Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra upgrades the ‘Note’ design legacy
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has appeared in a live hands-on leak, confirming that Samsung is upgrading the Note design legacy again after blending these two series a few years ago. A few new live images have revealed aspects of this new flagship but the shape is the biggest visible change.
You can notice two things in these images – a titanium-driven frame and the corners. These changes initially surfaced with Onleaks’ CAD renders. To get deep into this paradigm shift, let’s take a walkthrough of the Note device.
Note design legacy
Samsung started its flagship smartphone journey with the Galaxy S1 in 2010. It featured a 4.0-inch AMOLED screen, a large head and chin, and bezels on both sides. This was a traditional touchscreen device.
A year later, Samsung brought the Galaxy Note to market with a 5.3-inch display. This device was bigger and wider than the S-series counterpart with a tablet-like appearance.
This launch led to industry-wide criticism of this large device. The phone looked boxy and had low corner radius curvature. However, the idea behind this phone was to offer something different from the S series and size was the only crucial difference between the two devices.
Over the next decade, the Korean phone maker has made immense progress in Note’s design and specifications. This phone turned larger, boxy, and sharper with each new version.
Among the new launches, the 10 anniversary became a breaking point for the Note lineup. That is when the S-series caught up with screen size and the form factor with the following screen sizes:
- Note 10+ – 6.8-inch Display
- S10 5G – 6.7-inch
Next time, the S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra brought the same screen size at 6.9-inch and that’s where Samsung gave up on a separate Note lineup.
In 2021, the firm announced the S21 but no new Note device. It included an S21 Ultra device with a giant stylus. But, this high-end model maintained the S-series design philosophy with round corners and curved screen.
At that time, Samsung’s president and head of mobile communications TM Roh confirmed Note’s end, fusing its features to the top-end Galaxy S “Ultra” device.
Next year, Samsung brought Note’s characteristics and S-Pen into the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Made it boxy, built with sharp corners while reducing the screen curvature. The design was polished with the next three versions – S22U, S23U, and S24U.
S25 Ultra
Previous Ultra models somehow maintained their frame curves providing a slightly round feeling on the left and right side without changing changing corners. However, the new S25 Ultra is changing things with a titanium design.
It will flat out the frame for improved device stability. Samsung was known for its giant screen curvature and this phone will mark a major change in this area. We’ve covered that entire saga in a separate article, please have a look at it here.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Credit – AndroidAuthority)
Things get even more interesting with the new round corners for a modernized look. We can find this equivalent to an iPhone.
When you compare the S25 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra the difference becomes certain and shows that Samsung has given up on its Note design legacy but that’s not true.
Samsung Galaxy Note phones were already round-cornered prior to Note 10+, which was carried only with the Note 20 Ultra. That means only two devices had those sharp angles. Meanwhile, Samsung carried such aesthetics until the S21 Ultra before including a radical change in appearance.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Credit – AndroidAuthority)
So, Samsung already had back and forth with past flagship phones, a typical scenario for a new premium device. In that case, the Galaxy S25 Ultra can only be called an “upgrade” to the Note design legacy and not a ditch.
Moreover, standard Galaxy S24 and S24+ already teased this change earlier this year and their popularity made it easy for Samsung to switch the stand for S25 Ultra. Therefore, the Galaxy S25 Ultra reflects modern and classic Samsung Note and S-series looks into one device.
However, these are just a few leaks, and the entire device with much clearer images waiting for its launch. Samsung will launch Galaxy S25 Ultra in early 2025, do check our archive for related articles.
As a true fan of Samsung gadgets and a tester of the One UI custom skin, I am excited to share my insights on the latest developments. The release of the One UI 7 beta has been a significant step, offering a brief look into the future of Samsung’s user interface.
I am getting more and more excited as we look forward to what’s coming with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the much-anticipated One UI 7.1, rumored to launch in January 2025.
In the One UI 7 beta, we have seen refined user experience, smoother animations, a new look for the home and lock screens, and enhanced AI functionalities.
Personally, I like the intuitive AI writing tools, which promise to make everyday tasks on the phone more seamless. The call transcripts are a huge deal for someone like me who speaks multiple languages, especially since it is now available in 20 different languages.
In the One UI 7 beta, we have seen new widgets, a refined home screen, and a smart notification center. But with the full release, I am expecting even more. We will likely see an improved ‘Now Bar’, which could redefine how we interact with our devices daily. The camera UI is also improving, which could mean even more powerful photography tools for everyone.
What’s more for us? The Galaxy S25 Ultra and One UI 7.1 are the next big thing to wait. Rumors suggest we will see a design change with rounded corners for a better feel, a flat display, and possibly some of the smoothest animations, thanks to the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The camera setup is expected to keep its 200MP primary sensor, possibly with enhanced AI zoom capabilities.
Battery life has always been a key concern for smartphone users, and with the S25 Ultra’s 5000mAh battery, there’s a chance for significant improvements, especially considering the rumored 45W wired and 25W wireless charging speeds.
I’m excited not just by the hardware or software alone, but by how they work together to make everything easier and more user-friendly.
The Galaxy AI features like Sketch to Image and Live Effects show Samsung not just following trends but setting new ones. There will be more unique features in One UI 7.1, and an optimized OS with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
As a long-time Samsung enthusiast, I am looking forward to the Galaxy S25 Ultra and One UI 7.1 not just for the gadgets, but for how they will change how we use technology.
Stay tuned to SammyFans.com for all the latest updates as we approach this exciting launch.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most awaited phone after the iPhone 16 Pro Max debut. Consumers are waiting to witness Samsung’s technological innovations while Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is already rumored to bring 5 biggest changes.
A new processor, enhanced display, refined design, upgraded ultrawide camera and more RAM are the 5 biggest changes rumored to feature in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Most of the rumors will come true as given arrival from credible sources.
Here are the five biggest changes:
1. Overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite
Back in October, Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Samsung will indeed use the latest processor in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, scheduled for a January 2025 launch.
This year’s Snapdragon chip brings Qualcomm Oryon CPU as well as enhanced GPU and NPU. The fabrication process has also improved as compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy.
Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to be shipped with an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. In early benchmark tests, the flagship performed stunningly well, rivaling the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Image: S25U CAD – Onleaks / One UI 7 Screenshot – TekAvenue/X
2. New design philosophy
Samsung switched to a Note-like boxy design in the Galaxy S series, starting with the S22 Ultra. Galaxy S21 Ultra was the last S Ultra model that featured rounded corners like its predecessors.
After three generations, Samsung is abandoning the sharp corner design approach. Well, it doesn’t mean that the S25 Ultra is bringing rounded corners that we’ve seen in the S21 Ultra.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to maintain the design elegance of the S24 Ultra. The frame corners will be slightly rounded in order to quash the sharper ones for better handling.
As seen in the renders, dummy units, and alleged hands-on video, the S25 Ultra is flat from the screen size, while the frame joins the back panel with minimal edges to feel soft in hand.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Dummy Model | Image: Ice Universe / Weibo
3. Enhanced OLED with M13+ material set
Samsung’s S24 Ultra reported having grainy display issues. Early buyers of the device observed grainy textured colors on the OLED, which affects the screen visibility.
It features OLED with an M13 material set, and it’s rumored that the S25 Ultra won’t get M14 OLED. Recent rumors suggest that the enhanced M13 + may be used in the S25 Ultra.
Samsung is said to have fixed grainy display issues in the panels to be used in the S25 Ultra. It will be a significant upgrade that will eliminate a weird hardware problem on the Samsung flagship.
4. 50-megapixel Ultrawide camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra could disappoint you if you are waiting for a zoom camera upgrade. Samsung is said to have installed a new ultrawide sensor in the next Ultra flagship, skipping the Telephoto.
While the 3x Telephoto deserves to be upgraded, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to be equipped with a new 50-megapixel ultrawide using the Samsung ISOCELL JN3 sensor, with 0.7um pixel size.
The S24 Ultra replaced S24 Ultra’s 10MP 10x telephoto with a new 50MP 5x solution. However, the S25 Ultra’s 3x telephoto may remain the same as the S24 Ultra, S23 Ultra, S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra.
5. More RAM
12Gb is the maximum RAM available on this year’s S24 Ultra. As Samsung targets AI Phone lead, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to get a significant upgrade, in terms of RAM configuration.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to be available in 12Gb and 16Gb RAM options. While the exact configuration is a mystery, the 1Tb storage model may be paired with 16Gb RAM.
12Gb is still a decent RAM installation on Samsung’s flagship, but an even larger option would result in faster processing, a reliable gaming experience, and seamless multitasking.
Galaxy S25 Ultra Launch – What we know
Samsung is rumored to unveil the Galaxy S25 series in late January next year. The company may officially announce the Unpacked in early to mid-January. However, the release could start in the first week of February.
A price hike is rumored on all models due to the increased costs of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Samsung is trying hard to freeze the price, with cost-cutting visible in terms of display and camera image sensor configuration.
Check out the rumored specs table and price…
Google has extended Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series’ Android updates support by two years. Now, the devices belonging to these lineups will get two additional OS upgrades. Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, and S23 series also deserve an extension in Android OS update support.
Google recently revised its OS support plan for older Pixel phones. The company will now provide five years of OS and security updates to Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series. These models were launched right before the Galaxy S21 and S22 series.
Samsung should consider extending software support for these Galaxy models:
Galaxy S Series: Galaxy S23, S23 FE, S23+, S23 Ultra, as well as Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S21 FE
Galaxy Z Series: Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Z Fold 3, and Z Flip 3
Galaxy Tablets: Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+, Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra
Samsung Software Support – How it evolved
Way back in August 2020, Samsung introduced its software update policy. The company promised that the Galaxy S20 series and later models will receive up to three generations of Android OS upgrades and regular security patches.
Beyond that, Samsung has taken software support to a whole new level. In February 2022, the company promised four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches to flagship Galaxy phones released in 2021 and later.
This made the Galaxy S21 series eligible for an additional OS upgrade and two more years of security updates. Well, Samsung offered the same OS support to select Galaxy A and M series smartphones.
In 2023 and 2024, the Korean tech giant has completely changed the OS upgrade game. While rivals replicated Samsung’s policy, it has confirmed flagship-grade longevity to budget and mid-range smartphones.
2024 marked the biggest breakthrough in the mobile industry. Starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung flagships are now eligible for seven years of Android upgrades and seven years of regular security updates.
While Samsung’s software support improved gradually, the Galaxy S21, S22, and S23 series are now lagging in competition. The S21 series will have its last major update next year, with two and three OS updates remaining for S22 and S23, respectively.