KKN Gurugram Desk | In a world where smartphone upgrades are eagerly anticipated and hotly debated, Samsung’s latest flagship – the Galaxy S25 Ultra – enters the arena with polished design and minimal improvements. While Samsung loyalists might hail it as a refined masterpiece, those seeking true innovation may walk away unimpressed. I recently bought the device with high hopes, but within a week, I returned it.

This article is not to discredit Samsung’s efforts but to evaluate whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra is truly worth the premium in a highly competitive Indian market flooded with flagship alternatives from Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo.

What’s New in the Galaxy S25 Ultra? Not Much, Actually

Let’s begin with what’s important: the Galaxy S25 Ultra looks and feels premium, sports a bright anti-reflective display, and comes with Samsung’s latest One UI 7 – a polished software experience. However, when it comes to meaningful year-over-year upgrades, the S25 Ultra offers very little over the S24 Ultra. For a country like India, where options abound, this is a serious drawback.

Camera Review: Powerful on Paper, Underwhelming in Practice

As someone passionate about photography, I expect my phone to deliver not just decent but professional-grade images, especially in this price segment. Sadly, the S25 Ultra fails to meet that mark.

???? Key Camera Specs:

• 200MP Main Camera

• 10MP 3X Telephoto

• Periscope 5X Telephoto

• 12MP Ultra-Wide

While these numbers sound impressive, they don’t translate into superior performance. The hardware is aging, and the software tries too hard to compensate with heavy post-processing. The 3X and 5X zoom cameras show softness in low light, and images often lack natural color tones.

Vs. The Competition:

Phones like the Vivo X200 Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Oppo Find X8 Pro have taken a leap ahead with:

• Larger sensors (up to 1-inch)

• Better periscope zoom optics

• Superior light capture and detail

For photography lovers, these are game-changers – making the S25 Ultra feel outdated in comparison.

Battery and Charging: Samsung’s Stagnation Is Showing

In 2025, battery tech is evolving rapidly. Brands like Vivo and Oppo are using silicon-carbon batteries with 6000mAh capacities, offering longer life and faster charging. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, however, sticks to the old 5000mAh Li-Ion cell, and it shows.

• Battery Drain: Heavy camera use drains the battery by evening.

• Charging Time: 1.5 hours to full charge, while competitors manage in 40 minutes.

My Vivo X200 Pro consistently offers 30-35% battery left at day’s end, whereas the S25 Ultra struggles to last.

The S Pen Disappointment: Functionality Trimmed

The S Pen – one of the Ultra line’s signature features – has been downgraded. The removal of Bluetooth support, which allowed remote camera controls, is a huge miss. For casual users, this may seem minor, but for power users and photographers, it’s a deal-breaker.

Software: One UI 7 Shines Bright

Credit where it’s due – Samsung nails the software with One UI 7. It’s responsive, elegant, and feature-rich. Features like:

• Generative AI photo editing

• Home screen customization

• Excellent multitasking tools

… make it one of the best Android skins out there. Alongside the anti-reflective display, this was the only factor that made me consider keeping the phone.

The Final Verdict: Worth the Price? Not Quite

✅ Pros:

• Excellent software (One UI 7)

• Premium build and display

• Reliable performance

❌ Cons:

• No major upgrades over S24 Ultra

• Subpar camera hardware

• Slow charging, average battery

• S Pen features removed

In a flagship-rich Indian market, these shortcomings are hard to overlook. I ultimately returned the Galaxy S25 Ultra and switched to the Vivo X200 Pro, which delivered superior camera, battery, and innovation.