Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Smartphone - Review and opinions
Storage
Refresh rate
Quick verdict
Is the S25 Ultra’s camera-and-pen package worth choosing over a more straightforward Android phone? It suits buyers who want a large-screen flagship for photos, video and note-taking, with 512GB storage and an S Pen included. The trade-off is its substantial 218 g body and a feature set that is excessive if you mainly message, browse and take occasional snapshots.
Choose it if you will use the 200MP main camera, built-in S Pen and roomy storage as part of everyday life; skip it if you want a lighter, simpler phone or need a clearly established battery-and-charging routine. Its 6.9-inch screen and 120Hz refresh rate make it a strong media and gaming proposition, but the size is part of the deal, not a detail to overlook.
| Screen size | 6.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
Camera and editing
The 200MP main camera is paired with Samsung’s ProVisual Engine, with manufacturer claims covering portrait processing and improved night video.
That makes the phone a natural fit for frequent photography and social capture; the headline resolution is not, by itself, a guarantee of better results in every scene.
S Pen for notes and edits
The S Pen is built into the phone, so quick handwritten notes and precise on-screen work do not require a separate accessory.
It earns its place for people who regularly use a stylus, but adds little value if your routine is almost entirely typing and tapping.
Storage for a long-term daily phone
With 512GB storage and 12GB RAM, there is generous room for apps, photos and video alongside everyday multitasking.
That helps make this configuration a capable main handset, although the large-screen, heavy-duty feature set is harder to justify if your needs are basic.
Performance and experience
On a day of messaging, maps, photos and streaming, the 12GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Elite and Android 15 make a convincing primary-phone setup. One owner upgrading from an S22 Ultra describes the new phone as much faster and more responsive; that is the clearest everyday performance case here. The large body and 218 g weight, though, are noticeable considerations for anyone who prefers a compact handset in a pocket or one-handed use.
Settle in for a film or a game and the 6.9-inch display gives content room to breathe, while the 120Hz refresh rate supports smoother scrolling and motion. The same generous size makes it less convenient for quick one-handed tasks, so buyers who mostly use a phone on the move may value a smaller model more.
When taking photos or making social video, the 200MP main camera and Samsung’s ProVisual Engine put imaging at the centre of the experience; the manufacturer also describes improved low-light video processing. The S Pen adds a separate practical route for handwritten notes and on-screen edits. Those are meaningful tools for frequent camera and pen users, but megapixels and AI features alone do not establish how every shot will turn out.
Pros
- 12GB RAM and Snapdragon 8 Elite make a strong everyday performance combination
- 512GB storage gives substantial room for apps and media
- Built-in S Pen supports note-taking and precise edits
- 6.9-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate suits media and smooth scrolling.
Cons
- At 218 g, it is a heavy phone for buyers who prioritise easy one-handed use
- The 6.9-inch size can be awkward for compact pockets and quick use on the move
- Battery capacity is stated, but charging speed is not, so charging convenience is difficult to weigh.
Community
User reviews
The clearest recurring appeal is the leap in speed, camera capability and battery life for people upgrading from older Galaxy phones. The practical lesson is to weigh that upgrade against your current handset: one owner found the S25 Ultra compelling but not enough of a step up from an S22 Ultra to justify changing.
I upgraded from an S22 Ultra after seeing it on sale and am very happy with the S25 Ultra.
it is much faster and more responsive than my old phone.
I upgraded from a Note 20, which I used to charge several times a day.
Comparison
| Attribute | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Current | Nothing | XIAOMI Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G | Nothing Phone 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,306.68 | Out of stock | Out of stock | Out of stock |
| Screen size | 6.9 inches | 6.78 inch | 6.83 inches | 6.77 inches |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | - | 120 Hz |
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5080 mAh | 6580mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | MediaTek Dimensity 9000 | MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra | Snapdragon |
| Editorial score | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 |
Against a smaller mainstream Android phone, the S25 Ultra is the camera-and-stylus choice: its 200MP main camera, built-in S Pen and 512GB storage offer more specialised tools, while the larger 218 g design is a poor fit for buyers who value compact handling over those extras.
For an owner of an older Galaxy Ultra or Note, the decision is about the upgrade gap rather than whether this is a capable flagship. One Note 20 owner highlights better battery life, while an S22 Ultra owner says the step was not enough to prompt an upgrade; if your current phone still meets your needs, keeping it is the more sensible route.
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Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone worth it?
The S25 Ultra makes most sense for someone who will use its camera, S Pen and large display regularly, and wants 512GB storage in a high-performance Android phone. Its 5000 mAh battery and positive upgrade experiences add to the case; check the current offer against how much you would actually use those premium features.
If compact handling or a clear charging-speed specification matters more than camera tools and stylus use, this is not the right fit. Owners of recent Ultra models should also weigh the modest upgrade appeal reported by one S22 Ultra owner against the cost of changing.
Review published on