The verdict of the jury of the Xataka NordVPN Awards 2025 has been clear. In a year where competition has been fierce in the premium segment, with Apple renewing its commitment with the iPhone 17 and Chinese brands like Vivo or Oppo pushing the limits of photography, there has been a traditional winner: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has won gold in the most coveted category.
Prima facie, this may seem like a conservative decision. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra is not a disruptive mobile phone and doesn’t make a huge leap in performance or photography, its victory is rooted in a reality we verified during our analysis: a perfect balance.
A Five-Year Strategy
The win is not a result of chance but represents the culmination of a strategy that Samsung began five years ago. While other manufacturers sought the wow effect every year, Samsung defined its ‘Ultra’ identity clearly: super high-end customers are not looking for fleeting experiments. They desire certainties.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra may not reinvent the wheel, but it rolls better than any competitor. Here’s why it stands tall as the king of 2025.
When the Screen Matters
Using a Galaxy S24 Ultra exposed users to the discomfort of its rectangular corners. With the S25 Ultra, Samsung has smoothed these edges and even reduced the weight, making it more manageable without compromising on the impressive 6.9-inch screen and 5,000 mAh battery.
Although the curves may diminish its visual uniqueness, they’ve contributed to significant usability improvements. Moreover, the anti-reflective treatment enhances display quality, allowing for pure blacks even in bright environments. This combination prioritizes the user experience over mere technical specifications.
Power with Stability
With the transition to Snapdragon 8 Elite, Samsung delivers high-end performance that maintains stability during real-world applications like video editing or gaming. Even when faced with considerable throttling in stress tests, the user experience remains seamless.
Worrying about battery life under such power is unnecessary. Ending the day with half the battery remaining is achievable, thanks to remarkable optimization efforts.
Refined Photography
In the camera arena, improvements shine. The ultra-wide-angle lens has undergone a transformation with a new 50 MP sensor, ensuring it no longer feels inferior to the other cameras. While it may not be the most exciting camera of the year, consistency is key in producing reliable photographs across various scenarios.
A Software Suite to Match
Transitioning from TouchWiz, Samsung’s One UI has developed into a standout Android layer. One UI 8, currently available, integrates AI tools that add real-world value and enhance usability.
Native apps exhibit excellent design and clarity, often surpassing Google’s offerings. This synergy between performance and software innovation positions Samsung as a leader in the Android ecosystem.
Conclusion: No Need for Surprises
In essence, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the culmination of a carefully crafted vision from Samsung. This super high-end smartphone has set a standard that rivals struggle to meet. My vote for the super high-end smartphone category has decisively gone to Samsung’s flagship, as few can match this formula despite excelling in niche areas like photography.
Thus, if the Galaxy S24 Ultra captured hearts last year, the S25 Ultra firmly establishes itself as the reigning king of the super high-end smartphone market in 2025.
Images | Xataka