Samsung’s Ultra lineup has consistently pushed the boundaries of smartphone technology, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is no exception. As a tech reviewer, I had the chance to put this beast of a phone through its paces. From the improved camera system to the new chipset and subtle design changes, the S25 Ultra certainly feels like a refinement of an already powerful device. But does it do enough to justify the price tag? Here is my honest, hands-on review.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra looks familiar, retaining the squared-off design and premium build that Samsung has become known for. The major difference this year is the use of a new Titanium frame, which feels sturdier yet surprisingly lightweight. While the design shift is not as drastic as we saw with the iPhone 15 Pro’s transition to Titanium, Samsung’s implementation gives the S25 Ultra a refined and durable feel.
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is as stunning as ever, boasting QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Samsung has slightly curved the edges, but not as dramatically as previous Ultra models. This makes the phone easier to grip while maintaining the immersive screen experience. The in-display fingerprint scanner remains ultra-fast, and the overall build quality exudes premium craftsmanship.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the S25 Ultra is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 in some regions and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy in others. The unit I tested in Nairobi came with the Snapdragon variant, and it was nothing short of a powerhouse. Whether I was gaming, multitasking, or editing high-resolution photos, the performance never faltered.
Paired with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, the S25 Ultra handles anything you throw at it with ease. Apps open instantly, animations are smooth, and heavy tasks do not slow the device down. The 1TB storage option is a welcome addition for power users who store a lot of content, though the lack of a microSD slot might disappoint some long-time Samsung fans.
Cameras: Refinement Over Revolution
Samsung’s camera system has always been one of its biggest selling points, and the S25 Ultra continues that trend. The 200MP primary sensor is a refined version of last year’s, capturing more detail, better low-light shots, and improved dynamic range. In daylight, images are crisp and vibrant, and the colour science feels slightly more natural than before.
The 50MP periscope telephoto lens is where things get interesting. Samsung ditched the 10x optical zoom in favour of a 5x optical zoom, but with a larger sensor that captures more light. The result? Sharper zoomed-in images with better detail retention, even in low-light scenarios. While I initially missed the 10x zoom, the improved image quality at 5x and 10x hybrid zoom made up for it.
The ultrawide 12MP sensor remains mostly unchanged but still delivers solid performance, and the 12MP front-facing camera produces some of the best selfies I have seen on a smartphone. Portrait mode has improved with more natural depth and edge detection, even in tricky lighting.
Battery Life and Charging
Samsung has stuck with a 5000mAh battery, and it continues to deliver all-day performance. With my usage, which includes streaming, social media, photography, and gaming, I consistently ended the day with around 20-30% battery remaining. The new battery optimisation features in One UI 6.1 also help extend usage, especially for lighter tasks.
Charging remains 45W wired and 15W wireless, which, to be honest, feels a little outdated. Competitors like OnePlus and Xiaomi are offering much faster charging speeds, and Samsung needs to step up in this regard. That said, charging from 0 to 100% in about an hour is still decent, but not groundbreaking.
Software and Features
The S25 Ultra ships with One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14, and the software experience is polished, fluid, and packed with features. Samsung continues to refine its software, making it one of the best Android skins out there. The new AI-powered features, such as real-time voice transcription and enhanced image editing tools, are genuinely useful rather than gimmicky.
Samsung also promises seven years of software updates, matching Apple’s commitment to longevity. This makes the S25 Ultra a solid investment for users who plan to keep their devices for several years.
S-Pen: A Staple That Stays
The S-Pen remains a defining feature of the Ultra series, and while there are no groundbreaking changes, it still feels smooth, responsive, and well-integrated into the overall experience. Writing, sketching, and navigating with the S-Pen is as seamless as ever, making it a valuable tool for those who appreciate stylus functionality.
5G Connectivity and Network Performance
Living in Nairobi, where 5G coverage is still expanding, I found the S25 Ultra’s connectivity to be solid. It latches onto Safaricom’s 5G network with ease, delivering fast download speeds and stable performance. Call quality and Wi-Fi performance were also excellent, thanks to the Wi-Fi 7 support.
Verdict: Is the S25 Ultra Worth It?
Here is my honest opinion: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is an impressive refinement rather than a revolutionary upgrade. It offers top-tier performance, excellent cameras, a stunning display, and long-term software support, making it one of the best smartphones money can buy. However, Samsung played it safe in some areas—charging speeds remain mediocre, and the camera changes might not feel like a massive leap forward for everyone.
If you are using an S23 Ultra, the upgrade might not be worth it unless you really want the latest and greatest. But if you are coming from an S21 Ultra or an older device, the S25 Ultra will feel like a massive step up.
For those in Kenya, where flagship prices tend to be on the higher side, the value proposition depends on your needs. If you want the absolute best Android phone right now, this is it. But if you are looking for the most cost-effective upgrade, you might want to consider last year’s model at a discount.
Pros:
✅ Stunning display with improved durability
✅ Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy delivers top-notch performance
✅ Excellent camera quality, especially in low light
✅ Long battery life with better efficiency
✅ Seven years of software support
Cons:
❌ No major design changes
❌ Charging speeds are still lagging behind competitors
❌ Expensive, especially in markets like Kenya
Final Score: 9/10 – A fantastic device!
