The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus follow Samsung’s recent trend of incremental upgrades, offering fewer changes compared to previous generations. While the S25 Ultra boasts a significant camera upgrade, the S25 and S25 Plus retain nearly identical specs to their predecessors. Are a few new AI features and minor hardware tweaks enough to justify an upgrade? At first glance, perhaps not. However, a closer look reveals a more polished and refined experience, making them compelling options for those upgrading from older Galaxy models.
All seven colors of the Galaxy S25 including the three online exclusive colorsAlt: The Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup showcases all seven available colors, including three exclusive online options.
Specs, Pricing, and Availability
The Galaxy S25 series is available for order and launches on February 7th. The S25 starts at $800, while the S25 Plus begins at $1,000. The base S25 now boasts 12GB of RAM, aligning with the rest of the range. Color options include Navy, Icy Blue, Mint, and Silver Shadow, available through all retailers. Samsung.com exclusives include Blueblack, Pinkgold, and Coralred.
Refined Hardware, Enhanced Ergonomics
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra.Alt: Side-by-side comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra.
Visually, the S25 and S25 Plus are almost indistinguishable from the S24 series. While this might disappoint some, it reflects Samsung’s strategy of targeting users who upgrade every two to three years. However, two key hardware changes significantly enhance the user experience. Subtly rounded corners, while maintaining the square-ish design, improve ergonomics, preventing the phones from digging into the palm.
A side-on view of the Galaxy S25 navy in the handAlt: A user holds the navy blue Samsung Galaxy S25, showcasing its slim profile and rounded corners.
Furthermore, both phones are noticeably lighter and thinner. The S25 is six grams lighter, while the S25 Plus sheds seven grams. This seemingly small difference, combined with the 0.4mm reduction in thickness, contributes to a more premium and comfortable feel, especially when using a case.
The Galaxy S25 display in the handAlt: A close-up view of the Samsung Galaxy S25 display being held, highlighting its vibrant colors and clarity.
Internally, all S25 models feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a customized chipset paired with 12GB of RAM. Battery capacity remains unchanged at 4,000 mAh for the S25 and 4,900 mAh for the S25 Plus. However, the new chipset is expected to deliver improved battery life. Charging speeds also remain at 25W wired and 15W wireless.
A close up of the Galaxy S25 cameras in the handAlt: The triple camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy S25 is shown in detail, highlighting the lens design and placement.
The camera system remains identical to the S24 series, featuring a 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. While unchanged, the new chipset’s improved ISP is expected to enhance camera performance.
Galaxy AI: A New Level of Intelligence
Samsung Galaxy S25 AI Brief.Alt: A screenshot of the Samsung Galaxy S25 AI Brief feature, showing personalized information and suggestions.
The S25 series heavily emphasizes AI integration with Galaxy AI and One UI 7. The enhanced Circle to Search now supports multimodal input, enabling searches via audio and recognizing on-screen information like phone numbers and URLs. A personalized on-device LLM learns from user behavior and can be transferred to future Galaxy devices via Smart Switch.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the Galaxy AI screen.Alt: The Galaxy AI interface on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra showcases various AI-powered features and functionalities.
Cross App Actions allow users to execute multiple tasks with a single command, streamlining workflows. Galaxy AI also integrates with other Samsung devices, enabling features like automatically turning off SmartThings-enabled TVs when the user falls asleep, detected via the Galaxy Ring or Watch. Now Brief provides proactive suggestions on the lock screen, adapting throughout the day.
Different Galaxy AI options on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.Alt: A user explores the different Galaxy AI options available on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
A Familiar Yet Refined Experience
Samsung Galaxy S25 rearAlt: The rear view of the Samsung Galaxy S25 showcases its sleek design and matte glass finish.
The Galaxy S25 series builds upon the S24 foundation with subtle yet impactful refinements. The thinner, lighter design, coupled with enhanced AI capabilities, makes it a worthwhile upgrade for users with older Galaxy devices. While S24 owners might not find the upgrades compelling, the S25 and S25 Plus offer a more polished and refined experience for those seeking a familiar yet improved smartphone.
