Is Upgrading to the Galaxy S25 Ultra Worth It from the Galaxy S23 Ultra?

Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, has hit the market, prompting users to ponder whether it surpasses the already outstanding Galaxy S23 Ultra enough to warrant an upgrade. While initial impressions may suggest minimal changes, a closer look reveals significant differences that could influence your decision.

Design

The Galaxy S25 Ultra maintains Samsung’s iconic boxy design but introduces subtle enhancements. With slightly rounded corners, the device now feels more ergonomic, offering a more comfortable grip compared to the sharp edges of the S23 Ultra. While this alteration may seem minor, it does enhance long-term usability.

Additionally, Samsung has trimmed the weight of the S25 Ultra by approximately 15g, reducing the burden of carrying it. Given the trend of flagship phones getting heavier with each iteration, this weight reduction is a welcome change. The continued use of a titanium alloy frame exclusively for the Ultra model reinforces its premium quality.

On the downside, the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen in the S25 Ultra is a perplexing downgrade. While basic functions like writing and sketching remain unaffected, features such as using the stylus as a remote shutter button have been eliminated, representing a small yet frustrating step back, likely driven by cost considerations.

Display

Although the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 6.9-inch AMOLED display may appear similar on paper to its predecessor’s, Samsung has made crucial refinements. The new screen is slightly larger than the 6.8-inch display of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, with a 15% slimmer bezel, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience. While seemingly minor, this improvement becomes noticeable when watching videos or gaming.

The incorporation of Gorilla Armor 2 in the S25 Ultra is perhaps the most significant upgrade, enhancing scratch and impact resistance while improving the screen’s anti-reflective properties. This refined glass not only boosts durability but also reduces reflections, enhancing visibility in bright environments. In contrast, the S23 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Samsung has introduced ProScaler, an AI-powered feature aimed at enhancing image clarity, although its real-world impact may be debatable. While the S25 Ultra’s screen ranks among the best in the industry, the display of the S23 Ultra still holds its ground.

Cameras

The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 200Mp standard camera, a 10Mp telephoto with 3X optical zoom, a 50Mp periscope with 5X optical zoom, and an additional 50Mp sensor. In comparison, the Galaxy S23 Ultra featured a 200Mp camera, a 10Mp 3X telephoto, a 10Mp periscope with 10X optical zoom, and a 12Mp ultrawide camera.

Significant camera upgrades in the S25 Ultra include the replacement of the 12Mp ultrawide sensor in the S23 Ultra with a new 50Mp one, and the upgrade from a 10Mp periscope with 10X optical zoom to a 50Mp periscope with 5X optical zoom. While these upgrades offer more detail, especially in ultrawide shots, they may not revolutionize everyday photography, as the core camera system remains largely unchanged.

Samsung has enhanced its image processing with the introduction of the ProVisual Engine and Spatio Temporal Filter, improving color accuracy and detail. Notably, skin tones appear more natural, resulting in a more realistic photography experience. The addition of Log format shooting provides professional videographers with greater post-production flexibility, a feature that sets the S25 Ultra apart in its 8K Log recording capability.

When it comes to camera performance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra edges out the S23 Ultra, particularly with its new features tailored for content creators.

Other Differences

In addition to these key upgrades, the S25 Ultra introduces the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset and a base 12GB of RAM, offering a performance boost compared to the S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy paired with 8GB of RAM in the base variant. While this may not significantly impact daily tasks, users are likely to notice a difference in gaming or resource-intensive applications.

The S25 Ultra also features a larger vapor chamber for cooling, aiding in sustaining high performance during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks, although the device can still warm up with prolonged use.

Beyond hardware enhancements, the S25 Ultra incorporates AI-powered software features such as the revamped Gemini assistant, AI-powered search, and Now Brief summaries. While these enhancements are beneficial, they are primarily software-driven and may become available on the S23 Ultra through future updates to Android 15 and One UI 7, which debuted with the S25 Ultra.

Price & Availability

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced at £1,249/$1,299 for the 256GB model, £1,349/$1,419 for the 512GB variant, and £1,549/$1,659 for the 1TB option. The device is available on Samsung’s official websites, with enticing offers available from other retailers. For the best deals on the Galaxy S25 series, it’s advisable to explore various options to secure the most competitive prices.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra was initially priced at £1,249/$1,199 for the 256GB model, £1,399/$1,379 for the 512GB version, and £1,599/$1,619 for the 1TB variant. With the launch of the S25 Ultra, Samsung phased out the S23 Ultra from sale. However, remaining stocks of the S23 Ultra can still be found at reduced prices from select retailers.

Verdict

If you are currently using the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the decision to upgrade to the S25 Ultra may not be straightforward. While the S25 Ultra offers improvements over its predecessor, many enhancements are subtle, and software features are expected to trickle down to the S23 Ultra in due course.

However, for users of the S22 Ultra or earlier models, the Galaxy S25 Ultra presents a compelling upgrade opportunity. With notable enhancements in design, display, and AI-powered features, the S25 Ultra delivers meaningful advancements that can significantly enhance your overall user experience.

In conclusion, the choice to upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra from the Galaxy S23 Ultra depends on your current device, preferences, and budget. Assessing the tangible benefits and considering your usage patterns can help you determine whether the S25 Ultra is the right choice for you.