Recent trends in smartphone technology have placed maximum screen brightness at the forefront of competition among major manufacturers. Last year, Apple made headlines by announcing that the iPhone 15 could reach an impressive 2,000 nits of brightness. Not to be outdone, Google responded with its Pixel 8 Pro, which boasts a dazzling 2,400 nits. Fast forward to this year, and Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra has surpassed both with a whopping 2,600 nits, while Google has raised the bar even further with the Pixel 9 Pro reaching an unparalleled 3,000 nits.

Now, excitement is brewing around the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra, which according to recent leaks, may indeed push the limits further by also offering a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. These leaks surfaced from an Android Authority investigation into in-testing versions of the device, hinting that Samsung's flagship will stand toe-to-toe with Google in this critical area of display technology.

Although it still trails behind the astonishing 4,500 nits introduced by OnePlus with its latest model, the OnePlus 12, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's brightness capabilities are expected to significantly enhance usability in bright, outdoor environments.

Additionally, the S25 Ultra will reportedly adopt the seamless A/B update feature first seen in the Galaxy A55. This beneficial update mechanism allows important firmware updates to be downloaded in the background, meaning users won’t have to endure long periods of phone inactivity during installations—an amenity that many users will appreciate.

While there's much to celebrate, not all the news is positive. Reports indicate that the S25 Ultra will not support the “Find My Device” functionality when powered off, a feature that the Pixel 9 offers. This could pose a risk for users who find themselves in a situation where their device is stolen and immediately turned off, making real-time tracking impossible.

Further details on the S25 Ultra remain exciting, including confirmation that it will maintain the same sharp 3,120 x 1,440 resolution as its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, and will retain its solid 5,000 mAh battery capacity. Users will also be pleased to learn that the device is expected to utilize UFS 4.0 storage technology, which promises lightning-fast file transfer speeds.

As anticipation builds, Samsung is reportedly preparing for its next Unpacked event on January 22, where the Galaxy S25 series will be unveiled, along with the potential introduction of the Galaxy S25 Slim and even a sneak peek at the eagerly awaited Galaxy Ring 2.

With the OnePlus 13 launching globally on January 7, tech enthusiasts are bracing for an intense battle between two of the best Android smartphones of 2025. Stay tuned as we prepare to bring you up-to-the-minute information on which flagship will truly be worth your investment!