The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S25 series has arrived, offering modest hardware upgrades, significant AI enhancements, and a refined design. With a focus on improving the software experience, Samsung leverages the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset to deliver better performance and camera capabilities. Let’s take an in-depth look at the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 to explore their features, updates, and how they stack up against their predecessors.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Key Specifications
- Display: 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440x3088px, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 2600 nits peak brightness.
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm).
- Cameras:
- Main: 200 MP, f/1.7, Laser AF, OIS.
- Telephoto: 50 MP (5x optical zoom) and 10 MP (3x optical zoom).
- Ultrawide: 50 MP, f/1.9.
- Front: 12 MP, Dual Pixel PDAF.
- Battery: 5000mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging.
- Build: Gorilla Glass Armor 2 front/back, titanium frame, IP68-certified.
- Storage: Up to 1TB with 12GB RAM.
- OS: Android 15, One UI 7.0.
Design and Display
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a sleeker and more compact design with 15% slimmer bezels and a slightly larger 6.9-inch display. The new Gorilla Glass Armor 2 ensures better durability, with Samsung claiming a 29% improvement over previous generations.
The flat side frame and oval edges offer improved handling compared to the sharper design of the S24 Ultra. Available in Titanium Silver Blue, Green, White, and Black, Samsung also offers exclusive online shades like Pink Gold and Jade Green.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is the heart of the S25 Ultra, offering an overclocked CPU and GPU for better performance:
- Prime cores run at 4.47 GHz (up from 4.32 GHz in the standard version).
- The Adreno 830 GPU delivers higher clock speeds and better gaming capabilities.
- Benchmarks show substantial gains, with multi-core GeekBench scores exceeding 10,000, cementing it as one of the fastest smartphones available.
Camera Improvements
The S25 Ultra’s ultrawide camera now boasts a 50MP sensor with a wider f/1.9 aperture, replacing the previous 12MP unit. This upgrade improves low-light performance and video recording, now supporting 8K at 30fps.
Additionally:
- Galaxy Log mode enables professional video editing.
- AI-powered features like Audio Eraser allow noise cancellation in videos.
- Portrait modes have been enhanced using virtual aperture controls.
However, the S Pen loses Bluetooth functionality and Air Gestures, which may disappoint long-time stylus fans.
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Key Specifications
- Display: 6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440x3088px, 120Hz, HDR10+.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm).
- Cameras:
- Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS.
- Telephoto: 10 MP (3x optical zoom).
- Ultrawide: 12 MP.
- Battery: 4900mAh, 45W wired charging.
- Build: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, aluminum frame, IP68-certified.
- Storage: Up to 512GB with 12GB RAM.
- OS: Android 15, One UI 7.0.
Design and Display
The S25+ adopts a slimmer profile, measuring 7.3mm thick, while maintaining the same 4900mAh battery capacity as its predecessor. It features Samsung’s Armor Aluminum 2 frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, providing decent durability, though not as robust as the Ultra’s Gorilla Glass Armor 2.
Color options include Navy, Mint, Icy Blue, and Silver Shadow, with additional online-exclusive shades.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy powers the S25+, delivering a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. For the first time, all S25 models come with 12GB of RAM as standard, ensuring smooth multitasking and better longevity.
Camera Features
Unlike the Ultra, the S25+ retains last year’s camera hardware:
- A 50MP main sensor with Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS.
- A 12MP ultrawide camera with no autofocus.
- A 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
However, software upgrades like the ProVisual Engine improve low-light video performance and reduce noise in complex lighting conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Key Specifications
- Display: 6.2″ LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080x2340px, 120Hz, HDR10+.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm).
- Cameras:
- Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS.
- Telephoto: 10 MP (3x optical zoom).
- Ultrawide: 12 MP.
- Battery: 4000mAh, 25W wired charging.
- Build: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, aluminum frame, IP68-certified.
- Storage: Starts at 128GB with 12GB RAM.
- OS: Android 15, One UI 7.0.
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25 is the most compact model in the lineup, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer smaller devices. At just 162g, it’s significantly lighter than the other two models. However, it lacks Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support, and the base model still comes with 128GB of storage, which feels outdated in 2024.
Camera and Features
The camera setup mirrors the S25+, with minor improvements in computational photography due to the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s advanced ISP. The lack of hardware changes may disappoint users expecting more from a flagship.
Software: One UI 7.0 and AI Features
One UI 7.0 introduces AI-driven personalization, allowing users to control multiple apps and system settings using natural language commands. Features include:
- AI Select: Analyze on-screen content and generate GIFs or wallpapers.
- Circle to Search: Identify music tracks or search content seamlessly.
- Cross-App Actions: Perform tasks across multiple apps with a single voice command.
- Now Brief and Now Bar: Provide daily summaries and contextual updates directly on the lock screen.
Samsung ensures 7 years of software updates, extending the lifecycle of the S25 lineup.
Early Verdict
Pros:
- Significant AI advancements with One UI 7.0.
- Consistent design improvements across all models.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy delivers impressive performance.
- The Ultra’s 50MP ultrawide camera is a welcome addition.
Cons:
- Minimal hardware upgrades for S25 and S25+.
- S Pen loses Bluetooth and Air Gestures functionality.
- Base storage on the S25 remains at 128GB.
- No groundbreaking battery technology compared to competitors.
Pricing:
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: €1,450 / £1,250.
- Galaxy S25+: €1,150 / £1,000.
- Galaxy S25: €900 / £800.
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out with its refinements and camera upgrades, the S25+ and S25 feel underwhelming, especially in a competitive market. Samsung’s focus on AI-driven software innovation might be enough to keep fans intrigued, but the lack of major hardware leaps could deter some buyers.
We’ll reserve final judgment until we conduct in-depth testing, but for now, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the best option for enthusiasts seeking a premium flagship experience.
