Forget Everything You Know: The Upgrade To My S20 I Didn’t Know I (Desperately) Needed
I’ll admit, I’m a huge Samsung fan … and I’ve been for years. My house is basically a Samsung showroom. I’ve got the Samsung fridge, the Samsung OLED Smart TV, the Samsung Galaxy FE Watch, and I’ve owned almost every iteration of the Samsung Galaxy phone since the S8. But my newest favorite? The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
For the longest time, my S20 was my ride-or-die. It was reliable, fast, and took solid photos – everything I needed in a phone. When the S23 Ultra came out, I was tempted, but I wasn’t convinced it was worth the upgrade. After all, my S20 still worked fine, and I figured, why fix what isn’t broken?
Then, Samsung dropped the S25 Ultra earlier this year, and it changed everything. Suddenly, my S20 didn’t seem so perfect anymore. Not when the newer Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 200MP camera … next-gen AI … and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass! Now these were the upgrades I’d been waiting for. So, I finally decided to make the jump forward, and let me just say, I’m glad I waited for this generation to upgrade.
Let’s unpack all the benefits for the S25 Ultra and see how it compares to other Samsung phones.
From S20 to S25 Ultra: My Journey to the Best Samsung Yet
I loved my Galaxy S20. It was the perfect balance of power, portability, and a great camera (for its generation). If you’re still hanging onto the S20 (like I was), let me be the one to tell you: it’s time to upgrade.
Here’s a quick rundown of the biggest improvements:
:: Camera Overhaul – The S20’s 12MP camera was solid, but the S25 Ultra’s 200MP sensor is on another level. You can crop into a shot way more without losing detail. And low-light photos look incredible.
:: Bigger, Bolder Display – The S20’s 6.2-inch screen now feels tiny next to the S25 Ultra’s 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. The colors pop more, the refresh rate is buttery smooth, and it’s an absolute dream for gaming and video editing.
:: Battery That Actually Lasts – My S20 was starting to struggle by midday, but the S25 Ultra’s 5,500mAh battery keeps me going all day long, even with heavy usage.
:: Durability That Can Keep Up With Me – I’ve broken more OtterBox cases than I’d like to admit, but with the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, the S25 Ultra has held up to my daily drops like a champ.
:: Speed, Speed, Speed – The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor and up to 16GB RAM make this thing lightning-fast. Whether I’m editing photos, running multiple apps, or hopping between work calls, it never lags.
I’ve been using the S25 Ultra for a little over a month now, and I can confidently say this is the best phone I’ve ever owned. The camera is a total powerhouse, the performance is ridiculously fast, and the 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display makes everything – from editing photos to answering work emails – so much smoother.
And Speaking Of The Camera…
I’m not a professional photographer. But, I love capturing moments – whether it’s a breathtaking landscape while traveling or my dog giving me his classic side-eye (telling me in no uncertain terms “enough pictures already!”). As someone who relies entirely on my phone for photography when traveling, the S25 Ultra needed to seriously impress me. It did not disappoint.
For starters, the S25 Ultra doesn’t give you just one great camera, it gives you THREE separate cameras, each designed for a different purpose:
:: The Main Camera (200MP) – My Everyday & Low-Light Champion
This is the workhorse of the bunch. The 200MP sensor captures insanely sharp details, even when you zoom in. It’s also fantastic in low light, thanks to its f/1.7 aperture that lets in tons of light. If you’re taking a photo of a skyline at night or snapping quick shots indoors, this lens is your best friend.
Best for: Portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, and low-light photography.
:: The Ultra-Wide Camera (50MP) – Big Scene, Bigger Impact
With a 120° field of view, this lens is all about capturing everything in one shot. Whether you’re at the top of a mountain trying to fit the entire view in the frame or taking a group photo where no one wants to squeeze in, this lens gets the job done.
Bonus: The Super Steady video mode makes action shots and vlogging super smooth.
Best for: Travel photography, group photos, action shots, and capturing epic landscapes.
:: The Telephoto Camera (10MP) – Get Closer Without Moving
Ever want to zoom in on a far-away subject without sacrificing quality? This 3x optical zoom lens can make it happen. Whether it’s wildlife, concerts, or sneaky candid shots, this lens makes sure you get crisp, clear images – even from a distance.
Best for: Zoomed-in shots, portraits, concerts, and detailed close-ups.
So, no matter what kind of shot you’re trying to take, the S25 Ultra has a lens that’s perfect for it.
Is this the best camera on the market?
For Android users, yes. The 200MP sensor is unmatched, and the improvements in computational photography make every shot look professional.
I Am Not Unbreakable (But My S25 Ultra Phone Screen Is)
Another fun fact about me? I’m a total klutz. I drop my phone at least once a day – no exaggeration. I’ve shattered “unbreakable” cases, cracked screens in ways that defy logic, and somehow managed to break the inside of an OtterBox (twice). At this point, OtterBox should hire me as their official durability tester. So, when I heard the S25 Ultra had Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, I had to put it to the test and all I can say is, this thing is surprisingly TOUGH (yes, I’ve already dropped it multiple times).
Made with Corning Gorilla Armor 2
This blew my mind: I was in Corning, NY this weekend and found out that the glass on this phone is made in Corning, NY from the same company behind CorningWare! But in addition to making shatter-resistant baking dishes, they’ve perfected smartphone glass (who knew?).
Here’s why Corning Gorilla Armor 2 is a fantastic feature for klutzy people like me:
:: Drop Resistance: Survives drops up to 2.2 meters on concrete-like surfaces (which happens for me at least twice a week!)
:: Scratch Resistance: 4x more scratch-resistant than other glass-ceramic materials.
:: Anti-Reflective Coating: Reduces glare and enhances contrast, making it way easier to see when outside with the overhead sun beating down.
:: Optical Clarity: The combination of strength and reduced reflections makes colors stand out with brilliance (a nice perk when watching videos and or cruising Instagram).
Pretty Big Screen Size
One of the first things you’ll notice about the S25 Ultra is the massive 6.8-inch AMOLED display. As someone who works remotely and often answers emails or sends work messages on the go, having a screen this size makes a huge difference. I can review documents and content without excessive scrolling, and typing on a spacious screen means fewer typos and a smoother workflow.
S Pen Features: Creative and Productivity In Your Pocket
Another cool feature in the S25 Ultra is the S Pen – especially if you’re someone who loves to jot down quick notes, sketch, or navigate your phone with precision. This is more than just a stylus. It puts me in the driver’s seat, giving me options depending on how I prefer to work. With the S25, I don’t have to be confined to a desk or my computer, it truly elevates the meaning of remote work!
For example, the other day I was on a video call, trying to make some last-minute changes to a project. Instead of fumbling around with my keyboard to type out a few notes, I grabbed the S Pen and jotted them down right on my screen. The reduced latency (so no lag!) made it feel as easy as writing on paper, and the improved handwriting recognition made sure everything was legible, so I can send my recap notes right to my team.
Air Gestures (My Remote Control For The S25 Ultra)
The other day, I had to brainstorm some quick ideas, which required me to go through some images saved in my phone and compile them into a document. I used Air Gestures – which is basically a remote control for my phone that allows me to scroll through content without even touching the screen! You simply wave the S Pen in the air, and the phone reacts. I was able to swipe through a gallery of images by just moving the pen left or right in front of the screen. You can also use it to navigate through apps, change slides during a presentation, or even play/pause videos with a flick of the pen.
It’s an intuitive and futuristic way to interact with your phone, especially in situations where you don’t want to touch your screen (like when your hands are full or you just touched every door at the subway station). It’s almost like having a magic wand to control your phone, but in the most practical, work-friendly way possible.
Top 5 Reasons The Samsung S25 Ultra Is The Best Phone of 2025
:: The 200MP Camera is Pure Magic – Whether you’re a casual shooter or capturing pro-level shots, the detail and clarity of this 200MP camera delivers.
:: The Massive 6.9-inch Display with Exceptional Clarity – I use it for everything from work emails to binge-watching Netflix, it all looks incredible on this Dynamic AMOLED screen and has an anti-reflective coating for when you can’t control the overhead lighting.
:: The Battery Lasts Forever – With a 5,500mAh battery, I’m getting a full day of heavy use without reaching for my charger.
:: Blazing-Fast Performance – The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip and 16GB RAM ensure zero lag and makes multitasking smoother than ever.
:: Tough-as-Nails Durability – Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass means I get fewer scratches and I’m constantly not living in fear every time I drop my phone (which is daily).
Overall Usability
Pros
:: Quality Camera System (200MP main sensor, ultra-wide lens, and telephoto zoom!)
:: Super Durable Glass and Frame (Gorilla Armor 2 is legit)
:: Best-In-Class Display (AMOLED, anti-reflective, crazy bright)
:: Long-Lasting Battery (5,500mAh for all-day use)
:: S Pen Integration (Perfect for notes and doodles)
Cons
:: It’s big and heavier than smaller phones (6.8” display = not great for one-handed texting)
:: Pricey (cutting-edge tech comes at a price, but I don’t upgrade often, so this was worth it for me)
:: Night Mode Can Be Inconsistent – (While low-light performance is mostly great, sometimes Night Mode over-brightens shots. Not a deal-breaker, but good to know.)
My Final Rating: 4.8/5 Stars
The camera, the durability, the insane display, the S Pen – it’s all top-tier. Whether you’re a mobile photographer, a remote worker like me, or just want the best Samsung phone on the market, this one checks all the boxes.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely. And with this level of durability, I might finally keep the same phone case for more than six months. (No promises, though.)
