Samsung has unveiled its highly anticipated Galaxy S25 lineup, promising better performance, improved AI capabilities, and a refined design. However, as we dive deeper into the details, it’s evident that the upgrades are subtle, and Samsung’s focus has shifted to software innovation over hardware breakthroughs.
This hands-on review of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 highlights what’s new and whether the changes justify the hype.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Bigger and Smarter
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25 Ultra receives the most notable design refresh in the lineup. It’s now slimmer at 8.2mm, lighter at 218g, and features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the largest yet in the Ultra series. Thanks to reduced bezels (15% thinner) and next-gen DX anti-reflection surface treatment, the screen is even brighter, with an impressive 2600 nits peak brightness, enhancing legibility in direct sunlight.
The titanium frame paired with Gorilla Glass Armor 2 provides improved durability, with Samsung claiming 29% better protection against drops and scratches. Despite these refinements, the S25 Ultra maintains its IP68 water and dust resistance.
Camera Upgrades
The S25 Ultra introduces a new 50MP ultrawide camera with a wider f/1.9 aperture that promises better low-light performance and supports 8K video recording. The rest of the camera setup remains largely unchanged:
- 200MP primary camera with OIS and multi-directional PDAF.
- Dual telephoto lenses: 50MP with 5x zoom and 10MP with 3x zoom.
While hardware changes are minimal, Samsung’s new ProVisual Engine, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP, improves computational photography, especially for low-light video and HDR10+ recording. The new Galaxy Log mode also allows professionals to fine-tune video colors in post-production.
Performance
At the heart of the S25 Ultra lies the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a customized version of Qualcomm’s flagship chipset. With higher clock speeds for its Oryon V2 cores and Adreno 830 GPU, the Ultra delivers significant gains in multitasking and gaming performance. Early benchmarks show the S25 Ultra outperforming competitors like the iQOO 13 and OnePlus 12.
S Pen Changes
One surprising move is the removal of Bluetooth connectivity and gesture support from the S Pen. While the stylus remains a useful tool for note-taking and drawing, the loss of wireless functionality, including remote camera controls, may disappoint some users.
Samsung Galaxy S25+: A Balanced Middle Ground
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25+ continues the minimalist design ethos but feels slightly neglected compared to the Ultra. It features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1440×3088 pixels and retains Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for durability. While slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, it lacks the titanium frame and Gorilla Armor Glass found in the Ultra.
Camera
The camera setup on the S25+ remains identical to the S24+:
- 50MP primary sensor with OIS.
- 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
- 12MP ultrawide (no autofocus).
While the hardware is unchanged, the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP should improve low-light and video performance.
Performance and Battery
With 12GB RAM standard across all configurations, the S25+ gets a nice performance boost. Its 4900mAh battery supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, maintaining the balance between capacity and efficiency.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Compact but Familiar
Design and Display
The Galaxy S25 is the most compact in the series, featuring a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 1080×2340 resolution. At 7.2mm thickness and 162g, it’s impressively pocketable. Like the S25+, it sticks to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an aluminum frame, lacking the premium materials of the Ultra.
Camera and Performance
The camera system mirrors that of the S25+, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures that even the smallest model doesn’t lag behind in performance. For the first time, the base model ships with 12GB RAM, improving multitasking capabilities.
Unfortunately, the base model still lacks Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, and the entry-level configuration includes 128GB of internal storage, which might be limiting for some users.
Software: One UI 7.0 and AI Innovations
Samsung’s new One UI 7.0, based on Android 15, is the star of the show. It focuses heavily on AI-powered personalization, introducing features like:
- AI Select: Analyzes screen content to offer context-aware actions, such as creating GIFs or wallpapers.
- Cross-app Actions: Allows seamless task automation across apps, like finding a restaurant on Google Maps and sharing it with friends in one command.
- Now Brief and Now Bar: Summarizes daily activities and provides contextual information on the lock screen.
- AI Audio Eraser: Removes ambient noise from videos for better audio clarity.
Samsung guarantees 7 years of Android updates, ensuring these devices remain future-proof.
Key Comparisons and Benchmarks
Performance Benchmarks
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy shows noticeable improvements over its predecessor:
- GeekBench 6 Multi-core: S25 Ultra scored 9846, significantly higher than the S24 Ultra‘s 7076.
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: S25 Ultra’s 5573 beats most competitors, thanks to the overclocked Adreno 830 GPU.
Camera Samples
The S25 Ultra’s new ultrawide sensor offers better detail and low-light performance compared to the S24 Ultra. The Galaxy Log mode and HDR10+ support elevate video recording capabilities across all models.
Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
Pros
- Refined Design: Slimmer and lighter with premium materials (Ultra only).
- Improved AI: Advanced features like Cross-app Actions and AI Audio Eraser.
- Camera Enhancements: Better ultrawide camera on the Ultra.
- Long Software Support: 7 years of updates ensure longevity.
- Performance Boost: Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers exceptional speed and efficiency.
Cons
- Incremental Upgrades: Limited hardware improvements for S25 and S25+.
- S Pen Downgrade: Loss of Bluetooth functionality.
- Storage Limitations: 128GB base storage on the S25 is underwhelming.
- Price Tag: Starting at €900, the value proposition feels less compelling for the S25 and S25+.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out as the most exciting model, with meaningful design and camera upgrades. However, the S25+ and S25 feel like minor iterations, lacking the innovation seen in rival offerings. While Samsung’s focus on AI and software polish is commendable, buyers may find it hard to justify upgrading unless they’re using much older devices.
The Galaxy S25 lineup showcases Samsung’s commitment to refinement, but for those expecting groundbreaking advancements, it may leave them wanting more.
