Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra worth upgrading from the S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra brings meaningful improvements over the S24 Ultra, though they're evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Key Improvements
Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor delivers faster speeds and better efficiency than the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Battery: Approximately 30 minutes longer life (17 hours 15 minutes vs 16 hours 45 minutes) from the same 5000mAh battery.
Design: Rounded corners replace angular edges, with a 15-gram weight reduction (218g vs 233g).
Camera: Ultrawide sensor upgraded from 12MP to 50MP for better wide-angle and low-light performance.
Galaxy AI: More polished features including Now Brief and improved Gemini integration.
Notable Downgrade
S Pen: Bluetooth removed, eliminating Air Actions and remote camera shutter functionality.
Upgrade Recommendations
| Current Phone | Recommendation | |--------------|----------------| | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Skip unless you prioritize the processor, weight, or ultrawide camera | | Galaxy S23 Ultra | Worth upgrading—noticeable improvements across two generations | | S22 Ultra or older | Definitely upgrade | | iPhone | Excellent choice for switching |
Bottom Line
S24 Ultra owners can wait for the next generation without missing much. The S25 Ultra refines an already excellent phone but doesn't fundamentally change the experience. Users with older Samsung devices or switching from other brands will appreciate the improvements more substantially.
📚More About Galaxy S25 Ultra
Where to Buy
Considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
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More Answers
If you're still curious about the Galaxy S25 Ultra, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra screen durable?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features Corning Gorilla Armor 2, providing excellent durability with unique anti-reflective properties.
Gorilla Armor 2 Features
| Property | Specification | |----------|---------------| | Scratch resistance | Mohs level 6 | | Anti-reflective | 75% reflection reduction | | Fingerprint resistance | Enhanced coating |
Scratch Resistance
The screen resists scratches from everyday items like keys and coins (Mohs level 4-5). Deeper grooves only appear at Mohs level 7, matching flagship competitors.
Drop Performance
| Drop Height | Result | |-------------|--------| | Pocket height | Minor frame scuffs, screen intact | | Head height | Frame absorbed impact, display undamaged | | Overhead | Corner damage, screen functional |
The titanium frame effectively absorbs impact force.
Structural Tests
The phone passed bend tests without structural weakness when pressure was applied from multiple angles.
Potential Vulnerabilities
- Sand and mineral particles (harder than glass)
- Direct impacts at vulnerable angles
- Edge and corner drops
Protection Recommendations
For a device at this price point, consider:
- Tempered glass screen protector for additional scratch and impact protection
- Quality case for frame and corner protection
The flat display design simplifies screen protector installation compared to curved screens.
Summary
The S25 Ultra's Gorilla Armor 2 screen ranks among the most durable smartphone displays available. While highly resistant to everyday wear, supplementary protection remains sensible for a premium device.
What are the main differences between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and regular S25?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra and standard S25 share core technology but differ significantly in size, cameras, build quality, and price.
Size Comparison
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S25 Ultra | |------|------------|------------------| | Display | 6.2 inches | 6.9 inches | | Dimensions | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm | | Weight | 162g | 218g |
The S25 is more compact and one-hand friendly.
Build Quality
| Feature | S25 | S25 Ultra | |---------|-----|-----------| | Frame | Aluminum | Titanium | | Glass | Gorilla Glass | Gorilla Armor 2 |
Camera Systems
| Camera | S25 | S25 Ultra | |--------|-----|-----------| | Main | 50MP | 200MP | | Ultrawide | 12MP | 50MP | | Telephoto | 10MP 3x | 50MP 5x + 10MP 3x |
The Ultra excels at zoom and low-light photography.
S Pen
Only the Ultra includes the S Pen stylus for note-taking and drawing.
Battery & Storage
| Spec | S25 | S25 Ultra | |------|-----|-----------| | Battery | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | | Storage | 128GB-512GB | 256GB-1TB | | RAM | 12GB | 12GB or 16GB |
Pricing
- Galaxy S25: $799
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299
Recommendation
Choose S25: Compact size priority, standard photography needs, no S Pen requirement, budget-conscious
Choose S25 Ultra: Advanced zoom photography, S Pen functionality, larger screen preference, maximum storage needs
Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung removed this feature from flagship phones in 2019.
Audio Alternatives
Wired Options
- USB-C headphones: Connect directly to the USB-C port
- USB-C to 3.5mm adapter: Use existing wired headphones with an adapter
Bluetooth Audio
The S25 Ultra supports Bluetooth 5.4 with multiple codecs:
| Codec | Quality Level | |-------|---------------| | AAC | Good | | aptX | Better | | LDAC | Near-lossless | | SSC | Optimized for Galaxy Buds |
Built-in Speakers
Stereo speakers provide adequate audio for video, calls, and casual music listening.
Recommendations by Use Case
High-fidelity audio: LDAC-compatible headphones or USB-C DAC
General use: Galaxy Buds or similar wireless earbuds
Gaming: Low-latency Bluetooth headphones or USB-C dongle gaming headsets
Existing wired headphones: USB-C to 3.5mm adapter
Galaxy Buds Integration
Samsung's Galaxy Buds offer seamless integration:
- Automatic pairing
- In-app controls and customization
- 360 Audio support
- Optimized SSC codec connection
Summary
While the absent headphone jack disappoints some users, Bluetooth audio quality has improved substantially. USB-C adapters provide a simple wired alternative when needed.
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