iFixit has completed its teardown of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, revealing significant improvements in repairability compared to previous models. The device's new pull-tab battery and modular camera setup earned praise from the repair experts, but adhesive-heavy construction still presents challenges for DIY fixers.

The standout feature of the S25 Ultra's internal design is its easily removable battery. Unlike the stubborn adhesives of past models, Samsung has implemented a system of four small tabs that allow for quick battery access:

"If you need to remove it, you just pull those tabs up and the battery releases with ease. It's a much simpler method than iPhone's electrochemical release."— iFixit

This change alone marks a substantial step forward for the Galaxy line's repairability. As smartphones continue to grow more expensive, the ability to easily replace a degraded battery could significantly extend a device's lifespan.

Another positive note is the S25 Ultra's modular camera setup. iFixit reports that the new design makes it "much easier to open the camera housing and replace internal components." Importantly, users can opt for third-party replacement parts instead of being locked into official Samsung components.

Despite these improvements, the Galaxy S25 Ultra still faces hurdles on the path to true user-repairability. iFixit notes that "every entry point into the phone — from the front or the back panel — will require additional adhesive during the repair process." This reliance on adhesives can make repairs messy and increase the risk of damage during disassembly.

The repair experts also point out that Samsung's official repair resources remain incomplete, and the company often bundles parts in ways that make individual repairs impractical or unnecessarily expensive.

Taking all factors into account, iFixit awarded the Galaxy S25 Ultra a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10. While this represents progress for Samsung, it falls short of recent iPhone models (which scored 7/10) and is far behind more repair-friendly options like the HMD Skyline (9/10).

"Consider the Galaxy S25 Ultra a strong step in the right direction—a phone that might actually stay alive in your pocket for a few extra years, thanks to more sensible internal design."— iFixit

iFixit suggests that the improvements may be driven by Right to Repair legislation in Europe rather than a fundamental shift in Samsung's philosophy. However, the organization remains hopeful that Samsung will continue to embrace repairability:

"Should Samsung decide to improve documentation, open up its parts catalog, and truly embrace the right-to-repair movement, we'd be the first to applaud."— iFixit

The Galaxy S25 Ultra, announced on January 22, 2025, brings other notable upgrades beyond repairability. The device features a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and a new 50MP ultra-wide camera. Samsung has also made strides in AI integration, with the S25 series introducing a new AI-focused operating system for more intuitive interactions.

As the smartphone industry faces increasing pressure to address e-waste and extend device lifespans, Samsung's improvements with the S25 Ultra represent a positive trend. While there's still significant room for progress, this latest Galaxy flagship demonstrates that even incremental changes can make a meaningful difference in repairability.