Samsung S25 Ultra: Design Upgrade, but Mere Incremental Improvements in Specs? The Predicament of a 10,000 Yuan Flagship?

Samsung S25 Ultra: Design Upgrade, but Mere Incremental Improvements in Specs? The Predicament of a 10,000 Yuan Flagship?Once the reigning champion of Android phones, Samsung's presence in the Chinese market has gradually diminished in recent years, facing fierce competition from domestic brands. Recent leaked images of the Samsung S25 Ultra are so unremarkable that it's difficult to distinguish it from a product of a smaller, lesser-known Chinese manufacturer

Samsung S25 Ultra: Design Upgrade, but Mere Incremental Improvements in Specs? The Predicament of a 10,000 Yuan Flagship?

Once the reigning champion of Android phones, Samsung's presence in the Chinese market has gradually diminished in recent years, facing fierce competition from domestic brands. Recent leaked images of the Samsung S25 Ultra are so unremarkable that it's difficult to distinguish it from a product of a smaller, lesser-known Chinese manufacturer. While the official launch of the Samsung S25 series is still almost two months away, almost all of its specifications have been leaked. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the known information about the Samsung S25 Ultra.

Exterior Design: A Fusion of Slimness and Smoothness

The Samsung S25 Ultra's design adheres to Samsung's consistent "realistic" style. Foreign bloggers have already released hands-on videos showcasing significant changes. The body thickness has been reduced to 8.25 millimeters, featuring a 6.9-inch QHD AMOLED display with further narrowed bezels, resulting in a cleaner overall aesthetic. The four corners are more rounded, and the titanium alloy frame appears more three-dimensional, with polished edges enhancing the grip. This design style inevitably evokes comparisons to a "South Korean Meizu" and a "Zhuhai Samsung," reflecting a convergence of design philosophies.

In terms of the camera, the Samsung S25 Ultra continues its understated dual vertical camera design simple yet visually appealing, a marked improvement compared to some "large circular Oreo" designs. Standard colors include black, blue, gray, and silver, while Samsung's online store will offer exclusive colors such as blue, jade green, and pink.

Imaging Capabilities: The Frustration of Incremental Improvements

Unsurprisingly, the Samsung S25 Ultra's imaging capabilities continue the "incremental improvement" strategy. Foreign media reports suggest that the phone largely retains the hardware specifications of the S24 Ultra, with only an upgrade to the ultrawide-angle lens, featuring a new 50MP sensor. The main camera remains a 200MP sensor, and the much-criticized, small-sensor 3x telephoto lens is carried over from the S22 generation a testament to its longevity. The 5x telephoto lens also remains the same 50MP sensor from last year.

In summary, compared to the S24 Ultra, only the ultrawide-angle lens has been upgraded, while the 3x and 5x telephoto lenses remain unchanged. Samsung is expected to retain the same image processing algorithms, but improvements may be seen in night photography and super telephoto capabilities.

Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, but Limited Performance Gains

The Samsung S25 Ultra has received network access approval and will be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, boasting a clock speed of 4.47GHz. However, leaked benchmark scores show only limited improvements compared to the standard version, with a single-core score of 2863 and a multi-core score of 9391. In terms of memory, the Samsung S25 Ultra will offer a starting configuration of 16GB, with a new 1TB storage option.

Other features include expected satellite communication functionality, a 5000mAh battery, and 45W wired fast charging.

Launch Date and Price: Still a 10,000 Yuan Flagship

The Samsung S25 Ultra is expected to have a global launch event in San Francisco on January 23rd next year, with sales beginning in early February. The price is expected to remain above 10,000 yuan. Based on the current information, the Samsung S25 Ultra shows improvements in build quality and screen, but stagnates in imaging and battery lifeunacceptable for a phone costing over 10,000 yuan.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: A Rival to the iPhone 17 Air?

Reports suggest Samsung is developing a Galaxy S25 Slim, expected to launch in the second quarter of next year, directly competing with Apple's iPhone 17 Air, both positioned as ultra-thin flagships. The competition between these two giants is highly anticipated.

Conclusion:

The Samsung S25 Ultra features notable upgrades in design, with a slimmer body and rounded edges enhancing its overall feel. However, in terms of imaging and performance, Samsung has opted for incremental improvements, resulting in limited upgrades that starkly contrast with its price tag exceeding 10,000 yuan. While the S25 Ultra shows some improvements, it still faces significant challenges in a fiercely competitive market. Whether Samsung can reclaim its former glory with this new phone remains to be seen. The emergence of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim also adds a new variable to market competition, and its success against the iPhone 17 Air will be closely watched. In short, the launch of the Samsung S25 Ultra will be a major highlight of next year's smartphone market, and we eagerly await its arrival.