72 hours later with Galaxy S25 Ultra – the AI hype is getting real for me

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is a premium flagship meant for customers who need essentially the most out of their telephone, with a beginning worth of $1,299.
• Key enhancements embody new Galaxy AI options, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a 50MP ultrawide lens.
• No main shifts to digital camera {hardware}, battery measurement, and charging speeds.

extra shopping for selections

Samsung’s Large Unhealthy Galaxy telephone has arrived, and it is nearly every part I anticipated. The Galaxy S25 Extremely, which begins on the similar daring worth as final yr, $1,299, stays the corporate’s do-everything handset, with a extra sturdy show, an upgraded digital camera system with some useful modifying tips, and the newest Qualcomm processor conserving issues operating. Oh, and sure, AI is every part, in all places, abruptly.

Additionally: Samsung Unpacked 2025: 5 largest bulletins, together with S25 Edge and AR glasses

Whereas final yr’s Galaxy S24 collection ushered in Samsung’s Galaxy AI period, this yr feels extra like the corporate cementing itself because the chief within the house, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on options and capabilities. In fact, how ornamental that honor is finally relies on how invested you’re in utilizing AI.

I’ve spent the three days thus far testing the S25 Extremely and wasn’t too stunned to seek out myself each fascinated and bored. In any case, that is now Samsung’s fifth iteration of the S-series Extremely mannequin, and the adjustments year-over-year have been modest, to be beneficiant. However should you’re presently utilizing a three- to four-year-old handset and contemplating an improve, take this first-hand testimonial — I am not calling it a full overview but — to coronary heart. (And should you’re an fanatic, it’s going to matter simply as a lot to you.)

The Galaxy S Extremely has at all times been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds this yr. Once I first unboxed the S25 Extremely, it felt just like the fanciest calculator ever (and I imply that in a pleasant approach), with its spherical edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I just lately reviewed — which, on paper, is comparatively comparable in measurement — the S25 Extremely had a bolder and extra placing presence.

Fortuitously, the system isn’t as top-heavy as I bear in mind earlier fashions being, though Samsung encased the 4 rear cameras with thicker rings this time round. The truth is, the S25 Extremely is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, incomes it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Extremely ever. You may seemingly hear extra in regards to the “thinnification” of telephones later this yr.

Additionally: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 – and the AI options have been surprisingly polished

The opposite notable design improve with the S25 Extremely is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the entrance show. It would not take away from the anti-reflection floor remedy that made headlines on final yr’s S24 Extremely, but guarantees improved drop safety and scratch resistance. I imagine it. My S24 Extremely final yr had quite a few micro scratches after simply days of testing, whereas my S25 Extremely overview unit has remained pristine thus far.

Now if solely Samsung might deliver again the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes, as a result of these S25 Extremely colours are uninspiring. Maybe it is the character of titanium finishes or the cruel actuality that customers usually tend to go for safer colours with black, white, and silver hues than poppy and vibrant. Regardless, you will wish to slap on a case if you wish to give your S25 Extremely even a contact of character.

Underneath the hood is a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the identical processor powering competing Android telephones just like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Professional. Essentially the most notable advantage of the chipset comes within the type of AI experiences — particularly, a 40% enhance in NPU efficiency in comparison with final yr’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely vs. iPhone 16 Professional Max: We examined each, and the winner isn’t so apparent

In layman’s phrases, on-device AI options ought to take up much less bandwidth and energy to function whereas additionally functioning rapidly. I noticed the leads to particular person, placebo impact or not, as my S25 Extremely can swiftly take away topics (together with their shadows) from the background of photographs by way of Generative Edit and pull up Gemini search leads to a matter of seconds.

You may also chalk up the efficiency to the improved Gemini app, which might now be fired up with an extended press of the ability button. Beforehand, Samsung telephones have been restricted to Bixby — or Google Assistant, should you made some sketchy, backend modifications — so this variation is a breath of contemporary air. It makes transitioning from some other Android telephone that makes use of Gemini because the default assistant way more burdenless.

Talking of which, the brand new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent, as Samsung confusingly places it, can deal with natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, reminiscent of wanting up the upcoming schedule of your favourite sports activities crew and including the date(s) to your calendar. Whereas the agent-like functionality primarily works throughout Google and Samsung apps, some third-party companies like Spotify are supported, too. 

Additionally: I could lastly ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy telephone in 2025. Here is why

The vital factor is realizing methods to phrase your instructions. For instance, once I requested the AI agent to create a Spotify playlist for street journeys and ship it to my spouse, it responded that it was unable to take action. When, as a substitute, I requested it to discover songs that have been good for street journeys, it curated the checklist and drafted a modifiable textual content message. Women and gents, AI.

Contemplating final yr’s S24 collection launched Google’s Circle to Search characteristic, and this yr’s S25 collection is doing the identical for the improved Gemini-Bixby expertise, it would not be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the perfect AI telephone in the marketplace proper now. 

Another new Galaxy AI instruments like AI Choose and Now Transient solely reinforce that assertion, with the previous being an adaptive, context-aware display choice software, and the latter providing you with day by day summaries of the climate, calendar occasions, and information. 

Additionally: Samsung home equipment are about to get smarter and wiser – due to AI

I simply want Now Transient confirmed me extra than simply political information; even with my subject preferences inside my Samsung Information app set to know-how and sports activities, the app nonetheless wakes me up with an “Uplifting Morning Prep” Spotify playlist and the newest scoop on the US president signing government orders.

One of many key causes to purchase a Galaxy Extremely telephone continues to be the digital camera, although Samsung hasn’t improved the specs a lot this yr — no less than on paper. The one {hardware} change is the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which, from my preliminary pictures, yields higher element and vividness, particularly when capturing macro photographs. The remainder of the lenses, such because the 200MP extensive, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are similar to final yr’s S24 Extremely. 

Additionally: The perfect Android telephones to purchase in 2025

There is a greater give attention to the software program aspect of issues, with Samsung introducing useful picture and video options like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to seize a wider dynamic vary, a brand new Audio Eraser characteristic that permits you to regulate the volumes of assorted frequencies (categorised as audio topics like voices, wind, and noises), and the flexibility to report in Galaxy Log mode. 

The latter characteristic permits you to higher spot overexposed areas and regulate the dynamic vary as you are recording movies, whereas additionally making use of LUTs in publish for higher coloration and light-weight management. I will be testing the taking pictures mode extra within the coming days.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation (for now)

My first a number of day of testing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely confirms a number of issues for me. Whereas most features of the telephone, reminiscent of the colourful, glare-free show and flexibility throughout the cameras and AI options, are simple to understand, the upgrades this yr really feel iterative and protected. 

In methods, Samsung has even taken a couple of steps again, with the S Pen stylus now not supporting Bluetooth controls and gestures, and the corporate choosing Qi2-ready circumstances as a substitute of embedding the precise know-how inside its telephones.

It is comprehensible that early adopters and tech lovers may really feel underwhelmed by the S25 Extremely. However once I take into account shoppers who’re coming from an S21 collection, Pixel 6 or 7, and even an older iPhone, Samsung’s new flagship handset checks nearly each field you may consider. And you might even rating a beneficiant trade-in deal by means of your native service or retailer.