First Impressions

[williams448]

Has anyone figured out how to get notifications on the drop down menu like previous versions of Android? It seems like I have to touch the phone on the left side of the camera in order to get a separate status bar for notifications

When you swipe down the quick settings panel, tap the pen icon and you can revert to the old swipe down way. You can also can also change it to where the notification panel is on the right. That's what I did because when using one handed within an app and I received a notification, it was difficult to swipe down from top left corner.

You can also swipe right and left after you've swipe down from either side. For example if you swipe down from the right for the quick settings panel, you can swipe right and the notification panel will show. Instead of swiping down from one corner, swiping back up just to swipe down from the other corner.

This was definitely the biggest OneUI7 change that I'm having to get used to, but after using it for a few days it's getting to be less of a nuisance.

 

[azdmelani]

You don't have to. Pull down notifications, click the little pen icon near the top and then select panel settings. Then you can switch it back.

Amazing - thank you! That worked.

 

[evohicks]

First impressions are positive, I like the shape, it feels snappier (if that's a word) than my S24 Ultra, setup was very quick, early battery usage even better, I'm happy so far.

 

[buzzy3970]

First impressions are positive, I like the shape, it feels snappier (if that's a word) than my S24 Ultra, setup was very quick, early battery usage even better, I'm happy so far.
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In the world of tech that is most definitely a word lol. I love how everyone seems to be having a positive experience (not surprised). I've been so busy this week that I haven't had the chance to play with my device much.

BTW what color did you purchase? Look to have a gold hue. It's crazy how none of us can tell which variant everyone purchased except for the black models. I love the mystery .

 

[evohicks]

The Titanium Grey but it's more like a slight gold, very similar to the S24 Ultra grey which I liked

 

[rikken]

Best phone I've ever had and I've had 'em all

 

[ffejjj]

As far as first impressions...

First off I'm coming from the s22 ultra so my comparisons have been made thusly.

Form factor: I definitely like the new form of the device. The slight weight reduction is noticable and welcome. The square edges are more to my liking and just feel better to hold.

Screen: The screen looks great but I really didn't mind my S22 Ultra. What I do notice is how much more smooth the scrolling and transitions are. After all the negativity I've heard about the s25 Ultra before I bought it I wasn't expecting... Well I didn't know what to expect honestly. Oh and not to be overlooked the AR screen is a pleasant surprise. I didn't give it much thought until I picked up my s22 ultra again.

Battery: Again, I'm coming from a 3yr old phone but dang. So far the battery is much better and I know as I use it over the next few weeks it'll get better.

I'm obviously in the honeymoon phase and I'm having a hard time finding things to dislike. Maybe the notification drop down but I fixed that... I'd like to spend some time with the camera and test that out well.

I think the bigger question is whether or not I'd upgrade if I were coming from the s24 Ultra. At full price there's not a chance but with all the incentives Samsung is offering I absolutely would. For myself I much prefer the updated form and for a few $$$ that'd be enough for me.

Bottom line for me is I've happily changed my worldly remote from the S22 Ultra to the S25 Ultra. Now I must take over the planet

 

[notforhire]

The Titanium Grey but it's more like a slight gold, very similar to the S24 Ultra grey which I liked

yep, Samsung's Grey is gold

 

[Misterio36]

As far as first impressions...

First off I'm coming from the s22 ultra so my comparisons have been made thusly.

Form factor: I definitely like the new form of the device. The slight weight reduction is noticable and welcome. The square edges are more to my liking and just feel better to hold.

Screen: The screen looks great but I really didn't mind my S22 Ultra. What I do notice is how much more smooth the scrolling and transitions are. After all the negativity I've heard about the s25 Ultra before I bought it I wasn't expecting... Well I didn't know what to expect honestly. Oh and not to be overlooked the AR screen is a pleasant surprise. I didn't give it much thought until I picked up my s22 ultra again.

Battery: Again, I'm coming from a 3yr old phone but dang. So far the battery is much better and I know as I use it over the next few weeks it'll get better.

I'm obviously in the honeymoon phase and I'm having a hard time finding things to dislike. Maybe the notification drop down but I fixed that... I'd like to spend some time with the camera and test that out well.

I think the bigger question is whether or not I'd upgrade if I were coming from the s24 Ultra. At full price there's not a chance but with all the incentives Samsung is offering I absolutely would. For myself I much prefer the updated form and for a few $$$ that'd be enough for me.

Bottom line for me is I've happily changed my worldly remote from the S22 Ultra to the S25 Ultra. Now I must take over the planet

Yeah, i feel you. Im in the honeymoon phase as well, but its hard to find something that i don't like about the phone. If I had two things they would be...

I didn't like the notification screen pull down..but i was able to fix that, so problem solved!

The vertical app drawer..i miss it being horizontal, but this is a very minor thing. Other than that, its been positive all around. Battery life is better imo.

 

[buzzy3970]

The Titanium Grey but it's more like a slight gold, very similar to the S24 Ultra grey which I liked

Now that's interesting. I would've never thought.

 

[buzzy3970]

As far as first impressions...

First off I'm coming from the s22 ultra so my comparisons have been made thusly.

Form factor: I definitely like the new form of the device. The slight weight reduction is noticable and welcome. The square edges are more to my liking and just feel better to hold.

Screen: The screen looks great but I really didn't mind my S22 Ultra. What I do notice is how much more smooth the scrolling and transitions are. After all the negativity I've heard about the s25 Ultra before I bought it I wasn't expecting... Well I didn't know what to expect honestly. Oh and not to be overlooked the AR screen is a pleasant surprise. I didn't give it much thought until I picked up my s22 ultra again.

Battery: Again, I'm coming from a 3yr old phone but dang. So far the battery is much better and I know as I use it over the next few weeks it'll get better.

I'm obviously in the honeymoon phase and I'm having a hard time finding things to dislike. Maybe the notification drop down but I fixed that... I'd like to spend some time with the camera and test that out well.

I think the bigger question is whether or not I'd upgrade if I were coming from the s24 Ultra. At full price there's not a chance but with all the incentives Samsung is offering I absolutely would. For myself I much prefer the updated form and for a few $$$ that'd be enough for me.

Bottom line for me is I've happily changed my worldly remote from the S22 Ultra to the S25 Ultra. Now I must take over the planet

I look at it like leasing a car. The new model might not make sense if your car is paid off and the trade-in is essentially paying for 80% of the car then don't do it. On the other hand if it's a few thousand more for the new model (a few 100 in phone terms) then why not? That's the tech lover in me talking. I might be talking crazy .

 

[mustang7757]

My first impression is a really good long lasting one so far

 

[srgonu]

Yeah, i feel you. Im in the honeymoon phase as well, but its hard to find something that i don't like about the phone. If I had two things they would be...

I didn't like the notification screen pull down..but i was able to fix that, so problem solved!

The vertical app drawer..i miss it being horizontal, but this is a very minor thing. Other than that, its been positive all around. Battery life is better imo.

You can change the app drawer to horizontal

 

[Lawrie Sherratt]

First impressions are positive, I like the shape, it feels snappier (if that's a word) than my S24 Ultra, setup was very quick, early battery usage even better, I'm happy so far.
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Thanks for that evohicks. I eagerly await the DPD chap with mine. Due between 4pm and 4pm. The joys of village life.

 

[evohicks]

Thanks for that evohicks. I eagerly await the DPD chap with mine. Due between 4pm and 4pm. The joys of village life.

I'm sure you will love it, what phone are you coming from?
I traded in the S24 Ultra and as much as I liked that phone there is no room in my life for more than 1 phone lol. I am very pleased with the S25 Ultra so far and it's been a breeze to set up with smart switch.
Lets see your pics when you get it

 

[Misterio36]

You can change the app drawer to horizontal

can you tell me how?

 

[mustang7757]

You can change the app drawer to horizontal

Only with 3rd party launcher

 

[Katrina White1]

I havent yet made a final decision on keeping it or returning it.

I've been using it nonstop since Friday and I'm not 100% sold. I love the look and feel. One UI 7 is real nice. The battery is pretty amazing and the phone is blazing fast. It's noticeably lighter. Everything transferred and synced seamlessly.

What I DON'T like is they nixed BT connectivity. I am perfectly capable of implementing the workarounds. I know it's beating a dead horse, but it's the principle.

I'm giving them a mint S24U and $400 for a device that does nothing more. Nothing that I'll utilize anyway. I have to make an effort to use AI. Once One UI 7 trickles down, I feel like I'd be getting the same experience.

So that's my first impression. I love it, but no more than I love my S24U. I know annual upgrades won't offer much, so I didn’t expect much.

Tl;dr - I love both the S25U and the S24U, but only 1 has a BT SPen.