When I first picked up the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, I wasn’t expecting to be surprised.

Don’t get me wrong—I knew it was powerful, knew it had AI magic baked into every corner, and I had already read all the spec sheets.

But having used so many flagship smartphones, I assumed I’d seen it all.

I was wrong.

This phone feels different. Not just because of its sleek, near-bezel-less design, but because of how seamlessly it blends into my daily life.

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The AI, the camera, the battery life—everything works with me, not just for me. This isn’t just another spec-bumped upgrade.


It’s a phone that learns, predicts, and simplifies life in ways I didn’t know I needed.

But not everything is perfect. There’s one controversial change that had me questioning if Samsung made the right move. Let’s get into it.

AI That Actually Feels Useful

AI is the big story here, and let me tell you—it’s not just a marketing gimmick. Samsung has built real intelligence into this phone.

One of my favorite AI features is the Live Call Translation. I tested it with a friend who speaks French, and the S25 Ultra translated our conversation in real-time—both on screen and through voice. It felt like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Then there’s AI-powered photo editing. I took a perfect shot of Nairobi’s skyline—only to realize a power line was ruining it.

With just a few taps, Samsung’s AI erased it flawlessly. No Photoshop needed.

And let’s talk about summarizing long articles.

As someone who reads a lot, this is a game-changer. It scans through paragraphs and pulls out key points, saving me time.

AI isn’t just a feature here—it’s part of the experience. And I love that.

The Camera: Brilliant, But That Zoom…

I’m obsessed with smartphone photography, so naturally, I had high expectations.

 • The 200MP main camera is phenomenal. Every shot is detailed, sharp, and well-balanced, whether in daylight or at night. Samsung’s AI tuning makes colors pop without looking fake.

 • The ultrawide lens upgrade (50MP) is a game-changer. I always felt previous Samsung ultrawide shots looked soft—now, they’re crisp, sharp, and almost as good as the main sensor.


 • Portrait mode is cleaner and more natural. Hair strands, clothing textures—Samsung’s AI finally gets it right.

But here’s where I had mixed feelings:

Samsung dropped the 10x optical zoom for a 5x zoom. As someone who loves capturing details from a distance—whether it’s birds, the moon, or even distant cityscapes—this felt like a step back.

Samsung claims AI-enhanced zoom makes up for it, and while it’s good, it’s not the same as true optical zoom.

For most people, 5x zoom is more than enough, but if you’re used to S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra’s 10x zoom, you will notice the difference.

Battery Life: Smart, Not Just Big

One thing that impressed me right away: battery life.

Samsung didn’t increase the battery size—it’s still 5,000mAh, but the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and AI-powered efficiency mean it lasts longer.

My real-world experience:

 • A full day of heavy use with 20-25 per cent left at night—this includes social media, photography, gaming, and streaming.

 • No overnight battery drain—only lost about 1-2 per cent while I slept.

 • Standby mode is incredible—I left the phone untouched for a weekend trip, and it still had over 70 per cent battery left when I returned.

Fast charging is still limited to 45W, and while it’s decent, competitors are charging much faster (80W, 100W, or even 150W). If Samsung ever fixes this, it’ll be unstoppable.

The Screen is a Work of Art

If there’s one thing Samsung always nails, it’s the display. And the S25 Ultra is no exception.

 • 6.9-inch AMOLED 2X—huge, bright, and near bezel-less.

• Peak brightness of 2,600 nits—easily visible in direct sunlight. • Peak brightness of 2,600 nits—easily visible in direct sunlight.

 • Gorilla Armor 2 protection—feels stronger and more resistant to scratches.

 • Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate—smooth scrolling, buttery animations.

Watching Netflix, gaming, or just scrolling through social media—it all looks stunning. Samsung still holds the crown for best smartphone display.

Music & Audio: No Big Changes, Still Good

Samsung’s AKG-tuned stereo speakers remain one of the best on any smartphone. Loud, crisp, and well-balanced—perfect for music, podcasts, or YouTube.

But I have to say:

 • Still no headphone jack. I’ve accepted it, but I still miss it.

 • No dedicated DAC for audiophiles—if you’re serious about wired audio quality, this isn’t the best option.

For wireless audio, Samsung’s Bluetooth processing is excellent. With Galaxy Buds or high-end wireless headphones, the sound is top-tier.

Speed & Everyday Performance

This phone is blazing fast. Whether it’s gaming, multitasking, or running AI-heavy tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB RAM ensures there’s zero lag.

 • Apps open instantly, animations feel fluid.

 • The S Pen feels smoother than ever.

 • Samsung’s One UI 6.1 is polished and refined.

It’s a phone built for power users—and it never slows down.

The Verdict: Should You Buy It?

After using the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for weeks, here’s my honest takeaway:

This is one of the smartest, most powerful, and most intuitive smartphones I’ve ever used.

Samsung’s AI-powered features actually improve daily life, the camera system is nearly flawless, and the battery life is outstanding.

But…

If you’re coming from an S24 Ultra, the only major change is AI and the ultrawide camera upgrade. If you rely on 10x zoom, you might feel disappointed.

Who Should Buy It?

 • If you want cutting-edge AI that genuinely makes life easier.

 • If you take a lot of ultrawide and portrait shots—this camera system is fantastic.

 • If you want one of the best smartphone screens ever made.

Who Might Want to Wait?

 • If you rely heavily on 10x zoom photography, stick to the S24 Ultra.

 • If you want super-fast charging, Samsung is still lagging behind competitors.

Final Thoughts: A Glimpse Into The Future

The S25 Ultra isn’t just about better specs—it’s about how AI transforms the smartphone experience. The more I use it, the more I rely on its intelligence. It’s like having an assistant that understands what I need before I even ask.

Yes, I miss the 10x zoom, but every other aspect of this phone makes up for it. If Samsung’s vision for AI-driven smartphones continues in this direction, we’re just at the beginning of something even bigger.

This isn’t just a smartphone—it’s a glimpse into the future. And I’m all in.