Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: The AI-powered peak Android experience

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives, not merely as an iteration, but as a statement. In 2025, the smartphone landscape is a battleground of AI integration, and has planted its flag firmly with this device. This isn't just a phone; it's a mobile powerhouse designed to anticipate and enhance every aspect of your digital life.
At first glance, the S25 Ultra's design exudes sophistication and durability. The subtly rounded edges, titanium frame, and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protection give it a premium look and feel. At the heart of its capabilities lies Google Gemini for a seamless AI user experience. The Ultra series is famous for its photographic prowess, and the S25 Ultra continues that legacy. The camera system has been meticulously refined, boasting enhanced sensors and AI-driven image processing.
Not to forget the addition of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor that promises to deliver a smooth and powerful performance – all this at a starting price of Rs 1,29,999 . We used the most-powerful smartphone from Samsung for sometime and here’s our review in which we will break down all of the aspects of this device, from its stunning display, to its raw performance, to see if the S25 Ultra lives up to the Ultra name.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a refined design that moves away from the sharp, boxy edges of its predecessors. The subtly rounded aesthetic not only gives it a fresh and modern look but also enhances ergonomics, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The device is now 14 grams lighter than its predecessor, featuring flat sides and minimal bezels that enhance its sleek appearance.
Featuring the industry's first anti-reflective glass ceramic, Gorilla Armor 2, the front panel minimises glare. The titanium frame, upgraded to grade 5, retains its flat design and signature shimmery texture. The smartphone also comes with IP68 rating which makes it resistant to dust and water. The S25 Ultra is available in four colours: Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Gray, Titanium Whitesilver, and Titanium Black. We were also impressed that Samsung managed to integrate a 5,000mAh battery and an S Pen into a device that is 14 grams lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra launched last year.

We also really liked the boxy touch and feel of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It makes the smartphone more handy and easy to use. The front of this flagship smartphone is dominated by a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display which houses a 12MP front camera. The earpiece above the screen doubles up as a speaker to form the stereo pair. The smartphone also houses an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor same as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The rear of the smartphone houses the smooth matte finished rear panel with the Samsung branding. The back panel is also home to the five camera setup which are neatly placed in the top left corner. You can find the power button and volume rockers on the right side, whereas the SIM card tray, USB Type C charging post and the S Pen holder are located at the bottom.
However, this time, Samsung has downgraded the S Pen by removing Bluetooth connectivity and the built-in capacitor. As a result, it can no longer be used for camera shutter control or air actions. With its top-tier build quality, the Galaxy S25 Ultra provides exceptional ergonomics, offering a secure grip and comfortable use in any position.
We really liked the bright and vibrant display of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The flagship smartphone from Samsung houses a 6.9-inch QHD+ display which comes with 1440x3210 pixel resolution. The Infinit-O-Edge display comes with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The display is also made scratch resistant with a coating of Corning Gorilla Armor 2 protection. Gorilla Armor 2’s anti-reflective properties dramatically reduce surface reflections in both indoor and outdoor ambient settings. The Gorilla Glass is also designed to better resist damage, such as breakage, more effectively than ever before. The display on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra also offers high brightness levels which makes it easier to use the smartphone under direct sunlight.

With Quad HD+ resolution and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, the display offers vibrant colours and sharp details, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and browsing. The slim bezels and high screen-to-body ratio enhance the immersive viewing experience. Another interesting thing about the display is that it comes with ProScaler technology. ProScaler technology in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is an advanced AI image processing feature designed to enhance the visual experience by improving image scaling quality. This technology achieves a 40% upgrade in display image scaling quality compared to previous models. The ProScaler significantly improves the clarity and sharpness of images and videos, making them look more vibrant and lifelike. Along with this, ProScaler also optimises the display's power consumption and adapts to different screen resolutions, including HD+, FHD+, and QHD+, providing optimal image quality and a smooth user experience. This flexibility ensures users get the best possible visuals without compromising battery life.
Apart from this, the screen also includes an eye comfort shield which keeps your eyes comfortable by limiting blue light and using warmer colours. You can also customise the eye comfort mode as per your needs. Additionally, you have the flexibility to adjust the colour tone, customise the font size and style, and select the screen resolution according to your preference. The display is surely one of the high-points of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most-expensive smartphone of Samsung and it packs the best hardware available right now for any Android smartphone. At the heart of the Galaxy S25 Ultra lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which offers a 37% increase in CPU performance and a 40% boost in NPU capabilities compared to previous models. This ensures that the device handles multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven applications with ease. Users can choose from storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB, all paired with 12GB of RAM, providing ample space and memory for various needs.

Multitasking was seamless, and we experienced no lag, even during photo editing and app switching. The Adreno 740 GPU delivers stunning graphics and smooth gameplay, making it a joy to play graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty: Mobile. The smartphone also comes with an advanced cooling system that prevents overheating during long gaming sessions. The vapor chamber and graphite cooling pads efficiently dissipate heat, ensuring that the device remains cool and maintains optimal performance. The stereo speakers on the S25 Ultra deliver clear and immersive sound, enhancing the gaming experience. The device also supports Dolby Atmos, providing a surround sound experience that makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action.
Coming to software, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra runs Android 15 operating system topped with the company's own layer of One UI 7. One UI 7 introduces refined system toggles, smoother animations, and a more intuitive interface. The split notification and quick toggles pages, similar to iOS, offer a streamlined way to access essential functions.

Samsung has integrated several AI-powered features into the S25 Ultra, making it a smart and efficient device. Powered by Google Gemini, the device offers a versatile AI experience. Users can engage in extensive conversations, generate creative ideas, such as recipes from fridge contents or artistic concepts, and even create images. The smartphone’s AI Select feature now provides deeper content analysis, offering contextually relevant actions. It can generate GIFs from Instagram Reels and create personalised wallpapers from on-screen photos. We found the Gallery's Generative Edit feature particularly impressive, allowing for seamless object and person manipulation, including realistic shadow adjustments. You can even sketch and integrate new elements into your photos. To read more about the AI features you can click here.

The S Pen has been redesigned to be slimmer and more ergonomic, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The stylus fits seamlessly into the device, ensuring it is always within reach. The S Pen excels in note-taking and drawing applications. Samsung Notes offers a range of features, including handwriting recognition, text conversion, and the ability to annotate PDFs. The AI-powered Drawing Assist feature enhances sketches by refining rough outlines into polished images, making it a valuable tool for artists and designers. The responsiveness and precision of the S Pen ensure a smooth and natural writing experience.
The S Pen benefits from Samsung's AI integration, which enhances its functionality. The Personal Data Engine analyses usage patterns to provide personalised suggestions and optimisations. This makes the S Pen more intuitive and responsive to individual user needs, improving the overall experience. One of the most significant changes in this year's S Pen is the removal of Bluetooth connectivity. This means that features like remote camera shutter control and air actions are no longer available.
The camera system remains a strong point of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The smartphone houses a 200MP main camera with f/1.7 aperture, OIS, 50MP 120° Ultra Wide sensor with f/1.9 aperture, 10MP Telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom, f/2.4 aperture, OIS, 50MP Periscope telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom, 100x Space Zoom, f/3.4 aperture. These enhancements lead to improved low-light performance and greater versatility in photography. Front is home to a 12MP selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture.

The main camera features a 200MP ISOCELL sensor with an F1.7 aperture, multi-directional PDAF, and OIS. The primary 200MP camera excels in daylight conditions, capturing images with excellent detail and vibrant colours. The ultrawide camera also performs well, offering sharp and detailed landscape shots. The telephoto lenses provide impressive zoom capabilities, allowing users to capture distant subjects with clarity. The S25 Ultra's low-light performance is commendable, thanks to the wide apertures and advanced image processing. The primary and ultrawide cameras capture well-exposed images with minimal noise, while the telephoto lenses maintain detail and sharpness even in challenging lighting conditions.
During our testing, the 3x telephoto camera on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivered some really impressive images with solid details. The camera excels in dynamic range and colour reproduction. On the other hand, the telephoto lens with better zoom capability excels in capturing fine detail with controlled grain, ensuring vibrant colours and a wide dynamic range. The ultra wide camera also offers higher detail and better low-light performance compared to its predecessor.








The AI-powered Portrait mode on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers stunning results, with precise edge detection and natural depth effects. This mode works well in various lighting conditions, ensuring high-quality portrait shots. The S25 Ultra's video recording capabilities are top-notch, with support for 8K and 4K recording. The addition of Log video mode allows for greater flexibility in post-production, making it suitable for professional-grade video recording. The Audio Eraser feature effectively filters out background noise, enhancing the overall video quality.
The 12MP front camera offers sharp and clear selfies with accurate skin tones and good exposure. The Dual-Pixel autofocus ensures that subjects are always in focus, even in low-light conditions. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers an exceptional camera experience, with a range of features that cater to various photography and videography needs.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is backed by a 5,000 mAh battery and comes with 45W fast charging and Qi wireless charging support. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra really impressed us with its long-lasting battery backup. With mixed usage, the smartphone reliably lasted for up to 30 hours on a single charge. Also, the AI algorithms optimise battery usage, extending battery life by adapting to user habits. The smartphone comes with a Battery protection feature which is designed to adjust the charging behaviour to extend the battery life.
The mode comes with three options — Basic (when your battery is charged 100%, charging will stop until the battery level drops to 95% and then the charging will start again), Adaptive (Stop charging at 80% while you are asleep and switch to Basic before you wake up. Sleep time is estimated based on your phone usage patterns) and Maximum (your battery will stop charging when it reaches 80%).
The smartphone also comes with a power saving mode which enables users to toggle multiple settings in order to increase the battery life. We observed over 30 hours of battery life in our testing, and depending on usage patterns, it's capable of even more.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra also performs well in the fast charging section as we were able to charge the smartphone completely within an hour with the help of a 65W fast charger. The phone also supports 5W Qi wireless charging and is also compatible with Qi2 chargers. In all, we really liked the battery performance of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra excels in almost every aspect, from its stunning design and display to its powerful performance and advanced camera capabilities. The design of the S25 Ultra is both sophisticated and durable, featuring a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protection.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, coupled with 12GB of RAM, ensures lag free performance for even the most demanding tasks. The camera system is another highlight, with a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide sensor, and a versatile telephoto setup. The software experience on the S25 Ultra is smooth and intuitive, thanks to Android 15 and One UI 7.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a near-perfect flagship that sets a new standard for premium smartphones. Its combination of powerful performance and enhanced AI features make it the best Android smartphone available in the market right now.