Samsung has officially unveiled its newest flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, aiming to merge artificial intelligence (AI) with premium hardware upgrades. With a price tag of Rs 1,29,999, the device promises a sleek design, advanced AI tools, and a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. But does it justify the cost? Let’s break it down.
Samsung Stays True to Its Design Aesthetic
Samsung has opted for a familiar yet refined design with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While keeping its signature flat edges, the brand has made subtle adjustments that enhance comfort and usability.
- The camera rings are more pronounced, giving the phone a bolder look.
- Despite its large size, the phone weighs just 218 grams, making it easier to handle.
- The 6.9-inch AMOLED display ensures vibrant colors and deep contrasts.
The overall dimensions have been slightly minimized, offering a better grip while maintaining its premium appeal.
AI Takes Center Stage with Galaxy AI 2.0
Samsung’s biggest push with the Galaxy S25 Ultra is its AI-driven software, powered by Galaxy AI 2.0. These features aim to improve efficiency and user experience, with some standout additions:
- Now Brief: Samsung’s answer to Apple’s Dynamic Island, enriched with AI-driven functionality.
- Gemini Integration: A Google AI assistant that helps with tasks, scheduling, and general queries.
- Object Removal Tool: Produces clearer edits than competing brands.
- Live Translate: AI-powered real-time translation for calls and messages.
While AI features add new layers of convenience, some, like the summary function, still feel incomplete. Future updates could enhance these capabilities.
Camera Upgrades: A New Ultrawide Lens Joins the Mix
Samsung has retained the 200MP primary sensor and 50MP periscope telephoto lens, but there’s a notable change in the ultrawide category. Instead of the previous 12MP sensor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra now boasts a 50MP ultrawide lens.
Key Camera Highlights:
- Sharper details and richer colors, staying true to Samsung’s signature style.
- Telephoto zoom capabilities remain excellent, offering crisp long-distance shots.
- The S Pen continues to complement productivity-focused users.
This camera setup delivers impressive results, making the S25 Ultra one of the best camera phones available.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite and Storage Flexibility
The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, ensuring top-tier performance. It offers two RAM configurations—12GB and 16GB, with storage options up to 1TB.
Performance benchmarks place this device among the fastest Android phones, making it a great choice for gamers and power users alike.
Key performance insights:
- The 12GB RAM model handles tasks seamlessly, with no noticeable lag.
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip keeps things smooth and efficient.
- The One UI experience remains refined and intuitive.
Samsung’s software-hardware balance makes a difference, offering fluid navigation and AI-backed optimizations.
Battery and Charging: Does It Hold Up?
A high-performance phone demands reliable battery life. The Galaxy S25 Ultra houses a 5000mAh battery, keeping it powered for an entire day.
Battery performance depends on usage, but users can expect:
- Full-day battery life under normal usage.
- Fast charging support, though wired charging speeds remain at 45W.
- Wireless charging capabilities, though not significantly improved.
Samsung could have introduced faster wired charging, but the battery endurance still holds strong.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Rs 1,29,999?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra refines what Samsung already does well—a polished design, strong AI integration, top-tier cameras, and high-end performance. While the AI features show promise, some still need fine-tuning.
At Rs 1,29,999, this phone is for those who demand the best from Samsung. If you’re after cutting-edge AI features, powerful cameras, and premium build quality, it delivers. However, if you own last year’s S24 Ultra, the upgrades may not be significant enough to justify an upgrade.
