Galaxy S25 Ultra: You know what’s embarrassing? I’ve been an iPhone snob for eight years. The kind of person who rolls their eyes when someone pulls out a Samsung phone. But here I am, two months into using the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and I’m genuinely considering making the switch permanent. This is my confession.
Samsung Fixed the One Thing That Always Annoyed Me
Remember those sharp-edged Samsung phones that felt like holding a cheese grater? Yeah, those days are over. The S25 Ultra still looks like a Samsung—that big, rectangular, business-serious aesthetic—but now it won’t leave permanent indentations in your palm.
Those rounded corners make all the difference. I can actually hold this thing for more than ten minutes without my hand cramping up. At 218 grams, it’s hefty but not ridiculously so, and the titanium frame gives it a premium feel that my iPhone 15 Pro honestly can’t match.
The Gorilla Armor 2 glass is legit too. I’ve been using it naked (no case, people) for weeks, and it still looks pristine. Plus, that anti-glare coating actually works—I can see my screen clearly even when sitting next to the window at my local coffee shop.
This Display Makes My iPhone Look Ancient
Okay, real talk: the 6.9-inch screen is massive. Like, comically big. But once you get used to it, going back to smaller displays feels cramped. Everything looks incredible on this thing—photos, videos, even mundane stuff like reading emails becomes more enjoyable.
The 120Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, sure, but what really impressed me is how Samsung handles outdoor visibility. My iPhone becomes basically unusable in direct sunlight, but the S25 Ultra stays clear and readable. That 2600 nits peak brightness isn’t just a spec sheet number—it actually makes a difference in real life.
Colors look natural rather than oversaturated, which was always my complaint about Samsung displays. They’ve clearly learned some restraint over the years.
Performance That Actually Feels Fast
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is stupid fast. But here’s the thing—raw speed isn’t what impressed me most. It’s how responsive everything feels. There’s no lag, no waiting for animations to finish, no “did I actually tap that?” moments.
I’ve been editing 4K videos on this phone, running multiple apps simultaneously, and playing graphically intensive games. It handles everything without breaking a sweat or getting uncomfortably warm. That enlarged vapor chamber Samsung keeps talking about? It actually works.
Gaming performance particularly stood out. I’m not a mobile gaming enthusiast, but titles like Genshin Impact run flawlessly with maxed settings. The phone stays cool, frame rates stay consistent, and battery drain is reasonable.
Camera: Really Good, Not Revolutionary
The 200MP main camera takes excellent photos in most conditions. Colors look natural, detail is sharp, and the dynamic range handles tricky lighting well. The 5x telephoto is genuinely useful for distant subjects, and portrait mode works reliably.
But I won’t pretend it’s perfect. Low-light performance is good but not amazing. The ultrawide camera is fine but nothing special. Video quality is excellent, though not quite iPhone-level for stabilization.
What I appreciate is consistency. All the lenses produce similar color profiles, so switching between focal lengths doesn’t require constant adjustment.
AI Features: Some Winners, Some Duds
Circle to Search is brilliant. Being able to highlight anything on screen and instantly get information about it feels like magic. The photo editing tools for removing objects work surprisingly well too.
But some AI features feel gimmicky. The cross-app voice commands show promise but need more app support. Now Brief provides obvious information I already know. Gemini integration works but conflicts with Google Assistant in confusing ways.
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Battery Life That Just Works
The 5,000mAh battery easily handles full-day usage, often stretching into a second day. Heavy usage—gaming, video recording, constant social media—still gets me through a workday without panic.
45W charging isn’t blazing fast by Android standards, but it’s adequate. Zero to 50% in about 30 minutes handles most emergency situations.
Galaxy S25 Ultra The Honest Truth About Switching
Would I actually switch from iPhone to this? Maybe. The hardware is genuinely impressive, the display is superior, and the camera system is more versatile. But ecosystem lock-in is real—AirPods, Apple Watch, Mac integration all work seamlessly with iPhone.
Still, this is the first Android phone that’s made me seriously consider it. Samsung built something special here, even if they’ll never admit they borrowed heavily from Apple’s design playbook.
Sometimes copying the right things leads to better products. The S25 Ultra proves that point perfectly.