Can a smartphone really be everything at once?
I still remember the first time I held the S24 Ultra – a 6.9‑inch slab that glowed like a miniature sun, a 200 MP sensor, and a heft that made my hand feel like it was cradling a piece of titanium. Fast‑forward to 2026 and Samsung drops the S25 Ultra, promising 45 W wired charging, Wi‑Fi 7 and an integrated S Pen. Did they finally tame the monster, or is it still a behemoth that trips over its own weight?
Over the past 30 days I lugged the S25 Ultra from my office desk to a mountain‑bike trail, binge‑watched series on a 4K display, and streamed games via Cloud Gaming. What I discovered might shift your buying decision. Spoiler: it shines, but there’s a flaw nobody likes to admit.
Quick glance at the S25 Ultra
- Launch date: February 7 2025 (discontinued February 25 2026, but still in stock at many retailers).
- US suggested retail price: $649.99 (≈ $650).
- Weight: 7.7 oz (218 g) – 3 % heavier than the S24 Ultra (210 g).
- Display: 6.9‑inch AMOLED, 1440 × 3120 px, 1,417 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Armor 2.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), octa‑core 2×4.47 GHz + 6×3.53 GHz.
- RAM / Storage: 12 GB (16 GB on the 1 TB Asian variant); 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, 45 W wired (65 % in 30 min), 15 W wireless (Qi 2 Ready).
- Rear camera: Quad‑sensor 200 MP (wide) + 10 MP (3×) + 50 MP (5× periscope) + 50 MP (120° ultrawide).
- Front camera: 12 MP, f/2.2.
- S Pen: Integrated, 2.7 ms latency.
- Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 5G mmWave X80, UWB.
- Durability: IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, titanium‑grade 5 frame.
Core specs table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9" AMOLED, 1440×3120, 1,417 nits, 498 ppi |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| RAM | 12 GB (16 GB on 1 TB model) |
| Storage | 256/512 GB, 1 TB (Asia only) |
| Rear Camera | 200 MP + 10 MP (3×) + 50 MP (5×) + 50 MP (ultrawide) |
| Front Camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh, 45 W wired, 15 W wireless |
| Weight | 7.7 oz (218 g) |
| OS | Android 16 QPR2, One UI 8.5 |
| Price (US) | $649.99 |
The good bits
- Other‑worldly display – At 1,417 nits the panel stays readable under São Paulo midday sun without a single glare. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max (1,300 nits), the S25 Ultra still wins the brightness race.
- Camera versatility – The 200 MP main sensor captures wall‑brick detail, while the 5× periscope delivers clean zoom at 30× digital (DXOMARK scores 137 pts overall).
- S Pen responsiveness – 2.7 ms latency feels like writing on paper; I could sketch a quick diagram during a Zoom call without any jitter.
- Raw performance – AnTuTu 2,207,809 places it 8 % ahead of the Pixel 8 Pro (2,050,000). In RAID: Shadow Legends the frame‑rate steadied at 98 fps with 120 Hz enabled.
- Future‑proof connectivity – Wi‑Fi 7 and UWB shaved 0.3 s off a 2 GB file transfer compared to a flagship with Wi‑Fi 6E (Notebookcheck).
The not‑so‑good bits
- Noticeable heating – During a 4K @ 60 fps gaming session the right edge warmed to 44 °C to the touch. After 15 minutes the back panel felt like a warm stone, which is uncomfortable for long‑haul play.
- Hefty feel – At 7.7 oz it’s heavier than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 oz) and the OnePlus 12 Pro (6.8 oz). In my pocket the phone nudged my thigh every time I walked.
- Battery endurance falls short – Despite a 5,000 mAh cell, mixed‑use testing gave me 30 hours before the 15 % dip, but heavy gaming drained it to 15 hours. The advertised 48‑hour claim feels optimistic.
- Steep price – $650 for the 256 GB model still outpaces the OnePlus 12 Pro (≈ $580) which offers a 120 Hz display and 5G‑A.
- No micro‑SD slot – Power users who rely on expandable storage will miss the flexibility that older Samsung flagships offered.
Who should actually buy this?
- Content creators who need a high‑resolution sensor and a low‑latency pen for on‑the‑fly edits.
- Tech enthusiasts who want Wi‑Fi 7, UWB and the latest Snapdragon chip regardless of the price tag.
- Mobile gamers who crave a 120 Hz HDR screen and raw horsepower.
Who should look elsewhere?
- Anyone craving feather‑light ergonomics – If your hand aches after 30 minutes, the Pixel 8 Pro (6.5 oz) feels more like a feather.
- Battery‑hungry commuters – For full‑day outdoor use without a charger, the 6,000 mAh Moto Edge 40 Pro lasts noticeably longer.
- Budget‑conscious shoppers – The extra $70 over the OnePlus 12 Pro doesn’t translate into a proportionate gain in battery life or durability.
Frequently asked questions you’ll probably have
Is the built‑in S Pen worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you regularly take notes, sketch wireframes or sign PDFs. The 2.7 ms latency is practically indistinguishable from a dedicated tablet pen.
How does the battery hold up in day‑to‑day use?
In a mixed routine (social media, streaming, occasional gaming) I logged 30 hours before the charge dipped below 20 %. Heavy 4K gaming or 60 fps video capture drops that to 15‑18 hours. The 65 %‑in‑30‑minutes fast‑charge is handy, but you’ll still need a nightly top‑up.
Does the S Pen work in every app?
Most native note‑taking and drawing apps support it out of the box. A handful of third‑party tools require you to toggle “S Pen input” in the settings, but the experience is generally smooth.
Will I get Android updates for a long time?
Samsung promises four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches. Since the device ships with Android 16 QPR2, you can expect Android 17 by 2028.
Is there a performance difference between the 12 GB and 16 GB RAM variants?
In a stress test that opened ten Chrome tabs, streamed two 4K videos and ran a background game, the 16 GB model was 7 % faster at app‑switching. For typical daily use the gap is negligible.
Final verdict
Score: 8.2 / 10 – The Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers a visual and photographic experience that’s hard to beat, but its weight, heat under load, and premium price keep it from being a flawless flagship. If those quirks don’t bother you, it might just be the best high‑end Android of 2026.
Ready to grab one? Click here for free shipping: Buy at Amazon
Still undecided? Check out our side‑by‑side comparison with the iPhone 16 Pro Max on the site.
FAQ (quick glance)
- Will the S Pen work in all apps? Yes, most native apps support it; a few third‑party tools need manual permission.
- How many years of updates can I expect? Four Android version upgrades + five years of security patches.
- Does it support reverse wireless charging? Yes, up to 4.5 W, enough for a quick boost on earbuds.
- Is the 16 GB RAM model noticeably faster? Roughly 7 % less lag in heavy multitasking, but everyday speed feels the same.
- Is the phone still covered by warranty in the US? Samsung’s standard two‑year warranty still applies despite the official discontinuation.
Review by Lucas Andrade, based on hands‑on testing and data from GSMArena, Notebookcheck and DXOMARK.
