Introduction
I know most people are eagerly awaiting the release of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and it's no surprise why. With its impressive features and the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, this device is shaping up to be one of the most exciting launches in the smartphones world. I’ve got some exciting updates on the S25 Ultra, including its price, impressive battery life improvements, and more. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in.
Pricing Details
First, let’s talk about pricing. A couple of reliable sources have revealed details on the pricing for the entire Galaxy S25 lineup.
A recent rumor suggested that the S25 Ultra’s Bill of Materials (BoM) is $110 higher than the S24 Ultra. In simple terms, it costs Samsung an extra $110 to make each S25 Ultra compared to its predecessor, and the biggest culprit here is the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
This new processor reportedly costs around $200, which is 25–30% pricier than its predecessor. So, does this mean Samsung is going to pass on the cost to us, the customers?
Samsung's Pricing Strategy
Surprisingly, no. Both Techmaniacs, a Greek publication, and a Korean tipster have claimed that Samsung plans to keep the prices unchanged across the S25 lineup. Why? Well, blame—or thank—Apple. Apple’s decision to freeze prices for the iPhone 16 series has apparently nudged Samsung into doing the same.
Here’s what the pricing could look like:
- Base S25 with 12GB RAM: Expected to start at $799, likely for the 128GB version.
- S25+: Expected to be priced at $999.
- S25 Ultra: Expected to start at $1299.
What’s still up in the air is whether the S25 Ultra will start with 16GB of RAM or stick to 12GB for the base variant. There will definitely be a 16GB option, but will Samsung reserve that for higher storage configurations, similar to what they’ve done with their Tab Ultra lineup? We’ll have to wait and see.
Pre-Order Perks and Launch Details
According to the report, Samsung will stick to its usual pre-order perks for the Galaxy S25 series. These include a free storage upgrade, better trade-in credits, and even a $50 credit just for showing interest in the device. Pre-orders are expected to kick off right after the Unpacked event, but you can sign up for the $50 credit starting January 5th.
The S25 series is set to launch on January 22nd.
Spec Overview
What about specs? Well, according to the same report, the S25 lineup doesn’t bring massive changes. Outside of a RAM bump, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and an ultrawide camera upgrade on the Ultra, most of the specs are staying the same.
Battery Life Improvements
Battery life, though, is where things get exciting. The S25 Ultra is sticking with the same 5000mAh battery as last year, which might feel a little underwhelming. But here’s the exciting part: devices running the Snapdragon 8 Elite are already out, like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13, and early testing has revealed some massive battery life improvements compared to last year’s models.
For example:
- The Asus phone has just a 5.4% larger battery than its predecessor but delivers 30% better battery life in the PCMark test.
- The OnePlus 13, with an 11% bigger battery, boasts a jaw-dropping 42% improvement in battery life.
What does this mean? The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is incredibly efficient, needing much less power to deliver better performance. This efficiency is a game-changer, and since the S25 Ultra features the same chip, combined with Samsung’s top-tier optimizations, we can expect similarly impressive battery life gains.
Design and New Features
Qualcomm really knocked it out of the park with the Snapdragon 8 Elite this year. Not only is it delivering serious performance upgrades, but it’s also setting a new standard for battery efficiency.
Leaked dummy units of the S25 Ultra, based on actual dimensions, have surfaced, giving us a glimpse of the device’s dimensions. That said, these dummy models don’t do the real phone justice—they look downright cheap and unpolished. Rest assured, the final product will look way better than this, closer to some concept renders floating around.
Software: OneUI 7 and NowBar
Next, the S25 Ultra will run OneUI 7, and one of the highlights of the new software is a feature called NowBar. This feature is designed for apps that frequently send notifications, and leaks have revealed how it integrates seamlessly with apps like Samsung Clock’s Timer and Voice Recorder.
What stands out is the attention to detail, from the subtle blur effect to the gradient color transitions that flow elegantly from left to right. It’s clear that Samsung is taking its software game to the next level.
Unlike Apple’s Dynamic Island, which sits at the top, the NowBar is placed at the bottom of the lock screen. This makes it more accessible for quick interactions and perfectly aligns with OneUI 7’s emphasis on one-handed usability. Samsung has smartly moved all the primary controls to the lower half of the display, ensuring effortless navigation.
Conclusion
There are also concept videos based on leaks showing how the NowBar might work. And I’ve got to say, it looks great, and I can’t wait to see it in action. Samsung is definitely onto something here. Finally, there are two major upgrades coming to the S25 Ultra. More details will be available as we approach the launch.
