The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
What IP68 Means
Protected Against
Not Protected Against
Key Limitations
If Water Exposure Occurs
Summary
IP68 provides good protection against accidental water exposure. However, the phone is water-resistant rather than waterproof. Avoid intentional submersion or harsh water conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery that easily handles a full day of use for most people. Samsung rates it for up to 31 hours of video playback, the longest battery life of any Galaxy Ultra to date.
Daily Performance
For typical use including social media, email, web browsing, streaming, and photography, the S25 Ultra will comfortably last from morning until bedtime with charge to spare. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is more power-efficient than its predecessor, and the variable refresh rate display (1Hz-120Hz) adapts to save power when you don't need smooth animations.
What Drains Battery Faster
Heavy gaming is where you'll see the biggest battery impact. Graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, or Fortnite can significantly reduce battery life. Extended video recording, especially at 8K resolution, also consumes more power.
Charging Options
One thing worth noting: while 45W charging is respectable, some competitors now offer much faster charging speeds (80W+). Full charges take about an hour.
The Verdict
For everyday users, the S25 Ultra's battery performance is excellent. Power users and gamers may need a mid-day charge, but casual users will easily make it through a full day.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features one of the most capable camera systems available in a smartphone. The quad-camera setup delivers excellent results across a wide range of shooting scenarios.
Camera System Overview
Zoom Performance
The Quad Tele System provides four optical zoom levels (2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x), making it one of the most versatile zoom systems in any phone. Space Zoom extends to 100x digital, though quality is best at 30x or below.
Video Capabilities
Record in up to 8K at 30fps or 4K at 60fps. The Audio Eraser feature uses AI to remove unwanted background noise from videos. Improved Nightography helps capture clearer footage in low light.
Processing Style
Samsung's image processing produces bright, vibrant photos with boosted colors. This creates eye-catching results but may appear oversaturated to some users. The iPhone 16 Pro Max produces more natural-looking colors by comparison.
Key Strengths
Worth Knowing
The camera consistently ranks among the best in smartphone photography. For users who prioritize camera performance, the S25 Ultra delivers flagship-quality results across nearly every shooting situation.
Samsung removed Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This eliminates several features while simplifying the stylus experience.
Removed Features
Samsung states that fewer than 1% of users actually used these Bluetooth features.
Benefits of the Change
Features That Remain
All core S Pen functionality continues to work:
Impact Assessment
Affected users:
Unaffected users:
Alternatives
For remote camera control, consider:
The Bottom Line
Most S Pen users won't notice the difference since core functionality remains unchanged. However, users who relied on Bluetooth features will need to find workarounds or alternatives.
For S24 Ultra owners, upgrading to the S25 Ultra is a modest improvement rather than a major leap. Here's what to consider.
Key Improvements
What's Unchanged
Notable Downgrade
The S Pen no longer has Bluetooth functionality. Air Actions and remote camera shutter are gone.
Upgrade Recommendation
Consider upgrading if:
Keep your S24 Ultra if:
Better Upgrade Candidates
Users with an S22 Ultra or older will see much more significant improvements in performance, camera quality, and software features. The S24 Ultra to S25 Ultra jump is incremental.
Samsung's 7-year update commitment means your S24 Ultra will receive software support through 2031.
Some Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra users have reported overheating concerns, though experiences vary. Here's what you need to know.
Reported Issues
Some users have noticed the phone getting warm during:
Heat typically concentrates around the SIM tray area where the processor is located.
How the Cooling System Works
The S25 Ultra has the largest vapor chamber in any Galaxy S phone. It spreads heat from the processor across the back panel. The phone getting warm to the touch during intensive tasks is the cooling system working as designed.
Normal vs. Overheating
Normal:
Concerning:
Contributing Factors
Solutions
Assessment
Most S25 Ultra owners report normal thermal performance. Severe overheating cases appear to be isolated defective units or extreme usage scenarios. If your phone consistently overheats or displays temperature warnings, contact Samsung for support or replacement.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max are both excellent flagship phones with distinct strengths. Here's how they compare.
Display
Both phones have 6.9-inch screens, but the S25 Ultra is brighter (1,860 vs 1,553 nits peak brightness) and lighter (218g vs 227g). Samsung's Gorilla Armor 2 reduces screen reflections for better outdoor visibility.
Performance
The S25 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Elite slightly outperforms the iPhone's A18 Pro in benchmarks. Real-world performance is comparable for everyday tasks.
Camera
The S25 Ultra's 200MP camera and Quad Tele System provide superior zoom capabilities (up to 100x) and better low-light performance. The iPhone produces more natural-looking colors with less processing.
Battery & Charging
Samsung charges significantly faster.
Software
Galaxy AI is more feature-complete than Apple Intelligence. Both phones receive 7 years of software updates.
Pricing (256GB)
Choose S25 Ultra For:
Choose iPhone 16 Pro Max For:
The decision often comes down to ecosystem preference rather than specs alone.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra includes Samsung's Galaxy AI suite, offering a comprehensive set of AI-powered features.
Core AI Features
Circle to Search: Long-press the Home button and draw around any on-screen element to search for it. Works for products, text, images, and landmarks.
Google Gemini Integration: Default assistant activated by holding the side button. Includes:
Productivity Tools
Creative Tools
Camera AI
Processing & Privacy
Many features work on-device without internet. Cloud-based features use encrypted connections to Samsung and Google servers.
Most Useful Features
For daily use, Circle to Search and the camera AI improvements provide the most practical value. Productivity features like Live Translate are situationally useful. Creative tools are available when needed but may not see daily use.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is noticeably slippery without a case, which is a common user complaint.
Contributing Factors
Reported Issues
Solutions
Cases: Even thin cases significantly improve grip. Recommended brands include Spigen, Pitaka, and Samsung's official cases.
Skins: Vinyl skins from brands like dbrand add texture while maintaining the slim profile. No drop protection, but improved grip.
Phone grips: Ring holders or grip attachments provide excellent security but change the phone's aesthetics.
Recommendation
Given the phone's $1,299+ price and slippery surface, most users benefit from at least a minimal case or skin. Going completely caseless increases drop risk significantly.
For users who want to preserve the phone's appearance, a clear thin case or matte skin provides the best balance of protection and aesthetics.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in three storage options, all with 12GB of RAM.
US Pricing
Important Notes
Which Storage to Choose
256GB suits users who:
512GB works best for:
1TB is ideal for:
Recommendation
256GB is sufficient for most users with cloud storage habits. 512GB offers the best balance for power users. 1TB is specialized for heavy media creation or those who prefer not to manage storage actively.
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