It’s been over a year since Samsung jumped into the generative AI game, and now its Galaxy S-series phones are leading the charge for these AI-powered features. This time around, the Galaxy S25 is stepping things up with deeper integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant and a bunch of cool new software tricks. But on the hardware side, you will feel major Deja Vu! The upgrades from last year’s Galaxy S24 are pretty minor. So is it really worth buying?
Design and Build: Familiar Yet Refined
The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out with its squared-off edges, giving it a distinct Samsung vibe compared to the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro. This has made the largest Android smartphone, handier. But, I will still suggest using a case since you do not want to risk your Rs 1 lakh worth of smartphone. This year, it’s also noticeably lighter—about 15 grams less—thanks to streamlined internals, a thinner bezel, and a slimmed-down S Pen.
It’s a bit disappointing—Samsung removed Bluetooth from the stylus, so no more fun wand-waving tricks. I was hoping, since it is a flagship, that they’d add something new to make up for it, but they didn’t. It feels like they’re taking away features without giving us anything fresh in return.
At Rs 1,29,999, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the most expensive non-foldable phones out there. While it’s a great device, it’s hard not to feel like something’s missing. For this price, you’d expect a standout feature or two, but there’s nothing truly new or game-changing to justify the premium, in terms of hardware at least.
Moving on to display, one of the best features of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is its gorgeous 6.9-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x display. It’s also protected by tough, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Armor 2, adding durability to the experience. With a 2,600 peak brightness and anti-glare layer on the display, the display makes it usable even in outdoor settings.
The display is more or less the same as its predecessor, I mean why fix what is not broken, we totally get it.
Camera: Ultrawide Excellence
The S25 Ultra’s cameras are pretty much the same as before, except for one thing: a new 50-megapixel ultrawide lens. Samsung says it’s better in low light, and honestly, they’re right. In my experience, it was true as there was very less noise in dimly-lit settings. So, yeah, it’s an upgrade, but whether S24 Ultra owners were desperate for this particular change is debatable.
Lets just be honest, the sad reality is that smartphone camera technology has plateaued. Recent iterations from major manufacturers offer only minor improvements rather than groundbreaking advancements.
AI Features: The Price of Staying Smart?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra isn’t focusing on camera tricks like the S22 and S23 Ultras did. This time, it’s all about raw power and AI performance, especially when you’re juggling demanding apps. It’s packing a special version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, tweaked just for Samsung phones. That gives Samsung a real edge, letting them boast about things like smooth performance across apps and efficient cooling – something they can control since they handle both the hardware and software.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is blazing fast, as you’d expect from a top-of-the-line phone. We’re talking 12GB of RAM standard – that’s enough to watch YouTube while simultaneously summoning the Circle to Search feature without a single stutter. It’s like having a mini-computer in your pocket, and thanks to the company finally getting on board with more memory, this thing should stay snappy for years to come. Plus, Samsung’s promising a whopping seven years of software updates, so you’re basically the tech giant that has paid major attention to future-proofing.
I loved using the AI features like the AI eraser, AI portraits, transcriptions, Now Brief—they’re super handy! An absolute treat for social media creators. The Gemini call button on the right edge is also perfectly placed. But the real question is, how long will these features remain free? Samsung plans to start charging for them by the end of the year, and we’re all waiting to see how much. Once that’s clear, users can better decide if a Rs 1 lakh phone is worth it, especially if its standout AI features come with an extra price tag.
Battery Performance: Solid, Not Spectacular
The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s battery life is decent, typical for a flagship phone these days. I generally ended the day with around 50% charge, which is good, but not mind-blowing. One interesting thing is that the S25 series supports Qi2 wireless charging, the newest standard. However, there’s a catch: you need a special magnetic case because the phone itself doesn’t have built-in magnets. It’s a reasonable compromise since most people use cases anyway, but it’s a bit of a letdown for those who prefer going caseless.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is still a top-tier phone with a fantastic screen, amazing cameras, and enough power to handle anything you throw at it. But, honestly, that’s been the case for the last few Ultras. The thing is, it feels like the “special” factor is fading.
The most of the cool AI features Samsung showed off at their event aren’t just for the S25 Ultra, or even the S25 series. They’ll probably come to older Galaxy phones later this year. While it’s great to see older phones getting updates, it makes it hard to see what makes the S25 Ultra really special compared to other phones, even other Android phones. And here’s the real kicker: Samsung’s fine print says these AI features are only free until the end of 2025. So, your “smart” AI phone might end up costing you a monthly fee down the line. That’s a big thing that you need to know.
It used to have a 10x zoom, a stylus that felt like magic, and a design that truly stood out. Some changes are good, but Samsung hasn’t replaced the unique features they’ve taken away. Basically, if you’ve got a recent Ultra (like an S23 or S24 Ultra), there’s not much reason to rush out and buy the S25 Ultra. Sure, if a trade-in offer is amazing, go for it – and the lighter design is nice. But don’t expect any massive upgrades; it’s mostly just the usual small tweaks. Others looking for a great Android flagship smartphone, can opt for it.
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