My First Impression: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI Smartphone

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI Smartphone

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — this quote by Peter F. Drucker sums up my start with the new flagship well. I hold the device in my hand and immediately note: large, bright display, angular titanium frame, and fewer reflections in everyday use.

The performance of the Snapdragon processor immediately strikes me: apps start quickly and multitasking runs smoothly. Throttling only becomes apparent under continuous load. The camera offers a lot of scope with 200 MP and two telephoto lenses; details, stabilization, and colors are my focus.

The integrated S Pen is practical for quick notes, but without Bluetooth it loses some remote functions. The battery life of almost 20 hours is easily enough for my day, even if wireless charging without Qi2 is noticeable today.

On the software side, I test Galaxy AI and Google Gemini for translation and image editing — partly useful, partly still a gimmick. For 1,449 euros, I expect a well-rounded overall package; the seven years of updates give me planning security.

Key Takeaways

• Strong display: large, anti-reflective OLED/AMOLED with 120 Hz.
• High performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy shows strong everyday performance.
• Versatile camera: 200 MP main sensor and two telephoto lenses.
• Long battery life: almost 20 hours of battery life in the test.
• Long-term security: seven years of Android and security updates.

Why I Took a Closer Look at the Samsung-Galaxy-S25-Ultra-Ai-Smartphone

I wanted to know how the new flagship really performs in everyday use. That’s why I used the device in three real scenarios: commuting, office, and couch. This is how I test practice instead of pure lab values.

My Test Setup: Everyday Life, Photo Tour, and Gaming Session

In everyday life, I checked how quickly apps start and whether the performance remains consistent. I used Android 15, One UI, as well as Galaxy AI and Google Gemini for live translation and image editing.

On the photo tour, I compared the camera in daylight, twilight, and at night. Focus: 200 MP, ultra-wide angle, two telephoto lenses, and 8K videos.

During the gaming session, I observed the performance of the Snapdragon chip, 120 Hz stability, and heat development after 30–60 minutes.

Design, Feel, and Build Quality: Titanium Frame in My Hand

When I first pick it up, I notice how much emphasis has been placed on the choice of materials and workmanship. The titanium frame feels cool and high-quality. The edges are grippy without cutting into my hand.

The workmanship looks precise: clean gap dimensions, tight buttons, and no rattling. Thanks to good weight distribution, the large device sits securely in the hand. With a case, it becomes bulkier, but remains easy to grip.

The anti-reflective display significantly reduces reflections in office light and outdoors. IP68 provides everyday protection against rain and splashes, but I still wouldn’t deliberately submerge it in the pool.

• Titanium frame: cool, high-quality, ergonomic
• Scratch protection: only sufficient in the test — film or glass recommended
• Camera & S Pen: Camera protrudes moderately; S Pen sits firmly

In summary, the flagship looks like a very high-quality product. For me, it is one of the most coherent design implementations in the current lineup of the samsung galaxy s25 and the galaxy s25 ultra.

The Display in Everyday Use: Large, Bright, 120 Hz – and Surprisingly Anti-Reflective

The screen stands out: large, bright, and surprisingly low in reflections. Text is easy to read on the 6.8–6.9 inch OLED/AMOLED panel, even in strong sunlight. The anti-reflective coating makes a noticeable difference here.

Brightness and Readability Outdoors: OLED/AMOLED with Anti-Reflection

The display remains easy to read outdoors. The peak brightness results in clear contrasts. Lateral viewing angles also remain stable when I share content with others.

Resolution and refresh rate: 1440 x 3200 and LTPO-120 Hz

The resolution of 1440 x 3200 ensures razor-sharp text. Small UI elements are precise, so I usually stay in adaptive mode. The LTPO-120-Hz refresh rate makes scrolling buttery smooth and saves battery in still images.

Color Fidelity, HDR, and PWM: Pleasant for Long Sessions

HDR streaming looks vivid, but not overdrawn. The color coordination is well calibrated at the factory. PWM dimming at 480 Hz can disturb sensitive eyes, but it hardly bothered me in everyday use.

• Strengths: very good readability, strong colors, high viewing angle stability.
• For media: videos in 4K/HDR look magnificent; brightness uniformity is high.
• Practice: one of the best displays I’ve experienced in current smartphones.

Performance and Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy in the Stress Test

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI Smartphone

In everyday use, you notice how much raw computing power is at the core of the device. The processor delivers noticeably fast reactions as soon as I open multiple apps or edit photos. Short loading times and smooth animations are the rule.

Everyday Performance and App Speed

The combination of CPU and RAM ensures high performance for daily tasks. Camera app, gallery, and maps start in a flash. The perceived speed remains constant, multitasking runs smoothly.

Continuous Load, Throttling, and Heat Development

Under prolonged load, the processor shows significant throttling. The temperature rises measurably during 20–30 minute benchmarks or intensive 3D tasks.

Positive: The heat is distributed evenly, so there are rarely unpleasant hot spots in the hand. The device regulates the power in a controlled manner for thermal control.

Gaming Impression: Stability, FPS, and Thermals

In the game, I maintain stable FPS at high settings. Longer sessions lead to a moderate reduction so that the hardware does not overheat.

In summary, the “elite for galaxy” variant is a very potent SoC. The pure computing power is high, the performance in everyday use is excellent, but deliberately limited under continuous load.

• Practice: Very fast response for everyday tasks.
• Under continuous load: Measurable throttling and even heat distribution.
• Recommendation: Adaptive performance modes for balance between speed and temperature.

Software Experience: Android 15, one UI, and the New AI Features

The software experience looks modern and very well thought out at first glance. Android 15 combined with One UI runs smoothly, the menus are logically arranged, and the animations remain smooth.

Seven Years of Updates until 2032

For me, it is important: There are seven years of Android and security updates until 2032. This creates planning security for an expensive product and makes the purchase more justifiable.

Galaxy AI in Everyday Life

I use Galaxy AI daily for live translation in meetings, quick summaries, and simple image editing. Removing objects usually works reliably, although not always perfectly at the edges.

Google Gemini on Board

Google Gemini complements the on-device AI with cloud-based answers. Gemini often helps me faster than individual apps when planning trips or recipes. However, many AI functions require a Samsung account — you should be aware of that.

• Usage: Multitasking runs smoothly, the performance is sufficient for split screen.
• Data protection: Granular options for AI histories and permissions are available.
• Practice: Two assistants can be confusing at first; I set clear workflows for myself.

S Pen in check: productive, but without Bluetooth

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI Smartphone

When writing and sketching, the S Pen shows its quiet precision. It sits well in the hand and reacts directly to pressure and inclination.

The pen is included and sits securely in the housing. That means: I always have it with me and rarely lose it. The latency is low. Lines follow my movement without visible lag.

Notes, Sketches, and Precision on the Large Panel

Notes, sketches, and quick markups feel natural. I often use handwriting-to-text and PDF comments; both work reliably.

When multitasking with split windows, the input remains accurate. In meetings, I draw diagrams and later convert them into editable text.

What the Missing Bluetooth Support Means in Practice

The S Pen can be used passively. Remote functions are missing, such as camera shutter or presentation control. This is a loss for power users who previously relied on remote control.

For my daily use, however, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages: precise input, firm integration, and fast workflows. As a productive helper, it is convincing despite the lack of Bluetooth.

Camera Impression: 200 MP Main Camera, Telephoto Zoom, and 8k Video

The camera of the device is a real workhorse in daylight and immediately delivers convincing details. I see a high resolution and natural color coordination, which makes motifs appear vivid.

Main Camera: Details, Dynamics, and Color Coordination

The 200 MP sensor brings razor-sharp photos with a wide dynamic range. Colors remain natural, contrasts clean.

Ultra-wide Angle and Wide Angle

The ultra-wide angle (12 MP) delivers usable results, but it lags behind the main camera. Sharpness is sometimes lacking in fine structures.

Telephoto: Two Optical Lenses

I particularly like the optical telephoto lenses (3x and 6.2x). The real zoom is practical and better than pure crop.

Night Mode: Light Output vs. Competition

In low light, the system shows strong results. Sometimes the sharpening visibly intervenes, but overall the details and noise behavior are good.

Video: 8k, Stabilization, and Sound

8K videos offer impressive detail. The stabilization remains calm when walking, the sound seems clear and spatial. The selfie camera (12 MP, OIS) is practical for vlogs.

• Strengths: Daylight photos, flexible telephoto range, stable 8K recordings.
• Limits: Ultra-wide angle weaker, occasional sharpening.

Battery Life and Charging: My Day with almost 20 Hours of Runtime

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI Smartphone

My test day ended with one realization: the battery life is surprisingly steadfast. In my mix of LTE/WLAN, emails, camera, streaming, and social, I reached almost 20 hours of runtime. The device thus delivers a long battery life that is really reassuring in everyday life.

Screen-on-Time and Mixed-Use in the Practical Test

My screen-on-time was usually between 6 and 8 hours. Depending on navigation or many photos, the SOT drops, but in standby the battery loses only a few percentage points overnight.

Charging Speed: Wired, Wireless, No Qi2

Wireless charging works reliably, but the modern Qi2 standard is missing. Wired charging is solid, but slower than some direct competitors.

Efficiency of the Snapdragon and Heat Dissipation

The performance of the SoC pays off: efficient consumption and improved heat dissipation keep the device stable even during longer sessions. Higher mAh charging values would be desirable for power users, but the balance of efficiency and battery management is convincing.

• Mix-Everyday Life: almost 20 hours of runtime with streaming and photos.
• SOT: 6–8 hours, depending on usage.
• Charging: wireless reliable, no Qi2; cable slower.

Connectivity and Radio: 5g, Wi-Fi 7, UWB – Fast and Stable

The radio technology of the device surprises with stable connections in my everyday life. I experience a combination of modern hardware and fine tuning here.

WLAN Performance and Range

Wi-Fi 7 delivers extremely high speed and very low latencies. Cloud backups and 4K streams ran without jerks.

The range in my apartment is impressive. The connection remains stable even through two walls.

Bluetooth Codecs and Everyday Usability

Bluetooth works reliably for headphones and smart homes. One point of criticism: The selection of codecs is limited and could bother audiophiles.

Telephony sounds clear, the network sensitivity was average and unproblematic in everyday use.

“For me, the radio department provides a very fast and reliable foundation.”

• 5G: Solid in the city, dependent on the provider in the countryside.
• UWB: Practical for precisely finding SmartTags.
• GPS: Fast and precise for navigation.

Conclusion: As a product for modern smartphone users, the s25 ultra together with the galaxy s25 offers a very good base. Downloads are fast, casting works with little delay, and the display reflects less due to the anti-reflective coating.

Storage and Variants: Enough Space for My Photos and Videos

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra AI Smartphone

When it comes to storage, I first look at how much space my photos and 8K clips really need. This influences my purchase decision more than individual benchmarks.

My test device comes with 12 GB of RAM. Multitasking remains smooth even with many tabs and split screen.

RAM/ROM Combinations and Missing Expansion

Samsung offers several ROM variants. The 256 GB version that I read about covers many users.

Important: There is no microSD expansion. Anyone who uses a lot of photos or high bit rates for videos has to plan differently.

• Storage selection: 256 GB is enough for many, creators choose larger variants.
• Offload: 8K and RAW eat up space — regular backups are a must.
• Alternatives: Cloud or external SSDs via USB‑C are practical solutions.
• Performance: Very high read/write speeds accelerate app installations.

“For products in this class, I expect a lot of internal storage — Samsung delivers corresponding options.”

My conclusion: There are enough variants, but without a slot I have to consciously plan my data strategy. For me, this remains an important decision factor for the galaxy s25.

Audio and Media Consumption: Speakers, Headphones and ProScaler

For movie nights and podcasts, I first check how clearly sound and picture really work together. The interplay of hardware, software and the large display determines the experience.

Stereo Speakers and Headphone Output – Sound Quality in Check

The stereo speakers sound surprisingly full for a smartphone. Voices are present, music has a pleasant breadth.

I experience a spatial sound via the headphone output; fine details could be a little clearer. Podcasts and calls benefit from clear mids. At high volume, the playback remains surprisingly low in distortion.

ProScaler and Streaming Quality

The ProScaler visibly sharpens and upscales older content better. Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video appear color-strong and rich in contrast on the display.

The combination of processor performance, ProScaler and panel noticeably enhances videos. Bluetooth latencies are low, so movies and games stay in sync, despite the limited codec selection.

• Sound: Full stereo sound, voices easy to understand.
• Headphones: Spatial sound, details can be improved.
• Upscaling: ProScaler significantly improves older streams.
• Streaming: High-quality display on the display.

Robustness and Everyday Use: IP68, Scratch Protection and Unlocking

I used the device specifically in wet, dusty and hectic situations to test its suitability for everyday use. Protection against water, surface hardness and reliability when unlocking are important to me.

Water Protection, Low Reflection and Scratch Resistance

With IP68, everyday protection against rain and splash water is provided. This gives me security during rain breaks and quick trips.

The anti-reflection coating makes the display much easier to read outdoors. Reflections are less disturbing.

The scratch protection is only sufficient in everyday use. I recommend a protective film if you often have keys or coins in your pocket.

Biometrics: Reliability of Face and Fingerprint

Face‑Unlock usually reacts quickly, but drops off in low light. The fingerprint sensor works well, but occasionally shows dropouts.

• IP68: protects against rain and splash water.
• Processing: Frame resistant to micro-scratches, fall protection only complete with a case.
• Handling: The device lies securely in the hand, but remains large for small hands.
• Biometrics: Face and Fingerprint usually work, but not always reliably.

Overall, the galaxy s25 and the s25 ultra are robust for everyday use, with minor weaknesses in biometrics.

Comparison with the Galaxy S24 Ultra: is the Upgrade Worthwhile for Me?

I put the new model next to my S24 and checked if the jump is noticeable. Technically, there are many subtleties, but only a few major breakthroughs.

What is Really Better: Display, AI, Battery Feeling

Display: I like the anti-reflective panel and the calibration much better than with the galaxy s24 ultra. Readability outdoors is noticeably improved.

AI: AI features are more deeply integrated. Workflows such as image editing and translation run faster and interfere less with the flow.

Battery: The battery feeling in everyday life is stronger; the runtime is one of the biggest improvements.

What Shows Little Progress: Camera Fine-Tuning and Charging Power

The camera shows only slight refinements. The telephoto remains strong, the ultra-wide angle improves only moderately.

The charging power remains mediocre and Qi2 is missing — that is a real point of criticism in 2025.

Upgrade Decision: S23/S24 Owners vs. New Purchase

For owners of an s24 ultra, the upgrade is only conditionally useful. In performance, both are close together; they throttle similarly under continuous load.

Anyone who still uses an S23 or older model will notice a significant jump in the display, AI integration and runtime.

Conclusion: My comparison is pragmatic: Improvements are there, but not in all core areas. Those who want the latest and come from older models benefit; owners of an s24 ultra should carefully weigh the high price.

Price, Availability and Value: Premium with 1,449 Euros RRP

At 1,449 euros, I immediately ask myself: What do I really get for it? The starting price clearly positions the device in the premium segment. For me, that means: high expectations for display, battery and camera.

Price-performance Impression in the Flagship Segment

With this price, the galaxy s25 is significantly above mid-range products. Strengths are the anti-reflective display, the long runtime and the deep AI integration.

The seven years of updates increase the long-term value and justify a higher purchase price for me.

My View on Possible Price Decline and Alternatives

I expect a noticeable price decline in the first few months. This is common with new flagships.

• Bundles and trade‑in‑actions significantly lower the effective price.
• Alternatives often offer faster charging or lower costs, but usually less long software guarantee.
• Those who work a lot with it benefit from the update security — a real argument for business buyers.

“Expensive, but with clear strengths and good future security.”

For whom the Galaxy S25 Ultra Makes Sense – and for whom Not

I think: This model is not a panacea, but very suitable for many users.

Strengths are clearly the large OLED, the strong performance, the very long runtime and the versatile camera. The deep AI functions and the seven years of updates make the device durable and stable in value.

The model is recommended for creators and frequent filmmakers. Those who need 8K, stable tele‑zooms and reliable stabilization benefit significantly.

Also frequent users and business users appreciate the large display, the S Pen‑Workflow and the update guarantee. Tech‑Fans are happy about Wi‑Fi 7, UWB and smart AI‑Features.

Less suitable are buyers who depend on remote‑functions of the pen (S Pen without Bluetooth). Also quick-charge‑enthusiasts and Qi2‑users find more suitable alternatives.

My conclusion: The galaxy s25 ultra and the samsung galaxy s25 are ideal for users who are looking for a complete, durable premium product. However, if you want a very compact or extremely fast charging device, you should check alternatives.

My Conclusion

In short: For my everyday life, the galaxy s25 ultra combines an excellent display with noticeable performance. The operation seems fast and smooth, even if it can throttle under continuous load.

The camera is versatile, the tele‑area convinces and 8K‑video is a real plus for special projects. The battery life is one of the best and makes the device a long-distance runner.

On the software side, One UI, Galaxy AI and Google Gemini bring useful added value. Points of criticism remain: no Qi2, the S Pen without Bluetooth and the high price.

Conclusion: For new buyers, the package is very attractive; existing S24‑Ultra‑owners should weigh the jump.