an AI deployment like we have not seen until now

2025 starts strong. Samsung has put on the table what will be its main bet to compete against the best cell phones on the market: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. For another year, this one is accompanied by two other models, the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, two almost identical models that differ in size and battery.

At Xataka we have been able to get a first look at the Korean company’s new family of devices, and we are going to tell you what our first impressions have been with the three models.

Technical sheet of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25

A new design with a lot to say

The three models of the Galaxy S25 family have undergone a major redesign. What is most striking if we look at the back is the camera module, whose rings around the lenses are reminiscent of those of the Galaxy Z Fold6. Personally, it is a design that I like and that has an advantage over much of its direct competition. Samsung provides good camera systems to its high-end, but does not rely on gigantic modules.

These, regardless of whether they convince aesthetically or not, usually generate ergonomic problems and important imbalances when using the mobile phone without a case. Samsung is continuous in its design line, but it continues with that differentiating factor compared to its rivals.

Another point in favor is in the weight and thinness of the new devices. Everyone has gone on a diet, something that I have noticed especially in the Samsung Galaxy S25, which weighs nothing at all (162 grams), and also in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is now much lighter.

The sacrifice of using a high-end device used to come hand in hand with weight but, even while maintaining top-level finishes, Samsung has managed to make its proposals much more comfortable in hand.

Speaking of the latter, In the Ultra model the corners have been refined. Last year, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, we found quite sharp angles, sharp corners that stuck in our hand if we didn’t use a case. Samsung has taken note and, maintaining the essence of the design, gives its Galaxy S25 Ultra much more rounded edges.

Past, The bezels have been used a little more. I have to say that, without having the previous models next to you, it is difficult to see differences. Despite this, it is always good news that the frames are increasingly narrower and we can make the most of the screen.

Continuity… for the better

Inside these devices we find practically a carbon copy of specifications compared to what we saw last year. The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+ have a panel that is practically identical to last year’s, with 6.2 and 6.7 inches, respectively. They repeat resolution, technologies and in these first impressions it has been impossible to find differences.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a slightly larger panel, so 6.9 inches. This increase of 0.1 inches compared to last year’s model does not penalize the hand, since it is lighter and the reduction of bezels has allowed the body to be compacted.

All new Galaxy S25 arrive with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (thanks, Samsung), and the 8 GB of base RAM in the base model of the S25 is extinguished, they all now start at 12 GB.

The batteries have the same capacities. We are in the year of 6,000mAh batteries and 7,000mAh, but Samsung tells us that it is confident in the energy efficiency of the new processor. Likewise, the feedback on the S24 Ultra’s battery was already excellent, so they preferred to focus on a thinner and lighter design than on increasing battery capacity.

The camera hardware barely changes, except for the ultra wide angle of the Ultra, which is now 50 megapixels. Despite this, there are important improvements, such as LOG recording, the arrival of zebra patterns for overexposure and, ultimately, all the “pro” tools that the S24 Ultra was missing.

By request, I would have liked to see a panel with a new maximum brightness peak and extra battery. But the truth is that they are points in which they already did their homework very well last year, the buyers were satisfied, and it was not very necessary to reinvent themselves.

One UI 7: now yes, Samsung

The little that I have been able to test of One UI 7 has left me with a clear feeling: it is the best version of software Samsung has ever created. The status bar icons have been redesigned, the interface has a new theme (spectacular in person), the AI ​​functions have been refined, Gemini is the default assistant… I admit that Android Stock is still the ROM that most tinkle It makes me, but One UI 7 is a joy.

I have noticed it especially optimizedboth in animations and in general speed, and I am convinced that those who were already used to this ROM will welcome the new version, based on Android 15.

The most relevant thing this year has to do with the improvement in artificial intelligence. There are some features that I loved.

• The phone is now capable of recording calls, as well as transcribing them once they have ended.
• AI image generation has improved a lot.
• Using a screen selector, we can select any part of the panel and analyze its information. For example, we can open YouTube, select the part of the video, and create a GIF of the fragment we are playing.
• The AI ​​is capable of analyzing the sound of the videos, to eliminate background noise or wind.

Last year I came across a lot of AI features that were cool, but didn’t encourage me to use them. This year with call recording, a brutal text/drawing to image generation engine (on par with the best at the moment), and Gemini cooperating with Bixby so that searches are precise, everything makes more sense.

I want a Galaxy S25 Ultra, and I want it now

One more year, The Ultra model is the one that has aroused the most interest in mefor being the most ambitious bet. Despite this, the little brothers are just as good in power, AI functions, software and have also refined their design.

2025 is not a year of big changes for Samsung’s high-end. It is a year of refinement. The fine line between getting stuck and refining what already works is complicated, but in this case I have been pretty clear.

These are going to be three of the most rounded devices of 2025. Their photographic performance will be what determines whether or not they end up being kings of the high-end on Android, but the rest of the hardware barely allowed room for improvement.