The Samsung S25 Ultra: My Hopes, My Fears, and My Wallet's Pre-emptive Sobbing
Here we go again. It feels like I *just* finished paying off my S24 Ultra. I've *just* gotten used to the amazing (and I mean *amazing*) anti-reflective screen. I've *just* made my peace with the 5x telephoto lens instead of the 10x. And yet... here I am, scrolling through X (Twitter), digging through Reddit threads, and mainlining tech blogs, all desperate for a crumb of information about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Am I sick? Maybe. But if you're here, reading this, you're probably in the same boat. There's just something about the "Ultra" line. It's not just a phone. It's a statement. It's the "kitchen sink" approach. It's the spiritual successor to the Galaxy Note (RIP, my love) that I and so many others adored.
But with the S24 Ultra being such an iterative... and let's be honest, *perfected*... version of the S23 Ultra, the S25 Ultra has a *massive* job to do. It can't just be "a little better." We're paying premium, top-of-the-market, "I-could-buy-a-decent-laptop" money for these things. We demand to be wowed.
So, let's talk. No corporate speak. No "synergistic AI solutions." Just a real, passionate, and slightly unhinged deep dive into what the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra *needs* to be, what it *probably* will be, and why I'm already saving up (and dreading it).
First, A Quick Look Back: Why the S24 Ultra Set a Dangerous Precedent
Before we look forward, we have to look back. The S24 Ultra... what a device. Samsung finally, *finally* gave us the flat screen. My S-Pen use went up 300% overnight just because the edges were usable. The titanium build felt incredible. And that Gorilla Glass Armor screen? It's a legitimate game-changer. I will *never* be able to go back to a reflective screen again. It's one of those things you don't know you need until you have it.
But... it wasn't perfect. "Galaxy AI" felt (and still feels) like a beta. Circle to Search is cool, but it's just a souped-up Google Lens. The "Live Translate" is neat but impractical for most. I'm still waiting for the AI to feel *smart* instead of just... *present*.
And then there's the camera. Oh, the camera. Look, the 5x 50MP sensor is *technically* brilliant. The 5x portraits are creamy. The 10x "optical quality" crop is... fine. But I'm going to say it. I miss the 10x optical zoom. I miss that voyeuristic, "wow, I can read that sign from a mile away" feeling. It felt like *magic*. The 5x feels... practical. And "practical" isn't what I buy an *Ultra* for.
So, the S24 Ultra set the stage by perfecting the *form* (flat screen, titanium) but left the *function* (AI, camera magic) feeling a bit... uninspired. The S25 Ultra *has* to pick up that torch.
The Big Question: Snapdragon vs. Exynos. Again. *Sigh*.
Let's just get this one out of the way, because it's the elephant in the room every single year. The processor.
For the S24 Ultra, Samsung did the right thing: they gave *everyone* the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 "For Galaxy." It was a clean, simple, powerful message. No matter where you live, you get the best. It stopped the endless "Exynos vs. Snapdragon" battery and performance tests. It brought peace to the galaxy (pun intended).
But the rumors... oh, the rumors are swirling. And they're not good. The word on the street is that Samsung is feeling *very* confident in its own "Dream Chip" (a new Exynos variant, supposedly) and might bring back the Exynos/Snapdragon split for the S25 series. Even the Ultra.
I cannot stress this enough: **This would be a catastrophic, anti-consumer mistake.**
My "Exynos PTSD" Rant
To my friends in the US, you don't know the pain. You don't know the years of checking a phone review, seeing amazing battery life, and then realizing... "Oh, that's the Snapdragon model." You don't know the feeling of your phone getting weirdly hot while just scrolling Instagram, or the micro-stutters in a game that your American counterpart doesn't have.
Samsung, I am *begging* you. I don't care if the Exynos 2500 (or whatever it's called) benches 2% higher in some synthetic test. The Snapdragon platform, with its Adreno GPU, has proven itself time and time again for efficiency, sustained performance, and, crucially, developer support. When you split the lineup, you fracture the entire ecosystem. Don't do it. Please.
We're looking at the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which is rumored to be an absolute beast, with custom "Oryon" cores from Qualcomm. This is the first *real* post-Nuvia-acquisition chip. It could be a genuine Apple-level leap. And the idea of being locked out of that because of my geographic location... it's infuriating. This is, by far, my biggest fear for the S25 Ultra.
The S25 Ultra Camera: This Is Where the *Real* Magic Needs to Happen
This is it. This is the one. If Samsung gets this wrong, the S25 Ultra is a failure. Period. The competition is not just "catching up" anymore; in many ways, they've *surpassed* Samsung.
Look at what Xiaomi is doing with the 14 Ultra, with its 1-inch main sensor and *variable aperture*. Look at what Vivo is doing with its Zeiss partnership and insane telephoto-macro lenses. Samsung, the 200MP sensor... it's impressive, but it's been three generations. The "point-and-shoot" experience is great, but it's time for a *real* hardware leap.
The Main Sensor: Go Big or Go Home
The 200MP sensor (HP2) in the S24 Ultra is a marvel of pixel-binning... but it's still a 1/1.3" sensor. The physics of light are undefeated. A larger sensor = more light, better natural depth of field (bokeh), and less reliance on noisy, "oil painting" night mode processing.
The rumor mill is torn. Some say Samsung will stick with a *new* 200MP sensor. Others... others whisper the magic words: **1-inch sensor.**
Can you imagine? A Samsung phone, with its best-in-class processing and app integration, paired with a massive 1-inch Sony sensor? It would be the end of the "best camera" debate. Full stop. This is my number one, pie-in-the-sky hope. I don't even care if the camera bump is bigger. Make it a feature. I *want* people to know I'm serious about my phone photography.
The Telephoto Wars: My Plea for the Return of *Fun*
Okay, let's talk zoom. I've made my peace with the 5x on the S24 Ultra. But "making peace" isn't "being excited." The S25 Ultra has a chance to fix this in a few ways:
- The Dual-Telephoto Dream: Why not both? Give me the *amazing* 50MP 5x sensor for portraits and mid-range zoom... and *also* give me a 10MP 10x optical sensor for that "wow" factor. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it "Ultra"? Absolutely.
- The Variable Zoom Solution: We've seen Sony try this. A lens that can *mechanically* move, offering, say, true optical zoom from 4x to 7x. This would be the *engineering* solution. It's elegant, it's high-tech, and it would give a level of flexibility no one else has. This feels *very* Samsung.
- The "Holy Crap" Sensor: What if they just put a *massive* 10x sensor in? A 50MP 10x sensor? The low-light 10x shots would be... well, they'd exist, for one. Right now, 10x in the dark is a blurry, processed mess. Fix that.
Whatever they do, they can't just run back the S24 Ultra's setup. They *have* to address the zoom. It's the "Ultra's" entire identity.
The Ultra-Wide: The Forgotten Child
Oh, yeah. This camera still exists. Can we... I don't know... *finally* upgrade it? The 12MP ultra-wide has been around since what feels like the S10. It's *fine*. It's soft at the edges. It's noisy. It's just... there.
How about a 50MP ultra-wide? Something that can pull double-duty as a *world-class* macro camera. Something that has matching color science and detail to the main lens. Please, Samsung. Stop treating the ultra-wide like an afterthought.
Design, Display, and Battery: The "Don't Screw It Up" Category
While the camera is where I want revolution, the rest of the phone is where I want *refinement*.
Design
The S24 Ultra is... a brick. A beautiful, functional, premium brick. I love the boxy, Note-like design. Don't change it. Maybe make it a *tiny* bit thinner? The rumors of *even thinner* bezels are interesting. We're talking sub-1mm bezels. That would be a true "all-screen" experience. Keep the titanium. Keep the flat screen. Keep the S-Pen. Just... refine. Shave a gram here, a millimeter there. Don't go for a radical, "CYBERTRUCK" redesign. We've found peak-slab. Let's stick with it.
Display
How do you improve on the S24 Ultra's screen? It's already 3000+ nits bright (on paper). It's got the anti-glare magic. Honestly? I don't know. Maybe a 144Hz refresh rate? That seems... pointless. Maybe better low-brightness-level calibration?
Here's my *real* wish: **A better always-on display.** Look at what Apple and Google are doing. Their AODs are *part* of the lock screen. They show wallpaper, widgets, and dynamic information. Samsung's AOD still feels like it's from 2017. It's just a clock and some icons. With "Galaxy AI," this seems like a massive missed opportunity. Give me an AOD that's *smart*. That's the upgrade I want.
Battery and Charging
The 5,000 mAh battery is the standard. Don't you *dare* go smaller. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is rumored to be power-hungry, so efficiency will be *key*.
But the charging... 45W is a joke.
It's not 2021. When a OnePlus phone can go from 0-100% in the time it takes me to make coffee (like, 25 minutes), and my $1400 "Ultra" phone takes *over an hour*... that's just embarrassing. I'm not asking for 120W. I know, "battery health," blah blah blah. But give me 65W. Give me *something* that respects my time. The "Super Fast Charging 2.0" branding is just salt in the wound when it's one of the slowest-charging flagships on the market.
And let's talk about Qi2. The S24 Ultra *doesn't* have it. It doesn't have the magnetic "snap" that makes MagSafe so good. The S25 Ultra *must* have full Qi2 support. No excuses.
My "Simple, Please" S25 Ultra Wishlist
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. For *everyone*.
- Main Camera: 1-inch sensor. I will accept no substitutes.
- Telephoto: Keep the 5x, but *add back* a 10x optical. Go full "Ultra."
- Ultra-wide: 50MP sensor. It's time.
- Charging: 65W wired charging. At *least*.
- Wireless: Qi2 with magnetic lock. It's standard now.
- Software: "Galaxy AI 2.0" that is actually *smart* and *on-device*.
- Display: Keep the Gorilla Armor. Add a better AOD.
- Price: ...Please don't raise it.
Software: "Galaxy AI" Needs to Grow Up
I was excited for Galaxy AI. I really was. And then... I used it. "Generative Edit" is fun for making memes, but it's not useful. "Chat Assist" is neat, but I can just... type in a different tone? "Circle to Search" is the only feature I use daily, and it's a Google feature that's also on the Pixel.
For the S25 Ultra, "Galaxy AI" needs to move from *gimmick* to *utility*.
What do I mean?
- Proactive AI: Don't wait for me to circle something. See that I'm at the airport and proactively put my boarding pass on the AOD. See that I'm in a text conversation about "dinner tonight at 7" and create a *smart* calendar event with the person and location *without* me asking.
- Smarter Bixby: Integrate this "AI" into Bixby. Make Bixby the on-device "super-controller" for my phone. "Bixby, find that photo I took of my dog at the park last week, crop it for Instagram, and send it to Mom." That's the dream.
- On-Device: So much of the current "AI" needs a data connection and a trip to the cloud. It's slow, and it's a privacy concern. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will have a massively powerful NPU (Neural Processing Unit). *Use it*. Put as much of this on-device as possible. Make it *fast*.
The S-Pen is the perfect vector for this. Imagine "AI" features that are *only* accessible with the S-Pen. Smarter text selection, AI-powered drawing assists, generative-fill for your *own* handwritten notes. *That* would make the S-Pen feel new again.
The Price. Oh God, The Price.
This is the part that makes my stomach hurt. The S24 Ultra launched at $1,299. And with the S24 Ultra 512GB (the one most people probably get) costing $1,419... we are in rarified air.
With all these upgrades I'm dreaming of... a 1-inch sensor, a dual-telephoto system, a new Snapdragon chip, 16GB of RAM (which is also rumored)... there is *no way* this phone costs the same.
I am mentally preparing myself for a **$1,399 starting price**. And I'm preparing to hate it. And I'm preparing to... probably... still buy it.
This is the trap of the "Ultra." It's a game of diminishing returns, but it's also a game of passion. We've gone so far past "need." My S22 Ultra could *still* do 99% of what I do today. But we don't buy the Ultra because we *need* it. We buy it because we *want* it. We want the reassurance that we are holding the absolute best, most capable, most insane piece of pocket technology that humanity has (legally) produced.
It's an emotional purchase. It's a luxury item. And Samsung knows it.
My Final, Pre-Launch Gut Feeling
So, what's my prediction for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
I think... I think this is the one. I think the S23 Ultra was the "form" (curved screen, 10x zoom). The S24 Ultra was the "refinement" (flat screen, titanium, 5x sensor). And I think the S25 Ultra will be the **"hardware"** leap.
My bet:
- Design: 99% the same as the S24 Ultra. Thinner bezels.
- Processor: The dreaded Exynos split returns, and the internet will burn for a month.
- Camera: No 1-inch sensor (I'm a pessimist). But I *do* think we'll see a new 200MP sensor *and* a new, better telephoto. My money is on a *variable* 3x-6x telephoto to cover all the bases.
- Software: "Galaxy AI 2.0," which will be... 50% more useful.
- Battery: 45W charging. Again. Because Samsung hates us.
I know, that sounds... a little disappointing. But here's the thing. Even if that's *all* it is, it will *still* be the most powerful, capable, and feature-complete phone on the market. That's the "Ultra" promise.
I'm strapped in. My wallet is crying. But my inner tech nerd, the one who remembers programming the VCR and being *blown away* by the first-gen iPhone... that nerd is absolutely, positively giddy with anticipation.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go refresh the rumor page. Just in case.
The S25 Ultra FAQ: Answering My Past Self
Well, here we are. It's late 2025, the phone has been in my pocket for months, and that original article I wrote feels like a message from a past, very anxious version of me. So, what happened? Which of my hopes came true, and which fears were... well, 100% justified?
Let's answer the questions that were keeping "past me" up at night.
Q: So... when did the S25 Ultra *actually* come out?
A: Pretty much exactly when we all expected. Samsung held their big "Galaxy Unpacked" event in mid-January 2025. The phones hit the shelves and pre-orders started shipping in the first week of February 2025. That agonizing, rumor-filled holiday season was... a lot, but the wait wasn't as long as it felt.
Q: My poor wallet. Was I right about the price hike? Did it hit $1,400?
A: Get ready for a shock... *I was wrong!* And I have never been happier to be wrong. Samsung must have felt the pressure, because they launched the S25 Ultra at $1,299.99 for the 256GB base model. (Source: Samsung, AT&T, TechRadar, etc. at launch). That's the *exact same* starting price as the S24 Ultra. My wallet's pre-emptive sobs were for nothing. They still got me on the 512GB model (which was $1,419.99), but hey, at least the entry price didn't skyrocket. A genuine win.
Q: The big one. Did Samsung betray us? Was it... *Exynos*?
A: Okay, brace yourself for more good news. My "Exynos PTSD" rant? All that fear? *Completely unfounded* (for Ultra buyers). Samsung did the right thing *again* and put the top-tier Snapdragon in all Galaxy S25 Ultra models, everywhere. We got the "Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy" (Source: Verizon, PhoneArena). It's an absolute monster, the efficiency is fantastic, and there was no "Exynos vs. Snapdragon" YouTube war. It's... it's beautiful. Peace in our time.
Q: Did our camera dreams come true? Did we get the 1-inch sensor?!
A: This one is a "yes and no," but I'm still calling it a massive victory.
No, we did not get the mythical 1-inch main sensor. They stuck with a (newly refined) 200MP sensor, which is... still amazing, let's be real.
*BUT...* remember my rant about the "forgotten child" ultrawide camera? **THEY LISTENED.** They *finally* ditched that ancient 12MP sensor and gave us a glorious 50MP ultrawide camera! (Source: PhoneArena, AT&T). It's sharp, it's great in low light, the macro shots are incredible, and it finally feels like a "pro" lens. They kept the 50MP 5x zoom and the 10MP 3x zoom, which is a great setup. So, while I didn't get my 1-inch dream, I got the upgrade I *actually* needed most. I'll take it.
Q: Please tell me they fixed the charging. Did we *finally* get 65W?
A: ...Yeah. You know the answer to this. *Sigh*.
No. We're still stuck at 45W "Super Fast Charging 2.0." (Source: Every single spec sheet, everywhere). It's my one *real* disappointment. It's not slow, but it's not "flagship 2025" fast. It's just... embarrassing when other phones are juicing up in 20 minutes and I'm still telling my friends "I need about an hour." My rant continues, Samsung. I'm not letting this go. It's the one "Ultra" thing that isn't Ultra.
Q: Okay, so it's November 2025. Should I *still* buy it, or wait for the S26?
A: Look, I'm biased. I love this thing. But here's the real talk: it's a proven, polished, absolute beast of a phone. The S24 Ultra was the perfection of the *form* (flat screen, titanium), and the S25 Ultra is the perfection of the *internals* (Snapdragon 8 Elite, 50MP ultrawide).
We're heading into the holiday/Black Friday season, which means you're *finally* starting to see some real deals on it. The S26 is just a cloud of rumors, but *this* phone is a known quantity. If you're coming from an S23 Ultra or older, it's a night-and-day upgrade. If you're on an S24 Ultra... that 50MP ultrawide is *really* nice, but maybe wait unless you can get a good trade-in.
My gut? After almost 10 months with it, I can tell you it's the real deal. If you've been waiting for the price to drop, now's the time to pull the trigger.