Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, is set to be unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025, at 1300 Eastern / 1000 Pacific. The announcement comes as Samsung opens its pre-registration program, offering early birds a $50 credit toward additional eligible products.
The new flagship builds upon the success of its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, which garnered praise for its robust camera system, extended battery life, and integration of the S Pen and Samsung DeX features. However, the S25 Ultra appears to address previous user feedback regarding display brightness, cooling capabilities, and camera performance.
At the heart of the device lies the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, promising significant improvements in performance and energy efficiency. The phone features an enhanced cooling system with a vapor chamber that delivers 42% better cooling than its predecessor, particularly beneficial for demanding tasks like gaming.
Key specifications include:
- Display: Enhanced screen with HDR10+ support and 2600 nits peak brightness
- Battery: 5,000 mAh with potential improvements in wireless charging speeds
- Dimensions: 162.8mm x 77.6mm x 8.2mm
- Weight: 219g (7.7 oz)
- 12GB RAM / 256GB storage
- 16GB RAM / 512GB storage
- 16GB RAM / 1TB storage
The device will run on Android 15 with Samsung’s OneUI 7 interface, maintaining Samsung’s commitment to software innovation. The camera system has been enhanced, particularly for low-light video shooting, with rumors suggesting variable capabilities for the telephoto camera during video recording.
Pre-order incentives are particularly attractive this year. Beyond the initial $50 registration credit, Samsung is offering an instant $300 credit for qualifying products and up to $900 in trade-in value for eligible devices. While the maximum trade-in value applies primarily to recent flagship models like the S24 Ultra, older devices and those from other manufacturers will also be accepted at lower values.
In South Korea, Samsung has introduced the “Galaxy Easy Compensation” program, allowing users to check their phone’s trade-in value online before sending it to Samsung. While currently limited to South Korea, the company has indicated potential expansion to other markets.
Pre-orders are expected to either open immediately following the Unpacked event or on Friday, January 24, continuing through February 4. The device is scheduled to hit retail shelves and begin shipping to pre-order customers on February 7.
The S25 Ultra’s development reflects Samsung’s careful consideration of user feedback while pushing technological boundaries. The device maintains features like the S Pen functionality, with Samsung notably avoiding magnetic components. This attention to detail, combined with the significant hardware improvements, positions the S25 Ultra as a comprehensive upgrade to its predecessor.
