Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, with its impressive cameras featuring a 200MP main rear camera and enhanced zoom capabilities, delivers professional-quality photos that surpass previous models.
- The phones NOW Bar, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and improved cameras make it ideal for gaming and productivity, offering smooth and enjoyable experiences while playing games like Call of Duty Mobile.
- The Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced at R 11,999 (for the 256 GB model) but is expected to drop significantly around Black Friday, making it a budget-friendly high-end phone option.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is recommended for those seeking a high-end 2025-2026 Samsung experience who prefer a standard phone to a foldable model, as it capably handles video editing and demanding games despite its aluminum construction.
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Six-Month Verdict: S25 Ultra’s Impressive Cameras and Price Drop
Pedro Zambarda, Chief Editor, tested the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra after briefly using a Galaxy Z Fold6. Launched in early 2025, the S25 Ultra is priced at R 11,999 for the 256 GB model (the one Zambarda tested), R 12,999 for the 512 GB version, and R 14,999 for the 1 TB version. It may be worth purchasing around Black Friday, when the price drops to approximately R 6,000. Zambarda’s colleagues praised the phone’s professional-quality photos. Equipped with a 200MP camera and 100x zoom, it surpasses previous Ultra models in capturing group and wide shots, and it avoids the overheating issues found in the Z Fold6. In addition to the 200MP main rear camera, the device features: A 50MP ultrawide lens (F1.9, 120°, 5x optical zoom) A 50MP optical zoom lens (F3.4, OIS, 22°) A 10MP optical zoom lens (F2.4, OIS, 36°) A 12MP selfie camera (F2.2, 80°)
Enhanced Gaming and Productivity with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s NOW Bar, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and Improved Cameras
The phone captured sharp street shots. The included S Pen facilitates navigation and note-taking on the phone’s 6.9-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X screen. With Quad HD resolution and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, supporting HDR10 and HDR10+, the screen makes playing Call of Duty Mobile smooth and enjoyable. On the software side, the device introduces the NOW Bar and NOW Brief features, which are inspired by iPhone and designed to create app shortcuts and display data summaries such as weather and calendar information. The phone integrates Google Gemini AI. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the result of a collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm, with two high-performance cores at 4.47 GHz and six additional cores at 3.53 GHz. The manufacturer claims this chip delivers a 37% improvement in CPU performance, a 30% boost for the Adreno 830 GPU, and a 40% upgrade in NPU performance. Zambarda stated that he didn’t notice a significant difference in performance.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – A Must-Consider for Black Friday Shoppers Opting for a Standard High-End Phone Experience
Zambarda recommends considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra, especially on Black Friday, for those seeking a high-end 2025-2026 Samsung experience and who prefer a standard phone to a foldable model. While not specifically designed as a gaming device, it capably handles video editing and demanding games. Despite its aluminum construction, similar to many other flagships from the South Korean brand, and the removal of the prominent camera bumps on the back, the S25 Ultra remains a worthwhile option, particularly with its rounded edges—even if it doesn’t offer a wealth of upgrades compared to the S24 Ultra.
In Case You Missed It
As we’ve been exploring the captivating worlds created by Quantic Dream, we’re thrilled to share that they’re venturing into the competitive MOBA genre with Spellcasters Chronicles! Authored by Ahmed Hassan and published just last month on November 26th, this blog reveals exciting news about their first esports endeavor. Get ready for a 3v3 format where you’ll customize your unique ‘spellcaster’ character, drawing inspiration from popular TCGs like Hearthstone but with a MOBA twist! Meanwhile, Midway through our discussion on Bandai Namco’s latest gaming ventures, we’d be remiss not to mention their recent announcement on the anime production front. Author Bruno Pferd spilled the beans just last month in his insightful piece, “Bandai Namco Launches Anime Production Courses” (2025-11-25), revealing Bandai Namco Filmworks’ ambitious plan to tackle Japan’s anime worker shortage by launching four internal schools focused on nurturing young talent. And in our quest to uncover hidden gems and fan creations that pay homage to the classics, we stumbled upon a gem from Jonathan Dubinski. His latest piece, titled “God of War Remake? Here’s What Fan Dreams Might Look Like”, published on November 29th, takes us on a nostalgic journey back to 2005 with an in-depth exploration of Alifilmworx’s incredible remake of the first God of War installment. From recreating Kratos and iconic enemies to bringing the legendary shipwreck scene back to life, this fan-made masterpiece is a must-see for any God of War enthusiast. Don’t miss out on participating in Spellcasters Chronicles’ closed beta test from December 4th to 8th – sign up now at Steam or via the official website Spellcasters Chronicles: Quantic Dream’s MOBA Reveals Closed Beta Dates. For more insights into Bandai Namco’s anime production plans, head over to Bruno’s piece here Bandai Namco Launches Anime Production Courses. And to dive into Jonathan’s exploration of the God of War remake fan creation, click here God of War Remake? Here’s What Fan Dreams Might Look Like.