I switched from iPhone to the Galaxy S25 Ultra for a week. Here's what happened

As a tech reviewer who constantly jumps between mobile ecosystems, I recently embarked on a week-long experiment: ditching my iPhone for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. My goal was to truly immerse myself in Samsung's flagship and see if it could genuinely claim the title of the market's top premium all-rounder. Here’s what I found…

From the moment I first held the S25 Ultra in my hand, its premium build quality was undeniable. The robust titanium frame and advanced Gorilla Glass Armour felt incredibly solid and durable in hand, easily matching, if not surpassing, anything else on the market. Yes, it's a big phone, a two-handed affair for sure, but the weight distribution felt balanced, and it's lighter than its predecessor. While its size might not appeal to everyone, especially those seeking a compact device, I found its expansive display immersive. The transition to Samsung's One UI was surprisingly smooth for me, given my familiarity with both Android and iOS(I dabble in both ecosystems daily). While the OS was functional and highly customisable, it didn't always feel as intuitively refined in every corner as I'm used to, but it certainly didn't hinder my daily workflow.

Under the hood, the S25 Ultra is an absolute beast. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and ample RAM, this phone is lightning fast. Multitasking was seamless, demanding apps launched instantly, and even graphics-intensive games ran without a hitch. I could even edit fairly complicated reels on the go, which is a testament to the power of the chipset. This raw power ensures almost no slowdowns, making it a true workhorse.

The Galaxy AI suite is where the S25 Ultra shows you how Samsung is the frontrunner in the smartphone AI race. Features like "Circle to Search," "Live Translate," and "Note Assist" are genuinely practical tools that have enhanced my productivity and communication. While these AI capabilities are undeniably advanced, I did find myself wishing for deeper, more seamless integration with Gemini Advanced across the broader Galaxy ecosystem. There's immense potential here that feels just on the cusp of being fully unleashed.

The camera system remains a core strength. The new 50MP ultrawide lens pulls in significantly more detail, and while other lenses are similar to last year, the improved system ensures more true-to-life output, especially with skin tones and low-light details. Features like 10-bit HDR video and Audio Eraser are welcome additions, especially for content creators. The integrated S Pen is a game-changer for productivity, transforming the phone into a versatile mobile workstation for notes and annotations. Battery life was consistently excellent; a single charge easily got me through heavy usage days. The battery life was comparable to my iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the apps on iOS are better optimised for battery performance.

Pros, Cons, and Who It's For

My week with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra solidified its position as a top-tier contender. It's a premium device, priced similarly to an iPhone, and while it might take some getting used to for staunch iPhone loyalists, my experience as a dual-ecosystem user was largely positive.

The Upsides

The S25 Ultra boasts exceptional build quality and lightning-fast performance, making it feel incredibly premium and handle every task with ease. Its advanced Galaxy AI features are largely practical, enhancing productivity and communication in daily use. The versatile camera system delivers excellent detail and capabilities, especially with the new ultra-wide lens, while the integrated S Pen stands out as a unique and powerful tool for productivity. Furthermore, its superior battery life ensures reliable all-day endurance, complemented by 7 years of OS and security updates, promising long-term value.

The Downsides

The premium price tag represents a significant investment. While One UI is functional, it could benefit from further refinement in certain areas to feel more intuitively polished. There's also room for deeper, more seamless Gemini Advanced integration across Samsung's broader ecosystem. Lastly, its large form factor means it's not ideal for users who prefer smaller, more compact phones.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is for the discerning professional, the power user, or the content creator who demands uncompromising performance. Personally, it is the ecosystem that keeps creators like me locked into the Apple universe. Seamless integration and a consistent experience across smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and so much more. However, as a standalone product, the S25 Ultra is right there at the top of the heap.