Is the S25 Ultra Worth Upgrading From the S23 Ultra?
As a tech enthusiast (not a pro), I switched from the S23 Ultra to the S25 Ultra. Here’s my unfiltered take—no sugarcoating, no backtracking.
(Preface: If you want to upgrade, go for it. But here’s what you’re signing up for.)
1. Weight & Design: A Shockingly Light Upgrade
The S25 Ultra feels way too light compared to the S23 Ultra. The flat sides are sharper, improving grip but sacrificing the S23U’s refined ergonomics. If you’re a “premium heft” loyalist, this might feel like a downgrade.
2. Cameras: Suspicious Degradation & Missed Opportunities
The S25U’s cameras are great, but nearly identical to the S23U—except for the 10x zoom, which Samsung purposely downgraded on newer models. The S23U’s hardware is clearly capable of more, but Samsung’s software tweaks hold it back. (I don’t use ultra-wide much, so no comment there.)
User Reactions
Comments we’ve heard about this…
- “Planned obsolescence is real. My DSLR stays.”
- “The 10x optical zoom was Samsung’s crown jewel. Why abandon it?”
3. Performance: One UI 7 Smoothness Saves the Day
The S25U is way smoother, thanks to One UI 7. App launches and transitions are fluid, but raw speed differences are minimal. This isn’t a hardware leap—it’s a software polish.
4. Gaming: No More Hand Burns
Playing Zenless Zone Zero on the S23U was a nightmare (overheating, frame drops). The S25U? Constant 60fps on low settings and no fiery hands. If you game heavily, this matters.
Debate
- “Is ZZZ really that demanding? My S23U runs Genshin fine!”
- “Age or planned throttling? My S23U degraded over time.”
5. Display: Thin Bezels ≠ Revolution
The S25U’s screen looks identical to the S23U’s, but the AOD wallpaper feature and thinner bezels are nice-to-haves—not game-changers.
6. Battery Life: New vs. Old
On QHD+ 120Hz, the S25U delivers 7+ hours—matching the S23U’s original performance. Two-year-old S23U batteries? They’re understandably worse. No magic here.
7. S Pen Downgrade: A Betrayal
The S25U’s S Pen is objectively worse. Losing Bluetooth air gestures (for remote photos, Instagram scrolling) is a slap in the face to power users.
Hacks Exist
- “Use Routines+ for gesture macros!”
8. Speakers: Finally, Bass That Slaps
The S25U’s speakers are incredible—no distortion at max volume, with punchy bass. A clear win over older Ultras.
9. AI & Gemini: Underwhelming (So Far)
The AI features? Still exploring, but they’re not selling me yet. Ask again in a month.
Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
No. Unless you’re a gamer, crave lighter phones, or need slightly better speakers, the S25U offers marginal gains. The S23U remains a powerhouse, and Samsung’s planned obsolescence tactics are glaring. Wait for the S26U—or jump to Vivo/Apple if cameras matter.