Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
What we know so far
Samsung's next big flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, is expected to debut in January 2025. As a successor to one of the best Android phones currently available, the S25 Ultra will need to carefully fine-tune its design and features to maintain the winning formula while introducing meaningful upgrades.
With the Galaxy S25 Ultra launch approaching, we've already gotten a glimpse of a few key features. For the rest, we can make some educated guesses based on Samsung's trends from past models.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to rock a sturdy titanium build and Corning's glare-free glass for extra durability. While the design will likely stick to the flat style of the previous model, it is rumored to get rounded edges for a sleeker feel. You can also expect the integrated S Pen to return, along with the reliable IP68 water and dust resistance.
The display might stick to 6.8 inches and will almost certainly keep rocking a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, with its super-smooth 1-120Hz refresh rate. Hopefully, Samsung will bump up the maximum brightness even further for better visibility outdoors.
It terms of performance, it is almost a given that we will find Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip under the hood. There is always a chance this chip might be only in US units, leaving room for an Exynos version elsewhere in the world, but to be honest, that is pretty unlikely.
When it comes to the battery, we are hoping for better battery life with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, we are not expecting a much larger battery because of space constraints. Faster wired charging would be great, but it’s likely we'll see the return of 45W charging support.
We expect the Galaxy S25 Ultra to cost as much as the current model does. As a refresher, the Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $1,300 for the 256GB version and goes up to $1,660 for the 1TB option.
Now, let's delve deeper into all the expectations surrounding the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra. You can also take a look at all the available information about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25.
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Galaxy S25 Ultra release date
Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S25 Ultra on January 22, 2025, at its next Unpacked event. Based on past launches, the flagship will likely arrive in stores around 10 to 14 days afterward.
This date isn't merely speculation – well-known insider Evan Blass has posted what looks like the official Italian poster for the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, adding more weight to the anticipation.
Plus, a recent leak from trusted tipster Max Jambor also points to January 22 as the big day. Overall, this date not only comes from reliable sources but also aligns with Samsung's usual timing. The company has a history of kicking off the year with its flagship models, and with the last two Winter Unpacked events taking place on Wednesdays, January 22 being a Wednesday makes this timeline fit perfectly.
On top of that, a recent report from South Korea suggests that the Galaxy S25 Slim could launch on January 22, with pre-orders kicking off the same day and the official release slated for February 5. However, another report from just a few days ago points to January 24 as the pre-order start date.
Device lineup
AnnouncementMarket release
Galaxy S25 Ultra January 22, 2025* February 5, 2025*
Galaxy S24 Ultra
January 17, 2024 January 31, 2024
Galaxy S23 Ultra
February 1, 2023
February 17, 2023
* - probable dates
There is also a rumor floating around that Samsung could unveil the Galaxy S25 models as early as January 5. If true, it would mark an almost two-week jump from this year's January 17 launch. But let's be real – January 5 doesn't feel all that likely. For one, CES 2025, a major tech event, runs from January 7-11, and Samsung usually waits until after the show to unveil its new flagship phones.
Regardless of when the Galaxy S25 series launches, Samsung might have something new up its sleeve. Word on the street is that a new model, the Galaxy S25 Slim, could join the lineup. This ultra-thin device might arrive later, around April or May, but one rumor suggests it could debut alongside the rest of the series – if Samsung manages to wrap things up in time. It is not a sure thing yet, but it is definitely still a possibility!
Galaxy S25 Ultra price
The base model of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to start at $1,299, and recent rumors support this expectation, suggesting that the entire lineup will likely stick to current prices without any increases.
However, a South Korean report has thrown a bit of a curveball, claiming there could be a small price hike, pushing the Ultra base model to $1,349.99. Another earlier report also hinted that the Galaxy S25 Ultra could come with a higher price tag unless Samsung Foundry manages to improve its 3nm production yields.
Still, considering the Galaxy Ultra saw a $100 price jump in 2024, it’s hard to imagine Samsung adding another price increase in consecutive years.
Model256 GB of storage512 GB of storage1 TB of storage
Galaxy S25 Ultra $1,299* $1,419* $1,659*
Galaxy S24 Ultra $1,299 $1,419 $1,659
Galaxy S23 Ultra $1,199 $1299 $1,619
* Anticipated prices
If past Galaxy launches are any indication, there will likely be several ways to save on the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra, such as trading in a device or pre-ordering the phone. US carriers usually offer deals and bonuses for new Samsung flagships as well. So, what kind of pricing and deals can we expect for the Galaxy S25 Ultra from Samsung and the major carriers?
Samsung: When the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched, Samsung offered trade-in credits of up to $750. It’s likely that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a similar deal, so if you’ve got an eligible device to trade in, you could save a substantial amount on your upgrade.Verizon: If you go with a carrier plan, the deals get even sweeter for the current model and should be similar for the next one. For instance, Verizon's Device Payment Program offers $800 off if you pick the Unlimited Ultimate plan before ordering your new device and trading in any Samsung smartphone.T-Mobile: At T-Mobile, you can snag up to $600 off through 24 monthly bill credits when you add a new voice line on a qualifying ONE, Magenta, or Go5G plan.
AT&T: This carrier has some fantastic offers, too. For instance, with the current model, you can get up to $1,000 off with a suitable unlimited plan and an eligible trade-in device valued at just $95 or more.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of ways to grab a flagship Galaxy smartphone at a lower price, and similar deals will likely be available for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, too.
Galaxy S25 Ultra camera
If we are to trust Ice Universe on X – one of the most reliable Samsung-focused leakers out there – the camera specs for the Galaxy S25 Ultra have been “confirmed.” We are talking in-depth details here, covering everything from megapixel counts to sensor models, pixel sizes, and optical zoom limits.
Here’s what the S25 Ultra is rumored to have for its four rear-facing cameras:
200 MP primary Samsung Isocell HP2 sensor
10 MP secondary Sony IMX754 telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom
50 MP Sony IMX854 periscope telephoto sensor featuring 5x optical zoom and a 0.7 micrometer pixel size
50 MP Samsung Isocell JN3 ultra-wide-angle sensor with a 0.7 micrometer pixel size
If you are familiar with the S24 Ultra's camera specs (check the table below if not), Samsung's upgrades for the S25 Ultra might feel a bit underwhelming. The first three sensors listed above seem to stay the same for the new flagship.
So, the main hardware upgrade for the Galaxy S25 Ultra appears to be its ultra-wide camera. The new Isocell JN3 sensor, which hasn’t been released yet, is expected to deliver impressive wide-angle performance for the S25 Ultra.
A new leak reinforces the belief that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will enhance landscape and group shots by offering a wider framing angle, letting more light reach the sensor, which should improve image quality compared to the previous model.
PhoneCamera specs
Galaxy S25 Ultra Wide: 200 MP F1.7*
Ultra-wide: 50 MP
Telephoto #1: 10 MP F2.2 3X optical zoom*
Telephoto #2: 50 MP F3.4 5X optical zoom*
Front: 12 MP F2.2*
Galaxy S24 Ultra Wide: 200MP F1.7
Ultra-wide: 12MP F2.2
Telephoto #1: 10MP F2.2 3X optical zoom
Telephoto #2: 50MP F3.4 5X optical zoom
Front: 12MP F2.2
*-probable specs
When it comes to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it's safe to assume that AI will have an even bigger part to play in mobile photography and videography. This year, Samsung went all in on artificial intelligence and machine learning to step up its photography game with its top-notch "cameraphone".
And as if that weren't enough, we can also expect the usual software tweaks and image-processing algorithm upgrades that come around every year. This means that we can expect better low-light performance, upgraded image stabilization and, hopefully, even better portrait capture capabilities. Oh, and maybe even 100x Space Zoom, even without the 10X periscope camera!
Galaxy S25 Ultra storage
The Galaxy S25 Ultra could be the first phone to feature Samsung's UFS 4.04-lane storage chip, which could theoretically support nearly 8GB/sec. This means nearly double the 4GB/s of the UFS 4.0 standard that's currently used on most phones.
According to an existing Samsung roadmap, the faster storage is expected to be available in 2025. In our opinion, that would definitely amp up the device's performance and it could also be a big boost for Samsung's on-device Galaxy AI.
We anticipate the base version of the Galaxy S25 Ultra to offer 256GB of storage, with options for 512GB and 1TB also likely available. There are also rumors suggesting a higher-end model with 16GB of RAM alongside the base configuration with 12GB of RAM. These rumors were recently backed up once again with a new leak that reveals the RAM and storage options for the upcoming flagship.
Galaxy S25 Ultra expected storage capacity:
256 GB
512 GB
1TB
Galaxy S25 Ultra design
Not long ago, a report offered more insight into the possible design changes for the upcoming Ultra model, showing renders of it alongside the current version. The Galaxy S25 Ultra appears to be moving toward rounded edges, giving it a look that’s more in line with the Galaxy Note series.
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The Galaxy S24 Ultra (on the left) next to the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra (on the right) and Samsung’s next flagship with the S Pen (the second image) | Image credit – Ice Universe
Plus, Samsung leaker Ice Universe hinted at a design twist for the Galaxy S25 Ultra's middle frame. Instead of sticking to a fully straight or curved frame, it is expected to have a rounded back and a straighter front near the display. This asymmetrical design could give the phone a fresh look and feel. However, a newer leak hints that it might feature flat frames, similar to those on the standard models.
It seems the Galaxy S25 Ultra might sport flat side rails after all. | Image Credit – Steve H. McFly
Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra might look a little less aggressive than the Galaxy S24 Ultra and another recent leak also suggests that it will feature more rounded edges, giving it a smoother appearance while still maintaining its signature sleek style.
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New Galaxy S25 Ultra renders are setting the expectations for what's to come.
When you hear the same thing from multiple sources, it’s usually a good sign that it is accurate. Recently, a flurry of leaks has indicated that Samsung is moving away from sharp corners for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
A dummy unit of this premium phone has surfaced, showcasing those rounded edges. Plus, a leak of a Galaxy S25 Ultra case suggests some significant improvements in ergonomics as well. And that's not all – another leak showing Galaxy S25 Ultra dummy units has further confirmed this claim.
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