Galaxy S25 Ultra
The S25 Ultra: A Powerhouse in a Sleek Titanium Frame
The S25 Ultra emerges as a premium device with a minimalist yet striking design, featuring a seamless glass front bordered by a sleek titanium frame. It’s lighter than the previous model by 14 grams and now sports flatter edges and ultra-thin bezels, creating an almost all-screen appearance that feels like holding a high-tech slab of glass.
Under the hood, the phone is powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite processor from Qualcomm, offering even more speed and efficiency than the one found in the recent OnePlus 13. In real-world usage, the chip barely breaks a sweat, easily managing everything from heavy multitasking to gaming.
Battery performance is equally impressive. With active use totaling around 7.5 hours each day—including photography, streaming, browsing, and switching between Wi-Fi and 5G networks—the device can comfortably last two full days on a single charge. This endurance places it among the top performers in today’s smartphone market.
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| 🔹 One or two H2 headings | “Camera Test – Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review” |
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Battery Life, Repairability, and Sustainability of the Samsung Device
While Samsung doesn’t specify an exact lifespan for the battery, it is designed to endure over 500 complete charging cycles while still retaining at least 80% of its initial capacity, which should be sufficient for long-term use.
In terms of repairs, the device is moderately serviceable. Replacing the screen through authorized repair centers costs around £204 and includes a new battery as part of the service. Samsung also supports users with a self-repair program for those comfortable handling their own fixes. However, according to iFixit, the phone receives a mid-range repairability score of 5 out of 10.
Environmentally, the phone incorporates several recycled materials, such as aluminum, copper, cobalt, gold, glass, plastic, steel, and rare earth elements. Samsung promotes sustainability through trade-in options and recycling programs for older devices. The company also shares annual sustainability reports and publishes environmental impact data for select products.
Gemini Assistant Shines, but Flaws Hold It Back
The standout upgrade is the introduction of Google’s next-gen Gemini assistant, designed to multitask seamlessly across apps and online services. It can, for instance, pull details from websites to create reminders or share information with contacts—all without switching between apps manually.
Aside from Gemini, the latest One UI 7 operating system brings a refined user experience. The interface continues to take cues from Apple’s iOS, but it still offers enough flexibility to personalize everything from layout to features. Samsung also promises seven years of software and security updates for the S25 Ultra, putting it on par with long-term support from both Apple and Google.
When everything runs smoothly, Gemini can feel truly advanced and efficient. However, it still stumbles on basic tasks. A small error—like misidentifying a contact whose name is spelled “Paterson” with one “t” instead of two—can stop it from sending a message. It might also confidently schedule a Fantasy Premier League reminder but get the deadline wrong. These inconsistencies make it difficult to fully rely on, a common challenge across current AI tools.
Versatile Camera Power: S25 Ultra Takes Mobile Photography Further
The Galaxy S25 Ultra continues Samsung’s legacy of powerful photography hardware, featuring a rear camera setup similar to its recent models. It retains the impressive 200MP primary sensor, along with a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and a 50MP telephoto capable of 5x zoom, which can extend up to 10x through optical means and even farther using digital zoom.
The matt glass back has a similar monolithic and imposing look to the screen on the front. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The built-in camera app is loaded with a wide range of features, from fun shooting modes to advanced tools. It includes an excellent portrait mode, full manual shooting options, and a suite of pro-level controls. But what truly sets the S25 Ultra apart is the sheer flexibility of its four-lens system—allowing users to effortlessly switch between focal lengths for any situation.
This year’s standout upgrade is the revamped 50MP ultra-wide camera, which now performs significantly better in low-light conditions. Whether you’re shooting indoors or at night, it delivers sharper, more detailed shots that noticeably outperform past versions.
| Positive Words | Negative Words |
|---|---|
| Best, Excellent | Worst, Disappointing |
| Amazing, Top, Ultimate | Flawed, Overrated |
| Worth it, Must-have | Lacking, Unimpressive |
| Powerful, Reliable | Pricey, Limited |
| Pros | Cons |
| massive 120Hz screen | huge, extremely expensive |
| highly capable camera with 3x and 10x optical zoom | S Pen lacks a little magic of previous versions |
| good software with seven years’ support | doesn’t meaningfully improve on formula of predecessors |
| top Android chip, long battery life | AI capabilities overhyped for now. |
| access to the latest AI features |
The camera app is fairly simple to operate despite being packed with capabilities. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian