# The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An In-Depth Examination of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has made its debut, and true to expectations, it’s creating a stir in the tech industry. Featuring a stylish design, state-of-the-art functionalities, and a corresponding price point, it stands out as one of the most sophisticated smartphones of the year. However, like any top-tier device, it’s not without its flaws. Let’s explore the positive, negative, and unattractive elements of Samsung’s latest flagship.
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## **The Good**
### **Design and Construction Quality**
Samsung has elevated its design approach with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The device showcases a luxurious metal-and-glass build that lives up to its premium price. The consistent design theme throughout Samsung’s flagship collection, including the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, adds a nice touch. The S25 Ultra’s visual appeal is both contemporary and enduring, distinguishing it in a saturated market.
### **Integration within the Ecosystem**
Samsung’s ecosystem has significantly improved, and the S25 Ultra exemplifies this growth. Connecting the phone with the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro creates an effortlessly integrated user experience. Features like device synchronization, rapid pairing, and inter-device functionality indicate Samsung’s objective to challenge Apple’s ecosystem leadership. For those already part of Samsung’s product ecosystem, the S25 Ultra completes the picture perfectly.
### **Features Powered by AI**
A key attraction of the S25 Ultra lies in its AI-assisted capabilities. The “Now Brief” widget, for example, has quickly gained popularity among users. It delivers instant updates on various topics, from weather to sports, and inclusive of sleep tracking insights when used with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. These AI enhancements contribute to making the device feel more intelligent and user-friendly, blending smoothly into everyday life.
### **Performance and Longevity of the Battery**
Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the S25 Ultra offers exceptional performance. Whether you’re engaged in gaming, juggling multiple tasks, or utilizing resource-intensive applications, the phone manages everything with finesse. Its battery life is remarkable as well, often extending well past a full day of substantial use. For high-demand users, this feature is revolutionary.
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## **The Bad**
### **Slippery Construction**
Although the S25 Ultra’s aesthetics are undoubtedly appealing, its slipperiness poses a concern. Without a protective case, the phone feels unstable in grip, provoking ongoing worry about potential falls. This design issue encourages many users to purchase cases, which may compromise the phone’s elegant look.
### **Absence of Magnetic Qi2 Support**
While Samsung’s shift to the Qi 2.1 charging standard is commendable, the lack of magnetic support similar to Apple’s MagSafe is a letdown. This absence restricts compatibility with various existing accessories, compelling users to either adapt or purchase new accessories.
### **Storage Limitations**
The entry-level version of the S25 Ultra includes 256GB of storage, which may be satisfactory for some, but could fall short for others. With no microSD card slot available for additional storage, users needing more space are left with no option but to invest in models with larger capacities. This restriction feels particularly limiting for those with extensive media collections or users depending on emulators and sizable applications.
### **AI News Feed Recommendations**
Although the “Now Brief” widget is a great feature, its news recommendation algorithm has room for improvement. Numerous users find themselves receiving irrelevant or unengaging news, with no straightforward method to adjust the feed. This shortcoming undermines the usefulness of an otherwise valuable feature.
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## **The Ugly**
### **The S Pen Controversy**
The elimination of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) functionality from the S Pen has triggered notable discontent. Despite Samsung’s explanations regarding this choice, the lack of clear communication during the Galaxy Unpacked event left many users perplexed and irritated. The inability to utilize Air Actions, a feature that was previously available, feels regressive for a device branded as “Ultra.”
Adding to the confusion, contradictory reports about the compatibility of other BLE-enabled S Pens only intensified the debate. Samsung’s slow response in providing clarity on the matter further exacerbated the situation, generating widespread criticism and even campaigns calling for the return of BLE capabilities. For a device of such high stature, these blunders are difficult to ignore.
### **Challenges in Emulation and Gaming**
The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is immensely capable, yet its promise is restricted by poorly optimized drivers for advanced emulators. This challenge impacts users who count on the S25 Ultra for gaming, especially those looking to emulate systems like the Nintendo Switch. While this issue isn’t entirely of Samsung’s making, it underlines the difficulties of adopting avant-garde hardware before software support aligns.
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## **Where Does the S25 Ultra Fit In?**
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is indisputably among the
