When I first held the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, I thought it was just the next model, another iteration of a good phone, with better cameras, a sharper display and a few upgrades scattered throughout the software.
However, this device was so much more than I expected. I was now holding an AI-powered companion that moved with me, understood my world and made life in my home city, Joburg, feel more manageable, intuitive and connected.
Now, after a few more weeks of using it, I am convinced that this is not just another smartphone – it is an everyday assistant tuned into the pace, space and pulse of real life.
Hungry, busy and needing help
Let me paint a very real picture. It is exactly 2:50 pm, a Wednesday workday in Sandton, and I have just hit “send” on our latest bbrief Newsletter – the final push before most of our subscribers clock off early for the Workers’ Day public holiday.
There is a short-lived sense of relief, but I am hungry, really hungry. The problem is that I am swamped with so many things that I still need to do. My inbox has filled up with responses, article submissions, queries, questions, and more, so much more.
Now, there is no time to scroll through my food apps or check restaurant options. I need food, fast – without slowing down my work rhythm. So, instead of pausing everything, I just raised the phone, pressed the side button and said:
“Is the nearby McDonald’s open? If yes, start navigation with Google Maps and take me there now.”
Within seconds, the Galaxy S25 Ultra gave me precisely what I needed – no typing, no fumbling through apps. It checked my location data in real-time, confirmed that Oxford Road McDonald’s was open, and immediately opened Google Maps with navigation set and ready. I grab my keys, and the phone switches into driving mode. In an instant, I am en route – no delays, friction or fiddling. I had just experienced the most intelligent action from an ingenious device that understood what I needed right then.
How the Galaxy S25 Ultra identified my Under Armour kicks
I wanted to test how intelligent the AI features on the Galaxy S25 Ultra really are. To do this, I decided to run a quick experiment that was practical and relatable.
I have been wearing my Under Armour sneakers for months now. And I’m always getting compliments. But I have no idea what the model name is. They were a gift, and I threw the box out ages ago. I guessed it would be the perfect chance to put the Circle to Search feature through its paces.
So, I opened the camera, took a clean photo of the shoe, which I was still wearing. I then activated Circle to Search. With just a quick draw around the sneaker in the image, the phone got to work. And within seconds – boom – all the details appeared right on the screen. Model name? Check. Release year? Check. Online reviews? Sourced. Stock availability at stores around South Africa? Listed.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra even gave me links to purchase the exact pair on Takealot, Total Sports and the official Under Armour site. I did not type a single word.
It was not just a search result but a layered overview – all pulled together using the phone’s multimodal AI engine, which understood the image, my intent and the broader context. I was genuinely impressed. What could have taken me more than half an hour of manual online digging took less than 10 seconds, with more accuracy than expected.
With one photo and gesture, I was given a window into the local fashion scene. All of which I did not even know about.
Multimodal Search – the most valuable player of everyday life
What makes this phone such a beast in my daily life is not just the camera or the speed, it is the AI, especially the Multimodal Search. This feature lets me search using a mix of inputs – voice, image, text – and the Galaxy S25 Ultra connects the dots across all of them to deliver tailored results.
During a planning chat for weekend lunch, I took a screenshot of a WhatsApp message and asked, “Where’s a good chicken spot nearby that’s not too busy?”
The Galaxy S25 Ultra understood the screenshot and my request, recommending a few vibey, uncrowded places around Keyes Avenue in Rosebank. I had not typed a single word – I had spoken naturally, and the phone had processed it all.
Smart note-taking and real-time summaries
I was watching a YouTube video to learn how to use ATLAS TI, an application I need for my thesis data analysis. Normally, I would use a notebook, pause every 30 seconds, and jot things down.
Not this time – with Galaxy Notes and Gemini AI, the Galaxy S25 Ultra auto-summarised the video while I watched. It time-stamped bullet points, pulled out keywords, and saved links. It is that kind of smart multitasking that turns passive watching into productive action – perfect for the multitasking reality of Joburg life.
Circle to search for music – finding Mzansi beats on the fly
Mzansi is a country that moves to the rhythm of music – amapiano, gqom, kwaito, mbaqanga Afro-house. So when you hear a track on TikTok or Instagram or blasting from a passing taxi, you want to find it now.
With Enhanced Circle to Search, you do not have to exit any app or scramble for Shazam. While watching a Reel, I circled the music bar and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra instantly ID’d the track – a local banger from Vigro Deep. It linked me to Spotify, gave background on the artist, and even suggested an event at Fourways Farmers Market where he would be performing.
But let’s keep it real – a few things I didn’t love
As much as I love the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, there are a few things that could still be improved:
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Battery life could be better for power users
With all the AI features running in the background and my heavy use – video streaming, GPS, editing photos and voice searches – the battery sometimes drains faster than expected. On hectic days (like bouncing between Soweto and Sandton), I found that I needed a top-up by late afternoon. It’s manageable, but I hoped for slightly more stamina for a premium phone.
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Some AI features still need data to shine
Multimodal and Circle to Search rely on a solid internet connection. That’s fine in most parts of Joburg, but if I am in an area with a spotty signal – or worse, during load-shedding when networks slow down, the phone struggles to deliver instant results. In those moments, the AI feels a bit less magical.
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AI does not always nail context in Kasi lingo
While the voice assistant is impressive, it sometimes misses nuance in South African English, isiZulu, or slang. For example, when I said, “Find a place for shisanyama near me”, it once pulled up sushi restaurants. A little more local language and cultural training would go a long way.
Final thoughts – AI that feels real
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is more than a device – it is a surprisingly human digital companion. It understands your patterns, speaks your language (most of the time) and learns your preferences. In a place like Joburg, where every second matters and every day looks different, having an AI that adapts to your reality is a game-changer.
Yes, battery life can be hit-or-miss if you are a power user. But the sheer intelligence of the system, the seamless interaction, and the fact that it genuinely makes my life easier, faster, and smarter make it worth it for me.
