Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review (2027)

What problem does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra solve, and what do you get?

The clearest benefit is the camera hardware change. The new 50MP ultrawide is up from 12MP, and our test notes call it a real, measurable upgrade that delivers sharper daylight detail. That is a concrete gain you can see in wide shots, not a marketing claim.

The second benefit is processing headroom. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy handles multitasking smoothly, so heavy app switching and sustained use are not where this phone struggles. The third is the screen: excellent display is one of the three strengths our testing recorded.

Battery is the part that needs a caveat. Consumer Reports measured up to 48 hours of battery life on the S25 Ultra, among the longest it has tested. But several other reviewers found real-world screen-on time less impressive, so the lab figure and daily experience do not tell the same story. Charging speed is unchanged at 45W.

How did the Galaxy S25 Ultra score?

We scored the S25 Ultra across five criteria, and the total lands at 8.2 out of 10. Here is how each part of that score was earned.

• Performance: 9 out of 25. This criterion measures chipset generation and real-world speed under gaming, multitasking and sustained load, per official specs and reviewer benchmarks. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy handles multitasking smoothly, which is the strength here.
• Battery: 7.5 out of 25. This looks at capacity, charging speed and reviewer-measured runtime under mixed use. Consumer Reports measured up to 48 hours, among the longest it has tested, but other reviewers found real-world screen-on time less impressive, and charging speed is unchanged at 45W.
• Camera: 8.5 out of 20. Photo and video quality across lighting conditions, per reviewer consensus. The 50MP ultrawide, up from 12MP, delivers sharper daylight detail, though reviewers were consistent that the camera evolution was incremental rather than a major leap.
• Display: 9 out of 15. Panel type, refresh rate, brightness and outdoor visibility. Our testing recorded an excellent display.
• Value: 6.5 out of 15. Price against what the phone delivers relative to its peers. The premium price for an incremental camera upgrade is the drag on this score.

Where does the Galaxy S25 Ultra stand out?

Three strengths came out of testing, and they are worth separating because they matter to different buyers.

The first is the ultrawide camera. Going from 12MP to 50MP is the kind of change that shows up in the files, and our notes describe it as a real, measurable upgrade with sharper daylight detail.

The second is sustained performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy handles multitasking smoothly, which means the phone does not fall apart when you push it with several apps at once.

The third is the display. Excellent display is the whole note, and it is consistent with the 9 out of 15 the panel earned in scoring.

Where does the Galaxy S25 Ultra fall short?

Three shortcomings showed up clearly, and each one is a real trade-off rather than a nitpick.

• Charging speed is unchanged at 45W. If you were hoping for faster top-ups on this generation, the hardware did not move.
• Real-world battery life reports were mixed despite strong lab figures. Consumer Reports measured up to 48 hours, among the longest it has tested, but several other reviewers found real-world screen-on time less impressive. The gap between the two is the thing to weigh if you are a heavy user.
• Premium price for an incremental camera upgrade. The 50MP ultrawide is a genuine improvement, but reviewers were consistent that the camera evolution was incremental rather than a major leap, and the price reflects flagship positioning.

How does the Galaxy S25 Ultra compare with its rivals?

The S25 Ultra scores 8.2. In the same category, the OnePlus 15 CPH2749 North America 512GB 16GB Infinite Black scores 9.1 at an original price of 999.99 USD, the OnePlus 13 CPH2655 North America 512GB 16GB Arctic Dawn scores 8.8 at an original price of 999.99 USD, and the OnePlus 11 5G CPH2451 North America 256GB 16GB Titan Black US scores 8.7 at an original price of 799.99 USD.

On score alone, all three OnePlus models sit above the S25 Ultra, and the OnePlus 11 5G does so at the lowest original price of the group. The S25 Ultra's case rests on the 50MP ultrawide, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and the display, not on the scoreboard.

Who should buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra?

This phone fits buyers who want the ultrawide camera upgrade, smooth multitasking from the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, and an excellent display, and who accept 45W charging and a premium price for an incremental camera step. If mixed real-world battery reports concern you, or if value weighs heavily in your decision, the OnePlus options above score higher at their listed original prices.