The highly expected Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has generated a lot of noise through various leaks and rumors hitting the internet. It is projected for January 2025; no one knows what will define the new flagship. Not so long ago, the hands-on video of the Galaxy S25 Ultra appeared on Reddit, showing its flat-edge design with rounded corners. This video, tongue-in-cheek titled the “S24 Ultra definitely,” shows how the phone resembles its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, with subtle changes that are significant.
Design and Features:
The most significant design change in the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the introduction of a flat, iPhone-like frame with rounded corners. This design language shift is for a more ergonomic and modern feel. The rear camera rings look like those on the S24 Ultra, which was a bit of a surprise since rumors were hinting at a design inspired by the Galaxy Z Fold 6. It is said to be Samsung’s thinnest and lightest flagship in recent years, continuing the trend of sleek and lightweight devices.
Under the Hood:
The Galaxy S25 Ultra will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. But this new processor, on the other hand, does not come cheap and will reportedly be tagged at approximately $240 as compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 priced at $200. It is very clear that increased component cost will find its place in the phone’s final price. Snapdragon 8 Elite gives top-tier performance, but the benefits of which would be noticed more in real life with benchmark tests and AI-based applications rather than casual use.
Camera Enhancements:
With cameras, Samsung is said to be making some serious enhancements. The S25 Ultra is said to have all of its cameras with at least 50MP sensors; a huge step up from the 10MP module in previous phones that was used for the intermediate zoom camera that provides a 3x magnification. In addition, there could be further advancements in the lenses themselves, allowing the sensors to take more light in without having the physical size of the lens bigger.
Pricing and Market Positioning
Some of the key discussion points are the increased pricing on the Galaxy S25 Ultra: supposedly over €100 more compared to the current S24 Ultra, with the base variant reaching up to €1,330. The reason it is this high is solely dependent on the higher price of a new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and other upgraded components. This price increase places the S25 Ultra significantly above their competitors, such as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which stands at €1,132 and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at €1,037.
This is the second year in a row that Galaxy Ultra has seen a price increase, after going up €94 from the S23 Ultra to the S24 Ultra. A trend of this nature will only alienate consumers, especially with the existing stiff competition in the flagship smartphone market. After getting burns from Chinese manufacturers in the foldable phone segment, Samsung doesn’t need a fiasco for its conventional flagship series.
Conclusion:
Samsung will officially introduce its new Galaxy S25 series, including the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, during a Galaxy Unpacked event scheduled for January 22, 2025. Ahead of the official launch, there has been much speculation about what could be expected from these launches within the tech community. Equipped with design refinements and performance upgrades, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will definitely make a statement in the market. However, this increased price might be a double-edged sword-to say the least-and it could end up affecting its competitive standing and consumer reception. Only time will tell whether these changes will sit well with the audience or if Samsung will struggle to keep its flagship dominance.
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