Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Smartphone Review

SMARTPHONE TIER: FLAGSHIP/PRO TIER

Battery Capacity mAh: 5000

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Big Performance, Bigger Battery Demands

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SMARTPHONE BATTERY PERFORMANCE

Based on Price: Flagship/Pro Tier (€700+) 

Flagship/Pro Tier Ranking #13

Learn more:

Quick Summary

ViserMark Labels

Specifications

Know the Test Results

ViserMark Verdict

Video Review - Soon Available

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Quick Summary

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the pinnacle of Samsung’s smartphone innovation, offering an uncompromising flagship experience that blends cutting-edge hardware, intelligent AI features, and a refined design. From its expansive 6.9-inch display to its powerhouse performance and versatile camera system, the S25 Ultra delivers a best-in-class experience for power users, content creators, and productivity enthusiasts alike.

At the heart of the S25 Ultra lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, Qualcomm’s most powerful chip to date, fabricated on an advanced 3nm process. Its octa-core architecture includes two high-performance Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores running at a blistering 4.47 GHz and six Phoenix M cores at 3.53 GHz, paired with the Adreno 830 GPU for fluid gaming and accelerated rendering. With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage up to 1TB, it handles multitasking, large file transfers, and demanding apps with ease. In benchmark testing, it stands tall with top-tier CPU and GPU scores, though under sustained load it shows moderate throttling — consistent with other flagships in its class.

The S25 Ultra’s 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display sets a new bar for brightness and clarity. With a resolution of 1440x3120 and peak brightness of 2600 nits, it offers superb legibility in bright conditions and deep, vibrant colours. The panel supports HDR10+, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and Always-On Display. Despite some rivals boasting higher brightness in short bursts, Samsung’s anti-reflective Gorilla Armor 2 glass ensures excellent visibility with minimal glare.

Samsung has crafted a device that’s not only premium in feel but more ergonomic than its predecessor. Now slimmer, narrower, and lighter at 218g, the Titanium Grade 5 frame offers enhanced durability and a refined aesthetic. Both front and rear are protected by Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and Victus 2, respectively, while the IP68 rating ensures resistance against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. Though some competitors now offer IP69 or deeper protection, the build remains among the most robust on the market.

On the back, the quad-camera array continues to impress. The 200MP primary sensor captures highly detailed shots with rich dynamic range, while the upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens delivers broader perspectives with autofocus and improved low-light clarity. A 10MP 3x telephoto and 50MP 5x periscope camera ensure flexible framing and excellent optical zoom capabilities. Although not a dramatic leap from the S24 Ultra in hardware, improved ISP and AI-driven processing bring subtle yet meaningful enhancements in both daylight and night photography. The 12MP selfie camera with dual-pixel autofocus captures crisp, flattering shots and supports 4K60 video — perfect for vlogging or video conferencing.

Where the Ultra impresses most is in its versatility. Despite a slightly conservative 5000mAh battery in an era where 6000mAh cells are emerging, it delivers solid endurance thanks to intelligent power management. In real-world mixed usage, it scores well in battery tests, outperforming the Pixel 9 Pro XL and closing in on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Charging is rated at 45W wired and 25W wireless (Qi2), and Samsung’s updated charging tech means full-speed charging is now possible even with a standard 3A cable. A 30-minute top-up gets you to 72%, with a full charge in under an hour.

The S Pen remains a defining feature, tucked into the bottom-left corner of the device. However, this year marks the loss of Bluetooth connectivity and Air Actions — a decision that has disappointed loyal Note fans. It still supports handwriting recognition, note-taking, and screen annotation, but remote camera shutter and gesture controls are gone.

Software-wise, the Galaxy S25 Ultra ships with Android 15 and One UI 7, packed with new AI-powered features such as Cross-app Actions, AI Select, and natural language controls for seamless multitasking. Features like Generative Edit, Circle to Search, and Now Brief add convenience and productivity, while Samsung guarantees seven years of major Android and security updates, ensuring long-term value.

Connectivity is futureproof, with support for 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB). The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display is fast and reliable, and stereo speakers deliver excellent clarity and loudness, with a subtle improvement in bass over the previous generation.

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Pros	Cons
The expansive 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel offers QHD+ resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and an impressive 2600 nits peak brightness. Samsung’s new Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections, improving outdoor readability and content immersion.	While still excellent, the camera hardware is largely unchanged from the S24 Ultra. Improvements are mostly software-based, with some rivals now offering better periscope zoom or low-light performance.
Featuring a 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, the S25 Ultra delivers blazing-fast speeds across demanding tasks, with an Adreno 830 GPU for high-end gaming. Backed by 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage (up to 1TB), it’s a multitasking beast.	The integrated S Pen no longer supports Bluetooth or Air Actions. While note-taking remains solid, the removal of remote control functionality has disappointed long-time Note users.
Despite its conservative 5000mAh battery, the S25 Ultra offers strong endurance thanks to Samsung’s smart power management. It supports 45W wired and 25W wireless (Qi2) charging, reaching over 70% in just 30 minutes.	At 45W wired and 25W wireless, charging speeds are behind competitors, who offer 80–100W fast charging. Samsung’s approach remains cautious, prioritising battery longevity.
The 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x zoom, and 50MP 5x periscope provide sharp, well-stabilised results. Improvements in ISP and AI processing offer better low-light detail and more natural colour reproduction. The 12MP front camera supports 4K60 and is ideal for creators.	Like its smaller sibling, the Ultra offers no microSD slot. Users must choose their storage tier wisely, especially with large media files or offline libraries.
Now lighter and slimmer than its predecessor, the Titanium Grade 5 frame and dual Gorilla Glass (Armor front / Victus 2 back) offer both robustness and style. The design is more comfortable in hand despite the large display.	With only modest hardware upgrades over the S24 Ultra, some users may question the value—especially when last year’s model is still available at a discount.
One UI 7 on Android 15 is packed with AI features like Circle to Search, Generative Edit, and Cross-App Actions. Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates, outpacing most of the competition.	Despite design refinements, the 6.9-inch form factor remains bulky for smaller hands or pockets. It’s a true “Ultra” in every sense, for better or worse.

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 ViserMark Labels for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Please take a look at the following information about the battery performance of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:

Battery Life: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers 36 hours of total usage, translating to just under 1.5 days of typical battery life. While respectable for a flagship with a large QHD+ display and powerful internals, it lags slightly behind endurance-focused competitors. Heavy users may find themselves reaching for the charger before day’s end, especially when pushing screen brightness or using the camera extensively.

Battery Charging: Samsung advertises 45W wired charging for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, claiming a 72% top-up in just 30 minutes. In our real-world testing, the device reached full charge in 1 hour and 12 minutes using a compatible USB PD 3.0 charger. Wireless charging via Qi2 supports up to 25W, though performance can vary depending on the charging pad used. While an improvement over previous models, Samsung’s charging speeds still lag behind rivals like Xiaomi and OnePlus, which now offer 80W or faster solutions.

Battery Performance & Efficiency: The Galaxy S25 Ultra scores 36/100 in battery performance, indicating solid but not class-leading efficiency. Under sustained heavy use, thermal management kicks in early, leading to moderate throttling and a slight dip in battery stamina. Annual energy consumption is rated at 4.5 kWh, making it one of the more power-hungry options in its tier a trade-off for its high-performance chipset and ultra-bright display.

Know more about the ViserMark Labels

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Specification Overview - Released Date: February 2025

• Body & Build:

  • Dimensions: 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm

  • Weight: 218g

  • Materials: Glass front (Corning Gorilla Glass Armor), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), Titanium Grade 5 frame

  • Durability: IP68 certified – water and dust resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes)

  • Design: Refined and more ergonomic than its predecessor, with a slimmer profile and lighter build

• Display:

  • Size: 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

  • Resolution: 3120 x 1440 (WQHD+), ~505 ppi

  • Refresh Rate: Adaptive 1–120Hz for smoother visuals and improved battery efficiency

  • Brightness: Peak brightness up to 2600 nits for excellent outdoor visibility

  • HDR Support: HDR10+

  • Always-On Display: Yes

  • Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Armor for reduced glare and increased scratch resistance

• Operating System:

  • OS: Android 15 with One UI 7

  • Software Support: Up to 7 years of major OS updates and security patches – among the best in the industry

• Chipset & Performance:

  • Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (3nm)

    • CPU: Octa-core (2x 4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x 3.53 GHz Phoenix M cores)

    • GPU: Adreno 830 for high-end gaming and AI-powered graphics acceleration

• Memory & Storage:

  • Configurations:

    • 256GB UFS 4.0 + 12GB RAM

    • 512GB UFS 4.0 + 12GB RAM

    • 1TB UFS 4.0 + 12GB RAM

  • Expandable Storage: Not supported (no microSD slot)

  • Technology: UFS 4.0 storage for ultra-fast read/write speeds

• Connectivity & Features:

  • 5G Connectivity: Yes, including Sub6 and mmWave (region dependent)

  • SIM: Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM / Dual eSIM)

  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 (EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM)

  • Bluetooth: 5.4

  • NFC: Yes

  • USB: USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2

  • Biometrics: Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor

  • Samsung DeX: Supported – both wired and wireless modes

  • Audio: Stereo speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos

• Camera System:

  Rear Cameras (Quad Setup):

  • 200MP Main Camera (f/1.7, OIS) – Captures highly detailed, vibrant shots in all lighting conditions

  • 50MP Periscope Telephoto (5x optical zoom, OIS) – Ideal for distant subjects without loss of clarity

  • 10MP Telephoto (3x optical zoom, OIS) – Versatile for portraits and close-ups

  • 50MP Ultrawide (120˚ FOV, autofocus) – Enhanced clarity and edge detail, especially in low light

  Front Camera:

  • 12MP (f/2.2, Dual Pixel PDAF) – High-quality selfies and smooth video calls

  • Front Video Recording: 4K @ 30/60fps

  Video Capabilities:

  • Rear Video Recording: 8K @ 24/30fps, 4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/240fps

  • Features: HDR10+, Super Steady stabilisation, gyro-EIS

• Colours Available: Titanium Jade Green, Titanium Pink Gold, Titanium Jet Black.

Read the full specifications

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Performance - HOW WE TEST

ViserMark offers a comprehensive range of battery performance test results based on different criteria and benchmarks for evaluating a smartphone's performance. Our tests are performed using the strictest protocol in a controlled environment to ensure repetition and consistency powered by SmartViser's test automation solution viSer.

Translating technical specifications into consumer benefits with SmartViser

VWS Analytics Studio is a complementary product to the viSer Test Automation solution. It enhances the viSer user experience and is the fastest way to analyse and view smartphone test results.

We have used the interactive dashboard to show you the recent test results and translated them into ViserMark Labels.

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Smartphone Battery Performance - FULL TEST RESULTS AND REVIEW

ViserMark has put the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra through our testing protocol, based on real smartphone usage from 100% battery level down to power off. This includes daily activities, such as calls, web, video and music streaming, gaming, social networks, picture and video capture, and standby. All activities are executed in a defined order and timeline.

These test results, show how the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra performed and the scores achieved.

1. Battery Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra achieved a battery performance score of 41/100 in ViserMark testing, placing it on par with the standard Galaxy S25 and slightly below the Flagship/Pro Tier average (42.05/100). While it delivers a solid all-day experience under typical use, it falls behind leading competitors such as the Xiaomi 14T Pro, which scored 52/100, highlighting a notable gap in battery optimisation and endurance.

In terms of charging, the S25 Ultra supports 45W wired charging, with Samsung advertising a 72% top-up in just 30 minutes. In real-world conditions, it reached full charge in approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes, which aligns fairly well with manufacturer claims. It also offers 25W wireless charging via Qi2 and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, adding convenience for users within the Samsung ecosystem.

While the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers decent battery life and flexible charging, it doesn’t lead the category in efficiency or speed. For users prioritising endurance and rapid top-ups, options like the Xiaomi 14T Pro may provide better value, though the Ultra excels in other areas such as display, build quality, and productivity features.

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2. Battery Life

In ViserMark’s battery life testing, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra achieved 36 hours of continuous usage, translating to approximately 1.5 days of real-world battery life under standard conditions. While this is a respectable result for a flagship device with a large, high-resolution display and powerful internals, it still trails behind top-performing rivals like the Xiaomi 14T Pro, which reached 52 hours in the same test.

With a 5,000mAh battery, the Ultra model offers slightly better endurance than the regular Galaxy S25 (35 hours), despite both sharing the same power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and One UI 7 optimisations. However, compared to the Flagship/Pro Tier average of 40.91 hours, the S25 Ultra underperforms, suggesting room for improvement in power efficiency, especially when handling heavy workloads like camera use, multitasking, or extended gaming sessions.

Nonetheless, the S25 Ultra delivers balanced performance and respectable longevity, making it a reliable choice for most users. While it may not lead the pack in raw battery endurance, its excellent display, camera capabilities, and productivity features more than compensate for slightly shorter battery life.

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3. Battery Consumption

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14T Pro were analysed for battery consumption across various daily tasks using SmartViser's viSer and VWS Analytics Studio. The comparison highlighted differences in power usage for activities such as social media, calls, gaming, camera, and web browsing.

The results show that the Galaxy S25 Ultra consumes more power overall, particularly in social media, outgoing calls, gaming, and download/upload tasks. This reflects the Ultra’s demanding hardware, delivering class-leading performance but at a cost to energy efficiency.

However, when it comes to camera usage, the Xiaomi 14T Pro is noticeably less efficient, consuming. This suggests that while the Xiaomi offers solid hardware, its camera processing or optimisation may be less refined, leading to higher energy demands during photo and video tasks.

In other areas, the two devices show similar levels of power draw for youtube, email, media player and web browsing, though the S25 Ultra consumes slightly more, likely due to its higher screen resolution, more advanced multitasking capabilities, and added AI background processes. These differences reflect internal software and hardware tuning, with Samsung opting for maximum performance even at the cost of a bit more energy usage.

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The battery performance comparison between the  Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S25 highlights notable differences in power consumption across various everyday activities, offering insights into which device is more efficient depending on the user’s habits.

The Galaxy S25 consumes less power in nearly all categories, including social media, outgoing calls, gaming, camera use, YouTube streaming, media playback, downloads/uploads, and web browsing. These results indicate that the standard S25 is the more efficient option overall, especially for users who prioritise long battery life across a range of everyday activities.

The only exception is email, where the S25 Ultra consumes slightly less power, potentially due to background task optimisations in One UI or more efficient management of background sync on the Ultra model.

While the S25 Ultra is built for power users, the S25 strikes a stronger balance between performance and endurance, making it the more efficient choice for everyday use, especially for those who don’t require the extra screen size or camera flexibility of the Ultra model.

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The battery performance comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25, Xiaomi 14T Pro and Flagship/Pro Tier devices highlights significant differences in power efficiency across various everyday tasks. This analysis provides valuable insights into which smartphone delivers the best power management for different usage scenarios.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers top-tier performance, but this comes with noticeably higher battery consumption across several everyday tasks. It consumes significantly more power than the Galaxy S25, Xiaomi 14T Pro, and the flagship/pro tier average in activities like social media, calls, and gaming. However, when it comes to camera usage, the Ultra is more efficient than the Xiaomi 14T Pro, showing Samsung’s advantage in optimised image processing. For media playback and youtube, power consumption is fairly similar across devices, though the Ultra still draws slightly more energy due to its larger QHD+ display and more demanding internals.

Interestingly, the Galaxy S25 Ultra shows better efficiency in email usage than the S25, and outperforms the Xiaomi 14T Pro in web browsing, hinting at Samsung’s refined software optimisations for lighter productivity tasks. While its overall energy consumption is higher, the Ultra remains a compelling option for users who prioritise performance, multitasking, and premium media experiences, even if that means compromising slightly on battery efficiency.

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4. Battery Efficiency

In ViserMark’s battery efficiency testing, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra received a 0.5-leaf rating, indicating below-average energy efficiency for a device in the flagship category. This score places it behind both the Xiaomi 14T Pro and the regular Galaxy S25, which achieved full 1-leaf ratings.

Despite featuring the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and advanced AI optimisations, the S25 Ultra’s large 6.9-inch QHD+ display, 120Hz refresh rate, and demanding multi-camera setup appear to impact its overall power conservation. As a result, it consumes more energy under sustained workloads, which may lead to quicker battery drain during intensive use such as 4K video recording, multitasking, or gaming sessions.

The 0.5-leaf rating reflects the trade-off between premium performance and power efficiency. While the Ultra delivers a top-tier experience in nearly every category—display, camera, software, and productivity—it comes at the cost of higher energy demands. For users who prioritise long battery life and optimal efficiency, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may require more frequent recharges compared to leaner flagship alternatives.

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5. Annual Energy Consumption

According to ViserMark, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has an estimated annual energy consumption of 4.5 kWh, making it one of the more power-hungry devices in the flagship segment. This figure places it above the flagship/pro-tier average of 3.78 kWh, and notably higher than both the Samsung Galaxy S25 (3.7 kWh) and Xiaomi 14T Pro (3.2 kWh).

As previously explained, the higher consumption figure reflects the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s premium specifications, including its expansive 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset, and advanced quad-camera system. These features contribute to its class-leading performance, stunning visuals, and seamless multitasking, but naturally result in a greater energy demand compared to more compact or efficiency-focused models.

Users considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra should weigh its exceptional productivity and creative power against its higher annual consumption. Those prioritising energy efficiency over sheer performance may find leaner alternatives like the Galaxy S25 or Xiaomi 14T Pro more suitable. Nonetheless, for users who demand the best across all metrics (performance, visuals, and features) the S25 Ultra delivers, even if it uses a bit more power to get there.

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Who Should Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is built for users who demand high-end performance, advanced camera capabilities, and long-term software support. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip, 12GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, it’s a solid choice for professionals, creatives, and gamers who need seamless multitasking and high-speed responsiveness. The 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display offers a stunning visual experience, making it ideal for media consumption, content creation, and productivity on the go.

However, it’s important to note that the S25 Ultra’s premium specs come with higher energy demands. As previously analysed, it consumes more power in key areas like social media, gaming, and calls than both the regular S25 and Xiaomi 14T Pro. That said, it’s still efficient in tasks such as email and web browsing—showing Samsung’s effort to optimise lighter usage. Users who value pro-grade photography (thanks to its 200MP quad-camera system), desktop-style productivity via Wireless DeX, and a premium build with Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and a Titanium frame will find the trade-off in power consumption acceptable. For those who prioritise raw capability over battery endurance, the S25 Ultra remains a flagship worth investing in.

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ViserMark VERDICT

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - what's it like to use?

Using the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like having a high-powered workstation in your pocket. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and LPDDR5X RAM ensure apps launch instantly, multitasking is smooth, and gaming is seamless. Whether you're navigating One UI 7, running DeX on a monitor, or using Wi-Fi 7 for rapid data transfers, everything works effortlessly. The software is polished, intuitive, and enhanced by Samsung’s growing suite of AI features, which add smart shortcuts and creative tools without feeling gimmicky.

The 6.9-inch AMOLED display is breathtaking—crisp, bright, and fluid—while the refined design feels premium and durable without being overly bulky. The camera system delivers consistently strong results across different scenarios, with noticeable improvements in low light and video stabilisation. Battery life holds up well despite the power-hungry hardware, and fast wired charging ensures minimal downtime. Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is more than just powerful, it’s refined, dependable, and built to handle anything you throw at it.

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VCX (Valued Camera eXperience)

The VCX Forum has been working with its members on the system and infrastructure as a non-profit organisation. We strive to improve our technology to develop and exchange accurate and objective quality and performance indicators, which is our ultimate goal. We will also serve as a compass for the smartphone camera industry. We appreciate your interest in the VCX Forum.

VCX Forum: Samsung S25 Ultra Camera Review

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Background

The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul. It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most united under the Samsung brand. Samsung Electronics has assembly plants and sales networks in 74 countries and employs around 290,000 people. Samsung is a major manufacturer of electronic components such as lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, image sensors, camera modules and displays for clients such as Apple, Sony, HTC and Nokia.

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Written by

Marcella Frattari is the Communication Marketing and Lead Generation Manager at SmartViser, playing a key role in shaping the company's communication and marketing strategies. With a background in journalism and a passion for digital communication, Marcella focuses on improving SmartViser's overall online presence and engagement. Her dedication to clear, effective communication and creative content makes her a valuable asset to the team.

Press Contact

Marcella Frattari: Contact@visermark.com

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