Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra ZDNET's key takeaways The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a premium flagship meant for users who want the most out of their phone, on sale now for $899.
Key improvements include new Galaxy AI features, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a 50MP ultrawide lens.
No major shifts to camera hardware, battery size, and charging speeds leave a lot to be desired. View now at Amazon View now at Samsung View now at Best Buy more buying choices
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Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone is here, and it may be the least surprising device I've tested so far. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at the same bold price as last year, $1,299, remains the company's do-everything handset. This premium Android phone is now Samsung's best phone overall, with a more durable display, an upgraded camera lens with some handy editing tricks, and the latest Qualcomm processor keeping things running. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once.
Also: I changed 10 Samsung phone settings to give it a significant performance boost
While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the smartphone space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. How decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI.
I've spent a month testing the S25 Ultra and wasn't too surprised to find myself both fascinated and bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if you're currently using a three- to four-year-old handset and considering an upgrade, take this first-hand testimonial to heart. (And if you're an enthusiast, it'll matter just as much to you.)
The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds this year. When I first unboxed the S25 Ultra, it felt like the fanciest calculator ever (and I mean that in a nice way), with its round edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I reviewed back in January -- which, on paper, is relatively similar in size -- the S25 Ultra had a bolder and more striking presence.
From left to right: iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Kerry Wan/ZDNET
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