Abstract

• The Galaxy S25 is almost equivalent to the Galaxy S24, with solely minor variations in design and options.
• The cellphone is without doubt one of the few small-ish flagship telephones in the marketplace, making it a good selection for individuals who favor a smaller type issue.
• The Galaxy S25 does not provide sufficient compelling upgrades from the earlier technology to justify its existence.

It is becoming that the Samsung Galaxy S25 was launched in February, a month famous for a movie a couple of man re-living the identical day over and over. Sadly, that is the identical feeling I had reviewing this cellphone.

Worth and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is accessible for $799.99 with 128GB of storage and $899.99 for 256GB of storage. Most retailers provide the cellphone in 4 colours: Navy, Mint, Icy Blue (pictured on this evaluate), and Silver Shadow. For those who order immediately from Samsung, you can even get the Galaxy S25 in Blueblack, Coralred, and Pinkgold.

In all probability the Greatest Small Android Telephone

You’re going to note a theme on this evaluate, but it surely’s most obvious when speaking in regards to the design. The Galaxy S25 may be very, similar to the Galaxy S24. Samsung boasts that it’s 0.4mm thinner and 5g lighter, however let’s be sincere: that’s unnoticeable. I used to be in a position to spot two tiny modifications.

For those who’re upgrading from a Galaxy S24, you would possibly discover extra squared-off edges. The Galaxy S24 had a little bit of a rounded-over transition between the glass again and steel edges. Nevertheless, the Galaxy S25 is basically a 90-degree nook. The cellphone feels barely completely different in your hand, but it surely’s not uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, I’ll say it’s slippery. This isn’t unusual for contemporary smartphones, however the Galaxy S24 felt particularly grip-less in my arms. Latercase supplied me with its Thin Case made with aramid fibers, and it made a giant enchancment. You might discover a case to be important for this cellphone–in additional methods than one.

The second change you might or could not discover is the digital camera lens housings. Samsung slimmed down the lenses so it appears to be like like they’re actually protruding of the again of the cellphone slightly than being inside steel rings. For those who’re trying on the Galaxy S25 and S24 subsequent to one another, that is virtually the one approach to distinguish them visually.

All this speak about sameness apart, the Galaxy S25 is a well-designed, enticing cellphone. Nevertheless, it’s surprisingly small and light-weight, which makes it really feel much less premium. I’ve to faucet my pockets to verify I’m carrying it. Relying in your choice, that will really be a giant level in favor of the Galaxy S25. It’s one of many few small-ish flagship telephones in the marketplace.

Staying on theme, the show is equivalent to the Galaxy S24–not that that could be a unhealthy factor. It’s a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel with a 2340 x 1080 decision, as much as 120Hz refresh charge, and 2600nits. Samsung shows are so persistently good I’ve run out of the way to reward them.

General, my largest gripe in regards to the Galaxy S25’s {hardware} is the “Qi2 Ready” copout. Samsung did the whole lot to help the brand new Qi2 customary besides embody magnets on the again for equipment. You’ll need a case with magnets to reap the benefits of MagSafe equipment. The state of affairs negates a few of my pleasure about Qi2, however for this cellphone particularly, I might use a case regardless.

The Greatest Software program Additions Don’t Contain AI

I’ve by no means been a fan of Samsung’s One UI software program, however I’ll admit it’s gotten fairly respectable through the years. My expertise with One UI 7 primarily based on Android 15 has been each higher and worse than earlier variations.

First, the great. As my colleague Justin Duino talked about in depth in his Galaxy S25 Ultra review, the brand new “Now Bar” is nice. It’s a pill-shaped widget that lives in your lock display and may seem within the notification panel. When one thing you would possibly care about is going on–like a sporting occasion, timer, or navigation instructions–you’ll discover the real-time data there. I discovered this to be surprisingly superior, particularly for monitoring sporting occasions.

The “Now Transient” isn’t almost as helpful. This can be a panel that’s supposed to maintain you up to date with what’s occurring throughout your day. Nevertheless, 9 occasions out of ten, it could merely present me the climate forecast and occasions from my calendars. It is not revolutionary within the least, and that is one thing Justin present in his testing as effectively.

Now, on to the unhealthy. Samsung is not any stranger to getting inspiration from Apple. That may be good, like within the case of the Now Bar, which has similarities to the Dyanmic Island. Nevertheless, they’ve additionally dipped into a few of Apple’s less-than-stellar concepts for One UI 7.

iPhone notifications are simply far behind Android. That is effectively established. And but, in a call that boggles my thoughts, Samsung determined it must be extra just like the iPhone. By default, notifications are much less seen on the lock display. Notifications from the identical app are put right into a stack. It’s important to swipe on one aspect of the display to open the notifications panel. Notification channels for apps are disabled by default.

Most of this may be undone, however the truth that it’s the default out-of-the-box habits is disappointing. All of it’s a downgrade from how Android notifications often work. Don’t mess with one thing already nice.

Galaxy AI + Gemini

With the {hardware} being so just like final yr, Samsung needed to put a better emphasis on AI options. I used to be pleasantly shocked by a number of the updates, although Google’s Gemini is extra to thank for it.

In my Pixel 9 review, I raved in regards to the Pixel Screenshots feature, but it surely wasn’t pretty much as good as I believed it could possibly be. The instance I gave was with the ability to establish occasion particulars on the display and add them to my calendar. On the time, Gemini might do the primary half however could not join the dots to my calendar. That now works with Gemini on the Galaxy S25.

That is because of Gemini’s improved means to work together with apps in your cellphone. It really works particularly effectively with Google and Samsung apps, however there are some third-party additions, too (WhatsApp and Spotify). This even consists of the Settings app, which will be formidable to navigate. You’ll be able to ask Gemini tips on how to do one thing, and it’ll often take you to the proper place with out you needing to know the precise identify of the setting.

Little to Say About Efficiency and Battery Life

Below the hood, the S25 packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM. It handles the whole lot with absolute ease, and it actually seems like we’re scratching at the perfect efficiency attainable in a smartphone. One of many constructive unwanted side effects of AI being stuffed into these telephones is that they want computing energy to deal with it, however that improves the whole lot as an entire.

I’ve additionally been very impressed with the battery life. One night time, I went to mattress at 10:30 PM with round 55% cost remaining. I made a decision to not cost it in a single day, and after I awoke, it was nonetheless over 50%. I might have squeaked by the day with out charging it if I wanted to. Hardly ever have I examined a cellphone that might genuinely final two days with my utilization.

The Cameras Are Nonetheless Good…Once more

On the digital camera entrance, there’s extra of the identical. The Galaxy S25 has the very same setup as final yr. That will get you a 50MP major digital camera, 12MP ultrawide digital camera, and 10MP telephoto digital camera with 3X optical zoom, together with a 12MP selfie digital camera.

Like final yr, this digital camera system is a strong performer. It captures detailed pictures with Samsung’s trademark punchy saturation in most lighting circumstances. Zoom high quality is top-notch, the low-light efficiency is nice as effectively, and I proceed to imagine Samsung has the perfect Portrait Mode of all smartphones.

For those who’re deciding on the “finest digital camera” within the Android cellphone world, it finally comes all the way down to your style. I can inform you the Galaxy S25 takes wonderful pictures, however you won’t just like the Samsung-y look. A Pixel 9 additionally has its personal distinct Pixel-y look. With a lot processing occurring behind the scenes, it’s about greater than megapixels. It’s important to determine which fashion matches your private style.

Ought to You Purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25?

I am going to get proper to the purpose: Galaxy S24 house owners have completely no purpose to think about upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S25. In truth, even when yours is broken and also you genuinely want a brand new cellphone, I’d recommend saving some cash and simply changing it with one other Galaxy S24.

That’s the issue with the Galaxy S25. It’s widespread for brand new telephones to not warrant an improve from the earlier technology, however I’m unsure the Galaxy S25 warrants an improve from any technology. It’s an excellent cellphone, and there’s technically nothing improper with it, however I can’t discover a compelling purpose why it must exist.

For those who’re out there for a brand new Samsung cellphone, final yr’s Galaxy S24 collection remains to be a wonderful alternative. The Galaxy S24, particularly, is ideal for these on the lookout for a smaller type issue. Go for the Galaxy S24+ if you would like a barely larger display and higher battery life.

For these Android followers not locked in to purchasing a Samsung cellphone, the Pixel 9 is the closest competitor to the Galaxy S25 and S24. The specs are related throughout the board, however the Pixel 9 lacks a telephoto digital camera, and the Tensor G4 processor isn’t fairly pretty much as good because the Qualcomm Snapdragon line.

When it comes proper all the way down to it, the Galaxy S25 is a forgettable cellphone. It doesn’t provide sufficient compelling upgrades from the earlier technology to defend its existence. No quantity of AI can reserve it.