Mobile Phones & Tablets
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: The Android Flagship That Does Everything
- Brand:
- Samsung
- Ages:
- 13+ years
- Updated:
- 2026-07-05
The verdict
The S25 Ultra is Samsung's do-everything phone — top-tier chip, a genuinely versatile camera array, and a built-in stylus nobody else offers at this size. The trade-offs are size, weight, and charging speed that hasn't kept pace with the fastest rivals, but nothing here is a dealbreaker for the audience it's built for.
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is one of the fastest mobile chipsets available, handling gaming and multitasking without breaking a sweat
- 200MP quad rear camera system covers ultra-wide to long telephoto with genuinely usable results in most lighting
- Built-in S Pen at no extra cost is still unmatched for note-taking and sketching on a phone-sized screen
- 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display with titanium frame is bright, sharp, and tougher than the aluminum frames on cheaper phones
Cons
- 45W wired charging is noticeably slower than the 80-100W+ charging speeds on many Chinese flagship rivals
- Large and heavy — this is a two-handed phone, and the titanium frame doesn't make it feel small
- Starts at $1,299 before storage upgrades, putting real pressure on the case for buying it over the smaller S25 or S25+
This review is based on Samsung's published specifications for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the consistent patterns across independent camera testing and owner feedback since its early-2025 launch.
A camera system built for flexibility
The 200MP main sensor paired with ultra-wide and telephoto lenses gives the S25 Ultra more real shooting flexibility than most phones on the market, from close-up detail shots to long-range zoom. It's not universally the sharpest flagship camera in every category, but it's consistently among the most versatile.
The S Pen is still the differentiator
No other mainstream flagship bundles a full stylus into the phone itself. For note-takers, sketch artists, and anyone who annotates PDFs on the go, the S Pen remains a genuine reason to pick the Ultra over rivals — and it stores inside the phone rather than needing to be carried separately.
Charging hasn't kept pace
At 45W wired and modest wireless speeds, the S25 Ultra charges meaningfully slower than several competing flagships that now offer 80-120W charging. The large 5,000mAh battery still gets most users through a full day, but topping up quickly before heading out is a genuine weak point.
Who it's for
Best for Android users who want the most capable camera and the S Pen in one device, and don't mind a large, premium-priced phone. Skip it if fast charging matters more to you than stylus support, or if the smaller Galaxy S25+ covers your needs for less.
Frequently asked
- Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra come with the S Pen included?
- Yes, the S Pen ships in the box and stores inside the phone's built-in silo — no separate purchase needed.
- How fast does the Galaxy S25 Ultra charge?
- It supports 45W wired fast charging, which is capable but slower than the 80-120W speeds now common on several rival Android flagships.
- Is the 200MP camera actually better than a 50MP one?
- The high megapixel count mainly helps with cropping and detail retention rather than transforming every shot; combined with the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, the overall system is what makes the camera versatile, not the megapixel number alone.
- Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth buying?
- Yes, if you want the most capable Android camera system and built-in S Pen support in one phone and don't mind the size and price. It's not worth it if fast charging or a smaller form factor matters more to you.
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