The S25 Ultra is Still “Old Wine in a New Bottle”: Are Chip and AI Upgrades Enough to Lure iPhone Users?

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked Event: Is the S25 Ultra Worth the Hype?

The highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event is just around the corner, with Samsung set to unveil its latest Galaxy S25 series on January 22nd. While Samsung enthusiasts have plenty of reasons to be excited, particularly about the S25 Ultra, the question arises: Is it worth the hype, especially for iPhone users?

Minimal Hardware Upgrades:

In recent years, smartphone hardware upgrades have become less significant. This is not unique to Samsung, as even Apple has faced similar challenges with their latest models. As a result, many users find themselves content with their current devices, such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max, seeing little reason to upgrade.

While it’s true that smartphones continue to evolve, the changes often feel minimal. For instance, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to feature a 200MP camera, the current Galaxy S24 Ultra already offers this specification. Additionally, it failed to outperform the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in Tom’s Guide’s “200 photo face-off” test.

Fairly, smartphone chips have seen some yearly improvements. Leaks suggest that the Galaxy S25 series will feature the new Snapdragon 8 Elite, which could potentially offer better performance than the A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, the average user might not notice any significant difference in daily tasks.

Rumored RAM upgrades for the S25 series may provide some benefits, but there are limits to how much RAM can impact the overall smartphone experience.

Essentially, using the Galaxy S25 Ultra might not offer a drastically different experience from its predecessor, and the gap between Galaxy and iPhone models remains relatively small. So, if you’re already using both iPhone and Galaxy devices, you may not find a compelling reason to switch loyalties.

AI Features: Nice to Have but Not a Deal-Breaker

Nowadays, phone updates focus primarily on AI features rather than hardware upgrades. While this aligns with the trend of smartphones reaching their performance peak, AI features alone might not be a strong enough incentive to switch brands.

Both Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI offer improved search results and enhanced photo quality, but the differences between them are subtle. While Galaxy AI has its strengths, such as the unique “Circle to Search” tool, and Samsung’s Generative Edits provide more flexibility than Apple’s basic AI photo tools, these advantages might not be enough to convince iPhone users to make the switch.

Another potential concern is the possibility of future charges for AI features, which could be a turn-off for users. Only time will tell how Apple and Samsung choose to monetize these features.

Samsung’s Innovation: Intriguing but Expensive

While the Galaxy S series may not offer groundbreaking changes, Samsung’s innovation in other areas is undeniable. The Galaxy Z Fold 6, for instance, remains a unique offering in the market, although its high price tag may deter many potential buyers.

On the other hand, Samsung also offers some of the best affordable options, such as the recently launched Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A16 5G. Samsung’s strength lies in providing diversity, an area where Apple is currently struggling. While rumors of the iPhone SE 4 or iPhone 16E spark excitement, the fact remains that all current iPhone models feel largely similar.

It’s worth noting that much of the information about the Galaxy S25 Ultra is based on rumors and speculation. If Samsung has any surprises up its sleeve for the upcoming event, it could change the narrative about whether iPhone users should consider switching to Samsung.