Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: Enhanced AI and refined aesthetics

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces a sophisticated design evolution with rounded corners and flat edges, diverging from the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s more angular approach. This shift not only aligns the Ultra with the rest of the S25 series but also enhances the ergonomic feel of the device, making it more comfortable to hold. Available in colors like Titanium Whitesilver, Silverblue, Black, and Gray, the S25 Ultra’s aesthetic appeal is further highlighted by its sleek profile, weighing in at a lighter 218 grams compared to its predecessor. The new design maintains the professional look with black camera surrounds, suggesting a device that’s business-ready yet visually appealing.

While the design has moved towards a more uniform look across the series, it does so without losing the distinctive character that the Ultra models are known for. The use of titanium in the frame not only contributes to a premium feel but also to durability, ensuring this device can withstand the rigors of daily use.

Samsung continues to excel in display technology with the S25 Ultra featuring a 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED panel. This screen is not only larger than the S24 Ultra but also offers improved brightness. The slimmer bezels and the integration of Gorilla Glass Armor 2 enhance both the viewing experience and durability, providing better resistance to fractures and screen damage.

An anti-glare layer ensures that the screen remains readable even under direct light, a feature that significantly improves user experience in various environments. The adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz ensures smooth visuals, whether you’re scrolling through apps or watching content. ProScaler technology, borrowed from Samsung’s TV division, upscales lower-resolution content to fit the high-resolution display, ensuring that even older videos look crisp and vibrant. This display not only delivers stunning visuals but also sets a new standard for smartphone screens in terms of brightness and glare reduction.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to AI, with features like Now Brief and Now Bar demonstrating how AI can enhance daily smartphone use. Now Brief aggregates information from various apps into a single widget, offering personalized daily summaries, while Now Bar provides real-time updates and recommendations on the lock screen. These features aim to tailor the phone’s functionality to the user’s habits and preferences, making everyday use more intuitive.

The AI-driven cross-app actions allow for complex commands like scheduling events or sharing information across apps with just voice commands, showcasing a practical application of AI that goes beyond simple tricks. With the integration of Google’s Gemini AI, the phone can analyze live video feeds to provide contextual responses or suggestions, enhancing the user interaction significantly. The AI also learns from your behavior, suggesting routines or even adjusting home settings through SmartThings, illustrating a forward-thinking approach to personal technology.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the upgrade in the S25 Ultra’s camera system, particularly the new 50MP ultrawide lens, which promises crisper images and enhanced macro capabilities. Samsung has also improved its Nightography mode with better noise reduction, promising clearer photos in low-light conditions. New AI features in photo editing include smarter generative edits and the ability to remove shadows alongside unwanted subjects, adding a creative layer to photography.

The camera setup includes a 200-megapixel main sensor, dual telephoto lenses offering 3x and 5x optical zoom, and a new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. This setup ensures versatility in shooting scenarios, from wide landscapes to detailed close-ups. The AI enhancements extend to video as well, with features like Audio Eraser for cleaner sound recordings and support for 10-bit HDR video for richer colors, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to both stills and video quality.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the S25 Ultra offers a performance boost over its predecessors with claims of better CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. This chip is designed to handle intensive AI tasks while providing smooth gaming and multitasking experiences. Samsung claims a significant leap in efficiency, which could translate to better battery life despite retaining the same 5,000mAh battery from last year’s model.

However, charging speeds remain at 45W, which, while good, doesn’t push the boundaries set like competing brands like Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi. The introduction of Qi 2.0 compatibility, albeit requiring a case for full functionality, indicates Samsung’s nod towards the future of wireless charging and accessory attachment.

This hands-on experience with the Galaxy S25 Ultra highlights Samsung’s focus on integrating AI in meaningful ways while maintaining high standards in design, display, and camera technology. The device stands out not just for its hardware but for how it uses AI to interact with users in a more intuitive, personalized manner, setting a new benchmark for what premium smartphones can offer. Whether these advancements justify the $1,299 (US) / Rs 1,29,999 (India) price tag remains to be seen, but the early impressions suggest the Galaxy S25 Ultra is well-positioned to lead the pack in 2025.

Galaxy S25 and S25+

Apart from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I also had a chance to briefly experience the S25 and S25+ with 6.2-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes, respectively. Particularly, I liked the Galaxy S25 for its compact design and in-hand feel. It’s a great option for those who prefer a smaller, more manageable device without sacrificing performance or features. The Galaxy S25+, on the other hand, strikes a balance between size and screen real estate, making it an excellent choice for users who want a larger display but aren’t ready to commit to the Ultra’s massive footprint.

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