The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s headlining Galaxy AI features hold immense promise. After a brief hands-on experience, I’m more optimistic about mobile AI’s potential than ever before. This is fortunate, as the rest of the S25 Ultra’s upgrades aren’t revolutionary. However, it will take time to determine if Galaxy AI is truly as transformative as Samsung claims.
Personalized AI: The Now Brief
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Before delving further, it’s important to clarify my initial impressions of Galaxy AI. My positive outlook stems from briefings and demonstrations, rather than extensive real-world usage. The personalized insights, the most compelling aspect of Galaxy AI, require time to learn user preferences.
The core of this personalized experience is the Now Brief, a proactive AI agent. It delivers informative summaries throughout the day, covering weather, daily activities, photos, upcoming schedules, step counts, and content tailored to your interests, like news from favorite artists, podcasts, or sports updates. The more you use the S25 Ultra, the more refined and relevant the Now Brief becomes.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Now Brief is accessible on a dedicated page and the Now Bar at the bottom of the lock screen. This Now Bar functions similarly to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, displaying timers, music information, and other live data. Its software-driven nature allows it to disappear completely when not in use, a clever design choice. The Now Brief’s potential for helpfulness, combined with its customizability and end-to-end encryption, is genuinely exciting.
While personalized AI isn’t entirely new, Samsung’s focus on intelligence, convenience, and seamless integration stands out. Mobile AI must provide tangible value, operate seamlessly, and consistently save time and effort. The Now Brief seems poised to achieve these goals, but only extended use will confirm its true effectiveness. However, Samsung’s presentation of its potential has certainly piqued my interest.
Hardware Refinements: A Double-Edged Sword?
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The S25 Ultra incorporates significant hardware changes compared to its predecessor. Samsung has rounded the frame for improved grip, but my initial impression wasn’t entirely positive. The flat sides have a sharper taper than the S25 and S25 Plus, making it feel less comfortable than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
However, the S25 Ultra’s reduced weight (215 grams), larger 6.9-inch display with 15% smaller bezels, and slightly narrower body are noticeable improvements. These refinements, coupled with the repositioned S Pen holder, make the phone less cumbersome despite the increased screen size. While effective, these changes diminish the phone’s distinctive “behemoth” feel.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and S Pen stylus.
The rear camera layout remains unchanged, but the overall shape distinguishes the S25 Ultra from the S24 Ultra. The S25 and S25 Plus, however, offer a more comfortable grip. The titanium frame, inherited from the S24 Ultra, receives further enhancements, while Gorilla Glass Armor 2 boasts improved anti-reflection and durability.
Enhanced Specifications and Camera Features
Different Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra colors.
The S25 series utilizes an overclocked and optimized Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, coupled with a larger vapor chamber, 12GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. The camera system retains the 200MP main sensor and 50MP telephoto lens from the S24 Ultra, but introduces a new 50MP wide-angle camera. The smooth zoom and instant color correction for Log video recording are impressive additions. The Audio Eraser feature, demonstrated in a noisy environment, effectively removes unwanted sounds from videos.
Numerous smaller camera software and feature enhancements are also present, including 10-bit HDR, virtual aperture in Expert RAW, generative editing tools, and updated noise reduction algorithms. Similarly, Galaxy AI receives updates, such as Circle to Search now identifying songs from video audio and voice commands within the Settings menu.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
As with previous generations, the S25 Ultra’s key advantages over the S25 and S25 Plus lie in its larger display, superior camera system, and S Pen functionality. All three models share the same processor. While the S25 Ultra boasts a massive screen, the S25 Plus doesn’t feel cramped. If camera specifications and the S Pen aren’t essential, the S25 or S25 Plus might be a better value.
The Potential of Mass-Appeal AI
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
If the Now Brief and other personalized Galaxy AI features live up to their potential, the S25 Ultra could become the first smartphone to truly bring meaningful AI to the masses. The refined hardware, with its rounded corners, lighter weight, and slimmer profile, further enhances its appeal. These improvements make the S25 Ultra more accessible to a broader audience.
However, two crucial questions remain. Will Galaxy AI’s personalized features deliver genuine value? Will the S25 Ultra’s new design prove comfortable for extended use? If the answer to either is no, the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or even the Google Pixel 9 series might be more suitable alternatives. A full review will provide definitive answers, but for now, the S25 Ultra’s potential as the first truly mass-appeal AI smartphone is undeniably exciting.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is scheduled for release on February 7, starting at $1,299 or £1,249.
