
If you've ever struggled to see your phone screen in bright sunlight, the Galaxy S25 Ultra handles it better than almost anything else out there.
Samsung claims 2,600 nits peak brightness, which is an impressive number. Independent tests show it's more like 1,800 nits in real-world bright conditions, but honestly, the number isn't what matters most here.
What really makes the S25 Ultra shine outdoors is the anti-glare coating Samsung added to the display. It's not just about pumping out more light. It's about eliminating the reflections that make screens unreadable in the first place.
Comparison tests show that phones with technically brighter displays, like the OnePlus 13, are actually harder to read outside because they're so reflective. The S25 Ultra stays clear and visible because you're not fighting against glare from the sun.
In normal indoor use, the display sits around 800 nits at full manual brightness. Enable extra brightness mode and you can push it to around 1,500 nits. The phone will automatically crank up to peak brightness when it detects bright ambient light, but you're not manually controlling that.
The display itself is a gorgeous 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate. Colors are vibrant, HDR content looks fantastic, and it's just a pleasure to look at. But the outdoor readability is what really sets it apart from the competition.
Bottom line: If you spend a lot of time outside or frequently use your phone in bright conditions, this is one of the best screens you can get.
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If you're still curious about the Galaxy S25 Ultra, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
Reverse wireless charging, which Samsung calls Wireless PowerShare, is one of those features that sounds gimmicky until you actually need it. Basically, it turns the back of your Galaxy S25 Ultra into a wireless charging pad.
The most common way people use this is for their Galaxy Buds. You're heading out, realize your earbuds are dead, and just plop the case on the back of your phone for 10 minutes while you get ready. Problem solved.
To turn it on, you can either dig into Settings > Battery and device care, or just pull down your quick settings and tap the Wireless PowerShare icon. Once it's enabled, place any Qi-compatible device on the back of your phone and charging starts automatically.
It works with pretty much anything that charges wirelessly. Galaxy Watch, AirPods, other phones, any Qi earbuds. People use it to give a friend's dying phone enough juice to call an Uber. Not efficient, but it works.
A few things to know: It's going to drain your battery faster than just using your phone normally, so make sure you've got charge to spare. The phone is smart enough to automatically stop sharing power if your own battery gets too low. And the charging speed is nothing special. We're talking emergency top-ups, not full charges.
Where this really shines is when you're traveling. Instead of packing a separate charger for your earbuds and watch, you can just use your phone. One less thing in your bag.
Is it something you'll use every day? Probably not. Is it handy to have when you need it? Absolutely.
Let's talk charging speeds for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, because this is something everyone wants to know before buying.
The quick specs: 45W wired, 15W wireless.
The real-world breakdown: With a good 45W charger, you're looking at about an hour from dead to full. More practically, you can grab 40% in just 15 minutes if you're rushing out the door. That's solid performance for a phone with a 5000mAh battery.
Here's the thing though. Samsung doesn't include a charger in the box anymore. If you've got an older Samsung charger lying around, it'll work, but you won't hit those top speeds unless it supports 45W. Worth grabbing a proper one if fast charging matters to you.
For wireless charging, you're looking at 15W max. It's not going to win any speed records, but it's convenient for overnight charging or keeping topped up at your desk. One quirk worth knowing: even though it works with Qi2 chargers, the phone doesn't have magnets built in like newer iPhones do. So if you want that satisfying magnetic snap with a MagSafe-style charger, you'll need a magnetic case.
There's also a neat feature called Wireless PowerShare. You can flip the phone over and use it to charge your Galaxy Buds or smartwatch in a pinch. Not super fast, but handy when you're traveling.
Pro tip: If you charge overnight and want to baby your battery for the long haul, you can turn off fast charging in the settings. Some people swear it helps battery longevity.
Here's the good news if you're investing in a Galaxy S25 Ultra: Samsung has committed to seven full years of software support. That's both Android OS updates and security patches.
Let me put that in real terms. You're buying a phone in 2025 that will still be getting updates in 2032. It ships with Android 15, and by the time support ends, it'll be running Android 22. That's seven major Android versions.
This is a big deal in the Android world. Most phones get maybe 3-4 years of updates before they're abandoned. Samsung and Google are really the only ones offering this kind of long-term support, and it's something that used to be an exclusive advantage for iPhone users.
For security updates, you can expect monthly patches for at least the first four years. After that, Samsung might move to quarterly updates, but you're still covered for the full seven years. That means your phone stays protected against new vulnerabilities and exploits for basically as long as the hardware holds up.
The update schedule has been pretty solid so far. One UI 8 rolled out to the S25 series in September 2025, just a few months after Android 16 launched. Samsung's usually quick about getting their flagships updated.
From a practical standpoint, this long support window means better resale value when you eventually upgrade, and you can confidently use your phone for years without worrying about being left behind on security or features. It's one of the best arguments for paying flagship prices.
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