The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra didn’t impress me — one year later, that matters less

As a tech journalist, it’s easy to use a device for a couple of weeks during the review period and then throw it in a drawer, never to be seen again.

It’s a process that’s unfair to both buyers and manufacturers, as such a short sample, pre-launch, never paints the entire picture.

Devices evolve as software updates add new features and companies make improvements. I love going back to see how a phone is doing after a year.

I’ve written extensively about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra feeling uninspired.

I wasn’t impressed by the sales pitch, and I wouldn’t recommend upgrading from your Galaxy S23 Ultra, or even S22 Ultra as long as your battery is holding up.

Still, I have to be fair — it’s an excellent device. If taken on its merits as a smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a solid purchase. Here’s how it’s holding up after one year.

Samsung put the work in on the Galaxy S25 Ultra

Software is a highlight of the phone

One UI 7 was already a massive improvement for Samsung’s software when it launched with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

I didn’t love the Galaxy AI additions (and I still don’t), but One UI 7 was a much-needed change that added many practical user experience upgrades.

The company built on that success with One UI 8, with solid performance and enhancements to multitasking and the lock screen.

Multitasking desperately needed a rethink on Samsung devices, and the 90:10 split works well when you want to quickly switch between apps.

The Now Bar is one of Samsung’s best software additions in years. I love the added functionality.

It’s hard for me to keep up with my favorite sports teams with a toddler running around in the evenings, but I never miss a New York Knicks score, and I’m kept up to date throughout the game.

Media controls are also easier with the Now Bar, and it’s a wonderful lock-screen addition.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra never had a problem with power or performance

The Snapdragon 8 Elite does the job

I can fault Samsung for a lack of inspiration and innovation on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but there’s no complaining about the performance.

It’s been silky smooth since Day 1, and the phone continues to rip through whatever I throw at it with ease.

It’ll handle AAA mobile games for years, and I don’t anticipate you having to upgrade anytime soon because the phone isn’t powerful enough.

Yes, I would’ve liked a 16GB RAM variant, but 12GB will get the job done without issues.

I also wish Samsung had put a silicon-carbon battery in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but I have to be fair.

Even though it’s the same 5,000mAh cell, the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers better battery performance thanks to its efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

It’s not the OnePlus 15, and I can’t go days on a single charge, but I can get through a full day of moderate use and well into the next day before I’m scrambling for a charger.

There’s work to be done on the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung can’t get complacent

I’ll admit the Galaxy S25 Ultra is solid, but I think even Samsung defenders will agree that it’s time for more drastic changes on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

It doesn’t appear we’ll get a radical redesign, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same phone. I’m looking forward to the new display, and having a built-in privacy shield is interesting.

Better cameras are certainly welcomed, but I’m looking forward to the faster charging speeds.

Samsung has lagged behind overseas brands with both battery technology and charging speeds, so it was refreshing to hear the Galaxy S26 Ultra is rumored to feature 60W wired charging.

I’d be thrilled if Samsung added a silicon-carbon battery, but I’m not pushing it. Battery change happens slowly on Galaxy devices, but it should be coming soon.

I doubt it will ever happen, but the S Pen needs to return to its former glory.

I want Bluetooth functionality restored, as Samsung missed the point. I might not use the features every day, but the S Pen represents the last holdover from the Galaxy Note series.

The Galaxy Note was a phone that cost a lot of money, but you loved that when you needed a feature, it was there.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra lost some of that, and I hope Samsung can bring it back with future generations.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is still a solid choice for the right price

I’ve seen numerous deals on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with more to come.

A phone’s first birthday is an excellent time to find discounts, and with longer software support and better hardware, older flagships are fantastic deals.

I’d absolutely recommend picking up a Galaxy S25 Ultra if you can score one for around $850, as you’ll be pleased with the performance — even if the phone felt uninspiring at the start.

7.5/10

SoC

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

RAM

12GB

Storage

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.