Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Stunning Flagship… But Did Samsung Just Break the S Pen?

Introduction

Samsung’s latest flagship is here — the Galaxy S25 Ultra — and while it brings big updates in design, AI, and performance, it also makes one shocking move: the beloved S Pen has lost its Bluetooth powers. Yes, that means no more air gestures or remote camera shutter control.

But before we cry over the S Pen, let’s see what the S25 Ultra really offers. Spoiler: it’s slimmer, tougher, more powerful, and loaded with AI tricks.

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Design & Display

Samsung has nailed the design this time. The flat titanium frame with rounded corners makes the phone easier to hold, while Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protects the front against scratches and reflections. The back uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, adding more durability.

Despite being thinner and lighter than the S24 Ultra, the phone now packs a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 1440p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. Bezels are razor-thin, giving it a sleek look.

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Performance & Software

At its core, the Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite “for Galaxy”, the most powerful Android chip right now, fine-tuned with boosted CPU performance.

The phone ships with Android 15 and One UI 7, backed by Samsung’s promise of 7 major Android upgrades — a huge win for long-term users. Memory options go up to 1TB with 16GB RAM (UFS 4.0 storage).

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Cameras

The camera setup is familiar, but with one key upgrade:

• 200MP primary sensor with OIS
• 50MP ultrawide (now upgraded with f/1.9 aperture and autofocus)
• 10MP telephoto (3x zoom)
• 50MP telephoto (5x zoom)
• 12MP front camera

Video support is equally strong with 8K recording at 30fps, 4K at up to 120fps, HDR10+, and gyro-EIS.

While the hardware feels familiar, Samsung is banking on the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP and AI to deliver better low-light and video performance.

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Battery & Charging

The 5,000mAh battery remains unchanged, but Samsung claims better efficiency thanks to the new chipset. Charging is 45W wired (65% in 30 mins), 25W Qi2 wireless, and reverse wireless charging is included.

Good news: the new charging system no longer requires a 5A cable — the included 3A USB-C cable gets you the full speed.

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The S Pen Controversy

Yes, the S Pen is still here — stored neatly at the bottom left — but Samsung has removed Bluetooth support. This means no more air gestures and, worse, no more remote shutter control.

For productivity, the S Pen still shines with note-taking, sketching, and precision use. But for fans of its advanced features, this feels like a step backward.

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Competition

The S25 Ultra faces tough competition:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – cheaper, and with a more powerful S Pen.
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max – stronger battery life and display polish, but at a higher price.
• Chinese flagships like Xiaomi and Vivo – pushing harder on camera innovation.

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Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is undeniably a premium flagship with a refined design, bright and smooth display, powerful chipset, and strong camera system. But it’s not the massive leap you’d expect from Samsung’s ultimate smartphone.

The biggest disappointment? The downgraded S Pen. Losing Bluetooth makes it feel less “Ultra.”

If you’re coming from an older phone, the S25 Ultra is an excellent all-rounder. But if you already own the S24 Ultra, you might actually be better off sticking with it.

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✅ Pros:

• Premium titanium build and Gorilla Glass Armor 2
• Sleek design with thin bezels
• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip
• Excellent cameras with AI boosts
• Long software support (7 OS updates)

❌ Cons:

• S Pen loses Bluetooth features
• Basic IP68 rating (behind rivals)
• No big camera hardware leap
• Battery and charging feel dated

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👉 Bottom line: The Galaxy S25 Ultra is still one of the best Android phones you can buy — but Samsung’s decision to strip down the S Pen keeps it from being the no-compromise flagship it should have been.