This Could Have Been an Ultra

Samsung’s other phone, the Galaxy S25+, is not as extraordinary as its ultimate sibling, the Ultra. It’s hard to get excited about another smartphone, even if it is a solid buy. With seven years of software support, it’s promising that Samsung wants this device to endure. Still, I wish the company would package this model more like it does the Galaxy S25 Ultra. I don’t even care about the S Pen. At a $1,000 starting price, the Galaxy S25+ costs too much not to have far-reaching camera sensors, as the Ultra does, or a better RAM stack. I don’t understand why this can’t be marketed as a smaller Ultra at its price point.

At the very least, if you don’t like the size of the Galaxy S25+, you can consider the smaller Galaxy S25, which has almost all the same components. We don’t have the phone in for review yet, though I will explain the differences between the two models if you’re considering one, as it starts at $800. But if you want a bigger phone and can afford the additional cost, I suggest leaning toward the Ultra if you want to take the best pictures, S Pen and all.

Samsung Galaxy S25+

The Galaxy S25+ is a solid device, but it costs too much not to be called an Ultra—and offer some of its features, too.

Pros