Portrait photography by Julia Dunin, gaming photography by Nathalie Marquez Courtney
Sponsored
‘Mobile gaming is a fun, engaging and far less draining alternative to social media’
Sponsored By
Sponsored By
Seasoned editor, technology journalist and keen gamer, Nathalie Marquez Courtney, reviews the new AI-enhanced Galaxy S25 Ultra and shows us how it elevates game play for all.
If you’ve never considered gaming, yet find yourself looking for alternatives to the dreaded doomscroll, it’s time to explore the thriving and creative world of mobile games. While it’s often assumed that men are far more into gaming than women, we make up 53 per cent of the mobile gaming market. Which is why I was so excited to try Samsung’s latest flagship release, the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Play as self-care
Whether it’s a quick puzzle game on the train or a cute and cosy narrative adventure on the couch with a cup of tea, I’m leaning into mobile gaming as a fun, engaging and far less draining alternative to social media.
Aside from the mental health merits of pulling back from the various social networks, mobile gaming offers plenty of (research-backed) cognitive benefits too; from improved problem-solving skills and visual and verbal working memory to better cognitive flexibility. Not to mention, of course, that it’s just plain good fun – and certainly beats checking my email for the zillionth time.
The S25 Ultra boasts a series of across-the-board improvements from last year’s award-winning Galaxy S24. If you’re a power user coming from a new-ish flagship phone, the differences will feel like subtle refinements: expect a thinner, lighter, more ergonomic design, with rounded corners, as well as bumps in CPU, GPU and RAM.
Tech from the future
However, if, like me, you’re coming from a battered, years-old device, then holding the S25 Ultra is akin to being handed a piece of tech from the future. From the huge number of built-in AI features to the beauty of the 6.9-inch screen, the power of the (count ‘em, five) detail-rich cameras and sheer speed, it is something to marvel at.
I got so many questions from friends when I told them that, after 17 years, I was leaving iPhone and trying Android. I couldn’t have picked a better time, though. Samsung’s One UI 7, which sits on top of the standard Android operating system, is smooth, nippy and delightful to use. Many of my regular apps (Google Docs, Gmail, Todoist and Spotify, for example) were already cross-platform, and thus work seamlessly.
Fun features
The phone’s AI features are plentiful and ambitious, powered by the S25 Ultra’s Snap Dragon 8 Elite chip. Things like Circle to Search with Google, the ability to quickly and easily create GIFs from any video playing on screen and remove objects from images all work smoothly and intuitively. However, like a lot of AI, it’s early days yet, with plenty of teething problems and not a lot of clarity as to whether or not these features will end up costing consumers money down the line (they are currently free of charge until the end of 2025).
Bottom line, if you’re currently an S24 owner, you won’t get FOMO, but if you’re rocking a three or four year old phone, you will be very happy with the jump (and likely for a few years to come too, as Samsung have committed to seven years of feature and security updates).
If, like me, you’re coming from a battered years-old device, it’s akin to being handed a piece of tech from the future.
Power built to last
When it comes to practical considerations like battery life and durability, I’ve rarely been more impressed. As a photographer (but also as a parent to two very cute kids), I shoot a lot of stills and video, with plenty of mobile photo editing thrown in, using processor-heavy apps like Lightroom.
I brought the S25 Ultra along with me on a magazine shoot, taking 100-plus video clips – including slow-mos, portrait mode videos and hyperlapses – and still had plenty of battery left for the journey home. The S25 Ultra also features the latest Gorilla glass and a strong titanium frame, always good news when there are phones, kids and kitchen tiles around, and which Samsung say will result in 60% less screen damage.
Brain-tickling time
But what I’m here for is gaming. These days, instead of falling down a TikTok rabbit hole and saving yet another viral recipe I’m unlikely to try, I’d rather spend ten minutes playing something sweet, beautiful and immersive, like Monument Valley or a fun, fast-paced strategy game.
Most of the games I play fall into categories best described as zen, cosy or brain-tickling. But I am partial to a few rounds of Marvel Snap, an award-winning and seriously fun, graphics-heavy collectable card game. I’ve been dipping in and out of it for years, but firing it up on the S25 Ultra was like playing it in IMAX – the visuals were gorgeously vibrant and crisp, and it ran with ease, even when set to the highest graphics quality and at the more power-hungry (but deliciously smooth) 60 frames per seconds.
Games to stream
Not even running PlayStation’s PR Remote Play app, which lets you essentially stream a PlayStation game straight to your phone from your console, was a challenge. It happily ran a few rounds of Astro Bot, Sony’s flagship 3D platformer, without even breaking a sweat, thanks to the S25 Ultra’s heat dissipation architecture.
If you’re new to mobile gaming, it need not cost you much either. Many brilliant titles are available for free if you have a Netflix subscription, while lots of so-called ‘cosy games’, including the cute Terrarium, pretty Sky: Children of the Light and eminently wholesome and adorable Cats and Soup are free to play. Like any hobby, it can take some trial and error to find what floats your boat – but that’s definitely part of the fun.
These days, instead of falling down a TikTok rabbit hole and saving yet another viral recipe I’m unlikely to try, I’d rather spend ten minutes playing something sweet, beautiful and immersive.
Let’s Play
New to mobile gaming? Here are four great titles to try, all available on the Google Play store.
Monument Valley
This classic, critically acclaimed mobile puzzle game showcased just how ambitious and creative the genre could be. Guide Princess Ida through a series of head-scratching but gorgeous optical illusion puzzles inspired by M.C. Escher. €2.99, or free with a Netflix subscription.
Alto’s Odyssey
Another impossibly pretty and zen title, this award-winning endless runner adventure game is set in a beautiful desert landscape and loved for its calming, meditative vibe. €2.39 for an ad-free version.
Stardew Valley
The epitome of the gentle-paced ‘tend and befriend’ genre, this is the mobile version of the hugely popular PC game that will appeal to fans of Animal Crossing. €4.89.
Poinpy
Cute, fun and just the right side of silly, swipe and tap your way through this colourful and wacky world. Great for short and sweet sessions. Exclusive to Netflix subscribers.
Portrait photography by Julia Dunin, gaming photography by Nathalie Marquez Courtney
Own the moment – with the all-new AI-powered Galaxy S25 series (Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Edge, and Galaxy S25 Ultra). The Samsung S25 family elevates the way you work, create, stay healthy and play. A sleek, premium design wrapped in a strong aluminium frame with an immersive screen, sophisticated camera and now slimmed down for a more comfortable grip, this is a phone that makes an impact.
Also Read
