The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will likely be a powerhouse, but to truly challenge Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung needs to deliver standout improvements.
Here are five key areas where the Galaxy S25 Ultra could shine and set itself apart:
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Bring back 10x optical zoom:
Samsung surprised fans by reducing the optical zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra to 5x, the same as Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Previously, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasted a 10x optical zoom, giving it a clear edge. To regain its competitive lead, the Galaxy S25 Ultra needs to bring back this long-range zoom capability.
However, early rumours indicate that Samsung might stick with 5x zoom again, which would be a missed opportunity.
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Improve the ultra-wide camera:
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48MP ultra-wide camera, compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 12MP lens.
This puts pressure on Samsung to upgrade its sensor. The leaks suggest the Galaxy S25 Ultra could feature a 50MP ultra-wide camera, aligning it with Apple and boosting its photographic versatility.
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Extend battery life:
While the Galaxy S24 Ultra already offers impressive battery life, it matches the iPhone 15 Pro Max rather than beating it.
Samsung needs to push further with either a larger battery or greater efficiency. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to retain its 5,000mAh capacity, but improvements through a more efficient chipset could still give it an edge in real-world usage.
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Offer competitive pricing:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s starting price is higher than Apple’s flagship, making it a tougher sell. Samsung’s phone currently starts at $1,299, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at $1,199.
If Samsung could lower the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s price—or at least match Apple's—it could appeal to more buyers. However, reports suggest the price will remain high, potentially even increasing slightly.
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Refine the software experience:
Apple’s iOS has always been praised for its simplicity and user-friendliness, while Samsung’s One UI interface often feels outdated and cluttered.
Samsung needs to polish One UI for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, offering a smoother, more intuitive experience that rivals iOS 18.
