Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Review: Powerful, Polished, but Playing It Safe

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series (Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra) arrived, with cutting-edge performance, refined AI features, and a familiar design. Launched in February 2025, these flagship Android phones aim to compete with the likes of the iPhone 16 series, Google Pixel 9, and OnePlus 13. But with minimal hardware changes from the Galaxy S24 lineup and a heavy focus on Galaxy AI, does the S25 series bring enough to the table to justify an upgrade? This article explores the design, performance, cameras, battery life, software, and more to help you decide if the Galaxy S25 series is worth your investment.

Overview of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series

The Galaxy S25 series includes three models:

• Galaxy S25: Starting at $799.99, the compact flagship with a 6.2-inch display.
• Galaxy S25+: Priced at $999.99, offering a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display and a 4,900mAh battery.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: The premium option at $1,299.99, featuring a 6.9-inch display, S Pen, and advanced cameras.

All models are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, come with 12GB of RAM, and run One UI 7 on Android 15. Samsung continues its promise of seven years of OS and security updates. Its Available in vibrant colors like Navy, Coralred, and Titanium Jetblack (some exclusive to Samsung’s website), the series aims to blend style with substance.

Design: Familiar Yet Refined

Samsung’s design philosophy for the Galaxy S25 series can be summed up as “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The S25 and S25+ look nearly identical to their S24 predecessors, with flat aluminum sides, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and a matte finish that resists fingerprints. The S25 is slightly slimmer (0.4mm thinner) and lighter, making it one of the most compact flagship Android phones at 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 inches and 5.71 ounces.

The S25 Ultra, however, introduces subtle tweaks: thinner bezels, rounded corners for better ergonomics, and Gorilla Armor 2 for enhanced scratch resistance. Its titanium frame adds a premium feel, though the lack of bold color options (e.g., Titanium Gray, Silverblue) disappointed some reviewers. The S Pen remains a unique feature, though its Bluetooth functionality has been removed, limiting it to basic stylus tasks.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight (S25)
• Premium materials and IP68 water resistance
• Vibrant, exclusive color options

Cons:

• Design feels iterative, lacking excitement
• S Pen functionality nerfed
• Qi2 charging requires a magnetic case

Display: Bright and Beautiful

The Galaxy S25 series boasts Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X displays with HDR10+ support and up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. The S25’s 6.2-inch Full HD+ panel is sharp and vibrant, while the S25+ and Ultra offer QHD+ resolution for crisper visuals. The S25+’s ProScaler feature upscales low-resolution content, making it ideal for streaming.

The Ultra’s 6.9-inch screen is a standout, with slim bezels and excellent color accuracy, though some reviewers noted it’s overkill for most users. All models support a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro (6.3-inch, 2,000 nits) and Pixel 9 Pro (6.3-inch), the S25’s compact display holds its own, while the Ultra competes with larger flagships

Highlight: The S25 Ultra supports HDR10+ on streaming platforms like Disney+ and YouTube, enhanced by Dolby Atmos audio via stereo speakers. However, the lack of Samsung’s Eclipsa Audio format is a missed opportunity.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Shines

The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is the heart of the S25 series, delivering a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 lineup. With an octa-core CPU (2×4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) and Adreno 830 GPU, the S25 series handles everything from gaming to multitasking with ease. Benchmarks like Geekbench 6 show the S25 outperforming the iPhone 16 (Apple A18) and Pixel 9 (Tensor G4) in multi-core tests, while the Ultra’s gaming performance (118 fps in GFXBench Aztec Ruins) is unmatched.

However, the compact S25 can throttle during extended gaming sessions due to its smaller chassis, and the Ultra warms up under heavy loads. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and Snapdragon Satellite for messaging add future-proof connectivity.

The S25 series is the fastest Android lineup of 2025, but the performance leap may not be noticeable for casual users upgrading from the S24.

Cameras: Good, but Not Groundbreaking

The Galaxy S25 and S25+ retain the same triple-camera system as the S24: a 50MP primary (OIS), 10MP 3x telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide. The Ultra steps up with a 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide (up from 12MP), and dual telephoto lenses (10MP 3x, 50MP 5x). All models feature a 12MP selfie camera.

Photo Quality:

• S25/S25+: Deliver crisp, vibrant photos in good lighting, but the 3x telephoto lags behind the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5x zoom. Low-light performance is solid, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s noise reduction, but the ultrawide sensor feels dated.
• S25 Ultra: The 50MP ultrawide is a noticeable upgrade, capturing sharper low-light shots than the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, the main sensor’s oversaturated colors and slow shutter speeds in auto mode can frustrate users. The 100x Space Zoom remains more gimmick than game-changer.

Video: The Ultra supports 4K at 120fps and 8K at 30fps, outpacing the S25/S25+ (4K at 60fps). HDR10+ recording and log format options enhance versatility, but computational photography still trails Google’s Pixel series in natural color balance.

The lack of ultrawide upgrades on the S25/S25+ and the Ultra’s inconsistent macro performance disappointed reviewers.

Battery Life and Charging: Reliable but Uninspired

• Galaxy S25: A 4,000mAh battery lasts up to 37 hours with moderate use, offering 5-6 hours of screen-on time. It supports 25W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) and 15W wireless charging (Qi2 with a compatible case).
• Galaxy S25+: The 4,900mAh battery is a standout, delivering nearly two days of use for light users. It supports 45W wired charging but shares the same 15W wireless limit.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: With a 5,000mAh battery, it matches the S24 Ultra’s day-and-a-half longevity. However, 45W wired charging lags behind competitors like the OnePlus 13 (100W).

The absence of faster charging and the need for a magnetic case for Qi2 functionality feel like unnecessary compromises, especially on the Ultra.

Software and Galaxy AI: Smarts with Room to Grow

One UI 7, built on Android 15, is smooth and customizable, with a vertical app drawer and iOS-inspired aesthetics. Galaxy AI is the centerpiece, offering features like:

• Now Bar: A lock-screen widget for sports scores, reminders, and directions (similar to iPhone’s Live Activities).
• Cross-App Actions: Gemini-powered commands to perform tasks across apps, like summarizing YouTube videos or planning routes.
• Circle to Search: Enhanced for natural-language queries, though it’s also available on other Android devices

While these features are promising, many feel half-baked at launch. The Now Brief struggles with personalization, and cross-app integration can be clunky. Samsung’s plan to roll out these AI tools to older devices (e.g., S24, S23) reduces the S25’s exclusivity.

Pricing and Availability

Available through Samsung, Best Buy, and major carriers, the series offers trade-in deals up to $900 and exclusive colors like Coralred on Samsung’s website

• Galaxy S25: $799.99 (128GB), $859.99 (256GB)
• Galaxy S25+: $999.99 (256GB), $1,119.99 (512GB)
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299.99 (256GB), $1,419.99 (512GB), $1,659.99 (1TB)

Who Should Buy the Galaxy S25 Series?

• Galaxy S25: Ideal for those seeking a compact, powerful Android phone. It’s a great upgrade from older models (e.g., S22 or earlier) but skippable for S24 owners.
• Galaxy S25+: The best value, balancing a large display, big battery, and premium features. It’s perfect for users who want Ultra-level performance without the $1,300 price tag.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: Best for power users who need the S Pen, top-tier cameras, and a massive screen. However, its high price and minor upgrades may not justify the cost for everyone.

Alternatives:

• Google Pixel 9/Pro: Better cameras and AI at a lower price, but weaker performance.
• iPhone 16 Pro: Superior video and ecosystem, but less customizable.
• OnePlus 13: Faster charging and similar performance, but limited carrier support.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is a masterclass in refinement, delivering top-tier performance, vibrant displays, and reliable battery life. The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures it’s the fastest Android lineup of 2025, and One UI 7’s AI features add convenience, even if they’re not fully polished. However, the lack of significant hardware upgrades, dated camera sensors (on the S25/S25+), and conservative design make it feel like an iterative update rather than a revolutionary one.

For the latest deals, check Samsung’s official website or our Galaxy S25 deals page.