The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the premium version of the new S25 series - with everything that Samsung has to offer in terms of high-end technology. Larger display, more powerful camera, exclusive titanium design and of course the S Pen. But all of this comes at a price. Is the extra cost worth it compared to the cheaper models in the S25 series? In this guide, we take a closer look at the extras and clarify who the Ultra model is really worth it for - and who might be better off with a cheaper version.

What can the S25 Ultra do? The most important features at a glance

What inspires us and what is missing

👍 Outstanding camera: 200 MP main sensor, improved periscope zoom (5x) and ultra wide angle make it a top camera.

👍 Powerful hardware: Snapdragon 8 Elite, up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage ensure high-end performance.

👍 S Pen included: The Ultra is the only model in the S25 series to offer an integrated S Pen for notes and drawings.

👎 Very high price: Significantly more expensive than the standard models of the S25 series, only worthwhile for power users.

👎 Big and heavy: At 6.9 inches and weighing over 200 g, it's not for fans of compact smartphones.

👎 Slow loading compared to the competition: 45W fast charging is solid, but other manufacturers now offer over 100W.

How long will the S25 Ultra receive software updates?

Samsung has significantly improved its update policy in recent years. The Galaxy S25 Ultra receives Android and security updates for up to 7 years. This means that you not only receive regular security patches, but also new Android versions up to Android 22. This is at flagship level and ensures a long service life. Even after years, your device remains secure and up to date.

➡ The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra not only offers high-end hardware, but also exceptionally long software support – ideal for anyone looking for a future-proof smartphone.

Power check: What can the Snapdragon 8 Elite do?

The Snapdragon 8 Elite brings the Galaxy S25 series to the top level. Apps start lightning fast, multitasking runs smoothly, and even graphics-intensive games or video editing are no problem. Thanks to the improved Adreno GPU, there are smooth frame rates, and AI features optimize the camera, voice input and battery life.

➡ The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures that the Galaxy S25 models remain fast, efficient and powerful in the coming years.

How good is the camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra?

In his review, Marques Brownlee tested, among other things, the camera of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung relies on tried and tested features, but also brings some improvements. We have summarized his results here.

📸 main camera: Sharp, detailed images with Samsung's typical, slightly overexposed look. There is hardly any reason for criticism, especially in daylight.

🔍 ultra-wide angle: New 50 MP upgrade, sharper images from corner to corner, better low-light performance.

👀 zoom: No more 10x zoom, instead Samsung sticks with 5x optical zoom – solid, but not revolutionary.

🎥 video mode: New log mode for professionals, otherwise the video quality remains at the usual high level.

🌙 night shots: Good brightness, but sometimes visible noise in very dark scenes.

🖊 S Pen as a remote shutter release? No more – the Bluetooth function has been removed.

➡ The Galaxy S25 Ultra's camera remains strong, but Samsung is playing it safe. If you're looking for a big zoom factor or a real camera upgrade, you'll find more exciting alternatives in competing models like the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4NJNdHqs_I

How long does the S25 Ultra's battery last?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra's battery life is strong, lasting around 10 hours with heavy use, making it as long as the iPhone 16 Pro Max and a slight improvement over the S24 Ultra, which lasted around 9.5 hours.

➡ If you're looking for a powerful Android smartphone with good battery life, you can't go wrong with the S25 Ultra. However, if you want even more endurance, you should look at alternatives with larger batteries or faster charging speeds.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiLNpIWNCQk

📱MKBHD: “The Galaxy S25 Ultra is holding up well – but Samsung is playing it safe”

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee has tested the Galaxy S25 Ultra and comes to a clear conclusion: a powerful flagship that lacks real innovations.

What convinces:

✔ Snapdragon 8 Elite – Extremely fast performance, high efficiency, stays cool even under load

✔ Brilliant 6.9-inch LTPO display – High brightness, adaptive 120 Hz, strong colors

✔ Camera remains solid – 200 MP main sensor and improved 50 MP ultra-wide angle deliver good images

Where it is weak:

❌ Hardly any progress compared to the S24 Ultra – design, battery and charging speed almost unchanged

❌ Zoom regression – 10x periscope lens removed, only 5x optical zoom

❌ S Pen has been cut back – No more Bluetooth, no remote control for camera or media

❌ AI features with question marks – Lots of software focus, but unclear whether some features will be chargeable after 2025

➡ The Galaxy S25 Ultra is fast, well-built and a solid upgrade to older models - but not a huge step forward. If you own the S24 Ultra, you can keep it.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4NJNdHqs_I

Our conclusion: Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth it?

Samsung delivers solid flagships with the Galaxy S25 series (You can read our buying guide for the S25 and S25+ here), but stays on the safe side. The S25 Ultra offers strong performance, a good camera and a brilliant display, but real innovations are missing. The lack of the 10x zoom, the reduced S Pen functions and the moderate battery upgrade make it difficult to find a real reason for owners of the S24 Ultra to buy. If you want to save money, you are actually better off with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The S25 and S25+ remain reliable options in the upper class, but are overtaken by alternatives such as the Pixel 9 Pro or OnePlus 13 in terms of camera and charging speed.