Samsung has once again graced us with its flagship Galaxy S25 lineup, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25. While hardware upgrades are minor, the focus this year is on software innovation and improved AI capabilities, a move that seems aimed at compensating for the lack of groundbreaking physical advancements. Let’s dive into the specifics of these devices to determine what they bring to the table.
Design and Build
Galaxy S25 Ultra
The S25 Ultra undergoes subtle yet impactful design changes, becoming thinner and lighter with reduced bezels. The device retains its 6.9-inch screen size but has a more comfortable feel thanks to rounded corners and a narrower width. Samsung’s choice of Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and a titanium frame adds toughness, with claims of improved durability (29% better shatter resistance compared to last year’s S24 Ultra).
The Ultra is available in four primary colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Green, and Titanium Black, with exclusive online colors like Pink Gold and Jade Green.
Galaxy S25+ and S25
Both the S25+ and S25 adopt similar design aesthetics as their predecessors, with only a minor 0.4mm reduction in thickness. Despite the slimmer profiles, the Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 remain unchanged, which may disappoint those hoping for the tougher Gorilla Armor Glass featured in the Ultra.
Color options for these models include Navy, Icy Blue, Mint, and Silver Shadow, alongside online exclusives like Blue Black, Coral Red, and Pink Gold.
Display
- S25 Ultra: Features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 1440×3088 resolution and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in direct sunlight. The thinner bezels enhance immersion.
- S25+: Equipped with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display boasting the same peak brightness and resolution.
- S25: Packs a 6.2-inch LTPO AMOLED panel, offering 1080×2340 resolution. While slightly less sharp than its siblings, it retains vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz refresh rates.
Performance and Software
All three devices are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, which features overclocked cores for enhanced performance. Samsung claims this is the most significant generational improvement in recent years. Benchmarks reveal outstanding results, with the S25 Ultra hitting 9846 points in GeekBench’s multi-core test, a notable leap over the S24 Ultra.
The devices come with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7.0, which introduces numerous AI-driven features:
- AI Select: Offers smart suggestions like creating GIFs or wallpapers from current screen content.
- Natural Language Input: Allows seamless voice commands to control the phone, such as retrieving photos or setting reminders.
- Cross-App Actions: Functions as a virtual assistant, enabling tasks like finding restaurants, sharing locations, and creating calendar events across multiple apps.
- Now Brief/Now Bar: Provides tailored updates on daily schedules, live events, and navigation guidance directly on the lock screen.
Samsung has committed to 7 years of Android updates and security patches, extending the longevity of these devices.
Camera Enhancements
S25 Ultra
The Ultra gets a new 50MP ultrawide camera with a wider f/1.9 aperture, replacing the 12MP sensor from the S24 Ultra. It also supports 8K video recording at 30fps. Other features include:
- 200MP main sensor: Excellent for capturing sharp details.
- Dual telephoto lenses (5x optical zoom and 3x optical zoom): Offer flexibility for varied zoom scenarios.
A noteworthy addition is the AI Audio Eraser, which allows users to remove specific sounds from videos, such as wind or background noise.
S25+ and S25
Unfortunately, the S25+ and S25 retain the same 50MP main camera, 10MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultrawide camera as their predecessors. However, the new ProVisual Engine and Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP enhance low-light video and computational photography.
Battery and Charging
- S25 Ultra: Houses a 5000mAh battery with 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- S25+: Slightly smaller 4900mAh battery but with the same charging capabilities.
- S25: Features a 4000mAh battery and maxes out at 25W wired charging, which feels underwhelming compared to competitors offering faster charging speeds.
Additional Features
- All models feature IP68 water and dust resistance.
- The S Pen on the Ultra loses Bluetooth and gesture support, reducing its functionality as a remote control.
- Wi-Fi 7, eSIM, and stereo speakers are available across the board, but only the Ultra includes Ultra Wideband (UWB) support.
Price and Verdict
Samsung has maintained last year’s pricing:
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: €1,450/£1,250
- Galaxy S25+: €1,150/£1,000
- Galaxy S25: €900/£800
Pros
- Significant AI and software improvements with One UI 7.0.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset delivers excellent performance.
- The S25 Ultra’s upgraded ultrawide camera and refined design.
Cons
- Minimal hardware upgrades for S25+ and S25.
- No major advancements in battery or charging technology.
- S Pen’s reduced functionality on the Ultra.
Conclusion
The Galaxy S25 lineup leans heavily on software innovation and AI capabilities, which might appeal to tech enthusiasts. However, the lack of groundbreaking hardware changes—particularly in the S25 and S25+—may leave some consumers underwhelmed. The Ultra stands out with its improved ultrawide camera, refined design, and exclusive features, making it the highlight of the series. While the lineup represents an iterative upgrade, Samsung’s bet on AI could define the future of smartphone innovation.
