The Galaxy S25 Ultra is easily one of the best Samsung flagship models ever launched, along with the high-end Android models. It ticks nearly all the boxes for a premium smartphone, with a sleek design, powerful hardware, and Samsung’s signature ecosystem integration, but not all of its boxes are ticked.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra at a Glance
The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts several notable upgrades, including:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite chip: The latest fastest processor from Qualcomm.
- Storage options: The configurations available are 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, with space for apps, media, and more.
- 12GB RAM as standard: For most users, this is solid but falls short compared to other 16GB RAM phones like the Pixel 9 Pro and OnePlus 13.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 16 GB RAM option available in a few regions, such as Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong.
Why 16GB RAM Matters
AI features and resource-hungry applications have become widespread, and RAM does not hurt.
- AI Integration: The Pixel 9 Pro reserves 2.6GB of its 16GB of RAM for business with Google’s Gemini AI.
- Future-Proofing: LLMs and other AI tools are becoming increasingly large and more powerful with more RAM.
- Competition: Even competitors like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro have configurations with 24GB RAM, which is perplexing. Samsung is limiting the 16GB RAM to specific markets.
4GB of RAM won’t make a huge difference in actual use, but it helps the phone handle more AI years down the road and requires multitasking in the present.
Samsung’s History with High-RAM Devices
Samsung was one of the first manufacturers to deploy 16GB RAM in smartphones. Galaxy S20 Ultra was launched with 16GB RAM and a 512GB storage variant. However, only a few markets are allowed to buy the 16GB option for the S25 Ultra, which is a regression.
Why Is the 16GB RAM limited?
Samsung did not reveal any official reason for the limited availability of the 16GB RAM variant. However, several factors could be at play:
- Market Demand: In markets like the US and Europe, where end consumers care more about price than specifications, Samsung may think users will be OK with 12GB RAM.
- Cost Management: Both 16GB RAM variants use the exact pricing, with the 1TB storage option being available. One way of keeping production and inventory costs in check might be to restrict this model to specific regions.
- Regional Preferences: The 16GB RAM variant could be found in Asian markets because these markets usually appreciate cutting-edge hardware specifications.
Is 12GB of RAM Enough?
Most users should get by with 12GB of RAM. It allows you to multitask smoothly, handle demanding apps, and work efficiently at doing everyday tasks. AI has started to embed more and more in smartphones, and having 16GB RAM could pay off in a smoother experience and long-term future-proofing.
Should Samsung bring the 16GB variant to other markets?
With flagship competitors like Google, OnePlus, and Asus, Samsung takes a risk in pushing the RAM envelope, fearful of being considered the company that offers the least compelling hardware by the end of the year. The 16GB RAM Galaxy S25 Ultra is not the most significant reason to confine it to a few regions.
Final Words
The Android Phones of the Year combo is incomplete without the best Android phone of 2025. Samsung’s decision to restrict the availability of its 16GB RAM variant is a bit of a slap in the face, given that flagship phones are now taking greater advantage of the latest hardware to differentiate themselves from one another.
For now, US and European consumers can make do with a 12GB RAM model, which is still a beast. However, as competition increases, Samsung may face pressure to release the 16GB RAM version worldwide.
Ethan Cole is a tech aficionado dedicated to exploring the latest innovations and gadgets, providing reviews and insights to keep you updated in the tech world.
