Smartphones January 20, 2026

Samsung Galaxy S25

Ultra in name only. Flagship pricing for an iterative refresh that proves Samsung lost focus on value.

What's Good

10x periscope zoom is industry-leading
Display is bright and color-accurate
7 years of OS updates guaranteed

What's Wrong

£1,249 / $1,299 / €1,449 starting price is steep [Level 5]
Design is stagnant; identical to S24 Ultra [Level 5]
Camera shutter lag improved but not fixed [Level 4]
Battery life isn't class-leading for a 5000 mAh flagship [Level 3]
Samsung bloatware still saps the experience [Level 4]
S Pen features feel niche for most buyers [Level 3]
One UI adds complexity compared to stock Android [Level 4]

Still interested despite our concerns?

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The Hype vs Reality

Samsung promises a revolution with “Galaxy AI” and the “ProVisual Engine.” The reality is a phone that costs £1,249 / $1,299 / €1,449 yet feels almost indistinguishable from its predecessor.

At this price point, “good enough” isn’t enough. Samsung is charging for innovation it hasn’t delivered.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra front and back — The design hasn't changed meaningfully in three years.

What Went Wrong

Processor: The Bare Minimum

Unlike the confusing regional split of the base models, the S25 Ultra ships with the Snapdragon 8 Elite worldwide Samsung .

That’s good news, but it’s also table stakes. You’re paying top dollar for the same chip found in significantly cheaper rivals like the OnePlus 13.

Design: Stagnant

The S25 Ultra is a slab of stagnation. The titanium frame and flat glass are premium, sure, but they are identical to the S24 Ultra .

Still sharp corners, still the same titanium rails.

Samsung has run out of ideas. While competitors experiment with materials and ergonomics, Samsung is just shipping the same CAD file.

Camera: Hardware + “AI” = Mixed Reality

Samsung markets the “ProVisual Engine” as a game-changer. It’s not.

Shutter Lag: It’s better, but it’s not fixed. Fast-moving subjects (kids, pets) still blur more often than on a Pixel or iPhone Android Authority .

Zoom: The 10x periscope is still the best in the business . If you need to see far, this is the phone. But in mixed light, the processing gets aggressive, smearing details in a way that looks digital and fake.

Samsung camera marketing — Marketing promises vs real world consistency.

Software: Polished Bloat

One UI 7 is slick, but it’s bloated.

Pre-installed junk: You get Samsung’s browser, Samsung’s messages, Samsung’s app store, and third-party deals .
AI Gimmicks: “Galaxy AI” features like chat assist are fun once, then forgotten. They don’t justify the price hike.

Galaxy AI features — More software features to turn off.

Who Might Still Want This

If you:

Need 10x Optical Zoom: No other phone touches it.
Require the S Pen: It’s the only flagship with a stylus.
Live in the Samsung Ecosystem: Tablet, watch, and buds integration is strong.

Then the S25 Ultra is your only choice.

The Bottom Line

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is an excellent phone that is hard to recommend.

At £1,249 / $1,299 / €1,449, you are paying a “laziness tax.” Samsung didn’t push the hardware, didn’t fix the bloat, and didn’t lower the price.

Buy a Pixel 10 Pro for better photos. Buy a OnePlus 13 for better value. Buy the S25 Ultra only if you absolutely need that pen.

Didn't scare you off?

If you've read everything and still want it, go ahead. At least you know what you're getting into.

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Better Options

Consider these alternatives that might actually be worth your money:

OnePlus 13 — Fast flagship performance, cleaner UI, much cheaper
Google Pixel 10 Pro — Stronger computational photography, stock Android feel
Xiaomi 15 Ultra — Aggressive hardware value and faster charging