The Samsung Galaxy S25 series Introduction and Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S25 series has arrived, building on the legacy of its predecessors with a focus on incremental hardware changes and significant advancements in software. While some may find the updates modest, Samsung aims to redefine user experience with enhanced AI capabilities and refinements across the board. The lineup includes the Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and the base Galaxy S25, each catering to different market segments.
This review delves into the design, performance, camera improvements, software upgrades, and overall value of the Galaxy S25 lineup.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: The Flagship Experience
Design
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a refreshed design while retaining its premium aesthetics. Notable updates include:
- Slimmer bezels: 15% thinner, allowing for a larger 6.9-inch display without increasing the device’s footprint.
- Thinner profile: At just 8.2mm, the Ultra is sleeker and lighter than its predecessor.
- Materials: The use of Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for the front and back, coupled with a titanium frame, improves durability by 29%.
- Color options: Four standard colors (Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Black, and Titanium White Silver) and three online exclusives (Titanium Pink Gold, Jet Black, and Jade Green).
Display
The 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel boasts a resolution of 1440x3088px and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in bright conditions. Enhanced by DX anti-reflection technology, the display is ideal for outdoor use.
Performance
The Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, featuring:
- 2x Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores clocked at 4.47 GHz for unmatched processing power.
- Adreno 830 GPU for high-performance graphics, running at increased clock speeds.
- 12GB RAM across all storage configurations (256GB, 512GB, and 1TB).
Early benchmarks showcase impressive results, with the S25 Ultra outperforming competitors in both CPU and GPU performance.
Camera
The Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces a new 50MP ultrawide sensor with an f/1.9 aperture, replacing the 12MP sensor from the S24 Ultra. The rest of the camera setup includes:
- 200MP main camera with laser autofocus and OIS.
- 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom.
- 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
Camera Features:
- AI-powered ProVisual Engine: Enhances low-light performance and video quality.
- Galaxy Log mode: Offers high-grade video recording for post-production.
- AI Audio Eraser: Removes unwanted background noise from videos.
- 8K video recording: Now available at 30fps for smoother footage.
Battery and Charging
The S25 Ultra retains its 5000mAh battery with 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Samsung claims the battery can charge to 65% in just 30 minutes.
Galaxy S25+: A Balanced Offering
Design
The Galaxy S25+ continues the tradition of premium design with:
- 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display.
- A thinner profile of 7.3mm, offering a sleek look and feel.
- Standard materials like Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which offer excellent durability.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the S25+ offers:
- A similar chipset configuration as the Ultra, ensuring top-notch performance.
- 12GB RAM for smooth multitasking.
- Storage options of 256GB and 512GB.
Camera
The S25+ retains the same camera setup as its predecessor:
- 50MP main sensor, 10MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide.
- Enhanced low-light video capabilities due to the new ProVisual Engine.
Battery and Charging
The 4900mAh battery supports 45W wired and 15W wireless charging, delivering fast and reliable performance.
Galaxy S25: Compact Power
Design
The smallest of the lineup, the Galaxy S25, features:
- A 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display.
- A compact and lightweight build (162g) for one-handed use.
- Similar materials as the S25+, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an Armor Aluminum frame.
Performance
The Galaxy S25 benefits from the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset as its larger siblings. For the first time, the base model includes 12GB RAM across all configurations, enhancing performance.
Camera
The S25 inherits the same 50MP main sensor, 10MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide setup as the S25+, with improved ISP capabilities for better low-light and video quality.
Battery and Charging
The 4000mAh battery supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, slightly lower than the Ultra and Plus models but sufficient for the smaller display and battery size.
Software: One UI 7.0 and AI Features
Samsung’s new One UI 7.0, based on Android 15, brings several AI-driven improvements:
- Natural Language Input: Allows users to search the gallery, control system settings, and interact with multiple apps using voice commands.
- AI Select: Analyzes screen content and suggests relevant actions, such as creating GIFs or searching for products.
- Cross-App Actions: Enables seamless multitasking, such as finding a restaurant, saving the location, and sharing it via messaging apps.
- Now Brief and Now Bar: Provides personalized updates and contextual information directly on the lock screen or through notifications.
Samsung guarantees 7 years of Android updates, ensuring long-term software support.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 series continues to refine Samsung’s flagship formula. While the hardware upgrades are incremental, the focus on AI integration and software enhancements positions the lineup as a significant step forward in user experience.
Pros:
- Exceptional display quality with improved brightness and anti-reflection.
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for Galaxy across all models.
- Significant AI-driven software improvements.
- Long software support (7 years of updates).
- The S25 Ultra offers improved camera versatility and design.
Cons:
- Minimal hardware upgrades for the S25 and S25+.
- The S Pen in the Ultra loses its Bluetooth and gesture capabilities.
- Base storage of 128GB for the S25 feels outdated.
Pricing:
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Starting at €1,450/£1,250.
- Galaxy S25+: Starting at €1,150/£1,000.
- Galaxy S25: Starting at €900/£800.
With Samsung banking on software innovation, the Galaxy S25 series provides a solid offering for 2024, but the lack of significant hardware advancements may leave some enthusiasts wanting more.
