Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: Snapdragon 8 Elite performance & 45W fast charging

Samsung has expanded its lineup with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, a phone built around a 120 refresh rate on a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel that makes scrolling feel buttery smooth. Designed for gaming, photography, media & streaming, it brings 5G connectivity, a large 5000mAh battery, a smooth 120Hz display, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset into one well-rounded package.

The phone sits at a competitive price in the Indian market. It doesn't try to compete with premium flagships — instead it focuses on delivering a balanced everyday experience, and in that mission it largely succeeds.

The phone sits at a competitive price in the Indian market in the Indian market. It doesn't try to compete with premium flagships — instead it focuses on delivering a balanced everyday experience, and in that mission it largely succeeds.

Design & Build Quality

At 218g, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra feels noticeably heavy in the hand — the price you pay for that large battery inside to hold. With an IP68 rating, it offers real protection against dust and splashes for everyday use. A fingerprint sensor unlocks the phone quickly and reliably.

Design Rating: 7.3/10

Display

The phone features a 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1440 x 3120 resolution. Scrolling through apps, social media and websites feels noticeably smoother than standard 60Hz displays. With 2600 nits of peak brightness, it stays perfectly readable even outdoors. The ~498 PPI density keeps text sharp and crisp. Deep blacks and punchy colours make it excellent for OTT streaming and YouTube.

Display Rating: 9.6/10

Performance

Powering the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. Daily tasks such as browsing, video streaming, online classes, messaging and social media all run smoothly. It scores around 25,57,926 on AnTuTu, which is solid for this segment — casual games and multitasking are handled without major issues.

It runs Android 15 with One UI 7 on top out of the box. The interface is clean, well-optimised and easy to live with day to day.

Performance Rating: 10/10

Camera Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a 200MP main camera along with additional sensors for depth and wide-angle shots. In daylight, the primary camera captures detailed photos with natural colours and good dynamic range. The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 (200MP) sensor helps keep low-light shots usable. Video recording goes up to 4K, which is genuinely rare at this price point. Selfies come from a 12MP front camera — good enough for video calls and social posts.

Camera Rating: 8.4/10

Battery Life

Battery life is one of the biggest strengths of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The 5000mAh battery comfortably gets you through a full day of use. The 45W fast charging tops it up quickly whenever you do need to charge. It can even reverse-charge your earbuds or smartwatch in a pinch.

Battery Rating: 7.6/10

Software Experience

The phone ships with Android 15 and One UI 7 on top. It comes with the usual preloaded apps, most of which can be disabled. For everyday use the software feels smooth and stable, and it stays that way over the long term.

Software Rating: 10/10

Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?

If you're looking for a phone for gaming and photography, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a strong option. Snapdragon 8 Elite performance and 45W fast charging are its standout strengths. It's not perfect though — no 3.5mm headphone jack and heavy build may bother some buyers. For students, office users and families looking for a dependable device in this budget, it is an easy recommendation.