iOS

The Illusion of Evolution At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like a masterclass in subtlety, or perhaps, a lack of ambition. Samsung adjusted the edges, thinned the bezels to squeeze out a 6.9-inch screen, and slapped on a slightly tougher Gorilla Glass. But let's be real: these are cosmetic tweaks. The device physically thinned while somehow looking thicker, yet none of these shifts move the needle on daily usability. It is the definition of a "bare minimum" spec bump for a $1,299 flagship. Power Without Pressure The standout success here is the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It’s fast as hell. Benchmarks show it rivaling Apple's A18 Pro, even beating it in multi-core performance. Paired with a 40% larger vapor chamber, the thermal management is impeccable. However, this silicon isn't a Samsung exclusive; every major Android flagship will sport this chip in 2025. In the US market, Samsung lacks the pressure to truly innovate because brands like Vivo or Oppo don't have carrier traction. This allows Samsung to remain the "safe" choice while ignoring cutting-edge features like silicon carbide batteries or IP69 ratings. One UI 7 and the AI Cloud Software remains Samsung's strongest hook. One UI 7 introduces a "Now Bar" at the bottom for reachable multitasking and a revamped notification shade. While clearly inspired by iOS, the implementation feels native. The AI suite is a mixed bag. The Object Eraser and natural language gallery search are genuinely useful, but the "Daily Briefs" are filler. More concerning is the looming cost. Samsung has hinted that these AI features are only free until the end of 2025. Buying a phone without knowing the future subscription cost of its headline features is a tough pill to swallow. The S Pen Identity Crisis The most baffling move is the S Pen downgrade. Samsung stripped the Bluetooth functionality, killing the remote shutter and media controls. Their excuse? Less than 1% of users used it. That logic fails the "Ultra" test. The Ultra brand is supposed to be about excess—cramming in every possible niche feature for the power user. Stripping features to save cents per unit signals a shift away from enthusiasts and toward the masses. Final Verdict The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a great phone that missed the chance to be the best. It’s awesome, efficient, and reliable. But for $1,299, "awesome" isn't enough when competitors like the OnePlus 13 offer faster charging and better batteries for $400 less. Last year, the Ultra was the only choice; this year, it's just one of many.