Samsung’s 2024 Galaxy S25 lineup brings incremental hardware updates paired with significant strides in software enhancements and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra steals the show with noticeable design and camera improvements, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ offer minimal upgrades, leaving us questioning whether these changes are enough to justify an upgrade. Let’s dive deeper into the specs, features, and performance of these new models.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Key Specifications
- Design:
- Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm; 218g
- Materials: Gorilla Glass Armor 2 (front/back), titanium frame, IP68 certification
- Colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Green, Titanium Black
- Display:
- 6.9” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 1440 x 3088px, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 2600 nits peak brightness
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)
- Memory: 12GB RAM with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
- Cameras:
- Main: 200MP wide
- Telephoto: 50MP 5x zoom + 10MP 3x zoom
- Ultrawide: Upgraded 50MP with f/1.9 aperture
- Front: 12MP
- Battery: 5000mAh with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Software: Android 15 with One UI 7.0
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25 Ultra retains its sleek and modern design while introducing a few changes:
- Thinner Bezels: The 6.9-inch display fits into a smaller chassis, making it easier to handle.
- Durable Build: Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and titanium frame improve durability by 29%.
- Color Options: A mix of bold and refined colorways, with online-exclusive options like Jet Black and Jade Green.
Camera Enhancements
- Ultrawide Camera Upgrade: The new 50MP ultrawide sensor delivers sharper and more vibrant images, with improved low-light performance.
- 8K Video Recording: Now supported across the upgraded ultrawide camera.
- AI Audio Eraser: A new feature that allows you to mute specific sounds in videos, such as background noise.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy introduces higher clock speeds and improved GPU performance, offering:
- Faster Processing: Benchmark results show a significant improvement over the S24 Ultra.
- Battery Optimization: Despite powerful hardware, efficiency remains excellent thanks to the 3nm chipset.
Drawbacks
- S Pen Downgrade: The S Pen no longer supports Bluetooth or Air Gestures, reducing its functionality.
- Incremental Updates: Aside from the ultrawide camera and design tweaks, the S25 Ultra feels like a minor iteration.
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Key Specifications
- Design:
- Dimensions: 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm; 190g
- Materials: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, aluminum frame
- Colors: Navy, Icy Blue, Mint, and Silver Shadow
- Display:
- 6.7” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 1440 x 3088px, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- Memory: 12GB RAM with storage options of 256GB and 512GB
- Cameras:
- Main: 50MP wide
- Telephoto: 10MP 3x zoom
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Battery: 4900mAh with 45W wired charging
Design and Build
- Compact Build: The S25+ is 0.4mm thinner than its predecessor, maintaining the same battery capacity.
- Durability: While the aluminum frame is sturdy, it lacks the Gorilla Armor Glass used in the Ultra model.
Performance
- Snapdragon Power: The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures smooth multitasking and better thermal efficiency.
- Memory Boost: For the first time, the S25+ gets 12GB RAM as standard across all variants.
Drawbacks
- Unchanged Cameras: No hardware improvements in the camera system compared to the S24+.
- Lack of UWB: The S25+ misses out on Ultra-Wideband connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy S25
Key Specifications
- Design:
- Dimensions: 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm; 162g
- Materials: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, aluminum frame
- Colors: Navy, Icy Blue, Mint, and Silver Shadow
- Display:
- 6.2” Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340px, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- Memory: 12GB RAM with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
- Cameras:
- Main: 50MP wide
- Telephoto: 10MP 3x zoom
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Battery: 4000mAh with 25W wired charging
Design and Build
- Lightweight and Compact: At just 162g, the S25 is designed for one-handed use.
- Basic Features: While the design is durable, it lacks the premium materials of the Ultra.
Performance
- Improved RAM: The base model now comes with 12GB RAM, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
- Snapdragon Power: Consistent performance across all three models.
Drawbacks
- Limited Storage: The base 128GB option may not be sufficient for heavy users.
- Lack of Features: Missing UWB support and lower charging speeds compared to competitors.
Software: One UI 7.0 and AI Features
Samsung is betting heavily on AI enhancements to make the S25 series stand out:
- AI Select and Cross-App Actions: Seamlessly integrate app functions with natural language commands.
- Now Brief and Now Bar: Personalized widgets that summarize your day and provide contextual app information.
- Privacy and Security: Samsung Knox ensures data remains encrypted on the device.
Pricing
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Starting at €1,450/£1,250
- Galaxy S25+: Starting at €1,150/£1,000
- Galaxy S25: Starting at €900/£800
Early Verdict
The Galaxy S25 series prioritizes software over hardware innovations. The Ultra stands out with its improved ultrawide camera, enhanced display, and AI-driven software. However, the S25 and S25+ feel like iterative updates. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite and One UI 7.0 elevate the user experience, these upgrades might not be enough to lure owners of last year’s models.
