Phones
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: should you buy it?
"The ultimate Android handset," according to PCMag.
No single aggregate score — here's what the reviewers agree on, below.
The short version
Critics agree that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the strongest Android phones of 2025. Its large anti-reflective display, versatile cameras, fast processor and built-in stylus are the main attractions. The lighter, narrower design is also easier to handle than the S24 Ultra. The trade-off is familiar: it is very expensive, still large, and only a modest hardware upgrade for recent Ultra owners.
What reviewers loved
- The sharp 6.9-inch display combines a 1-120Hz refresh rate with effective glare reduction, making it easy to view across varied lighting conditions.
- Four rear cameras cover an unusually broad range, with Trusted Reviews reporting usable results at 30x and TechRadar finding better low-light and macro performance from the new 50MP ultrawide.
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy delivers the class-leading, ultra-smooth performance highlighted by PCMag.
- A lighter 218g body, narrower shape and rounded corners make it more comfortable to hold than recent Galaxy Ultra models.
- Battery life comfortably reaches a full day for reviewers, with What Hi-Fi? struggling to drain it even under heavy use.
What held it back
- The $1,299.99 / £1,249 starting price is difficult to justify unless you will use the premium screen, cameras or stylus.
- Hardware changes are modest, so Trusted Reviews sees little reason for owners of a recent Galaxy Ultra to upgrade.
- PCMag reports less S Pen functionality than the previous generation.
- The 6.9-inch body remains too large for some buyers, with What Hi-Fi? warning that it will not suit smaller hands.
Buy it if you want Samsung's best screen, broadest camera system and built-in stylus in one high-performance Android phone.
Skip it if you own a recent Galaxy Ultra or can live without the stylus and extreme camera range, because cheaper Galaxy models may cover your needs.
What the reviewers say
The display is the clearest point of agreement. CNET calls the 6.9-inch screen the phone's true star, while PCMag praises its sharp anti-reflective finish. What Hi-Fi? found the high-refresh-rate AMOLED panel vivid, expansive and easy to view in different lighting conditions. Reviewers also agree that Samsung has improved the ergonomics: the S25 Ultra is lighter and narrower than the S24 Ultra, with rounded corners that feel less harsh in the hand.
The cameras remain highly versatile rather than radically new. Three rear sensors carry over, but the ultrawide rises from 12MP to 50MP. TechRadar reports better low-light ultrawide shots and more detailed macros, while Trusted Reviews praises the range from 0.6x to 100x and finds 30x images surprisingly usable. PCMag also highlights fast performance and powerful AI tools. The consistent warning is value: this is an expensive refinement, not an essential upgrade for recent Ultra owners.
The competition
Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+
PCMag and CNET point to these as cheaper options if you do not need the Ultra's stylus, most advanced cameras or premium screen.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
CNET says last year's model remains worth considering, while Trusted Reviews says recent Ultra owners have little reason to upgrade.
Should you buy it?
The critics' consensus is clear: buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want Samsung's most complete Android phone and will genuinely use its large anti-reflective screen, long-range camera system or S Pen. It is faster, lighter and more comfortable than its predecessor, but the underlying hardware changes are modest. Owners of an S24 Ultra should usually wait, and less demanding buyers can save money with the regular S25 models. RightWei summarizes independent reviewers' hands-on tests and does not test review units itself.
Sources
RightWei aggregates and summarizes independent reviews — we link to the original hands-on tests so you can go deeper. We don't test units ourselves.