72 hours later with Galaxy S25 Ultra – the AI hype is getting real for me

Samsung Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and that’s almost everything I expected. THE Galaxy S25 UltraWhich starts at the same daring price as last year, $ 1,299, remains the business DIY handset, with a more sustainable display, an improved camera system with practical editing tips and the latest Qualcomm processor which Maintains things on the move. Oh, and yes, AI is all everywhere, suddenly.

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While the Galaxy S24 series last year inaugurated the Galaxy AI era of Samsung, this year is more like the company that cements as the leader in space, the mastery of Apple and even Google ( For the moment) on features and capacities. Of course, how decorative this honor is ultimately depends on your investment in the use of AI.

I spent the three days so far to test the S25 Ultra and I was not too surprised to find myself both fascinated and bored. After all, it is now the fifth iteration of Samsung of the S-SERIES Ultra model, and changes from one year to the next have been modest, to be generous. But if you are currently using a handset of three to four years and you are considering an upgrade, take this first -hand testimony – I do not yet call it a complete – heart review. (And if you are passionate, it will be just as much for you.)

The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big phone case with both hands, which is valid this year. When I discovered the Ultra S25 for the first time, it looked like the most fanciful calculator of all time (and I mean that in a pleasant way), with its round edges and its large stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13, I recently examined – which, on paper, is of relatively similar size – the ultra S25 had a more daring and more striking presence.

Fortunately, the device is not as heavy as I remember that the previous models were, even if Samsung wrapped the four rear cameras with thicker rings this time. In fact, the Ultra S25 is lighter than its 16 -gram predecessor, which earned it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Ultra. You will probably hear more about the “thin” phones later this year.

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The other notable design upgrade with the S25 Ultra is the corning Gorilla Armor 2 superimposed on the front screen. It does not detract from the anti-reflection surface treatment which made the headlines on S24 ultra from last year, but promises an improvement in the protection of drops and resistance to scratches. I believe it. My ultra S24 last year had many micro scratches after only test days, while my Ultra Review S25 unit has remained virgin so far.

Now, if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of Aura psychedelique Glow finishes, because these S25 Ultra Colors are inspired. It may be the nature of titanium finishes or the harsh reality that consumers are more likely to opt safer Colors with black, white and silver shades than the poppy and bright. Anyway, you will want to slap a case if you want to give your S25 Ultra a touch of personality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFDSWL5PAVU

Under the hood is a new Elite Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 chip, the same processor supplying competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable advantage of the chipset is in the form of IA experiences – in particular, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 from last year.

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In terms of the secular, the functionalities of AI available should take less bandwidth and power to operate while operating quickly. I saw the results in person, a placebo effect or not, because my ultra S25 can quickly delete the subjects (as well as their shadows) from the background of the photos via generative search results and pulled the gemini in a few seconds.

You can also go up the performance of the improved gemini application, which can now be pulled with a long pressure on the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby – or Google Assistant, if you have made backend and summary changes – so this change is a breath of fresh air. It makes the transition from any other Android phone that uses Gemini as a default assistant much more without burden.

Speaking of this, the new agent Gemini-Bixby Hybrid Ai, as Samsung says with confusion, can manage conversation chains with natural sounding, such as the search for the upcoming program of your favorite sports team and the addition of the or date your calendar. Although the agent type capacity mainly works on Google and Samsung applications, certain third -party services like Spotify are also supported.

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The important thing is how to formulate your orders. For example, when I asked the AI ​​agent to create A Spotify playlist for traveling by car and sends it to my wife, he replied that he was unable to do so. When, instead, I asked him to find Songs that were good for traveling on the way, he organized the list and wrote a modifiable text message. Ladies and gentlemen, ai.

Considering that the S24 series last year introduced Google’s Circle To Search’s research functionality, and this year’s S25 series does the same for the improved experience of Gemini-Bixby, it would not be eccentric to say that Samsung, not google, makes the best IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the phone AI on the IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone On the IA phone on the AI ​​phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the IA phone on the market on the market now.

Other new Galaxy AI tools such as select AI and now briefly reinforce this declaration, the first being an adaptive screen selection tool and aware of the context, and the second giving you daily summaries of the weather, calendar events and news.

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I just want Brief to show me more than just new politicians; Even with my subject preferences within my application of new Samsung on technology and sports, the application always wakes me up with a reading list of Spofy “edifying morning preparation” and the last scoop on the American president to sign des decrees.

One of the main reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone continues to be the camera, although Samsung has not improved the specifications this year – at least on paper. The only change in equipment is the ultra -id objective of 50 megapixels (up to 12MP), which, from my initial shots, gives more details and liveliness, especially during the capture of macro photos. The rest of the objectives, such as the 200MP -wide telephoto lens, 50MP 5X and the 10MP 3X telephoto lens, are identical to last year’s S24.

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There is a larger accent on the software side, with Samsung introducing useful photo and video features such as default HDR 10-bit video recording to capture a wider dynamic range, a new audio-game feature that allows you to Adjust volumes of different frequencies (classified as audio subjects such as voices, wind and noises), and the possibility of recording in Galaxy journal mode.

This latest feature allows you to better identify overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range when you record videos, while applying Lut in an article for better color and light control. I will test the shooting method more in the coming days.

ZDNET purchase advice (for now)

My first day of testing Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra confirms several things for me. While most aspects of the phone, such as vibrant and flash display and versatility in the cameras and AI features, are easy to appreciate, this year upgrades feel iterative and safe.

In a way, Samsung has even taken a few steps back, the S Pen stylus no longer supports Bluetooth commands and gestures, and the company opting for Ready cases for qi2 Instead of incorporating real technology into its phones.

It is understandable that the first adopters and technology enthusiasts can feel disappointed with the Ultra S25. But when I consider consumers who come from a S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even an older iPhone, the new flagship combination of Samsung checks almost all the boxes you can think of. And you can even generate a generous transaction through your carrier or local retailer.