Straight talk on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra after 5 days
Verdict in brief
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most powerful, most modern and most robust Samsung smartphone, but at €1,449 and up it costs a lot of money. It is worth it if you really need the processor, the more robust display and the AI, or are replacing a very old device. Otherwise: wait or go for the S24 Ultra.
The video is only loaded from YouTube after you click.
The video is in German.
Pros
- Better processor, more robust and less reflective display glass
- Slightly better camera with a 50-megapixel wide for macro shots
- 15 g lighter and 15% thinner than the S24 Ultra
- Latest AI features, Gemini handles several tasks in one sentence
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- At €1,449 for 12 GB RAM and 256 GB, a lot of money
- Despite less weight, still a brick
- Gemini doesn't ask follow-up questions when details are missing, such as the year
Many of you have asked me whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth it, whether it is better than the S24 Ultra or S23 Ultra and whether switching from the Pixel 9 Pro XL makes sense. I have now been using the device for five days and have a good impression. Keep in mind that a long-term test may bring different results.
The facts
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most powerful, most modern and most robust smartphone Samsung currently offers:
- better processor than the S24 Ultra
- more pleasant design
- more robust, less reflective display glass
- slightly better camera
- 15 g lighter and 15% thinner (0.4 mm slimmer)
- latest AI features
That is one side. The other: the smallest version with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage costs €1,449 without promotions, discounts and trade-in bonuses. That’s a lot of money, and that’s why you should protect the device well.
Protection from TORRAS
Ad: The TORRAS 360° Guard Screen Protector can be applied bubble-free with the installation box in three steps: clean the display, place the frame, peel off the film. The fingerprint scanner and S Pen continue to work perfectly. I also recommend the 360° All-in-One Ostand 360 Spin Case with case, stand, grip ring and magnet for MagSafe-compatible accessories. Links are in the video description.
Is it worth buying?
The only legitimate question is: do I need this right now? With tech, emotions play an important role, so I allow a second question: do I want to need it? Ask yourself, for example:
- Do I absolutely want the most powerful Android processor because I play graphically demanding games, want to edit 4K videos or want to be sure to use all the new AI features of the next two years?
- Do I need a more robust and less reflective display glass?
- Am I happy about 0.4 mm less thickness and 15 g less weight?
- Do I need the 50-megapixel wide camera for better macro shots than on the S24 Ultra?
If you answer mostly yes, click the link in the video description, trade in your old smartphone and do it. If it’s a no or you’re very unsure, wait another year or go for the S24 Ultra, which is cheaper now. In my experience, the new Galaxy AI features come to the S24 series in a few months too, just not the new processor.
It’s different with a very old smartphone that urgently needs to be replaced. Then I would always go for the newest model if you want to use it just as long again. Samsung and Google promise seven years of updates, including version updates. AI will develop rapidly, and that takes a strong processor.
My experience after five days
My experiences so far are positive throughout. I really like the flat frame, even if that’s a matter of taste. The more rounded corners look nicer, but make little difference to how it feels in the hand. I was a bit disappointed with the weight and thinness, the device is and remains a brick. I’m looking forward to the Edge model, which is supposed to come later this year, hoping for an Ultra in a more comfortable format. Apple is going in a good direction there with large and handier Pro models.
The new AI features of Galaxy AI excite me. We are still at the beginning with AI, and Samsung and Google are at the forefront of developing it on the smartphone. What I find especially exciting is that I can talk to Gemini like a person and give it several tasks in one sentence: research an event, send the information to my husband via WhatsApp and put it in the calendar. That’s as unfamiliar as writing text messages instead of calling was in the year 2000.
An example: I received an email with an event invitation. Instead of typing the date, time and place manually, I asked Gemini via “Ask about this screen” to create a calendar entry. That often worked really well, but it depends on the information in the email. Once the year was missing, and Gemini saved the appointment in the year 2023. I would have wished for a follow-up question, but that will come.
From my point of view, a rethink has to happen: away from judging the hardware by buttons, lenses and milliamp hours, toward the question of how many tasks a smartphone takes off my hands in everyday life and what special things I can do with it.
Verdict
The S25 Ultra is a strong device, but also an expensive one. If you really need the processor, the more robust display and the AI, or are replacing a very old smartphone, go ahead. Everyone else should better wait another year or take the S24 Ultra.
Questions and answers
- How much does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra cost?
- The smallest version with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage costs €1,449 without promotions, discounts and trade-in bonuses.
- Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth it compared with the S24 Ultra?
- Only if you really need the strongest Android processor, the more robust and less reflective display or the new AI features. Otherwise Jen recommends waiting a year or going for the cheaper S24 Ultra.
- How long does the Galaxy S25 Ultra get updates?
- Samsung and Google promise seven years of updates, both security updates and version updates.
- When should you upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
- Mainly when your old smartphone urgently needs to retire. With the newest model you get the longest update guarantee.
