KKN Gurugram Desk | In a world where smartphone upgrades are eagerly anticipated and hotly debated, Samsung’s latest flagship – the Galaxy S25 Ultra – enters the arena with polished design and minimal improvements. While Samsung loyalists might hail it as a refined masterpiece, those seeking true innovation may walk away unimpressed. I recently bought the device with high hopes, but within a week, I returned it.
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This article is not to discredit Samsung’s efforts but to evaluate whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra is truly worth the premium in a highly competitive Indian market flooded with flagship alternatives from Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo.
What’s New in the Galaxy S25 Ultra? Not Much, Actually
Let’s begin with what’s important: the Galaxy S25 Ultra looks and feels premium, sports a bright anti-reflective display, and comes with Samsung’s latest One UI 7 – a polished software experience. However, when it comes to meaningful year-over-year upgrades, the S25 Ultra offers very little over the S24 Ultra. For a country like India, where options abound, this is a serious drawback.
Camera Review: Powerful on Paper, Underwhelming in Practice
As someone passionate about photography, I expect my phone to deliver not just decent but professional-grade images, especially in this price segment. Sadly, the S25 Ultra fails to meet that mark.
???? Key Camera Specs:
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200MP Main Camera
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10MP 3X Telephoto
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Periscope 5X Telephoto
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12MP Ultra-Wide
While these numbers sound impressive, they don’t translate into superior performance. The hardware is aging, and the software tries too hard to compensate with heavy post-processing. The 3X and 5X zoom cameras show softness in low light, and images often lack natural color tones.
Vs. The Competition:
Phones like the Vivo X200 Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Oppo Find X8 Pro have taken a leap ahead with:
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Larger sensors (up to 1-inch)
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Better periscope zoom optics
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Superior light capture and detail
For photography lovers, these are game-changers – making the S25 Ultra feel outdated in comparison.
Battery and Charging: Samsung’s Stagnation Is Showing
In 2025, battery tech is evolving rapidly. Brands like Vivo and Oppo are using silicon-carbon batteries with 6000mAh capacities, offering longer life and faster charging. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, however, sticks to the old 5000mAh Li-Ion cell, and it shows.
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Battery Drain: Heavy camera use drains the battery by evening.
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Charging Time: 1.5 hours to full charge, while competitors manage in 40 minutes.
My Vivo X200 Pro consistently offers 30-35% battery left at day’s end, whereas the S25 Ultra struggles to last.
The S Pen Disappointment: Functionality Trimmed
The S Pen – one of the Ultra line’s signature features – has been downgraded. The removal of Bluetooth support, which allowed remote camera controls, is a huge miss. For casual users, this may seem minor, but for power users and photographers, it’s a deal-breaker.
Software: One UI 7 Shines Bright
Credit where it’s due – Samsung nails the software with One UI 7. It’s responsive, elegant, and feature-rich. Features like:
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Generative AI photo editing
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Home screen customization
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Excellent multitasking tools
… make it one of the best Android skins out there. Alongside the anti-reflective display, this was the only factor that made me consider keeping the phone.
The Final Verdict: Worth the Price? Not Quite
✅ Pros:
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Excellent software (One UI 7)
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Premium build and display
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Reliable performance
❌ Cons:
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No major upgrades over S24 Ultra
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Subpar camera hardware
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Slow charging, average battery
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S Pen features removed
In a flagship-rich Indian market, these shortcomings are hard to overlook. I ultimately returned the Galaxy S25 Ultra and switched to the Vivo X200 Pro, which delivered superior camera, battery, and innovation.