Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Everything You Need to Know

The Galaxy S25 Ultra will lead Samsung’s next flagship line, the Galaxy S25 series, expected in January 2025. While we are still over a month away from the official launch, leaks have already started pouring in. In fact, the first substantial Galaxy S25 leak dropped a long time ago. We have since learned plenty about the device, courtesy of reliable industry insiders. Here’s a roundup of everything we know about the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

We regularly update this article to reflect any new information that surfaces on the Internet. From leaks and rumors to regulatory certifications, benchmark entries, premature retail listings, and official teasers closer to the launch, we will keep you posted with the tiniest bit of information about the next Samsung flagship. The last update was made on December 16, 2024.

Table of contents

• Design and Hardware
• Display
• Camera
• Processor and Specs
• Software and Features
• Battery and Charging
• Price, Colors, and Release Date
• FAQs

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Design and Hardware

The Galaxy S25 Ultra may bring a major redesign to Samsung’s Ultra flagships. A reliable tipster has long been saying that the 2025 model with get rid of the boxy design and switch to a curved finish. The company is making the corners rounded and the edges less sharp. The same source also shared an image allegedly depicting the final Galaxy S25 Ultra design, effectively giving us our first look at the phone. We have since seen unofficial 3D renders confirming the redesign.

If you noticed, Samsung has substantially reduced the bezel thickness and frame width. The company is allegedly employing a unique asymmetrical frame design that reduces its projection on the front. The front edge of the frame touching the screen is straighter, while the rear edge is slightly rounded. This allows for a bigger screen without increasing the phone’s size. You can see a mockup image showing this design below.

In fact, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is more compact than the S24 Ultra yet offers a bigger display, which remains flat. It is 77.6mm wide, compared to the latter’s 79mm width. Their screen width measures 73mm and 72.3mm, respectively. These changes allowed Samsung to offer a 6.86-inch (or 6.9-inch) display on the new phone. You can visualize the improvements in the images below (S25 Ultra at the top; S24 Ultra at the bottom).

A massive design upgrade from Samsung

Ice Universe, the source of these images and all the early information put the Galaxy S25 Ultra side-by-side with the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max to compare the designs. They also looked back at the Galaxy S20 Ultra and S21 Ultra, the last two curved Ultra flagships. They say the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the thinnest and lightest top-tier flagship of its generation.

The device is only 8.2mm thick, thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (8.3mm), and weighs 219 grams, less than the Pixel 9 Pro XL (221 grams). The S24 Ultra is 8.6mm thick and weighs 232 grams. The upcoming flagship also has slimmer display bezels and camera rings than the latest iPhone. Samsung has done a remarkable job with its flagship design this time around. Even its codename Paradigm supports the massive shift.

 

The titanium frame should stay

Samsung switched from an aluminum to a titanium frame on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra should retain the titanium frame. Some reviewers, and we ourselves found the titanium quality to be a a little cheap. A silicone cover left scratch marks on our Galaxy S24 Ultra’s frame after continuous use for several months. It’s unclear if Samsung will upgrade the titanium quality of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The frame should be completely flat on the new phone, another departure from the slightly curved edges on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Overall, the 2025 Samsung flagship will look notably different from the front. We recently got our first 3D renders of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung is allegedly keeping the camera layout unchanged. The same has also been confirmed through leaked images of a protective case. However, the camera rings may see a redesign to match the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s unconfirmed though. The image below is said to depict the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera design more accurately than any other leaks.

The closer we go to the official launch, the richer Galaxy S25 leaks get. A recent leak showed more realistic dummy units for the Ultra, confirming several design details, including the camera rings. You can take a look at those below.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Display

The Galaxy S25 Ultra should retain a flat display that Samsung used on the 2024 model (the previous models had a curved display). As leaked images revealed, the screen will be wider thanks to the narrow bezels and frame. Early leaks say the display will measure 6.9 inches diagonally, up from 6.8 inches on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It should be an LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a QHD+ resolution.

The detailed display specs of the Galaxy S25 Ultra aren’t available yet. Early rumors said Samsung will equip the phone with an M14 OLED display, offering a brightness and efficiency boost of 20–30%, while the lifespan increases by 10–20%. The company has already supplied M14 OLEDs to Google (for the Pixel 9 series) and Apple (for the iPhone 16 series). However, it has allegedly canceled the plans, keeping the Galaxy S25 Ultra to M13 displays. The new phone should still bring display improvements, multiple sources hint.

We also expect Samsung to offer its revolutionary anti-reflective layer. It substantially reduces the screen glare when in a bright environment, improving legibility. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display visuals are more perceptible than screens twice the brightness when seen under bright light. The S Pen won’t go anywhere despite a more compact build. You can see a few more Galaxy S25 Ultra images below, including fan-made concepts with matte and glossy finish.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Camera

Rumors dating back to December 2023 say the Galaxy S25 Ultra will bring big camera upgrades. Samsung itself recently said that it’s planning a big hardware overhaul for the 2025 flagship. However, the 200MP main shooter may carry over unchanged from the S24 Ultra. There were hopes that Samsung could introduce a newer sensor with improved imaging capabilities — it even launched a new 200MP camera (ISOCELL HP9).

At 1/1.4 inches, the new sensor is smaller than the S24 Ultra’s ISOCELL HP2 (1/1.3 inches) and offers enhanced lossless in-sensor zoom. However, a recent leak suggests the upcoming model will use the same 200MP camera as its predecessor. Nothing wrong with it, though. It is still a capable sensor and can benefit from the upgraded software processing and algorithm, as well as new AI-powered camera features.

Samsung was also originally rumored to upgrade the 10MP 3x zoom camera to a 50MP sensor. However, that may not materialize either. The Galaxy S25 Ultra may keep the same zoom setup as its predecessor, which introduced a new 50MP 5x zoom camera. Earlier models have 10MP sensors for both zoom cameras. Interestingly, the company launched two new 50MP cameras in June, but it doesn’t seem to be using those.

As mentioned above, the ISP improvements introduced by the new processor and advanced camera algorithms may help improve the image quality. However, aging hardware could prove fatal unless Samsung pulls off something amazing with software tricks. Chinese rivals are already threatening to overthrow its zoom camera supremacy for once and all.

The ultrawide camera gets a new 50MP sensor

Rumors have also revealed an upgraded ultrawide camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung is allegedly moving on from the aging 12MP sensor to a new 50MP sensor. It has an optical size of 1/2.52 inches, almost identical to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 1/2.55-inch ultrawide camera. The new camera has smaller pixels (0.7µm instead of 1.4µm) and a wider aperture (f/1.9 instead of f/2.2). If all the rumors pan out accurately, we are staring at a 200MP+50MP+50MP+10MP rear camera setup on the upcoming flagship.

The 12MP selfie camera introduced on the Galaxy S23 Ultra may carry over unchanged. As far as the camera features are concerned, expect improvements over the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The new phone should capture 8K videos and offer all the bells and whistles you see on an advanced smartphone camera, plus some more. Samsung is also allegedly working on updating its stock camera app with some design overhauls to improve the user experience.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Processor and Specs

Like this year, Samsung may exclusively use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, aka Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. In fact, the entire Galaxy S25 series is rumored to ship with the new Qualcomm processor globally. It’s a powerhouse, to say the least. We are looking at staggering performance gains thanks to custom Oryon CPU cores clocked at a whopping 4.32GHz. Even the base speed of 3.53GHz is higher than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s peak speed.

To look back, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s chipset has a 1+3+2+2 CPU arrangement with one Cortex-X4 prime core operating at 3.39GHz, three cortex-A720 mid-cores at 3.1GHz, two more Cortex-A720 cores at 2.9GHz, and two Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 2.2GHz. We are talking about the overclocked version. Samsung may use an overclocked version in the Galaxy S25 series as well, with benchmarks showing a peak speed of 4.47GHz. The Ultra scored impressive figures in Geekbench tests.

The new chipset introduces Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU cores to its mobile SoC lineup. Oryon CPU cores previously featured in the company’s X series PC processors. The Gen 3 utilized standard ARM cores. The official benchmark scores for the Snapdragon 8 Elite are already in, and we are looking at massive gains over its predecessor. Qualcomm has pulled off something amazing this year. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s chipset promises to deliver mouthwatering performance, superior to Apple’s A18 Pro that powers the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

 

The chipset brings more upgrades

The Snapdragon 8 Elite features Qualcomm’s most advanced CPU, GPU, NPU, and ISP. It brings massive AI processing upgrades and enhancements for camera performance. Qualcomm has fundamentally changed how the chipset processes images captured by the camera. It introduced a first-of-its-kind solution that allows the NPU to access the native raw data from the sensor to enhance the image quality.

Additionally, it boasts Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7900 system with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4, and UWB (Ultra-Wideband) support. The chip supports LPDDR5X DRAM and UFS 4.0 storage. It should be more efficient, thanks to the switch from 4nm to 3nm process technology. TSMC will manufacture the chipset on its most advanced 3nm process node, which it also uses for Apple’s iPhone silicon.

While Samsung has confirmed the existence of a 3nm Exynos 2500, it may not power the Galaxy S25 series. Even if it does, it should be limited to the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ in some markets. The company continues to test the in-house processor even as it struggles with its poor yields. There are also rumors of Samsung using MediaTek’s DImensity 9400 chipset in some S25 models, though the Ultra should be Snapdragon-exclusive.

RAM and storage upgrades may be in the store

The Galaxy S25 Ultra looks certain to get a 16GB RAM variant, though a 12GB RAM variant may exist. There have also been rumors about a jump from LPRRD5X DRAM technology to LPDDR6. However, not many industry insiders have backed the claim, so we are keeping our fingers crossed. The RAM boost is for AI more than anything. As mobile AI technologies get advanced, phones need more RAM for efficient on-device processing.

Rumors have also hinted at an upgrade to UFS 4.1 storage technology (the Galaxy S24 Ultra uses UFS 4.0). It should bring data read and write speed improvements, which might eventually help improve the overall performance. As far as storage options are concerned, we expect Samsung to release the Galaxy S25 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants. It is unlikely to support microSD cards for expandable storage.

IP68 and Wi-Fi 7

The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s titanium frame should be supported by strong Gorilla Glass Armor or newer protective glass panels on the front and back. The phone should also offer IP68 dust and water resistance, making it strong enough to survive a few drops on the floor or into the pool. Theoretically, you can keep the phone submerged in 1.5m deep water for 30 minutes without damage, though you shouldn’t try that for no reason.

The new Samsung flagship also supports Wi-Fi 7, the FCC certification confirmed. Additionally, it boasts Bluetooth v5.4, NFC, GPS, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and USB Type-C 3.2 connectivity options. We expect AKG-tuned stereo speakers, an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, Samsung DeX, and Samsung Wireless DeX. The Galaxy S25 Ultra will also offer a wide range of sensors that you normally expect on premium smartphones.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Software and Features

Samsung will ship the Galaxy S25 Ultra with Android 15-based One UI 7. The company has already started beta testing One UI 7.0. It brings a major UI overhaul from Android 14-based One UI 6. Samsung has revamped the Quick Panel, system UI elements, app icons, and more. It has also reworked system animations, making them smoother for a more fluid user experience.

One UI 7 is shaping up to be the biggest update in Samsung’s One UI history. The company aims to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and One UI 7 software features to the full potential to deliver an unmatched user experience with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The update feels much smoother while also being feature-rich and customizable.

The Korean firm is expected to further improve things with One UI 7.1, which will run out of the box on the Galaxy S25 lineup. Samsung has already started software development for the new flagship. The upcoming flagships are rumored to debut the upgraded Bixby powered by LLMs. It is faster and smarter than ever.

The new version will also bring more advanced Galaxy AI capabilities. AI is going to be integral to our mobile experiences in the coming years, and Samsung is laying the groundwork early. The Galaxy S24 series was arguably the world’s first AI phone, offering on-device AI features like no other. Several firms have since jumped onto the bandwagon, but Samsung would want to make the first-mover advantage count.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra will also leverage new Android features for more seamless cross-device task continuity, allowing you to switch between multiple devices worry-free. Samsung may bring satellite connectivity and some XR features too. It is allegedly developing the new flagship with its first-gen XR headset in mind. The company is working with Qualcomm and Google to bring a powerful new XR headset or smart glasses to the market next year.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Battery and Charging

For the past several years, Samsung’s Ultra flagships have packed a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. None of this might change on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. After multiple certifications revealing the battery model numbers, we recently received confirmation that the battery capacity will remain the same. The 3C certification confirmed a 5,000mAh battery for the phone. Several leaks have since backed it.

Samsung’s focus on making the phone compact prevented a battery boost — it prioritized a slim design over a bigger battery. We wouldn’t complain as long as the Galaxy S25 Ultra delivers a battery life identical to the S24 Ultra, or maybe slightly better. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s efficiency gains, a more efficient OLED display, and advanced AI-powered power management technologies should help improve the battery life. Even One UI 7.1 could bring enhanced power management capabilities. Hopefully, a compact size won’t affect its thermal management capabilities.

As far as the charging speed is concerned, we are still looking at 45W, but with 15V/3A support. Higher voltage can potentially speed up charging, though not much. The wireless charging speed may also remain at 15W. However, with reports suggesting Qi2 support, expect some enhancements. Qi2 may also allow for compatibility with magnetic accessories.

Samsung might also offer faster reverse-wireless charging. Its new watches, the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, bring some design changes making them incompatible with the reverse-charging solution on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and other existing devices. Maybe Samsung will address this issue on the Galaxy S25 Ultra next year, time will tell.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Price, Colors, and Release Date

Samsung increased the prices of the Galaxy S24 Ultra in most global markets this year. Another price hike is unlikely next year, so the Galaxy S25 Ultra should cost the same as its predecessor. Well, the RAM and processor upgrade could add to its prices, though we hope it doesn’t. Multiple reports have hinted at a potential price rise. Even ARM’s legal battle against Qualcomm could affect Galaxy S25 prices.

It may not be a global hike though. Leaked prices for Europe are unchanged from the Galaxy S24 series. It’s unclear whether those are accurate or mere placeholder figures. We should get to know about the pricing structure closer to the launch in January.

For a quick recap, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s base variant with 256GB storage costs $1,300 in the US. Its 512GB variant costs $1,420, while the 1TB variant costs $1,660. In Europe, the prices are €1,450, €1,570, and €1,810, respectively. The phone costs £1,250, £1,350, and £1,550 in the UK; C$1,800, C$1,960, and C$2,280 in Canada; A$2,200, A$2,400, and A$2,800 in Australia, ₹129,999, ₹139,999, and ₹159,999 in India.

Expect an early 2025 launch

As far as the launch date is concerned, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S25 Ultra in January 2025. A recent leak suggests the launch event could take place on January 22 in San Francisco, USA. Pre-reservations could begin in the first week, while a market release may follow late in the month. The Galaxy S24 series was unveiled on January 17, 2024, and released on January 24. Samsung has already obtained several regulatory certifications for the new flagships.

As usual, the phone will be available in a wide range of colors, some exclusively sold through Samsung’s official website. Early leaks hinted at Titanium Black, Titanium Blue, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gray shades as the four standard options, paired with Titanium Blue/Black, Titanium Jade Green, and Titanium Pink Gold as the limited ones.

Their official names could be Titanium Black, Titanium SilverBlue, Titanium WhiteSilver, Titanium Gray, Titanium JetBlack, Titanium JadeGreen, and Titanium PinkGold. The concept design below visualizes the four rumored standard colors.

While the Galaxy S25 series is long away, we at SammyGuru have already opened our mystery box program for the next Samsung flagships. You can sign up here to get gifts when you pre-order the phones. You don’t have to pay any fees for signing up or being eligible for the gifts. Once you sign up, we will send pre-order links to the Galaxy S25 phones after the launch event. If you pre-order through our links, you get a freebie including a case, cleaning kit, and other accessories/goodies. Some lucky buyers will also get gift cards and exclusive tickets redeemable against various Galaxy products, including smartphones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How much will the Galaxy S25 Ultra cost?
Samsung may price the Galaxy S25 Ultra similarly to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It should start at $1,300 in the US, €1,450 in Europe, £1,250 in the UK, C$1,800 in Canada, A$2,200 in Australia, and ₹129,999 in India. Official prices will be available at launch.

When will the Galaxy S25 Ultra be released?
Samsung may launch the Galaxy S25 Ultra in January 2025, with rumors pointing at a January 22, 2025 launch. Pre-orders should begin immediately after the launch event, while market release and general sales may follow a week or two later.

Should I buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra should be the Android flagship to beat when it arrives. It will offer the best of everything, including leading cameras, display, processor, and AI features. You may consider buying it if you want a powerful new phone.

Where can I buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra should be available to buy from all major retail chains globally, including Amazon, Best Buy, and others. Samsung will also sell it through its official website and physical stores. Samsung’s official websites usually offer a few additional color options.

How much RAM and storage does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have?
Samsung may release the Galaxy S25 Ultra with 16GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. Some storage variants may not be available globally.