For many Samsung Galaxy lovers, the luxury and premium quality of the Galaxy S series Ultra model is fascinating. Since 2020, Samsung has reserved its best S series specs for the Ultra models.
In the current S24 Ultra edition, features like Gorilla Glass Armor and Titanium frame were exclusively used.
All these have raised the anticipation for what the next Samsung Galaxy Ultra model — the Galaxy S25 Ultra — might bring.
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra release date may not be until at least early 2025, we’ve been treated to some leaks, rumors, and compelling speculations.
We can expect the Galaxy S25 Ultra to have a stronger titanium build, a newer processor, a larger camera sensor, faster storage capability, and plenty of Galaxy AI features, perhaps much more than we have seen in the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Oh, and a screen stretching to 6.8″, thinner bezels, and rounded corners…
As the speculations heat up, here is everything we know so far.
When Will the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Be Released?
We expect to see the Samsung S25 Ultra launched in January or February 2025. Samsung usually launches its Galaxy S series early in the year, between January and March.
While Samsung does not always want to cross paths with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), starting January 10, 2025, a separate announcement around this time would not be unexpected.
Snapdragon Only?
Surprise Samsung News Says Tech Giant May Bid Farewell to Exynos
Anyone who has followed Samsung phones for years (nay, decades?) will be familiar with Samgsung’s strategy of dividing region releases between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips and its own Exynos chips.
But a report in September 2024 suggested that — this time round — Samsung will rely solely on Snapdragon processors, with a rumor it will help Samsung with its AI strategies.
If true, Samsung plans to ship all Galaxy S25 phones with a single chip option — the yet-to-be-released Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Design & Features
Based on an IMEI listing posted on June 6 and spotted by Android Headlines on June 6, we have more details to go on.
IMEI listings often paint a clear picture as they are part of official registration data, which is required for smartphones running on mobile networks
From the listing — the device number is SM-S938U — we know that the S25 Ultra will feature, at least in the U.S., the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and is also expected to come with a 6.9-inch AMOLED 2X with a brightness of 3000 nits.
Other details leaked via Weibo include a 200MP main sensor camera, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and dual 50MP telephoto lenses with 3x and 5x optical zoom.
According to credible tipster Ice Universe, the Samsung S25 Ultra is expected to be 77.6 mm wide, with the screen covering 73 mm of the available space.
If you allow 2.4mm for bezels and divide that by two for each side, we have a very minimalistic look, taken up by a screen measuring 6.86″ corner to corner.
Continue to discuss the details of S25 Ultra
Compared to S24Ultra, the body width has been reduced to 77.6mm, which is the same as the iPhone 16 Pro Max.Thanks to the reduced border, the screen reaching 6.86 inches. pic.twitter.com/fjxy0iRar9— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) August 21, 2024
For a Samsung S25 Ultra render, how about this?
A Glimpse into the Future: Galaxy s25 Ultra
What do you think of this design? pic.twitter.com/1W9lJ4df9a
— Ryan (@TekAvenue) August 26, 2024
Another new leak from Ice Universe, September, 21, 2024, allegedly shows the Galaxy S25 Ultra case. This design appears to have more rounded corners than the pointier design of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, plus a new camera arrangement.
S25 Ultra case pic.twitter.com/QV6uyEm65o
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) September 21, 2024
Another notable leak on September 23, came from Tarun Vats, who dropped alleged Geekbench benchmark scores for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
If correct, the smartphone runs on a Gen 4 chip, showing a single-core score of 3,069 and a multi-core score of 9,080, suggesting the model will feature higher performance across the board.
Breaking News❗️
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra spotted on Geekbench with Snapdragon 8 Gen4 Processor and 12GB of RAM!😱
Single-Core: 3069
Multi-Core: 9080Share this awesome news with everyone! 🥳🥳#GalaxyS25#Samsung#OneUI7 pic.twitter.com/ofGuNni9DM
— Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) September 24, 2024
Just like in the current Samsung S24 Ultra model, we expect artificial intelligence to be the heartbeat of most functions of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
This includes a feature called Battery AI, which aims to improve battery efficiency with AI integration — a rumor from Sawyer Galox on X that there will be no increase in battery capacity in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra flagship phone.
The S25U will still have a 45W battery and a 5000mah battery 100%. I got this information recently and it was really unfortunate 😅.
— Sawyer Galox (@Sawyergalox) April 27, 2024
Also, by the time the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives in 2025, Android 15 will have been launched. So, we expect Samsung S25 Ultra to run on this new version of Android OS.
In addition to this newer Android OS, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to run version 2 of Google’s AI model, Gemini Nano.
The first version is already powering the Samsung S24 series, so it’s safe to assume Gemini Nano 2 will be present to power the next generation of Galaxy AI features in Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Gorilla Glass Armor, which was introduced recently in Galaxy S24 Ultra, may be retained in Samsung S25 Ultra.
Galaxy S25 Ultra Specs and Hardware
We do not expect a significant change in the Galaxy S25 Ultra design. Samsung will likely upgrade to a stronger titanium build, but the overall size is likely to remain the same.
However, there are rumors Samsung is working on new front designs with a tweak on the frame and bezels.
The speculated Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor will be available later this year, and is rumored to not include any low-power efficiency cores.
Instead, it will have two big high-performance Phoenix cores and six medium-performance Phoenix cores, with one of them clocking at 4GHz speeds or even more.
Sources on Weibo suggest we are looking at a 5,000 mAh battery with 45W charging speed.
We’ll be honest, though; we’d rather get a larger battery than this eternal pursuit for thinness.
Elsewhere, back to Ice Universe, who leaked that the Samsung’s S25 corners will be ’rounded’:
I can confirm 100% that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will not crush your palm again.
It's really rounded! pic.twitter.com/rKf8TmCoAs— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) June 27, 2024
And on July 12, the tipster added:
The real leak:
The middle frame of Galaxy S25 Ultra is designed asymmetrically in front and back. The middle frame near the back cover is more rounded, while the part near the screen is straighter. I believe this is Samsung's design considering the feeling of holding. The…— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) July 12, 2024
A tweet at the end of July suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may also have 16GB of RAM — although later, the leaker sternly addressed Samsung’s memory usage and the number of apps it keeps open at any given time.
16GB yes!
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) July 30, 2024
The 12GB of S24 Ultra can neither beat the 8GB of iPhone nor the 16GB of other brands. Samsung has the smallest background memory, and many apps need to be reloaded when they are opened for the second time. In other words, Samsung uses the weakest hardware of Android and matches… https://t.co/DazVtGtLvq
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) July 29, 2024
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Colors
Since Samsung produced its first-ever titanium frame on a phone, color variations in their S series Ultra models have also increased. Samsung S24 Ultra was released in seven standard colors: Titanium Black, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Green, Titanium Blue and Titanium Orange.
We have not heard any leaks regarding an additional color, but we can assume Samsung will likely retain these colors in the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra ushered in many advanced features, but the Samsung S25 Ultra is poised to offer more. Here is how they will likely compare.
Features/ specs | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
---|---|---|
System chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (3 nm) |
Operating System | Android 14 | Will likely run on Android 15 |
Colors | Titanium Black, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Green, Titanium Blue and Titanium Orange. | Galaxy S25 Ultra will likely ship with the same colors. |
Storage chip speed | 4GB/secs | Rumored to be 8GB/secs |
Google AI model | Gemini Nano | Gemini Nano 2 |
Dynamic AMOLED Display | 6.8 inches | Rumored to grow 6.86 inches |
Battery | 5000mAh | Galaxy S25 Ultra battery expected to retain 5000mAh battery capacity — but Battery AI could be the key differentiator |
Base price | $1299.99 | May likely remain $1299.99 or more |
Galaxy S25 Ultra Price Rumors
While the cost of raw materials may have gone up, including the cost of the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, which Samsung uses in all the recent Galaxy S series Ultra models, Samsung may likely not increase the price of Galaxy S25 Ultra further since they have already done so in Samsung S24 Ultra.
If this is the case, then we expect Galaxy S25 Ultra to launch at $1299.99 for the 256GB of storage, $1419.99 for the 512GB of storage, and $1659.99 for the 1TB of storage.
The Bottom Line
Galaxy S series Ultra models are one of the best premium Samsung phones that keep Galaxy lovers awed in utility. 2025 might still be months away, but the cravings, the appetites, and the anticipation for the Galaxy S25 Ultra are undeniably high. We also look forward to the Galaxy S25 Plus.
We just hope that all the speculations about this premium phone come true. However, one thing is certain—we will have plenty of AI features coming onboard. And maybe a newer processor, faster storage, and a stronger titanium build in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.