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The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features one of the best smartphone displays available, using Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X technology.
| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Size | 6.9 inches (6.8" with corners) | | Resolution | 1440 x 3120 (QHD+) | | Technology | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | | Refresh rate | 1Hz - 120Hz adaptive | | Peak brightness | 2600 nits | | HDR | HDR10+ | | Protection | Corning Gorilla Armor 2 |
Exceptional brightness: 2600 nits peak makes the screen clearly visible in direct sunlight.
Adaptive refresh: Dynamic LTPO adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz based on content, balancing smoothness and battery life.
Anti-reflective glass: Gorilla Armor 2 reduces reflections by 75% compared to standard Gorilla Glass, improving outdoor visibility.
Color accuracy: Excellent calibration with HDR10+ support. Samsung provides customization options for white balance and saturation preferences.
AI upscaling: ProScaler improves lower-resolution content by 40%.
Some users report slightly lower maximum brightness than the S24 Ultra in certain conditions, though this varies by scenario.
For video consumption, gaming, productivity, and everyday use, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's display ranks among the finest available on any smartphone.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra can get warm during intensive use, though Samsung's vapor chamber cooling system manages heat effectively in most scenarios.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor generates heat during demanding tasks. Expect warmth during:
This is normal for flagship smartphones. The vapor chamber cooling prevents dangerous hot spots and performance throttling.
Concerning symptoms that warrant attention:
These may indicate software issues or a defective unit.
| Action | Benefit | |--------|---------| | Avoid use while fast charging | Reduces combined heat generation | | Remove thick cases during gaming | Improves heat dissipation | | Avoid direct sunlight | Prevents external heat addition | | Keep software updated | Access thermal optimization patches | | Ensure adequate ventilation | Allows heat to escape |
Contact Samsung if the phone gets uncomfortably hot during normal activities like email or social media. Light tasks should not generate significant heat—only intensive activities should cause noticeable warmth.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra brings meaningful improvements over the S24 Ultra, though they're evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
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.
S Pen: Bluetooth removed, eliminating Air Actions and remote camera shutter functionality.
| 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 |
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.
Samsung provides seven years of software updates for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, matching Google's Pixel devices for the longest Android support available.
| Type | Duration | Details | |------|----------|---------| | Android OS | 7 generations | Android 15 through Android 22 | | One UI | 7 years | Support through 2032 | | Security patches | 7 years | Monthly initially, quarterly later |
The S25 Ultra ships with Android 15 and One UI 7.0, with support extending through 2032.
Extended usability: The phone remains current with new features and apps throughout its hardware lifespan.
Security protection: Continuous patches guard against emerging vulnerabilities.
Resale value: Long support windows maintain market value for future buyers.
| Manufacturer | OS Updates | Security Updates | |--------------|-----------|------------------| | Samsung (S25) | 7 years | 7 years | | Google Pixel | 7 years | 7 years | | Apple iPhone | ~6 years | ~6-7 years | | Most Android | 3-4 years | 4-5 years |
The Galaxy S25 Ultra Enterprise Edition extends support to eight Android OS updates (through Android 23), providing an extra year of major updates for business deployments.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra includes a complete Galaxy AI suite available from launch, offering productivity, photography, and search enhancements.
Now Brief provides personalized briefings throughout the day: morning weather and schedule updates, midday progress checks, and evening accomplishment summaries.
Google Gemini integration allows voice-controlled AI assistance via long-pressing the side button. Summarize videos, extract information, and control apps with natural commands.
Cross App Action chains tasks across multiple apps with single voice commands—find schedules and add to calendar, search and compose messages across Google apps, Samsung apps, and third-party apps like WhatsApp.
Circle to Search: Circle anything on screen with S Pen or finger to search instantly via Google.
Natural Language Search: Find phone settings or gallery photos by describing them conversationally.
ProScaler improves lower-resolution video by 40% for sharper viewing.
Most Galaxy AI features work offline. The Personal Data Engine encrypts information with Knox Vault, and post-quantum cryptography provides future-proofed protection.
New buyers receive 6 months of Gemini Advanced and 2TB cloud storage free.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max both deliver flagship-quality photography, but each excels in different areas.
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max | |---------|------------------|-------------------| | Main sensor | 200MP | 48MP | | Max video | 8K | 4K Dolby Vision | | HDR format | HDR10+ | Dolby Vision |
Zoom photography: The 5x optical zoom produces sharper images with better contrast. The minimum focus distance of 25cm (versus iPhone's ~1 meter) makes it superior for close-up shots.
Low-light performance: AI-powered night mode captures more detail and accurate colors in dark conditions, making the S25 Ultra the more versatile camera in challenging lighting.
Flexibility: More resolution options, 8K video recording, and extensive manual controls.
Color accuracy: More natural-looking photos without oversaturation.
Video consistency: Reliable color and exposure throughout recordings, plus Dolby Vision support.
Processing: Less aggressive sharpening produces a more natural look.
Both cameras excel for typical photography needs—social media, family photos, and casual shooting. The differences become more apparent in zoom photography, very low light, and professional video work.
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra for zoom range, low-light versatility, and resolution options. Choose the iPhone 16 Pro Max for natural colors and consistent video quality. Both deliver excellent results for everyday use.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is water-resistant with an IP68 rating, not technically waterproof. This rating means it can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) of fresh water for 30 minutes under laboratory conditions.
The IP68 rating doesn't cover all water exposure:
Everyday use gradually weakens water resistance. Drops, impacts, and normal wear affect the seals. Samsung's warranty does not cover water damage, reflecting the real-world variability of water exposure.
Safe: Rain, accidental splashes, brief submersion from drops into shallow water, sweaty hands
Risky: Underwater photography, swimming, showering, pool or ocean exposure
The S25 Ultra's titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass provide excellent drop and scratch protection alongside its water resistance. For everyday accidents, the phone is well-protected.
Samsung removed Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) functionality from the Galaxy S25 Ultra's S Pen, eliminating several features available on previous models.
Samsung's usage data showed that only a small percentage of users utilized Bluetooth-dependent features. Removing these components made the S Pen lighter and helped reduce the S25 Ultra's overall weight by 15 grams compared to the S24 Ultra.
All essential S Pen functionality remains intact:
Samsung has confirmed they will not offer a Bluetooth-enabled S Pen accessory for the S25 Ultra. If remote shutter or Air Actions are important to your workflow, this is worth considering before purchase.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 5000mAh battery that delivers exceptional longevity. In testing by Tom's Guide, it lasted 17 hours and 15 minutes, making it the longest-lasting Samsung phone ever tested and a 30-minute improvement over the S24 Ultra.
For everyday use, the S25 Ultra easily lasts a full day. Most users report 8-9 hours of screen-on time with typical activities like browsing, social media, messaging, and video streaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is notably more efficient than previous generations.
Several factors influence your actual battery experience:
Users with intensive gaming habits or those in weak signal areas may need to charge more frequently.
The S25 Ultra supports 45W wired fast charging, reaching approximately 70% in 30 minutes and a full charge in about an hour. Wireless charging runs at 15W, ideal for overnight charging on a compatible pad.
For most users, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's battery easily handles a full day of use, with charging speeds that quickly top you up when needed.
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