When you hear the term “flagship killer,” it typically refers to the S-series, which is undoubtedly the king of premium Android smartphones. For all the Apple fans out there, this series is often the first choice for those considering a switch.
When Samsung invited me to the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, I packed my bags faster than the Galaxy S25 Ultra loads apps (and trust me, it’s really fast). Travelling all the way from India for what promised to be the best smartphone launch of the year, I was as excited as a tech enthusiast in a gadget store. And guess what? It did not disappoint. Last year, around the same time, we were in the same city for the Galaxy S24 series launch, and the buzz was exhilarating. The Galaxy S25 Ultra launch has continued that excitement.
Design (Slim, Sleek, and Indestructible)
The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s titanium frame is like a tuxedo for your smartphone – sleek, shiny, and ready to impress. It’s so slim and lightweight that I almost double-checked if I was still holding a flagship device or had accidentally grabbed last year’s Galaxy S24 ultra. The rounded edges make it easy to hold. The front and the back glass is an infamous Corning Gorilla Armour 2 Glass, so now you don’t have to worry about dropping and breaking this phone. Now, the more I look into the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Galaxy S24 Ultra in my hand looks primitive. Galaxy S25 Ultra is more well-rounded and perfectly shaped and does not feel the ‘ultra factor in your hand.
AI (Your New Overachieving Best Friend)
The AI on this phone isn’t just smart – it’s scary smart. With a long press of the side button, the new Gemini assistant springs into action. Whether finding your favourite playlist on Spotify, adding your favourite sports team’s fixtures to the calendar, or summarizing a call transcript, Gemini is there to make your life easier. It’s like having a personal assistant who never sleeps.
That’s not it. It even packed a Galaxy AI, the AI which was introduced last year. This year, the Galaxy AI is more mature, like an experienced candidate who can do any given task at your command. This smartphone offers advanced photo editing with AI-assisted fixes.
Camera (DSLR in Your Pocket)
The camera system on the S25 Ultra is improved. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra now has a new upgraded 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor along with a 200MP wide camera and two Telephoto lenses. The ultrawide lens captured some incredible sharp shots, awakening my inner photographer. I started taking pictures with the Galaxy S25 Ultra while my Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max sat neglected in the corner. The new Audio Eraser even lets you mute those embarrassing background sounds, like your neighbour’s dog barking during your cinematic masterpiece.
Performance (A Beast with Brains)
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform and customized by Samsung for their Galaxy S25 Ultra, this smartphone is now one of the most powerful on the market. With a 40% boost in AI performance and significant improvements in CPU and GPU capabilities, multitasking feels effortless. Whether you’re editing 4K videos, running AI-powered apps, or switching between demanding tasks, this phone handles it all without breaking a sweat.
That’s not it. Gaming on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is nothing short of breathtaking. The Vulkan Engine and improved ray tracing take mobile gaming to a whole new level, and it gave me console-quality visuals with buttery-smooth frame rates. I tested popular titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile and the experience was flawless – no lags, no frame drops, and just pure gaming entertainment. The 120Hz refresh rate adds an extra layer of smoothness, making every movement in the game feel immersive and responsive.
The phone also stays impressively cool under pressure, thanks to its newly upgraded vapour chamber and thermal management system. I didn’t have much time to play the games(I will do a detailed Game testing in full review), but the phone didn’t feel like it could double as a hand warmer, a welcome relief for gamers who hate sweaty palms.
One more cool feature that Galaxy S25 Ultra truly flexes its muscles is the Samsung DeX mode. With just a cable or wirelessly connecting to a compatible display, you can transform this Galaxy S25 Ultra into a full-fledged PC. It’s perfect for those who want a portable workstation without carrying around a laptop.
Software (The Best Skin for Android?)
At the heart of the Galaxy S25 Ultra lies One UI 7, based on Android 15. One UI 7 isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a highly intelligent companion that adapts to your needs. The software understands text, speech, images, and even videos thanks to multimodal AI agents to deliver contextually relevant actions. For example, I could quickly locate an old photo in the gallery just by saying, “Show me pictures from my trip to Germany,” and it worked like magic. The “Circle to Search” feature helps me quickly access information about the products I have circled.
Another impressive announcement is Samsung’s commitment to 7-years of OS upgrades and security updates for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This means your phone will stay relevant long after many other devices are left behind. It’s like buying a car that comes with free maintenance for nearly a decade.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is like that one overachieving kid in school who excels in every subject yet remains humble about it. It’s fast, smart, and incredibly good-looking. My one-day experience with the device was nothing short of exciting, sparking curiosity and anxiety to know more about this phone. If Samsung aimed to set a new benchmark in 2025, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has cleared the bar with room to spare. Stay tuned as I continue to explore the full potential of this beast!