Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup has arrived, bringing iterative yet refined updates to one of the most celebrated flagship series. While the hardware upgrades are subtle, Samsung is heavily leaning on improved software, AI capabilities, and usability to make its new models stand out. Here’s an in-depth look at the Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25, covering specs, performance, design, and the all-important camera features.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Pioneering the Flagship Experience
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces a sleeker, more refined design compared to its predecessor. It boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with thinner bezels, making the device narrower and more ergonomic despite the larger screen. The titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 offer enhanced durability, with Samsung claiming a 29% improvement in shatter resistance.
The phone is available in Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Green, and Titanium Black, with exclusive colors like Pink Gold and Jade Green online.
Display
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 6.9 inches, 1440x3088px resolution.
- Peak brightness: 2600 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility.
- 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling.
- DX anti-reflection technology improves legibility in bright conditions.
Performance
Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the S25 Ultra is Samsung’s most powerful phone to date. With clock speeds reaching 4.47 GHz and an overclocked Adreno 830 GPU, the device delivers unparalleled performance, especially in demanding apps and gaming scenarios.
Benchmarks:
- GeekBench 6 Multi-core: 10,050
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 5,573
Cameras
The Galaxy S25 Ultra builds on its predecessor’s already impressive camera system, with the following key upgrades:
- 200MP Main Sensor: With improved low-light performance.
- 50MP Ultrawide Camera: Wider aperture (f/1.9) for superior low-light shots and 8K video recording.
- Dual Telephoto Lenses: 50MP (5x zoom) and 10MP (3x zoom).
- AI Audio Eraser: Remove ambient sounds from videos for cleaner audio.
- Galaxy Log Mode: Pro-grade video recording for custom color grading.
Sample Shots: The photos demonstrate noticeable improvements in color accuracy, dynamic range, and sharpness, especially in low-light conditions and with ultrawide shots.
Battery and Charging
- 5000mAh battery with 45W wired charging.
- Wireless charging: 15W, reverse wireless charging: 4.5W.
- Advertised: 65% charge in 30 minutes.
S Pen
The S Pen is still part of the Ultra lineup but loses Bluetooth and gesture features, focusing instead on traditional stylus functionalities.
Galaxy S25+ and S25: Compact Powerhouses
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 retain much of their predecessors’ design philosophy. Both devices are 0.4mm thinner, feature Armor Aluminum frames, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for durability.
The S25+ offers a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the smaller S25 features a 6.2-inch LTPO AMOLED 2X panel.
Performance
Both models share the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset as the Ultra, marking the absence of Exynos variants this year. The S25 now comes with 12GB of RAM across all configurations, ensuring smoother multitasking and gaming.
Benchmarks:
- S25+: GeekBench 6 Multi-core: 9,435.
- S25: GeekBench 6 Multi-core: 9,533.
Cameras
The camera hardware remains identical to the previous generation:
- 50MP Main Camera with OIS.
- 10MP Telephoto with 3x zoom.
- 12MP Ultrawide without autofocus.
Software improvements through the Snapdragon 8 Elite ISP and Samsung’s ProVisual Engine promise better low-light video performance, reduced noise, and smoother transitions between lighting conditions.
Battery and Charging
- S25+: 4900mAh battery, 45W wired charging.
- S25: 4000mAh battery, 25W wired charging.
Software and AI: One UI 7.0
All three models ship with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7.0, which emphasizes personalization and AI capabilities.
Key Features:
- Natural Language Input: Voice search across apps and system settings.
- AI Select: Analyze screen content for contextual actions, such as creating GIFs or wallpapers.
- Cross-App Actions: Automate tasks across multiple apps (e.g., finding a restaurant and sharing directions).
- Now Brief: Summarizes your day, including appointments and notifications.
- Now Bar: A lockscreen feature for real-time updates on music, navigation, and sports.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads the pack with its refined design, upgraded ultrawide camera, and AI-powered software improvements. Meanwhile, the S25+ and S25 feel more like iterative updates, benefiting primarily from the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and One UI enhancements.
Pros:
- Significant AI and software improvements.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite provides excellent performance across the lineup.
- Ultra model offers robust camera capabilities with 8K recording.
Cons:
- Minimal hardware changes for S25 and S25+.
- S Pen loses key features in the Ultra.
- Lack of cutting-edge battery innovations compared to competitors.
Pricing
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Starting at €1,450/£1,250.
- Galaxy S25+: Starting at €1,150/£1,000.
- Galaxy S25: Starting at €900/£800.
The Galaxy S25 lineup may not reinvent the wheel, but its focus on AI and software-driven enhancements makes it a compelling choice for those seeking performance, reliability, and future-proof updates.
