Samsung Galaxy S25 review
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a textbook example of a spec bump - zero risk for the manufacturer, and consequently, its target demographic. The new phone boasts incremental upgrades over its predecessor, including a slightly larger screen, improved cameras, and a more powerful chip. However, whether these changes are enough to justify an upgrade remains to be seen. This review will examine if the S25's modest improvements are sufficient to sway those already satisfied with their existing device.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a textbook spec bump, with zero risk for Samsung. Visually, the phone is nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor, the S24. The build quality remains top-notch, with a solid feel in the hand and a premium aesthetic that's hard to resist. In terms of design, the S25 is a subtle iteration on the S24's already excellent form factor. The slightly larger screen and new colorway are welcome changes, but they don't necessarily make this phone stand out from its predecessor. One area where the S25 does excel is in durability - the IP69 rating ensures that it can withstand the rigors of daily use without breaking a sweat. However, upon closer inspection, one notices that the phone's clear case (which is included with some models) begins to turn yellow over time, due to the natural aging process of the plastic. This is an unfortunate design choice, as it detracts from the overall premium feel of the device. Despite this minor quibble, the S25 remains a joy to hold and use. The new One UI 7 software brings a fresh coat of paint and some welcome aesthetic tweaks, but these changes are largely cosmetic. What's more, Samsung promises seven years of software updates for its newest flagships - a testament to their commitment to supporting their devices long after the initial purchase. Ultimately, whether or not the S25 is worth upgrading to will depend on individual preferences. If you're due for an upgrade and want the latest and greatest from Samsung, then this phone should certainly be considered. However, if you're already happy with your current device, there's little reason to feel pressured into buying a new one - especially when the differences are so subtle.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is touted as a textbook spec bump, with zero risk for the manufacturer. While this may be true in terms of innovation, the new phone's battery life remains unchanged from its predecessor. With the same capacity and no significant improvements to power efficiency, one cannot help but wonder if the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip will be enough to breathe new life into the cameras and justify a potential upgrade. The lack of an IP69 rating, silicon carbide battery, or ultra-fast charging also raises questions about the phone's overall performance. Will the new ISP on the chip be able to compensate for these omissions? In a world where smartphones are increasingly reliant on power-hungry features like AI-driven cameras and high-performance processors, it's surprising that Samsung hasn't prioritized battery life as much. The S25's battery life is unlikely to be significantly better than its predecessor, despite the new chip. This raises concerns about the phone's overall performance and whether it will be able to keep up with demanding tasks without running out of juice. Ultimately, the decision to upgrade to the S25 will likely depend on individual preferences and needs. However, for those who value battery life above all else, the S25 may not offer a compelling reason to upgrade from an existing device.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S25 boasts an upgraded display experience, although the changes might be subtle for some users. The new screen is slightly larger than its predecessor, but the difference is hardly noticeable in everyday use. However, the increased pixel density and improved color accuracy make a tangible impact. The most notable change to the display is the adoption of Samsung's latest Super AMOLED technology. This results in deeper blacks, more vivid colors, and an overall more immersive viewing experience. The screen is also slightly brighter than before, making it suitable for use in direct sunlight. While some may appreciate the new color palette and aesthetic tweaks in One UI 7, others might find it jarring. The updated lock screen customization options are reminiscent of iOS, but they feel like a missed opportunity to truly innovate. Instead, Samsung opted for a more incremental approach, which might leave some users feeling underwhelmed. In terms of display-specific upgrades, the S25's new ultra-wide camera does offer a wider field of view, but it's not something that will be immediately apparent in most use cases. The real-world impact is likely to be minimal unless you're frequently using the wide-angle lens for creative or professional purposes. Ultimately, the display on the Samsung Galaxy S25 is an improvement over its predecessor, but it might not be enough to justify an upgrade for everyone. If you're already satisfied with your current device and don't require a significant boost in display quality, then there's little reason to switch.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S25's camera setup is an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, the S24. The new phone boasts an ultra-wide-angle lens with a slightly larger sensor, which should improve low-light performance and provide a wider field of view. However, I'm not convinced that these changes will be noticeable to most users. The S25's camera capabilities are still among the best in the market, but they lack the innovation and wow factor that some other flagships offer. The new ultra-wide-angle lens does bring some benefits, such as being able to capture more of a scene or reducing the need for editing software, but it's not a game-changer. One notable omission from the S25 is the lack of significant improvements in camera hardware. The new ISP (image signal processor) on the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip may breathe some life into the cameras, but I'm not convinced that this will be enough to make a significant difference. In terms of software features, Samsung has added an audio eraser tool, which is a useful feature for cleaning up background noise or wind in video recordings. However, it's not clear if this is a new feature or simply a rebranded version of something already available on other phones. The S25's camera capabilities are still top-notch, but they feel like more of the same rather than a significant step forward. If you're looking to upgrade from an older phone and want a reliable camera experience, the S25 is still a great choice. However, if you're already using a recent flagship with a good camera system, it's not clear if the S25 offers enough improvements to warrant an upgrade. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S25's camera setup feels like a refinement of what came before rather than a bold new direction. While it's still a capable and reliable camera system, I wouldn't say that it's particularly exciting or innovative. If you're looking for a phone with a great camera, the S25 is certainly worth considering, but don't expect to be blown away by revolutionary improvements.
Price and Value
The latest addition to Samsung's flagship series, the Galaxy S25, has been making waves with its incremental upgrades over its predecessor, the S24. While it's tempting to label this a "spec bump," there's some merit in considering whether this upgrade justifies an investment. Priced similarly to the S24, the S25 doesn't come with any revolutionary new features that would make one question their loyalty to Samsung. The same quad-camera setup, slightly larger screen size (if you really notice), and improved chip – all these don't exactly scream "must-have" upgrades. In fact, the phone's design has taken a more familiar form, making it challenging for even enthusiasts to distinguish between the S24 and the S25. The chip upgrade, in particular, might be seen as the sole game-changer here. Samsung claims this new chip brings improved performance, but only time will tell if these enhancements make a noticeable difference for average users. And let's not forget that most of the S25's AI-driven features – like audio erasers and personalized lock screens – can also be expected to roll out to last year's models via software updates. Considering this situation, one could argue that the value proposition offered by the Galaxy S25 is still somewhat underwhelming. The phone doesn't come with any revolutionary new technology or must-have features, and its pricing remains competitive but not spectacularly cheap. For those invested in Samsung ecosystem already, upgrading might be considered if they're due for a refresh of their existing device anyway. However, for others, it's probably wise to wait out the review cycle before making an informed decision about whether this incremental upgrade is worth your hard-earned cash.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a textbook spec bump, with zero risk for the manufacturer. This new flagship boasts the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, which promises improved performance. While the new ISP (Image Signal Processor) may breathe new life into the cameras, it's unclear whether this will be enough to make a noticeable difference. The real question is whether the updated processor will provide a significant boost in performance. With the previous model already offering respectable speeds, it's debatable how much of an improvement the S25 can expect to deliver. However, the new chip may still offer some benefits, such as improved multitasking and smoother gameplay. One aspect that could be impacted by the new processor is battery life. The S25's slightly larger screen and updated chip may result in reduced battery performance. Nevertheless, Samsung has made efforts to improve power efficiency, so it remains to be seen whether this will have a significant impact on real-world usage. The Galaxy S25 also boasts an ultra-wide camera, which may offer improved low-light performance and more versatile shooting capabilities. However, the effectiveness of this new feature will depend on various factors, such as software optimization and image processing algorithms. Ultimately, the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S25 is likely to be a mixed bag. While the updated processor may provide some benefits, it's unclear whether these improvements will be enough to justify an upgrade for existing users. The real test will come when we get our hands on the phone and can put its capabilities through their paces.
Pros
1. Zero risk for Samsung with this spec bump, making it a textbook example of a zero-risk upgrade.
2. The new chip, Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, might be a big enough bump that we notice it and maybe we don't even need a much bigger battery.
3. The new ISP on the chip might breathe new life into these cameras, potentially surprising us with better performance.
4. Samsung has been good about software updates lately, promising seven years of updates on their newest flagships.
5. The new One UI 7 is a refreshed look with fresh aesthetics and iOS-inspired features, making it a nice update to the S25.
Cons
1. It's just a spec bump, with no IP69, no silicon carbide battery, no ultra-fast charging, and no brighter display.
2. The new camera features might not be enough to justify an upgrade for those who already have a decently new phone.
3. Some of the AI features are cool but debatable in terms of how much value they bring to the phone.
4. Clear cases can turn yellow over time, which is a problem dbrand's Ghost Case 2.0 aims to solve.
5. The only way to tell the S25 Ultra from the S24 is by a new colorway, making it hard for some users to justify an upgrade.