Samsung S25/ S25 Ultra

[yui4]

All the discussion about lack of year on year major differences and how these companies should do more, from my point of view, yes we should hold them to account but we forget that most people have no intention of upgrading yearly. Here in the UK, many contracts have moved to 3 years in duration, which is indicative of peoples buying habits.

For myself who upgrades yearly, i never expect huge change every year. I fully expect incremental upgrades in terms of specs and features.

Finally, maybe on paper or YouTube reviews the s25 ultra seems a disappointment to many, but to a fair amount of us owners, this feels like an obvious step up in overall package from the s24u

 

[jamezr]

Not looking to be funny but I thought you'd said you weren't upgrading this year due to finances?

If I'm wrong and it was someone else, then I apologise

Yeah him and Dave both said repeatedly they were not getting the S25 Ultra. Yet for some reason they feel the need to keep coming back in the S25 thread and repeating why they will not get the S25U. Posting negative things to justify their choices....

 

[SteveJUAE]

Yeah him and Dave both said repeatedly they were not getting the S25 Ultra. Yet for some reason they feel the need to keep coming back in the S25 thread and repeating why they will not get the S25U. Posting negative things to justify their choices....

Yep they all including MKB agree it's the best all round smart phone out there and they take the best smart phone of 2024 and made it better, plugged all the holes of previous years, tweaked the design and gave you a full working suit of latest AI features.

On top of this there are for many some of the best trade in deals and bundles given, making true out of pocket costs with a new 1 year OEM warrant outstanding deals

All the gripe about is loss of BT Spen that they may use once in a blue moon and the fact that some Chinese grey imports, with no warranty and wont work 100% with your carrier that you pay over the odds to import for the latest battery tech and may have superior camera sensor and ignore all the things they are behind on compared to Samsung all round device and UI with full support.

The biggest nothing burger out there seems this constant negativity agenda on a device they are skipping because they want more for less on a cherry picked wish list then add a caveat I am not raining on anyone's parade and its just my opinion,

 

[Technerd108]

Not looking to be funny but I thought you'd said you weren't upgrading this year due to finances?

If I'm wrong and it was someone else, then I apologise

You are correct. However, what Samsung did made it much easier and even with bad finances I can find stuff to sell for $399 even if I shouldn't.

So I might have done it if it were a compelling upgrade despite the fact I really can't afford it 🙃.

Also I am not crapping on Samsung. I am responding to a video someone posted on this thread that resonated with me.

Do I have to own the phone to make a comment here? Sorry if I am not just singing praises. Guess the only comments allowed are from new happy owners.

I bought the last two Ultras year over year and have had a ton of Android phones many of which were Samsung. I criticize any company or any device if I feel it is warranted and likewise praise them. If you read my posts you would see that I bring up why I like Samsung in general?? Don't know why it touched such a cord in people?

I don't expect complete redesign every year. In fact, I have stated it is good to refine a design over time instead of releasing a new design every year but I can safely say I expected more. Whether you agree or not is your choice as was your decision to buy the latest model or not.

 

[Dave245]

All the discussion about lack of year on year major differences and how these companies should do more, from my point of view, yes we should hold them to account but we forget that most people have no intention of upgrading yearly. Here in the UK, many contracts have moved to 3 years in duration, which is indicative of peoples buying habits.

For myself who upgrades yearly, i never expect huge change every year. I fully expect incremental upgrades in terms of specs and features.

Finally, maybe on paper or YouTube reviews the s25 ultra seems a disappointment to many, but to a fair amount of us owners, this feels like an obvious step up in overall package from the s24u

You right in that most people don't upgrade every year. Most are on 24 month contracts i belive, i could be wrong on that tho. Most people don't buy their phones out right either. Personally I don't enter into phone contracts because i think they are a rip off (at least here in the UK), i prefer to buy what I have outright (i was always raised that if you can't afford it, you don't have it).

 

[Aneres11]

I think one thing that has struck me as being someone who is a serial "upgrader", is that people like us on this forum are NOT going to be blown away by the incremental updates these phones are getting.
And I guess it's hit me because if I was a normal person and not obsessed with smart phones then the jump I've experienced from the last flagship Samsung I used (S21) to this S25 U is huge. Like huge. Hardware, software, all of it.

But if you're switching from an S24 U, well, what are you (we) expecting? And I don't just mean Samsung I mean all of them. Google, apple etc.

Most of us here just like the latest and greatest, and that's fine as we all have our hobbies and interests. But I guess you can't expect to be blown away every year if you're only replacing last year's model.

Imagine being "normal" and upgrading like every three years. What a time it'd be. 😁

 

[Dave245]

You are correct. However, what Samsung did made it much easier and even with bad finances I can find stuff to sell for $399 even if I shouldn't.

So I might have done it if it were a compelling upgrade despite the fact I really can't afford it 🙃.

Also I am not crapping on Samsung. I am responding to a video someone posted on this thread that resonated with me.

Do I have to own the phone to make a comment here? Sorry if I am not just singing praises. Guess the only comments allowed are from new happy owners.

I bought the last two Ultras year over year and have had a ton of Android phones many of which were Samsung. I criticize any company or any device if I feel it is warranted and likewise praise them. If you read my posts you would see that I bring up why I like Samsung in general?? Don't know why it touched such a cord in people?

I don't expect complete redesign every year. In fact, I have stated it is good to refine a design over time instead of releasing a new design every year but I can safely say I expected more. Whether you agree or not is your choice as was your decision to buy the latest model or not.

I don't think anybody would expect a redesign everywhere year, that would be ridiculous. But i do agree Samsung should of done more. It seems like they were relying on AI features heavily, features that they didn't even make or create, most of them are Googles.

What makes it worse for me is that most of those features will be coming to my S24 Ultra. So what's the point in upgrading? For a design tweek that I don't even like. No thanks.

I don't think anyone here is trying to crap on anyone's parade, as I said in my earlier post I'm happy that others like the phone and I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Some people will love what Samsung have done, especially if they have come from an older phone. I just don't think Samsung did enough to entice me to upgrade, even tho they have had good trade in deals and perks.

Even most of the tech Youtubers are saying it isn't worth it for S24 Ultra users to upgrade to the S25 Ultra.

Everyone has their own opinions and is free to express them. That's the great thing about free speech.

 

[jamezr]

All the discussion about lack of year on year major differences and how these companies should do more, from my point of view, yes we should hold them to account but we forget that most people have no intention of upgrading yearly. Here in the UK, many contracts have moved to 3 years in duration, which is indicative of peoples buying habits.

For myself who upgrades yearly, i never expect huge change every year. I fully expect incremental upgrades in terms of specs and features.

Finally, maybe on paper or YouTube reviews the s25 ultra seems a disappointment to many, but to a fair amount of us owners, this feels like an obvious step up in overall package from the s24u

Some complain Samsung didn't do enough with the S25 over the S24. But then go on to say they will get an iPhone instead! But we all know year over year the iphone shape and design has been the same for a decade.

Then the people who ACTUALLY have the S25U has repeatedly said how great the design and changes are over the S24.
The chip is faster...the display is better...the sound is better...the camera is better. The S25U is lighter and easier to hold in the hand and so forth.

 

[jamezr]

Even most of the tech Youtubers are saying it isn't worth it for S24 Ultra users to upgrade to the S25 Ultra.

Everyone has their own opinions and is free to express them. That's the great thing about free speech.

Yet here you are talking about it time and time again. You don't like the S25U and feel it is not a worthy upgrade over your S24U and you are waiting for the Pixel 10! Because THAT phone will be different than the Pixel 9 somehow.

Yet there is a S24 thread for you to discuss all things about the phone you chose to stick with......
Heck even the Pixel 9 has a thread as well you could discuss all things Pixel and how you are looking forward to the Pixel 10...or even start a whole new thread about the Pixel 10 and rumors and theories about what features it will have and so forth.
Nope.....still in the S25 thread stating anything negative to say "see...thats why i didn't get the S25U"

Just me expressing my free speech.....

 

[SteveJUAE]

Then the people who ACTUALLY have the S25U has repeatedly said how great the design and changes are over the S24.
The chip is faster...the display is better...the sound is better...the camera is better. The S25U is lighter and easier to hold in the hand and so forth.

Yeah but you have to remember some don't even like the "design tweaks" over the S24 LOL so go figure what they expect for free

 

[noobinator]

I love my ultra so far.

It is getting old reading the same points beaten to death here about how it's not an amazing upgrade. It really doesn't add much to the discussion.

Also mentioning free speech on a tech forum is weird. That's not what free speech is about.

 

[Zito Abroad]

First off, how anyone who supposedly is into tech and phones is complaining about incremental updates like it's not the norm, I'll never understand. Second, this is as good as an update gets when it comes to year over year with phones today. The processor alone makes it worth it. I personally don't upgrade year over year anymore, because I'm doing foldables. If I was still into slab phones, I would have had the S24U, and I would have definitely upgraded to the S25U. The CPU and design change, along with OneUI7 is plenty reason for me. This phone is the complete package, haters be damned.

 

[mjschabow]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on the last day of the preorder, got free Buds 3 Pro too. The biggest reason? I think OneUI has actually become the best software on any phone including iOS, which really needs a makeover. After weeks of deliberation and research, I think this is the best move.

The only thing that was really tying me tonight Apple was Apple Music, and I’m going to try rolling with it on the Ultra. I really think the software is what’s more appealing than the phone itself. The S-Pen will be nice because I have to sign a good number of contracts as a musician. This will make life a lot easier. The only thing I’m curious about is the voice recorder and if I can make MP3’s out of it. I use it a lot on iPhone when recording originals. I’m sure there’s a good equivalent but that will be a must for sure.

 

[jamezr]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on the last day of the preorder, got free Buds 3 Pro too. The biggest reason? I think OneUI has actually become the best software on any phone including iOS, which really needs a makeover. After weeks of deliberation and research, I think this is the best move.

The only thing that was really tying me tonight Apple was Apple Music, and I’m going to try rolling with it on the Ultra. I really think the software is what’s more appealing than the phone itself. The S-Pen will be nice because I have to sign a good number of contracts as a musician. This will make life a lot easier. The only thing I’m curious about is the voice recorder and if I can make MP3’s out of it. I use it a lot on iPhone when recording originals. I’m sure there’s a good equivalent but that will be a must for sure.

Congrats! I know you were mulling this around a lot and really put some thought into it.
What color did you go with? I run Apple Music on my android phones as well. I always wanted to try Spotify. But I have so many playlist and music already on Apple Music it just seems like a waste of time.

 

[mjschabow]

Congrats! I know you were mulling this around a lot and really put some thought into it.
What color did you go with? I run Apple Music on my android phones as well. I always wanted to try Spotify. But I have so many playlist and music already on Apple Music it just seems like a waste of time.

Thanks. Yeah I probably watched over 200 YouTube videos at this point. Haha. Almost went with the Z Fold 6 bit cameras are still so important to me. Seeing that moving subjects was heavily improved really was the tipping point. And in analyzing my Apple usage, there’s nothing else tying me. I love my Watch Ultra, but the Samsung version also looks great. Now that RCS is on Apple, messaging doesn’t matter. I really wanted a device that could actually be my personal assistant.

I actually went with the Silver White. So pumped to get it!

 

[Harthag]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on the last day of the preorder, got free Buds 3 Pro too. The biggest reason? I think OneUI has actually become the best software on any phone including iOS, which really needs a makeover. After weeks of deliberation and research, I think this is the best move.

The only thing that was really tying me tonight Apple was Apple Music, and I’m going to try rolling with it on the Ultra. I really think the software is what’s more appealing than the phone itself. The S-Pen will be nice because I have to sign a good number of contracts as a musician. This will make life a lot easier. The only thing I’m curious about is the voice recorder and if I can make MP3’s out of it. I use it a lot on iPhone when recording originals. I’m sure there’s a good equivalent but that will be a must for sure.

Interested to hear your thoughts about it. I can't get any more out of videos and need to see for myself. Also picking mine up tomorrow, never owned a Note or Ultra before.

 

[noobinator]

Thanks. Yeah I probably watched over 200 YouTube videos at this point. Haha. Almost went with the Z Fold 6 bit cameras are still so important to me. Seeing that moving subjects was heavily improved really was the tipping point. And in analyzing my Apple usage, there’s nothing else tying me. I love my Watch Ultra, but the Samsung version also looks great. Now that RCS is on Apple, messaging doesn’t matter. I really wanted a device that could actually be my personal assistant.

I actually went with the Silver White. So pumped to get it!

That's the color I went with too. I'm very happy with it! I picked up a light blue kindsuit case (vegan leather) today since they are still half price and it's pretty nice.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on the last day of the preorder, got free Buds 3 Pro too. The biggest reason? I think OneUI has actually become the best software on any phone including iOS, which really needs a makeover. After weeks of deliberation and research, I think this is the best move.

The only thing that was really tying me tonight Apple was Apple Music, and I’m going to try rolling with it on the Ultra. I really think the software is what’s more appealing than the phone itself. The S-Pen will be nice because I have to sign a good number of contracts as a musician. This will make life a lot easier. The only thing I’m curious about is the voice recorder and if I can make MP3’s out of it. I use it a lot on iPhone when recording originals. I’m sure there’s a good equivalent but that will be a must for sure.

Congrats

Remember to post a review and get a free case and charger

I'm sure between us we can help you with any issues

Maybe we will get you on a Fold next time LOL

 

[mjschabow]

That's the color I went with too. I'm very happy with it! I picked up a light blue kindsuit case (vegan leather) today since they are still half price and it's pretty nice.

Nice! I am case shopping as we speak even though I hate cases. 🤣

 

[mjschabow]

Congrats

Remember to post a review and get a free case and charger

I'm sure between us we can help you with any issues

Maybe we will get you on a Fold next time LOL

Oh yeah I’ll do that. And thanks for your help on the Google photos default issue. I’m going to have to dig up that post again.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Oh yeah I’ll do that. And thanks for your help on the Google photos default issue. I’m going to have to dig up that post again.

Here

I understand this is because you have not granted Google Photos access to photo picker, just go to google photos, tap your icon, select photo settings, select apps and devices, select google photos access, select photo picker, select allow.

 

[mjschabow]

Here

Hell yeah! Thanks so much man!

 

[Dave245]

Yet here you are talking about it time and time again. You don't like the S25U and feel it is not a worthy upgrade over your S24U and you are waiting for the Pixel 10! Because THAT phone will be different than the Pixel 9 somehow.

Yet there is a S24 thread for you to discuss all things about the phone you chose to stick with......
Heck even the Pixel 9 has a thread as well you could discuss all things Pixel and how you are looking forward to the Pixel 10...or even start a whole new thread about the Pixel 10 and rumors and theories about what features it will have and so forth.
Nope.....still in the S25 thread stating anything negative to say "see...thats why i didn't get the S25U"

Just me expressing my free speech.....

And i can choose to do that considering I started the thread in the first place and like to see what others think. No one is forcing you to read my posts, there is an ignore button.

 

[Dave245]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on the last day of the preorder, got free Buds 3 Pro too. The biggest reason? I think OneUI has actually become the best software on any phone including iOS, which really needs a makeover. After weeks of deliberation and research, I think this is the best move.

The only thing that was really tying me tonight Apple was Apple Music, and I’m going to try rolling with it on the Ultra. I really think the software is what’s more appealing than the phone itself. The S-Pen will be nice because I have to sign a good number of contracts as a musician. This will make life a lot easier. The only thing I’m curious about is the voice recorder and if I can make MP3’s out of it. I use it a lot on iPhone when recording originals. I’m sure there’s a good equivalent but that will be a must for sure.

Be interesting to see what you think.

 

[jamezr]

And i can choose to do that considering I started the thread in the first place and like to see what others think. No one is forcing you to read my posts, there is an ignore button.

There it is....."I stared this thread so I have ownership". . That doesnt mean jack.... you know why.. because we have free speech
Then if you don't like what my free speech says..... there is always the ignore button.