The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the company’s upcoming flagship. Samsung is once again planning to launch three Galaxy S smartphones, as far as we can tell. The ‘Ultra’ model will be the most powerful of the three. It will trump the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ that are also coming. In this article, we’ll try to give you a good idea as to what you can expect from the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Quite a bit of information surfaced about this smartphone up to this point. We also have some exclusive information that we shared along the way. So, let’s see if we can create a realistic image of what’s coming from Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2025, shall we? We’ll split this article into a number of sections so that it’s easier to follow along, as usual.
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on September 25, 2024.
When will the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra be released?
We haven’t really heard anything about the Galaxy S25 series’ launch date, but if we had to guess, we’d say that they’re coming in early 2025. Samsung announced the Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, and chances are that the Galaxy S25 series is coming in January 2025. We see no reason for Samsung to move its launch date. Alternatively, it could happen in February, but that’s not as likely. Samsung will want to do this via a standalone event, separate from both CES (January) and MWC (February). So it’ll likely happen somewhere in between the two.
What models are coming?
It seems like we’ll finally get a RAM bump with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. That could have something to do with Galaxy AI, but regardless, it’s nice to see. A well-known tipster reported that we’ll be getting 16GB of RAM this time around, and he’s not the only one who mentioned it. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, as many of you know, includes 12GB of RAM: Samsung is expected to utilize LPDDR5X RAM inside the new smartphone too, in case you were wondering.
Samsung is also expected to use UFS 4.0 flash storage inside of its new handset. There’s even a chance that UFS 4.1 flash storage will be used. What we do not know, however, is what storage options will the company offer. The Galaxy S24 Ultra launched in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. Chances are that those same models will be available for the Galaxy S25 Ultra too. No, you will not get storage expansion here. Do note that one rumor also suggested a 12GB RAM model will be available, but that’s not as likely.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra cost?
What about the phone’s price? Well, based on what we know thus far, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could end up costing more. We still don’t know the exact price, though. Why the price bump? Well, Qualcomm will start charging more for its flagship SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Chances are that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will use that chip exclusively, even though that hasn’t been confirmed just yet. In any case, if that ends up being the case, Samsung will likely charge more. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is reported to cost 30% more than its predecessor. That could force Samsung to make some changes. As a reminder, the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched at $1,299, and that was for its 256GB storage model.
What will the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra look like?
At this point, we know exactly what the Galaxy S25 Ultra will look like. We actually shared the phone’s design, exclusively. You can check out the images in the gallery at the end of this section, and there’s also a video below it. Samsung is set to make some design-related changes compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, that’s for sure.
There are two main design-related differences between this phone and its predecessor
There will be two main differences that will immediately jump at you. The first is the phone’s corners. They will not be as sharp on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The second major change will be the sides. The new model will have flat sides all around. The Galaxy S24 Ultra had flat top and bottom sides, but not its frame on the left and right sides. The frame on the Galaxy S25 Ultra will curve towards the very edges to make it more comfortable, though. The phone’s front and back sides will be flat too. Yes, a flat display will once again be in use.
The bezels will be razor-thin
You’ll also notice a centered display camera hole at the top of the display if you check out the provided images. Another thing you’ll notice is that the bezels are not only razor-thin but also uniform. The Galaxy S25 Ultra will have thinner bezels than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Samsung is really going all out in the bezels department. On the right-hand side, the phone will feature all of its physical buttons. The power/lock button will sit below the volume up and down buttons.
It will include a familiar-looking camera layout
Now, if we move to the back of the phone, you’ll notice a somewhat familiar camera layout. These camera modules do look a bit different, but the placement is very similar to what the Galaxy S24 Ultra offered. Even the LED flash is placed in the same spot. The phone will feature four cameras on the back. Those cameras will protrude straight from the phone’s back and will be placed in two columns in the top-left corner.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra will be considerably lighter this time around
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is said to feature titanium for its frame and glass for its back. The phone will measure 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm, while it will weigh 219 grams. That means it will be considerably lighter than its predecessor (232 grams), while it will be slightly narrower and slightly thinner too.
What specs will the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will be a powerful smartphone, there’s no doubt about that. Quite a few details regarding its specifications did surface already, so let’s go over that, shall we? Starting things off with the display. The Galaxy S25 Ultra will basically have a display of the same size as its predecessor. The phone will use a 6.8-inch panel, and it’s even possible it will be the same panel. A QHD+ (3120 x 1440) Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel is tipped. That display will offer an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz (1-120Hz). The Gorilla Armor protection is expected once again, as it was very popular with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It really does wonders for reflections. That display will be flat, by the way.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could end up being the only SoC the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will use
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy is expected to fuel the phone. The company could end up using its Exynos chip for the other two Galaxy S25 phones, but chances are that the ‘Ultra’ will utilize Qualcomm’s chip exclusively. The phone will ship with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, though a 12GB RAM model remains an option. 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants are expected. Samsung is expected to utilize either UFS 4.0 or UFS 4.1 flash storage, and no, you won’t get the option to expand that storage via a microSD card.
The battery capacity will remain unchanged, and so will the charging speeds
This handset will ship with an unchanged battery capacity compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It will include a 5,000mAh battery on the inside. What about the charging? Well, 45W wired charging has been confirmed, but wireless charging will also be a part of the package. Unfortunately, though, the expected wireless charging is 15W charging, which is not particularly fast. 4.5W reverse wireless charging is also expected. Android 14 will come pre-installed on the phone, along with Samsung’s One UI 7 skin.
Only the ultrawide camera will get an upgrade
What about the cameras? Based on the information provided by a trusted tipster, only the ultrawide camera will get an upgrade. Samsung will upgrade it to its own ISOCELL JN3 sensor, which will be a 50-megapixel camera with a 0.7um pixel size. The main camera will remain the ISOCELL HP2 camera, a 200-megapixel unit. Two telephoto cameras will also be a part of the package, and they will not see changes either. A 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera (Sony’s IMX754 sensor) and a 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera (Sony’s IMX854, 0.7um pixel size) will once again be included. Its camera lenses will be 2.4mm thick.
It will be thinner than its predecessor
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will be thinner than its predecessor. As already mentioned, it will have the same battery capacity, but be slightly thinner despite that. The phone will measure 8.2mm when it comes to thickness, that is 0.4mm less than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The current-gen model measures 8.6mm. Needless to say, this is a welcomed changed, as it will also be lighter.
Should you wait to buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The question remains, should you get the Galaxy S25 Ultra? Well, based on what we know thus far, this won’t be a huge change over the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Yes, it will be more powerful thanks to upgraded specs, but in the camera department, only the ultrawide unit will see an upgrade. The battery size will remain the same, and the same goes for charging. The phone should be a bit more comfortable due to changes in its shape and lighter weight, though. We do expect the Galaxy S25 Ultra to be a great device, and if you don’t already own the Galaxy S24 Ultra, this may seem like a really compelling purchase. If you do, waiting for next year’s model may be a better idea.