**Samsung Galaxy S25: The Ultra Upgrade That Changes Everything?**
**Meta Description:**
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, one year later, in 2026. Honest review after daily use. See the real upgrades in display, camera, battery, and Galaxy AI. Is it still worth buying in the USA before the S26 arrives? Prices, deals, and my personal advice inside.
Friends, today is February 13, 2026. I have used the **Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra** every single day for the past year. I switched from my old S23 Ultra, and the change felt big right away.
The S25 seriewas s launched on January 22, 2025, anwent on sale in stores on February 7, 2025. Now, one year later, the S26 series is just 12 days away from its big reveal on February 25. Prices on the S25 Ultra have dropped hard. Many stores show record-low deals.
This is the perfect time to ask: Did the **Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra** really change everything? Let me tell you the full story in simple words. No hype. Just real life with the phone.
Samsung Galaxy S25: First Look and Design – Slimmer and More Comfortable
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra feels different the moment you pick it up.
It measures 6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches and weighs 218 grams. Compared to the S24 Ultra, it is a little narrower and thinner. The corners are more rounded. The titanium frame feels strong but not sharp in the hand.
I hold it without a case sometimes when I am at home. It never slips. The flat sides give it a clean, modern look. Colors like Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, and Titanium Green still look fresh after one year. Scratches are rare thanks to the tough Gorilla Armor 2 glass.
**My daily note:** After 12 months, the phone still looks brand new. The S Pen slides in and out smoothly. One small change – the S Pen lost Bluetooth this year. You can still write and control the camera, but there are no remote clicks for photos from a distance. I miss that, but I got used to it fast.
Display – The Brightest and Clearest Yet
The screen is 6.9 inches. It is bigger than the 6.8-inch screen on the S24 Ultra. Resolution stays sharp at QHD+ (3120 x 1440). Refresh rate is 120Hz.
Peak brightness reaches over 3000 nits in real tests. I use the phone outside in the California sun every weekend. Text and photos stay easy to read. The anti-reflective coating cuts glare by a lot. Colors pop. Videos look amazing on Netflix or YouTube.
**Real-world stat:** In lab tests, the S25 Ultra lasted longer in battery tests than any previous Samsung phone. The efficient screen helps a lot here.
Performance – Still Super Fast in 2026
Inside is the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. It is a 3nm chip built just for Samsung.
I play Genshin Impact at the highest settings for 30 minutes. The phone stays cool and gives a steady 60 frames per second. Apps open instantly. Multitasking with 15 tabs and several apps never slows down.
After one full year of heavy use, the phone still feels as quick as day one. No lag. No heating issues.
**Benchmark numbers (2025 tests):**
- AnTuTu: over 2.2 million
- Geekbench single-core: around 3,000+
- Multi-core: over 10,000
These numbers are still top class in February 2026. The upcoming S26 will be faster, but most people will never notice the difference in daily tasks.
Camera – The Real Star
This is where the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra made the biggest jump.
Rear cameras:
- 200MP main sensor
- 50MP ultrawide (big upgrade from 12MP)
- 50MP 5x periscope telephoto
- 10MP 3x telephoto
The front camera is 12MP.
The new 50MP ultrawide changed my photography. Group shots and landscapes now have sharp details and natural colors. Zoom at 5x and 10x stays clear even in low light. Night mode is excellent. AI tools like Photo Assist and Generative Edit work smoothly after software updates.
**My personal story:** I took my kids to Disneyland last summer. The 5x zoom caught their faces from far away without any blur. Skin tones look real – not too warm, not too cool. Videos in 8K are smooth and stable.
One year later, the camera still beats most phones in 2026. Reviews from PhoneArena, CNET, and Android Central all say the same.
Battery and Charging – All-Day Power
The battery is 5000mAh – same size as last year. But the new chip is more efficient.
**Real tests:**
- Tom’s Guide: 17 hours 15 minutes in video playback
- My daily use: 7 to 8 hours of screen-on time with mixed apps, photos, and some gaming
I start the day at 100% around 7 a.m. By bedtime, I still have 25-30% left. On lighter days the phone easily lasts two full days.
Charging is 45W wired (full charge in about 65 minutes), 15W wireless. No big change here, but it is enough for me. I charge at night and forget about it.
Software and Galaxy AI – The Future Is Here
The phone launched with Android 15 and One UI 7. Now in 2026 it runs One UI 8 and still gets fast updates. Samsung promises 7 years of OS upgrades and security patches. That means support until 2032.
Galaxy AI features feel smarter after updates:
- Cross-app actions (do tasks across apps with one command)
- Live Translate in calls and messages
- Circle to Search
- Advanced photo and video editing
I use the AI note summarizer in meetings. It saves me time every week. The combination of Samsung AI and Google Gemini works very well.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra – A Fast Side-by-Side Comparison
|
Feature |
Galaxy S25 Ultra (2025) |
Galaxy S24 Ultra (2024) |
The "Winner" |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Display |
6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
S25 Ultra (Larger/Symmetric) |
|
Ergonomics |
Rounded corners; 8.2mm thin |
Sharp corners; 8.6mm thick |
S25 Ultra (Much more comfy) |
|
Weight |
218g (Featherweight for an Ultra) |
232g |
S25 Ultra |
|
Processor |
Snapdragon 8 Elite |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
S25 Ultra (Efficiency King) |
|
Ultrawide Cam |
50MP (High-res Macro) |
12MP |
S25 Ultra |
|
S Pen |
Passive (No Bluetooth/Remote) |
Active (Bluetooth/Remote) |
S24 Ultra (More features) |
|
Glass Tech |
Gorilla Armor 2 |
Gorilla Armor |
S25 Ultra (Tougher) |
|
Approx. Price |
$850 – $950 (Renewed/Deals) |
$700 – $800 (Renewed) |
S24 Ultra (Best pure value) |
The S25 Ultra is a clear step forward in most areas. The only real loss is Bluetooth on the S Pen.
Why This Phone Still Matters in 2026
The Samsung Galaxy S25 changed the game because it made AI useful every day. It is not just a faster phone. It is a phone that helps you work, create, and remember things better.
For American users, this matters a lot. We use our phones for everything – work emails, family photos, streaming, and navigation. A phone that lasts longer, takes better pictures, and feels comfortable all day makes life easier.
**My honest opinion:** The S25 Ultra was never a huge “wow” at launch. It felt like a careful upgrade. But after one year, that careful work paid off. The phone has aged beautifully. Software updates keep it fresh. Battery health is still strong.
Now that the S26 is coming in two weeks, the S25 Ultra is the smart buy for most people. You get 90% of the experience at a much lower price.
My Personal Advice for USA Buyers
If your budget is under $1,000 and you want the best Android phone right now, grab the S25 Ultra during these February deals.
**Who should buy it:**
- People who want the S Pen
- Photography lovers
- Anyone who keeps a phone for 3+ years
- Users who want top cameras and long battery life
**Who can wait:**
- People who already own an S24 Ultra
- Fans of the absolute newest chip (wait for S26)
**Best places to buy in the USA right now:**
- Amazon and Best Buy (check trade-in offers)
- Carrier deals from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile (often $0 down with trade)
- Samsung.com (free storage upgrade or bundle deals)
Look for unlocked versions if you switch carriers often. Current street price for 256GB is around $850–$950 after discounts.
**Quick tip:** Trade in your old phone this week. Deals are at their best before the S26 announcement.
Final Thoughts – Did It Change Everything?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may not revolutionize smartphones, yet it meaningfully improves the experience in all the right areas. But it made the best parts better. The bigger, brighter screen, the sharper ultrawide camera, the efficient chip, and the useful AI tools all add up. After one full year, I still reach for this phone first every morning.
If you are shopping in the USA right now, this is one of the smartest flagship buys of 2026. You get flagship power at a mid-range price.
What do you think?
Are you buying the S25 Ultra now, or waiting for the S26?
Do you care about the S Pen Bluetooth feature?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. If this helped you, share it with a friend who is phone shopping.
Next week I will share first impressions of the S26 Ultra right after the launch event.
**Disclaimer:**
This article is based on my personal one-year experience, lab tests from Tom’s Guide, PhoneArena, GSMArena, and current February 2026 pricing from major US retailers. Prices change daily. Always check the latest deals and your carrier's offers before buying. This is not financial or buying advice.
**Useful links:**
- Samsung official S25 Ultra page
- Current deals on Amazon
- GSMArena full specs
Thank you for reading!
Smart choices save money and give you a phone you will love for years. Stay tuned for more honest tech talk.
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