I’ve written extensively about my disappointment with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I always make it clear that it’s not a bad smartphone — in fact, it’s an excellent smartphone.
I just feel it lags behind where Samsung should be, especially after using a device like the OnePlus 15.
It’s especially frustrating because, with Samsung’s software support and build quality, I’m waiting for the company to lap the competition.
However, a deep discount washes away plenty of sins, and a $950 price tag makes the Galaxy S25 Ultra an easier recommendation.
Typically, I’d tell buyers to hold off at this point in the year, unless they were positive they had no intention of spending $1,300 on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, to wait and see what Samsung had in store for next year.
However, with rumors that the company’s next flagship isn’t expected until March 2026, now is an ideal time to take advantage of a discount.
A display worthy of full price
Samsung shipped its best with the Galaxy S25 Ultra
I was horrified when Samsung started moving to more natural-toned displays. The colors seemed washed out and drab on my Galaxy S24 Ultra at launch, and it wasn’t an accident.
Thankfully, the company gave users a choice, adding the vividness slider to display settings later on.
It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it helped add back some of the saturation Samsung fans were used to.
That’s not a problem with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, as it’s the best smartphone display Samsung has shipped in a long time.
It’s a gorgeous 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen, and the anti-reflective coating is the best I’ve seen on any device.
Outdoor use isn’t a problem, even in harsh sunlight, and it does appear like you’re touching the content — as if there wasn’t a layer of glass between you and the display.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the best smartphone display you can buy on a phone, and it’s a significant reason why you should consider picking one up — especially for only $950.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn’t lack performance
You won’t need more power anytime soon
Despite initial reservations, the Snapdragon 8 Elite turned out to be my favorite Qualcomm chipset in years. It delivered stellar performance with the power efficiency I’d expect from a flagship device.
Yes, you can get a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the OnePlus 15 for about the same price, but I see no reason just yet, especially with the other advantages you get by buying a Galaxy S25 Ultra.
I wish Samsung had included 16GB of RAM in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but I haven’t felt limited by 12GB. It’s plenty for multitasking and on-device AI (what little of Galaxy AI I actually use).
Even though I’m not a huge Galaxy AI supporter, One UI 8 is an excellent piece of software. It’s smooth and responsive, with plenty of features for long-time Samsung fans.
I’ve been impressed by how reliable Samsung’s software has become, and I’m glad the company took care to optimize One UI for older hardware, like my Galaxy S21 Ultra.
It gives me hope that Samsung’s promise of seven years of software support might actually matter, and it adds value to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
I may not appreciate Galaxy AI in its current state, but the Now Bar is a worthy addition.
I love how it displays information, from sports scores to Google Maps directions. Now Brief still needs a lot of work, but the Now Bar is a feature you’ll enjoy.
Cameras worthy of a flagship smartphone
And solid battery life, too
I didn’t jump up and down when Samsung upgraded the ultrawide lens on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it does help reduce the step-down in quality when switching from the primary sensor.
I prefer Samsung’s slightly warmer color temperature for photos, giving them an ideal look for social media.
I appreciate how impressive the cameras on the Pixel 10 Pro XL are, but I often find myself editing the images a bit, as the colors can be a bit stark.
I was disappointed when Samsung didn’t move to a silicon-carbon battery for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
My frustration grew after testing the OnePlus 15, discovering what the new bar for flagship smartphone battery life should be.
However, the 5,000mAh lithium-ion cell in the Galaxy S25 Ultra gets the job done, and I can stretch into a second day of mixed use on a single charge.
No one will be disappointed by the Galaxy S25 Ultra for $950
I can easily make the case that the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes up short at $1,300.
It’s at least a conversation, and it’s a significant investment, especially for people who want to own their phone unlocked without any carrier arrangements.
However, for sub-$1,000, there’s not a single Samsung Galaxy fan who will feel cheated, and with the delays to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you might want to take advantage of a great deal on the company’s current flagship.
7.5/10
- SoC
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- RAM
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12GB
- Storage
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256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through — and yes, that S Pen is still here too.
