Samsung Unveils Galaxy S25 Ultra with Advanced AI Features at Unpacked Event

SEOUL, South Korea — Samsung is set to unveil its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, at its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. The device will showcase significant advancements in Galaxy AI, positioning Samsung as a leader in the AI-powered smartphone market.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to build on the success of its predecessor, the Galaxy S24, which introduced AI as a mainstream feature in 2024. Nearly one in four consumers purchased the Galaxy S24 due to its AI capabilities, according to industry reports. With the S25 Ultra, Samsung aims to further solidify its position in the competitive AI smartphone space.

“Samsung is ready to rush down the new road and reap the benefits of defining the direction,” said Ewan Spence, a senior contributor covering mobile technology. “The company’s AI decisions will be considered the industry’s decisions.”

The Galaxy S25 family, including the S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, will feature a suite of AI-driven tools such as Homework AI, Music Search, and improved Routines. These features are expected to integrate seamlessly with Google‘s Gemini AI, enhancing user experience across Samsung’s ecosystem.

One of the standout features is the Now Bar, a personalized lock screen tool that integrates entertainment, fitness tracking, and communication. “Now Bar gives personalization a new meaning by seamlessly integrating your everyday actions and most-used apps into your lock screen,” a Samsung spokesperson said in a statement.

However, the growing reliance on AI raises questions about cost. While Galaxy AI remains free for now, Samsung has hinted that fees may apply to certain features by the end of 2025. This could set a precedent for other manufacturers to adopt a freemium model for AI services.

In addition to the Galaxy S25 lineup, Samsung is rumored to introduce an Android XR headset, codenamed Project Moohan, developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. The device aims to address wearability and content issues that have plagued previous XR devices, with Gemini AI enhancing the user experience.

The Galaxy Unpacked event will stream live on Samsung’s official website and YouTube channel at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. Preorders for the Galaxy S25 series will open immediately after the event, with bonus savings available for early reservations.

As the AI smartphone market matures, Samsung’s latest offerings could redefine how AI is integrated, accepted, and monetized in the tech industry.