The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: A Powerhouse That Demands Your Attention (And Maybe Both Hands)
Let’s cut to the chase: the S25 Ultra isn’t subtle. It’s big, bold, and unapologetically premium. After a week with this titanium-clad beast, I’ve got thoughts – the kind you’d share with a friend debating dropping €1,400 on a phone.
That Screen: Brighter Than My Future
Samsung’s 6.86” Dynamic AMOLED isn’t just a spec sheet flex. That 2600-nit peak brightness? It’s like carrying a flashlight in your pocket. I tested it under the Spanish midday sun – no squinting, no reflections thanks to Gorilla Glass Armor. Scrolling through TikTok at 120Hz feels like flipping through liquid, and the LTPO tech smartly dials it down to 24Hz when you’re reading static content. But here’s the tradeoff: this phablet requires two-handed operation unless you’re an NBA center.
Performance: Overkill That Feels Just Right
The Snapdragon 8 Elite isn’t playing games – literally. I threw everything at it: 4K video editing in CapCut, Genshin Impact at max settings, and my usual 12-app ADHD workflow. That 3nm chip chewed through it all while staying suspiciously cool (thank the vapor chamber). The 12GB RAM? More than enough… unless you’re the type who leaves 47 Chrome tabs open while live-streaming. Then maybe spring for the 16GB Chinese model.
Cameras: Swiss Army Knife of Photography
Let’s break down that quad-camera madness:
• 200MP Main Sensor: Pixel-binning magic gives you crisp 12MP shots in normal light. But crank it to full res, and you can literally count the leaves on trees 100m away. Overkill? Absolutely. Fun? Hell yes.
• 50MP Ultrawide: Real talk – distortion at the edges is still there, but Samsung’s software correction is getting scarily good.
• Dual Telephotos (3x & 5x): This is where Samsung out-Apple’s Apple. The 10x hybrid zoom is actually usable now – I could read café menus across the street without that watercolor effect older Ultras had.
Night mode’s party trick? It now handles neon signs without blowing out colors. But the 10MP periscope still struggles in low light – you’ll want that main sensor after dark.
The Elephant in the Room: Size & Weight
219g sounds manageable on paper. In practice? My jeans developed a right-side sag. The titanium frame helps durability but doesn’t lighten the load. That boxy design digs into your palm during long sessions. Yet when I switched back to my “normal” phone, I missed the screen real estate instantly. It’s a classic tech paradox – you hate it until you can’t live without it.
Battery Life: Marathon Runner With a Quirk
That 5000mAh battery easily gets me through a heavy day (5hrs screen time, camera-heavy use). But here’s the kicker – Samsung still ships a 45W charger when competitors hit 100W. 0-100% in 68 minutes isn’t bad, but watching a Xiaomi hit full in 18 minutes? That stings. Wireless charging at 25W is solid, though the Qi2 situation is messy – you need a magnetic case for proper alignment.
Who’s This For (And Who Should Run)?
Buy it if:
- You’re a content creator needing mobile editing power
- Photography is your love language
- You’ve got deep pockets (literal and metaphorical)
Avoid if:
- Your phone lives in skinny jeans
- You think €1,400 should buy a laptop
- You still use wired headphones (RIP 3.5mm jack)
My Take: A Contradiction Worth Considering
Here’s where I eat crow – I mocked the Ultra line for years as overpriced phablets. But after editing a YouTube short entirely on-device during a train ride, then snapping concert photos that rival my mirrorless camera? I get it. The S25 Ultra isn’t just a phone – it’s a pocket studio for creatives who live mobile-first lives.
Would I buy it? As a photographer who needs mobile flexibility? In a heartbeat. As someone who values one-handed use? I’d wait for the S25+. But here’s the magic – Samsung’s finally made the Ultra feel essential rather than excessive. Just maybe budget for a good belt.
