But at the end of the day, theyre not giving us camera improvements or design overhauls.
Its AI theyre pushing whether we want it or not.
See Galaxy S25 Ultra at Samsung.com
Ive acquiesced for the most part.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is everything you need in a phone, even if it is all about AI.© Adriano Contreras / Gizmodo
On the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I wanted a more custom experience than what Samsung currently offers.
Features like the predictiveNow Briefare hardly revolutionary, even if they seem helpful from a top-down point of view.
Instead, I found plenty of repeats, redone in Samsungs way.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe Galaxy S25 Ultra is thinner and lighter this time around.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung’s ultimate smartphone has a ton of AI tricks, but not enough treats.
They match the same corners on the flattened-outGalaxy Z Fold 6.
This years model is much lighter than years past.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe S Pen is still on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, sans Bluetooth.
The bezel is thinner than last yearsGalaxy S24 Ultra.
Im relieved Samsung focused on eliminating the weight of its largest handheld.
Its covered in scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Armor 2.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe Dynamic AMOLED out in daylight.
If it doesnt turn out like the scratched-upGalaxy Ring, Id consider it a winner.
I suggest getting something with a kickstand in it if youre going to add the bulk anyway.
The Google Pixel doesnt have this yet, nor does OnePlus or Motorola.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe Galaxy S25 Ultra (left) snapping a photo next to the Pixel 9 Pro (right).
But it would have been nice to see Samsung innovate by adding magnetic magic on the back.
But only the former is happening here.
The only way to use it on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is with a knockoff case.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of Mount Diablo taken with the iPhone 16 Pro*
If youre going to zoom in somewhere that far, double-check the Galaxy S25 Ultra is perfectly still.
Samsungs camera algorithms are still the most saturated and deeply contrasted compared to the competition.
If you like your photos naturally tinged with broader blues, thats not Samsung.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of Mount Diablo taken with the Galaxy S25 Ultra*
All models of the Galaxy S25 also offer the highly lauded Log video capability.
Its about the performance of AI and the high-resource apps you want to access simultaneously.
As you’re free to imagine, apps run smoothly on Samsungs brand-new flagship.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of San Francisco taken with the Pixel 9 Pro*
The Galaxy S25 Ultras battery has not significantly changed this time around.
It is 5,000 mAh.
Ill have a more definitive number for you on the battery capacity early next week.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of San Francisco taken with the Galaxy S25 Ultra*
The Samsung flavoring is the Personal Data Engine, aggregating information as it learns how you use your gadget.
I dont find it that useful.
You alreadysaw me have a go at add Joost Klein tour dates on camera, but that didnt work.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of San Francisco taken with the Pixel 9 Pro*
Ive had more success simply putting it one calendar entry at a time.
I tried a few other commands, like launching the camera app hands-free and getting directions to places.
But I noticed that the more complicated and off-script my commands are, the less they work.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of San Francisco taken with the Galaxy S25 Ultra*
I dont see this feature as necessary alongside Googles offerings.
Google Photos has done that, too, since last years major update.
But it is not for eavesdropping.I tried it already.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of San Francisco taken with the Pixel 9 Pro*
Just How Good Is Audio Eraser on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Samsungs interface gets smoother and easier to navigate with every new interaction.
In this latest version of One UI, the notification shade is streamlined into its own panel.
*© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
A photo of San Francisco taken with the Galaxy S25 Ultra*
This initially annoyed me, as Ive encountered this interface quirk on other Android devices.
But this is easier on the eyes and the heart.
I also feel less distracted checking in on the phone.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe Galaxy S25 Ultra takes a proper selfie at golden hour.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: Verdict
Should you buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
I wont be the one to stop you if you have a trade-in, and its a fantastic deal.
By all means, upgrade yourself to a lighter chassis.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe Now Brief is helpful, maybe.
But dont expect incredible gains beyond the incremental.
Samsungs Galaxy S25 Ultra is a fantastic deviceit has to be to help justify its price point.
At least the phone will last you a long time.
© Florence Ion / GizmodoSamsung’s “AI Select” is a rebranded “Smart Select” with links to generative AI.
Will the AI tricks, too?
News from the future, delivered to your present.
The Pixel 9a is all the essentials (and AI) packed into a friendlier price point.
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoOne UI 7 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. You’ll have to pay for this Kuromi look!
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
© Florence Ion / Gizmodo
© Adriano Contreras / GizmodoThe lighter Galaxy S25 Ultra is only worth the upgrade if you’ve got deals stacked on deals.
