Samsung S25/ S25 Ultra

[Dave245]

Wait a min… you are a primary iPhone user, every generation is nearly the same.

They have had the same 3 camera array for the past for the past 6 generations… starting with the 11 Pro, Apple doesn’t change much when it comes to design. It just seems hypocritical to expect that of other companies, as @jamezr pointed out… its not much to do with a bar shaped phone.

Unless you go the route of Nothing… with glyphs.

And i didn’t buy the iPhone 16 for that very reason, it’s the same as my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’ve also said in past threads that the iPhone is boring now and Apple need to change it up.

The Pixel 9 had a bit of a redesign, I’m not saying change the shape or anything drastic. The rumour was that Samsung was going to do such a thing, but that rumour seemed to fizzle out.

 

[Technerd108]

Really not too much of a difference from rounded corners to squared corners in this photo

You need to compare the s24 ultra as it has symmetrical bezels. In my personal opinion the rounded corners even as slight as they may be on the s25 ultra still don't really work. I don't know why everyone wants rounded corners. I get the ergonomics of it. Sure it makes the phone feel more comfortable. The squared corners of the s24 ultra actually help me have better grip on such a large phone. I like that, it is not uncomfortable to me in the least. The way the flat screen on the s24 u and the squared corners make the most of usable space for anything you do with the screen and since a phone you have to use the screen to do almost all tasks it makes a big difference. It is a subtle feature or detail but a big one to me.

Also in my opinion the squared corners made the Ultra stand out pretty much from all other phones that have adopted Apple's design language including iPhones.

It was the one hold out to uniformity and conformity. I know it is probably not a big deal to most people but if I don't by an iPhone then I really don't want my Android phone to mimic or completely look like an iPhone from a distance. Android phones used to be unique in their designs. Sometimes they had really quirky, bad designs but sometimes they would make something really cool and unique and now it just seems every phone looks the same except for the cameras.

I would have not minded if the titanium frame was rounded on the corners instead of the sharper edges used on the s24u. This would have left the screen alone and added some comfort for those who didn't feel it was comfortable in the hand.

If you look at the s24 ultra you could round the corners of just the Titanium frame just enough so the sharp edge was gone while retaining the boxy shape and look.

I love the s24u note 10 like design!! I think it was perfect.

 

[mjschabow]

You need to compare the s24 ultra as it has symmetrical bezels. In my personal opinion the rounded corners even as slight as they may be on the s25 ultra still don't really work. I don't know why everyone wants rounded corners. I get the ergonomics of it. Sure it makes the phone feel more comfortable. The squared corners of the s24 ultra actually help me have better grip on such a large phone. I like that, it is not uncomfortable to me in the least. The way the flat screen on the s24 u and the squared corners make the most of usable space for anything you do with the screen and since a phone you have to use the screen to do almost all tasks it makes a big difference. It is a subtle feature or detail but a big one to me.

Also in my opinion the squared corners made the Ultra stand out pretty much from all other phones that have adopted Apple's design language including iPhones.

It was the one hold out to uniformity and conformity. I know it is probably not a big deal to most people but if I don't by an iPhone then I really don't want my Android phone to mimic or completely look like an iPhone from a distance. Android phones used to be unique in their designs. Sometimes they had really quirky, bad designs but sometimes they would make something really cool and unique and now it just seems every phone looks the same except for the cameras.

I would have not minded if the titanium frame was rounded on the corners instead of the sharper edges used on the s24u. This would have left the screen alone and added some comfort for those who didn't feel it was comfortable in the hand.

If you look at the s24 ultra you could round the corners of just the Titanium frame just enough so the sharp edge was gone while retaining the boxy shape and look.

I love the s24u note 10 like design!! I think it was perfect.

Agreed 100%. I never found the S23 Ultra uncomfortable. I just had to hold it a bit different than I would any other phone. I'm sure the S24 was even more comfortable with the flat edges.

 

[Technerd108]

Agreed 100%. I never found the S23 Ultra uncomfortable. I just had to hold it a bit different than I would any other phone. I'm sure the S24 was even more comfortable with the flat edges.

What Samsung did with the s24u with the flat screen was great. The edges at the top and bottom corners they made very sharp and they could have made that edge just slightly rounded with the same basic shape and it would have made it more comfortable for a lot of people.

For me those edges make the phone easier to hold as it doesn't slip in my hands like almost every other phone out there.

I imagine I am in the minority and most people will love the new design.

I will wait until probably the s27 ultra before I consider upgrading. For me there is just something special about the s24 ultra. It is unique and it is extremely functional. I actually really like the titanium frame and completely flat screen. I really hated the curved screen on the edges of the phone they used for the Ultra in the older versions like the s23 ultra even thought the s23 ultra had minimal curved display which was much better than previous gens.

 

[SteveJUAE]

by all reports the S25 ultra will have plenty of new al features so samsung may be ahead after a few weeks.

Yep, if anything Samsung tends to have the new android stuff ahead of others and their own 1st's tend to trickle down in to android updates eventually

 

[SteveJUAE]

What redesign were you looking for exactly? What rumors or leaks hinted at anything other than what the picture show?

I think for the bar shaped phones we are at a point in their evolution that not much will change from year to year models. Then moving the camera lenses around is a pretty drastic overhaul. It changes the arrangement of all of the internals as well. I do like the camera layout of the Pixels though. One nice bar that helps the phone not to wobble when on a flat surface.


I don't think there is much for a S24U owner to upgrade to be honest.
For me personally I am getting the S25U just for the rounded corners. The sharp squared corners of the S24U are a complete turn off for me. They are sharp in my hands and in my pocket.

Maybe a downside of the Pixel camera layout is you tend to hold the phone in the lower 2/3rd because of the hump stopping you using your index finger extend for support, so it appears more unbalanced/heavier possibly

I don't mind the old note square corners but I understand your preference

 

[SteveJUAE]

And i didn’t buy the iPhone 16 for that very reason, it’s the same as my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’ve also said in past threads that the iPhone is boring now and Apple need to change it up.

The Pixel 9 had a bit of a redesign, I’m not saying change the shape or anything drastic. The rumour was that Samsung was going to do such a thing, but that rumour seemed to fizzle out.

What you talking about LOL the IPhone 16 Pro's gained a button, larger screens and bigger batteries, in Apple design language that is a massive change and probably the only OEM adding buttons.

It was not that long ago you tried a Pixel 8 Pro and you noted it made you appreciate the Samsung S24 more, its unlikely those differences that made you revert back to a S24 will change between a Pixel 9/10 and the S25

BTW Samsung smart things handles Phillips hue too

 

[UKapple]

I’ve been an avid iPhone user for a long time now, I have fluttered between Samsung for a few years with a few galaxy’s and a note 8.

I’m kinda getting bored now with Apple. Whilst I’m in the ecosystem I would also be quite happy to break out of it now. I upgrade every year and always end up asking myself why did I bother! There has been so few meaningful changes to the iPhone I feel it’s time to move one, hence why I’m waiting on the S25 Ultra.

The only question I have and I’m hoping someone here can help is with transferring of Live Photos from iPhone to Samsung. I have. A lot of sentimental photos that are also Live Photos and I do not want to lose these. Can these be transferred over? How easy is it?

Thanks.

 

[Dave245]

I’ve been an avid iPhone user for a long time now, I have fluttered between Samsung for a few years with a few galaxy’s and a note 8.

I’m kinda getting bored now with Apple. Whilst I’m in the ecosystem I would also be quite happy to break out of it now. I upgrade every year and always end up asking myself why did I bother! There has been so few meaningful changes to the iPhone I feel it’s time to move one, hence why I’m waiting on the S25 Ultra.

The only question I have and I’m hoping someone here can help is with transferring of Live Photos from iPhone to Samsung. I have. A lot of sentimental photos that are also Live Photos and I do not want to lose these. Can these be transferred over? How easy is it?

Thanks.

You can transfer photos over, Samsung has Smart Switch. When you turn on your Samsung phone it will give you the option of transferring all your data from an iPhone.

The issue that you are going to have tho, is that Android doesn’t support Apples Live Photos. I believe you can turn them into GIFs and get around it that way.

 

[yui4]

Personally, the design of phones doesn’t really bother me nowadays, there’s not much they can do. As long as they don’t go daft and reduce battery size. I’m more excited by software

 

[Dave245]

Personally, the design of phones doesn’t really bother me nowadays, there’s not much they can do. As long as they don’t go daft and reduce battery size. I’m more excited by software

One UI 7 does look good tbf, they seem to have implemented a Dynamic Island better than Apple, at least software wise. I’m probably in a small minority BUT I like the pill shape.

 

[Sensamic]

For S24 users like myself, there doesn't seem to be much upgrade this year, which is totally normal. Screens seem to be mostly the same, battery same capacity (while maybe the new chip is slightly more power efficient), design mostly the same, etc.

The rumored changes (16GB RAM in Ultra and 12GB RAM in base model, new chip...) don't drastically change the experience. The new Bixby is already available in China (says SamMobile) and is nice, but will probably come to the S24 and S23. While I appreciate it getting better, I see no point in having multiple AI assistants on Android. Just make Gemini the default one and make it work within OEM apps.

 

[Ludatyk]

And i didn’t buy the iPhone 16 for that very reason, it’s the same as my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I’ve also said in past threads that the iPhone is boring now and Apple need to change it up.

Fair enough… but you are not planning on moving away from the iPhone, no?

The Pixel 9 had a bit of a redesign, I’m not saying change the shape or anything drastic. The rumour was that Samsung was going to do such a thing, but that rumour seemed to fizzle out.

If you think the Pixel 9 was a redesign, then you could apply the same rationale to Samsung… Google changed the shape of their phone to look like the iPhone. Samsung is changing their S24U to be more roundish (similar to a iPhone).

Nowadays, companies are taking a page out of Apple’s book… minor changes to hardware and focus on improving software, build out their ecosystem and everything else will follow.

 

[Dave245]

Fair enough… but you are not planning on moving away from the iPhone, no?


If you think the Pixel 9 was a redesign, then you could apply the same rationale to Samsung… Google changed the shape of their phone to look like the iPhone. Samsung is changing their S24U to be more roundish (similar to a iPhone).

Nowadays, companies are taking a page out of Apple’s book… minor changes to hardware and focus on improving software, build out their ecosystem and everything else will follow.

I’m not planning on giving up my iPhone, no. I will stick with my 15 Pro Max until I feel there is a decent enough upgrade.

It was a new design, not a drastic one no. But Samsung aren’t even moving the cameras or changing that up. From rumours all they are doing is putting in a new chip, making the edges on the ultra more rounded. Which personally I prefer the boxy design of the Note looking series.

As a second phone I want something that’s different from my iPhone. One UI 7 does look good. Who knows, the event hasn’t even happened yet. I was just hoping for a more drastic upgrade, like Samsung use to do with devices, curved edges and taking more risks.

Who knows, I may watch the event and there may be more than what’s been leaked and rumoured. Hell the new AI features may blow me away so much that I decide to upgrade, especially if they can create a companion like Googles Gemini, which is very impressive to me.

 

[jamezr]

Personally, the design of phones doesn’t really bother me nowadays, there’s not much they can do. As long as they don’t go daft and reduce battery size. I’m more excited by software

agreed...I think with more and more adoption and integration of AI on smartphones, software is going to be the biggest difference going forward.

 

[jamezr]

I’m not planning on giving up my iPhone, no. I will stick with my 15 Pro Max until I feel there is a decent enough upgrade.

It was a new design, not a drastic one no. But Samsung aren’t even moving the cameras or changing that up. From rumours all they are doing is putting in a new chip, making the edges on the ultra more rounded. Which personally I prefer the boxy design of the Note looking series.

As a second phone I want something that’s different from my iPhone. One UI 7 does look good. Who knows, the event hasn’t even happened yet. I was just hoping for a more drastic upgrade, like Samsung use to do with devices, curved edges and taking more risks.

Who knows, I may watch the event and there may be more than what’s been leaked and rumoured. Hell the new AI features may blow me away so much that I decide to upgrade, especially if they can create a companion like Googles Gemini, which is very impressive to me.

The great think about Android is there are other companies making great phones. If you do not like what Samsung has to offer..well Look at OnePlus and a plethora of other companies making different camera arrangements on the back of their phones.

Then to be honest here Apple hasn't changed the look of the iPhone in a decade. The camera lens arrangement is still the same with rounded corners and flat display.

Heck Apple doesn't even make a folding device of any kind while other companies have pushed the envelope so to speak and take chances and innovate. Samsung (and Google and others) has taken more risks with smartphones than Apple has.....


Here are a few with different camera arrangements on the back,

 

[Dave245]

The great think about Android is there are other companies making great phones. If you do not like what Samsung has to offer..well Look at OnePlus and a plethora of other companies making different camera arrangements on the back of their phones.

Then to be honest here Apple hasn't changed the look of the iPhone in a decade. The camera lens arrangement is still the same with rounded corners and flat display.

Heck Apple doesn't even make a folding device of any kind while other companies have pushed the envelope so to speak and take chances and innovate. Samsung (and Google and others) has taken more risks with smartphones than Apple has.....


Here are a few with different camera arrangements on the back,

View attachment 2470704

Apple have got very boring, the only reason I still have an iPhone is because of iOS, my Apple Watch, iPad and all other products that work together.

I have been thinking about waiting for the Pixel 10 IF Samsungs S25 Ultra doesn’t do it for me.

I have looked at foldable’s, while I do like the design of both Samsungs and Googles, I just don’t trust durability. I’ve heard too many horror stories of them breaking.

 

[Technerd108]

Apple keeps continuity in design language for a long time. Then once the design is fairly old they introduce a big redesign.

Generally when Apple makes a major design change it is so radical that it is something that changes the direction of all Android phones.

This in my opinion making a big redesign and several minor iterations until the next major redesign is a very smart choice.

It keeps the resale value high and it helps refine over the years and great design. In the past Android would redesign hardware ever year which created problems. It was exciting but tanked resale value because each year you could clearly tell who had the latest release. If the hardware or software had flaws they never got fixed and a new device just replaced the last gen and would have new issues and they never got fixed. Now Samsung and Google are making a major redesign ever 3 years or more which allows them to make refinements and small improvements that fix issues over time with software and hardware which gives everyone a better experience and better resale value.

By investing in making a really well thought out and innovative design every few years and then refining it also helps manufacturers recoup their investment with economies of scale and keeping hardware designs longer.

Personally, while it can be boring over yearly upgrades it motivates people to keep their phones longer which helps our pocket books and the environment. A win, win for everyone. Those that like to upgrade yearly can still do so getting a more refined device every year.

 

[Klyster]

I'm still using the S23U, it's been such a good phone, still quick, still great battery life after 2 years.
The official Samsung leather case has held up amazingly too.
The S25U looks cool, but I'll go another round on the S23U, up until the S23U, I used to buy a new phone every year.

 

[jpiszcz]

For those on this thread, do you keep your existing iPhone and then also carry a Samsung Galaxy Ultra? Or has anyone switched completely?

 

[jamezr]

For those on this thread, do you keep your existing iPhone and then also carry a Samsung Galaxy Ultra? Or has anyone switched completely?

I have 16PM and S24U and Pixel 9XL. But my main driver is the 16PM mainly because of my family and friends.
I carry 2 phones with me most of the time.

 

[jpiszcz]

I have 16PM and S24U and Pixel 9XL. But my main driver is the 16PM mainly because of my family and friends.
I carry 2 phones with me most of the time.

Between the pixel 9XL and the S24U which do you find yourself using more and why? Also do you keep them all on the same carrier?

 

[Dave245]

For those on this thread, do you keep your existing iPhone and then also carry a Samsung Galaxy Ultra? Or has anyone switched completely?

I keep my iPhone 15 Pro Max as my daily driver. I do like having an Android phone tho, it’s what I call my hobby phone. I mainly use it to take great pictures with a decent Zoom. While I like my iPhone for photography, I also like to have a different camera that takes different looking shots.

My SIM card is in my iPhone however.

 

[jamezr]

Between the pixel 9XL and the S24U which do you find yourself using more and why? Also do you keep them all on the same carrier?

I use the S24U the most, i guess. For me it is just the better all-around phone for all occasions. Yes all 3 phones are on Verizon.

 

[The Game 161]

Err what?