Samsung’s latest Android smartphones might feel like a familiar experience. Just like last year, the flagship phones continue to emphasize artificial intelligence, bringing back features that we’ve encountered in the past—many of which have origins nearly a decade old. However, this time, they’ve been enhanced with large language models, making these capabilities more sophisticated and effective.
The hardware of the new Galaxy S25 series doesn’t stray far from what we saw with the Galaxy S24 series. Samsung’s design language continues to feel somewhat uninspired, presenting us with straightforward rectangular devices that lack much visual excitement. Meanwhile, Apple has been mixing things up with innovative button designs on the iPhone 16.
The range includes the smallest Galaxy S25 up to the largest S25 Ultra. Keeping with tradition, the bezels have been further reduced, allowing Samsung to boast about squeezing a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen into the S25 Ultra, which maintains similar overall dimensions to its predecessor. All models now feature rounded corners, moving away from the boxy look of previous Ultra models, and the edges have been flattened to provide a more comfortable grip.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Base
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Base is designed for those who appreciate efficiency and performance without the need for a larger form factor. The phone comes with a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, ensuring vibrant colors and sharp visuals for daily tasks. Despite its compact size, the device doesn’t skimp on power, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset which brings a significant 37% CPU boost compared to its predecessor, enhancing the user experience in multitasking and gaming.
Design-wise, the Galaxy S25 Base maintains Samsung’s somewhat conservative aesthetic, characterized by a rectangular form with rounded corners, which might evoke a sense of déjà vu for long-time Samsung fans. The build quality is commendable, employing Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for both front and back, providing a premium feel and durability. However, the design doesn’t push boundaries, where competitors like Apple have introduced new button layouts and more distinctive designs.
The camera setup on the S25 Base includes a 50-MP primary camera, 12-MP ultra-wide, and 10-MP 3X telephoto lens, which are carryovers from last year’s model. While they perform well in most scenarios, the lack of innovation here might disappoint those seeking advanced photographic capabilities.
On the AI front, Samsung has integrated both Gemini and Bixby into the device, with Gemini focusing on broader web queries and Bixby managing device-specific requests. The “cross-app experiences” stand out; for instance, you can ask Gemini to add sports schedules to your calendar, demonstrating how AI can streamline daily tasks. Yet, the implementation of AI assistants can sometimes feel clunky, as seen when Gemini failed to handle a straightforward device setting change that Bixby could manage.
One of the less exciting aspects is the charging situation; while the phone supports Qi wireless charging, it’s not natively Qi2 compatible, instead being “Qi2 ready” with the right case, which might be an inconvenience for those expecting immediate adoption of the new standard.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus offers a step up in screen real estate with its 6.7-inch AMOLED display, ideal for those who consume a lot of media or need a larger canvas for productivity. The aesthetic remains consistent with the base model, featuring the same design evolution, but with a slightly larger footprint that still feels comfortable in hand due to the rounded corners and flattened edges.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor ensures that this phone can handle intensive tasks with ease, matching the performance of its siblings across the series. The battery has been increased to 4,900 mAh, promising better endurance for daily use, although charging technology hasn’t seen a significant leap forward, sticking to the previous generation’s speeds.
The camera system mirrors the base model, which might be a point of contention for users expecting upgrades. However, software enhancements in image processing make a noticeable difference, especially with Samsung’s new ProVisual Engine that improves low-light photography by distinguishing between moving and static elements.
AI features are where the S25 Plus shines, introducing “Now Brief” for daily proactive assistance, providing personalized summaries of your day and upcoming events. The “AI Select” feature, now powered by large language models, offers smarter interactions with content on your screen, like turning a video into a GIF with ease.
Like its base counterpart, the S25 Plus lacks native Qi2 charging, which is a bit of a letdown in an era where magnetic attachments are becoming standard. However, the promise of seven years of software updates is a strong commitment to device longevity, ensuring you’ll benefit from AI and security improvements over time.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the flagship that aims to deliver the best of what Samsung can offer. With a 6.9-inch AMOLED screen encased in a titanium frame and protected by the new Gorilla Armor 2, this device screams durability and luxury. The screen size has increased slightly without significantly altering the phone’s dimensions, thanks to thinner bezels, providing an even more immersive viewing experience.
Performance is at the forefront, with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset complemented by an advanced cooling system, featuring a 40% larger vapor chamber to maintain peak performance under load. This is particularly beneficial for gamers or users who demand high performance from their devices.
The camera system is where the Ultra model stands out, especially with the upgrade to a 50-MP ultra-wide lens, significantly enhancing macro photography. The inclusion of Galaxy Log for video recording caters to content creators who need more control over their footage’s color and dynamic range. However, the decision to remove Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen might be a step back for users who enjoyed its remote control capabilities.
AI integration is extensive with the S25 Ultra. Features like Drawing Assist allow for creative expression with AI-generated art based on your sketches, while AI Select utilizes the S Pen for more intuitive content manipulation. “Cross-app experiences” are more refined here, offering complex task execution across apps, like finding vegan-friendly restaurants and sharing them via text.
Despite these advancements, the lack of native Qi2 charging is a curious omission for a device at this price point, though the phone is “Qi2 ready” with specific cases.
Moreover, Samsung has pushed its sustainability efforts with the S25 Ultra, using 50% recycled cobalt in the battery, aligning with broader environmental goals.
The AI ecosystem on the S25 Ultra is complemented by “Now Brief” and a “Now Bar” on the lock screen for quick information access, mirroring some of Apple’s Live Activities. The cross-assistant functionality between Gemini and Bixby, while innovative, still requires some refinement to prevent confusion in task delegation.
