Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series is here, and while the focus is clearly on software and AI innovations, the hardware upgrades are modest across the lineup. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25 aim to continue Samsung’s legacy of premium smartphones but bring a mixed bag of excitement and missed opportunities. Let’s break it all down.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: The Flagship Powerhouse
Design and Build
- Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm, 218g
- Materials: Gorilla Glass Armor 2 (front and back), titanium frame
- Colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Green, Titanium Black, with exclusive online colors like Jet Black and Jade Green
The S25 Ultra is sleeker and tougher than ever. The bezels are 15% thinner, allowing for a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display without enlarging the overall size. With its DX anti-reflection treatment, legibility under direct sunlight is significantly improved.
The titanium frame enhances durability, while the Gorilla Glass Armor 2 adds 29% better protection compared to the S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Glass. Overall, the S25 Ultra feels premium yet more compact and comfortable to hold than its predecessor.
Display
- Size: 6.9 inches
- Resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+
- Brightness: 2600 nits (peak)
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is stunning. Its increased brightness and anti-reflection technology ensure excellent viewing even under harsh lighting.
Performance
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)
- RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB options
The Galaxy-exclusive Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset delivers one of the biggest generational leaps in performance, with higher clock speeds for both the CPU and GPU. Benchmarks indicate substantial improvements over its predecessor, making it one of the fastest smartphones available.
Camera System
- Rear Cameras:
- 200 MP wide with Laser AF and OIS
- 50 MP telephoto (5x optical zoom)
- 10 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)
- 50 MP ultrawide with Super Steady video
- Front Camera: 12 MP
Samsung has replaced the S24 Ultra’s 12MP ultrawide lens with a 50MP sensor with a wider f/1.9 aperture, improving low-light performance. Video recording now supports 8K at 30fps and 10-bit HDR, while the AI-powered Galaxy Log mode caters to professional videographers.
The AI Audio Eraser allows users to isolate or mute specific sounds in videos, like wind or crowd noise, which is a game-changer for content creators.
Battery
- Capacity: 5000mAh
- Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless
Battery performance remains unchanged from the S24 Ultra, but with improved software optimization, users can expect better real-world endurance.
S Pen Changes
The S Pen has lost its Bluetooth connectivity and motion gesture support. While this streamlines its functionality, it removes key features like remote camera shutter control, leaving some S Pen enthusiasts disappointed.
Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25: Refinements Without Revolution
Galaxy S25+
- Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440 x 3088 pixels
- Build: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Armor Aluminum frame
- Cameras: 50 MP main, 10 MP telephoto (3x zoom), 12 MP ultrawide
- Battery: 4900mAh with 45W wired charging
The S25+ carries forward the same camera hardware as its predecessor but benefits from the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Its 12GB RAM configuration across all storage tiers ensures improved multitasking and gaming.
Galaxy S25
- Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 pixels
- Build: Same as S25+
- Battery: 4000mAh with 25W wired charging
The vanilla S25 is now equipped with 12GB RAM as standard, a significant improvement over previous models. However, it still lacks Ultra Wideband (UWB) and starts at 128GB storage, which feels limited for a flagship in 2024.
Software and AI Features
The One UI 7.0 overlay on Android 15 focuses heavily on AI and personalization:
- AI Select: Enhanced Smart Select now analyzes screen content to create GIFs or wallpapers.
- Cross-App Actions: Perform complex tasks across apps with voice commands, like finding restaurants, sharing locations, and setting reminders.
- Now Brief and Now Bar: Personalized schedules and contextual information on your lock screen.
- Natural Language Input: Search your gallery, control settings, or find apps with conversational commands.
Samsung promises 7 years of Android updates and 7 years of security patches, ensuring longevity.
Early Verdict
Pros:
- S25 Ultra: Premium design, enhanced ultrawide camera, AI features, excellent display, and robust performance.
- S25+: Refined design, balanced performance, and improved RAM configurations.
- S25: Compact size with flagship performance and AI features.
Cons:
- Lack of innovative hardware upgrades (especially on S25 and S25+).
- Removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen on the Ultra.
- Still no UWB support or base storage increase on the standard S25.
Pricing
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Starting at €1,450 / £1,250
- Galaxy S25+: Starting at €1,150 / £1,000
- Galaxy S25: Starting at €900 / £800
Despite modest hardware improvements, Samsung’s push toward AI-driven experiences might be enough to keep the Galaxy S25 series relevant. Whether it lives up to expectations will depend on real-world tests. Stay tuned for our full review!
