 Professional.

Gaming on the cellphone is extraordinarily enjoyable, particularly because of the massive show with slim bezels. The cellphone options the Adreno 830 GPU, and it does a terrific job of delivering a excessive body fee and easy gaming. The machine additionally does not get sizzling whereas gaming or utilizing the digital camera repeatedly, because of the vapour chamber. I performed prolonged classes of BGMI and Genshin Influence and the Galaxy S25 Extremely solely bought heat after about half an hour, however by no means sizzling sufficient to make issues uncomfortable.

BGMI ran in any respect the best accessible settings with none points

The Galaxy S25 Extremely contains a hybrid stereo speaker setup that is generally discovered on most telephones. The audio system sound nice and get fairly loud. There’s additionally a little bit of bass with no cracking at increased volumes. It is a strong pair of audio system. The earphone and microphone high quality throughout calls was additionally fairly good. I additionally did not face any community points, together with when utilizing Wi-Fi. The cellphone provides Wi-Fi 7 assist, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Cameras: Stable cameras with some upgrades

• Foremost rear – 200-megapixel, f/1.7, PDAF, OIS
• Ultrawide – 50-megapixel, f/1.9, PDAF, 120 diploma FoV
• Telephoto 3x – 10-megapixel, f/2.4, PDAF
• Telephoto 5x – 50-megapixel, f/3.4, PDAF, OIS
• Selfie – 12-megapixel, f/2.2

The digital camera setup on the Galaxy S25 Extremely is basically the identical because the Galaxy S24 Extremely, which was the identical because the Galaxy S23 Extremely, and so forth. Nonetheless, there’s now a brand new 50-megapixel ultrawide digital camera. The selfie digital camera can also be the identical because the predecessor. The digital camera app has been redesigned in One UI 7, with the completely different digital camera modes now positioned beneath the shutter button.

The cellphone will get a brand new 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor

Photograph high quality from the primary digital camera is superb in daylight circumstances. There’s loads of element within the photographs, and you will find the white steadiness to be on level in most conditions. The dynamic vary is superb as properly,l and colors are very true to life with little to no over-saturation. Images seem like higher than the earlier Galaxy S24 sequence, and this might be due to the brand new ISP within the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Samsung additionally claims that they’ve made some modifications to the post-processing algorithms.

Daylight photographs shot utilizing the 200-megapixel major rear digital camera [Tap to expand]

The telephoto cameras produce good outcomes when there’s loads of gentle, however I discovered the 5x to do higher with close-up pictures. Nonetheless, each the 3x and 5x cameras ship good photographs with correct colors and nice dynamic vary.

3x Telephoto (Prime 2), 5x Telephoto (Backside 2) [Tap to expand]

Portrait photographs with the cameras additionally prove nice, with good edge detection and never an excessive amount of bokeh. 

You too can shoot photographs at 10x, 30x, and all the best way as much as 100x. The noise ranges enhance as you go increased up the zoom vary. Whereas the 10x and 30x are considerably usable, the 100x is not. In the meantime, Samsung nonetheless does the AI enhancement while you zoom in on the Moon.

Prime to backside: 2 x 10x pictures, 2 x 30x pictures, 2 x 100x pictures [Tap to expand]

The brand new ultrawide digital camera can also be fairly good in daylight circumstances, and the color matches the photographs from the primary sensor. The photographs have good publicity,a large dynamic vary, and there is virtually no edge warping.

Ultrawide pictures: Prime – Daylight x 2, Backside – Lowlight x 2 [Tap to expand]

Selfies are nice, and there is nothing to complain about right here. You get detailed photographs with superb dynamic vary, virtually pure pores and skin tones, and good white steadiness. The digital camera does assist autofocus, which helps ship sharper photographs in all lighting circumstances.

In low gentle circumstances, the primary digital camera continues to take good photographs, however you will discover some noise for those who zoom in. The colors are good, although, and the exposures are well-maintained. The devoted Evening mode does make issues a bit of higher, however the distinction is especially within the sharpness.

Lowlight pictures from the primary rear digital camera [Tap to expand]

The photographs from the 3x and 5x telephoto cameras usually are not one of the best at evening, even with the Evening mode. There is a lack of focus, additional sharpening, and pictures have quite a lot of softening happening. Nonetheless, I did discover the cameras to supply good color output. Once more, the 5x sensor does a greater job one way or the other, with barely extra element and higher dynamic vary.

The ultrawide digital camera delivers photographs which have good colors and first rate particulars. The white steadiness and dynamic vary usually are not too unhealthy. I did discover them to be on the softer aspect in comparison with the primary digital camera, although.

Video efficiency on the Galaxy S25 Extremely is actually good throughout all of the sensors when the lighting is sweet. All cameras have the flexibility to report at 4K 60fps, which is sweet. You too can shoot at 8K 30fps on the primary, ultrawide, and 5x telephoto cameras. All cameras additionally assist video stabilisation, however the primary and 5x cameras deal with the bumps one of the best. The colors, particulars, and dynamic vary are wonderful from the primary digital camera. The telephoto cameras aren’t pretty much as good as the primary sensor, and so is the ultrawide. Nonetheless, movies from all cameras, shot in daylight circumstances, are very usable.

In low gentle circumstances, the primary digital camera nonetheless does a very good job. The movies are detailed, the colors aren’t overdone, and the exposures are well-handled. There may be some noise within the shadows, although, however nothing unhealthy. The telephoto and ultrawide cameras additionally do a wonderful job at the hours of darkness, offered there’s good lighting.

Samsung has additionally launched LOG recording on the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and also you get improved 10-bit HDR video recording. There’s additionally an Audio Eraser characteristic that is accessible within the Gallery app, which very a lot jogged my memory of the Audio Eraser that was introduced by Google with the Pixel 8 sequence. In testing, the characteristic did job of eradicating noise.

Total, the Galaxy S25 Extremely has a very good digital camera setup, I would not name it one of the best out there, but it surely delivers constant efficiency throughout all of the sensors.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Battery: No upgrades right here

• Capability – 5,000mAh
• Charging – 45W wired, 25W wi-fi

Samsung went with the identical 5,000mAh battery that was discovered on the Galaxy S24 Extremely, nonetheless, that is not likely a foul factor. The cellphone nonetheless provides good battery life. In our HD video loop take a look at, the cellphone lasted for 27 hours and 34 minutes with the brightness at 50 p.c, decision set to QHD+, and refresh fee set to Adaptive. I additionally ran the PCMark Work 3.0 Battery take a look at on the cellphone. It delivered a runtime of 14 hours and 9 minutes earlier than the battery hit 20 p.c.

The cellphone helps as much as 45W quick charging

As for charging, the cellphone helps the identical 45W quick charging as earlier than. Utilizing a 30W charger, the cellphone hit 52 p.c from 0 in half-hour. A full cost took about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Nonetheless, you should use a higher-wattage charger and cut back the cost time.

With every day utilization, the Galaxy S25 Extremely would simply final me a day and a half and even longer. Underneath heavy utilization, I might nonetheless finish the day with 15 to twenty p.c battery. The cellphone additionally helps 25W wi-fi charging with Qi 2.1 assist.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is a very good all-rounder Android flagship that you should purchase for those who’re coming from a Galaxy S22 Extremely or an older iPhone. Should you’re somebody with an S23 or S24 Extremely, I might say you must maintain on a bit longer. The cellphone delivers wonderful efficiency, provides a stupendous show, a flexible set of cameras, a greater design, and a few usable AI options. It may undoubtedly be a contender for one of the best smartphone of the yr. And no, the brand new Galaxy AI options aren’t sufficient to justify an improve.

When it comes to options, you possibly can have a look at the OnePlus 13 (Review), iQOO 13 (Review), the Vivo X200 Pro (Review), Oppo Find X8 Pro (Review), or the Pixel 9 Pro XL (Review) from the Android secure. You may get higher efficiency and total worth from most of those telephones, besides the Google Pixel. The Vivo can also be a greater digital camera cellphone. All of those telephones are additionally cheaper. On the Apple aspect, there’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max (Review), which is able to supply roughly the identical efficiency throughout the system and cameras. You possibly can additionally get your self a Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is able to now be cheaper.