Five upgrades expected in the Galaxy S25 series that will set the tone for premium Android phones in 2025

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to make its grand debut on January 22, marking a major milestone for the South Korean tech giant. However, the device is also expected tp set the tone for what premium flagships will be like in 2025.

Numerous leaks and rumours have painted a pretty exciting picture, suggesting that this new flagship could be the most powerful Galaxy device yet.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is shaping up to be a game-changer in the Android world, boasting five major upgrades that could set new benchmarks for 2025’s premium phones. Here’s what’s rumoured to be in store.

Next-level performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite

The first big upgrade for the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in the form of a new chipset, which isn’t too surprising since every new Galaxy S model usually packs a punch in this area. But this year, the improvement might be jaw-dropping. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, set to power the S25 Ultra, promises laptop-level performance.

Early benchmarks indicate that it could even outperform the iPhone 16 Pro Max in multi-core scores. If this holds true, Samsung’s flagship will be an absolute powerhouse, capable of handling everything from demanding apps to AI tasks with ease.

More from Tech

How ChatGPT is becoming everyone’s BFF and why that’s dangerous America ready for self-driving cars, but it has a legal problem

A giant 6.9-inch display

Screen size is another area where the Galaxy S25 Ultra could make a statement. Leaks suggest the phone will feature a massive 6.9-inch display (or 6.86 inches, to be precise, but likely marketed as 6.9 inches).

This would make the screen slightly bigger than the 6.8-inch display on the S24 Ultra and put it on par with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The expanded display size promises an even more immersive experience, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and productivity tasks.

A sleeker, more curved design

Design upgrades are also on the horizon. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to sport a curvier, more ergonomic shape, with rounded corners and slimmer bezels. These changes should make the phone not only look more modern but also feel better in the hand.

Additionally, it’s expected to be lighter, which is always welcome in a device this large. Overall, the design refinements should bring the S25 Ultra more in line with the rest of the Galaxy S25 series and make it more visually appealing.

Huge camera upgrade: 50MP ultrawide lens

Samsung’s Ultra models have always delivered impressive photography, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra could take things to the next level. The biggest change might come in the form of a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a massive upgrade from the 12MP sensor on the S24 Ultra.

This improvement would be a huge leap in megapixels and could elevate the ultra-wide camera’s performance to match the main sensor’s quality. With this boost, Samsung aims to stay competitive with Apple, as the iPhone 16 Pro Max also recently saw a significant ultra-wide camera upgrade.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

America ready for self-driving cars, but it has a legal problem

Alibaba, Baidu begin using own AI chips as China shifts away from US tech amid Nvidia row

More RAM for AI and multitasking

Finally, the Galaxy S25 Ultra could be getting a serious RAM boost. While the current S24 Ultra already has a respectable 12GB of RAM, some rumours suggest that certain configurations of the S25 Ultra might come with a whopping 16GB.

This additional memory could be crucial as AI features become more central to smartphone experiences, enabling faster on-device processing and improved multitasking. However, an early benchmark only listed 12GB of RAM, so the 16GB version might be limited to specific models.

With these anticipated upgrades, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. From a laptop-grade chipset and a massive display to a sleek design, improved cameras, and more RAM, it’s clear that Samsung is pulling out all the stops to impress both power users and photography enthusiasts. If the rumours hold true, this flagship might set the tone for next-gen Android devices and redefine what premium smartphones can do.