The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus aims to bridge the gap between the standard S25 and the premium S25 Ultra, offering a balance of size and features. Samsung boasts improved Galaxy AI and its best software yet. But does it live up to the hype? After two weeks of use, the S25 Plus reveals a mix of strengths and weaknesses.
Design and Display: Familiar Territory
The S25 Plus closely resembles its predecessor, the S24 Plus. It’s thinner and lighter, enhancing the in-hand feel. While the S25 Ultra might feel heavy for some, the S25 Plus strikes a comfortable balance. Samsung introduces sleek new colors, but the glass back scratches easily, even with minimal contact.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X display is a pleasure to use, though it lacks the anti-reflective coating of the S25 Ultra. The 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution remain from last year. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects both front and back, though the rear remains susceptible to scratches.
The rear features a redesigned camera module with elegant rings, though their long-term durability remains to be seen. The phone retains IP68 dust and water resistance and the same armor aluminum frame as the S24 Plus. Overall, the S25 Plus offers a familiar design, slightly improved by its thinner and lighter profile.
Hardware and Performance: A Powerhouse
The S25 Plus boasts impressive performance thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. This customized chip, with a higher clock speed and enhanced NPU, handles AI tasks efficiently, performing many operations locally instead of relying on the cloud.
Performance is flawless, handling demanding games with ease, even in performance mode. The larger vapor chamber keeps the phone remarkably cool, even under heavy load. In extreme heat tests, the S25 Plus remained usable while competitors overheated. This impressive thermal management is attributed to the processor, combined with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, and further optimized by One UI 7.
Software and Galaxy AI: A Step Forward
One UI 7 is a significant upgrade, delivering a consistently fast and smooth experience. Built on Android 15, the S25 Plus benefits from Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software and security updates. This ensures longevity and sustained performance.
One UI 7 introduces a split notification and quick settings menu, a welcome improvement. The new vertical app drawer, activated by alphabetical sorting, aligns with other Android phones and simplifies app discovery.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI features include Now Brief, which provides personalized daily summaries, and the Now Bar, inspired by Apple’s Dynamic Island. Now Bar displays useful information on the lock screen, though its current lack of third-party app support limits its potential.
Circle to Search is a standout feature, recognizing phone numbers, addresses, and music in images and videos. It even allows humming or singing to identify songs, proving incredibly useful.
Other AI enhancements include voice search within settings and photo content (limited to Samsung’s Gallery app). While Galaxy AI shows promise, some features feel less impactful than others. Overall, One UI 7 provides a polished and refined software experience.
Battery and Charging: All-Day Power
The S25 Plus retains the 4,900mAh battery of its predecessor, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip significantly improves battery life. It consistently delivers over 24 hours of use with ample screen-on time.
45W wired charging provides a quick boost, reaching 50% in 25 minutes and a full charge in just over an hour. While competitors like the OnePlus 13 offer faster charging, the S25 Plus also supports 15W wireless charging and Qi2 magnetic charging (with a compatible case).
Camera: Falling Behind the Competition
The S25 Plus reuses the camera hardware from the S24 Plus and even the S23 Plus. While adequate, this aging hardware struggles to compete with newer smartphone cameras. The 50MP main sensor produces detailed images, but the 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto lenses lack the resolution and performance of competitors.
The S25 Plus camera performs noticeably worse than rivals like the OnePlus 13, Pixel 9 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro, all of which offer superior image quality and features. Samsung’s decision to retain older camera hardware is a significant drawback for the S25 Plus.
Price, Availability, and Competition
The Galaxy S25 Plus launched on February 7th, starting at $1,000 for the 256GB model, with a 512GB option available. This pricing matches the S24 Plus but faces stiff competition from devices like the OnePlus 13, Pixel 9 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro, which offer better value for the same or lower price.
Conclusion: A Good Phone, But Not a Great One
The Galaxy S25 Plus offers excellent performance, impressive battery life, and refined software. However, its easily scratched back, aging camera system, and high price in a competitive market diminish its appeal. While a decent upgrade from older Plus models, the S25 Plus struggles to stand out against its rivals. It’s a good phone, but not a great one.
