S25

[Members_JUQpqrn]

In just about every respect, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is an outstanding device; considering the variety of different features and capabilities, you might have the impression that you could simply take your pick of any number that clearly set it apart.

Starting with the fundamentals, the display on the phone is exceptional. It looks as though the vibrancy of colours has been toned down slightly compared to Galaxy devices I've used in the past, but this is also the first phone screen I've used with its anti-reflective properties, and so far it's been enjoyable to use in any lighting conditions. Battery life is the best I've had on a phone, but I would've hoped for that, given that I'm still in the first few weeks of use.

What truly elevates the Galaxy S25 Ultra for me on a daily basis is the software. The range of functionality and customisation it can offer any user, even from the point of their first use of a Galaxy phone, is unmatched. That can include seemingly basic, long-standing additions to the interface like the edge panels, improving navigation around a device and adding so many easily accessible, genuinely useful functions. There's also the best implementation I've seen of multi-tasking on any mobile platform (using pop-up windows, picture-in-picture and split screen), better scroll capture screenshots and fully integrated clipboard use, as well as editing and stacking of app widgets. Central to improving my experience of all of the above is Samsung's own Good Lock suite of apps, allowing for further customisation of so many parts of the UI. (They're apps that really should be pre-installed on Galaxy phones and tablets by now, if only to give as many users as possible the best chance to benefit from them.) Just to give some limited examples, the apps included allow me to use a combination of both a five button navigation bar (six with the accessibility button included) and customised gestures activated in the bottom right of the screen. I can also set separate volume levels for apps that play sound at the same time, or change the functions of the phone's physical buttons, allowing me to open different apps or trigger actions with double taps, or pressing and holding the side button. No other software comes close to giving me this much flexibility.

Taking that functionality and scope for customisation and combining it with such a powerful processor in the Galaxy S25 Ultra has been great. Although I occasionally take issue with questionable design choices (where layouts have been unnecessarily altered, or useful features have been changed or even removed), overall the software and what it means for just being able to enjoy using a phone is a resounding positive.

The main (rear) cameras on the device have reliably provided good results for me, with a range of zoom choices and an improved ultra-wide angle lens that I appreciate. That said, coming to the S25 Ultra from an S22 Ultra, there's actually been a downgrade of the front-facing camera to contend with; from 40MP to 12MP. That more practically means that, whatever changes are made to settings, the front camera simply isn't capable of producing the higher resolution images that the older Galaxy phone could. It's one change that's a frustrating sticking point for me, but I'd imagine that many users who didn't use a Galaxy S22 Ultra, or simply use a front-facing camera even less will not be concerned by it.

What might be more of a problem for those coming from older Galaxy phones, is the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen. It used to be possible to, amongst other things, control media playback or take photos using the button on the side of the pen. I have missed the media control, and the remote camera button was handy to have, but it's not the issue for me that the front camera is.

It might seem remiss of me to have written this much of a review without even referencing AI features, but for the most part they've just not been relevant to me. Unfortunately, what I do have to add on them isn't altogether positive, but I suppose it can just be taken more as a comment on the current state of the technology. On previous versions of One UI on my old phone I'd tried the Portrait Studio that can be used to create stylised images of the subjects in your photos with different types of effects - it was an amusing diversion, even if what it created only ever looked (at best) like a caricature. However with this version of the Portrait Studio on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the AI produces something quite different. It consistently, drastically changes my ethnicity - it threw me completely, and although it was initially comical, it's a level of critical failure that I just wasn't prepared for. Older devices (or probably more importantly, the older versions of software) simply don't replicate that mistake, and there doesn't seem to be any way to report it for now. It's just one AI feature in a wide array of them, but it's plainly one that I won't be able to use until it's fixed.

[iamkkronly]

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. We truly appreciate customers like you who provide in-depth feedback—it plays an important role in helping us refine our products.

Your review highlights several points:

Display & Battery:
It's great to hear that you find the display excellent in various lighting conditions and that the battery life is the best you've experienced so far.

Software & Customization:
We're glad you appreciate the extensive customizations available through features like the Good Lock suite. Your comments on the flexibility of navigation, multitasking, and widget management are encouraging, and they underscore the strengths of our software.

Camera Concerns:
We understand your disappointment with the front camera downgrade from 40MP to 12MP, especially when coming from the S22 Ultra. While many users may not prioritize the front camera as highly, we acknowledge that for some, its performance is crucial. Your feedback on this is invaluable.

S Pen Bluetooth Functionality:
The removal of Bluetooth media controls on the S Pen has clearly been a letdown for you. We realize that features like the remote camera shutter and media control were appreciated by many, and we’re evaluating how to balance design decisions with user expectations in future updates.

AI Portrait Studio:
It’s concerning to hear about the unintended alterations produced by the AI Portrait Studio, particularly with respect to changing your ethnicity in photos. We take such issues very seriously, and our teams are actively working to refine AI features to ensure they respect users’ likeness and diversity. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to report this specific behavior through the Samsung Members app so that it reaches our software teams directly.

I understand it can feel disappointing when a device you invested in doesn’t quite match all your expectations. Your feedback is a crucial part of our ongoing efforts to improve. Please consider submitting your detailed observations through our feedback channels—this helps us identify which areas need attention in upcoming software updates or future models.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out. We're here to help!

Best regards,
Samsung Customer Support

[iamkkronly]

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[Raman25]

I am seeing a quick black and white lines flicker on half the screen for about a second while placing WhatsApp video calls on my newly ordered device. Requested a replacement within 4 days, but Samsung service centre is saying that it's a WhatsApp related issue. Anyone else faced this?