ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The $799 Samsung Galaxy S25 is for customers who need a flagship expertise in a smaller kind issue.
- This yr’s {hardware} upgrades are pretty restricted, however a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy does enhance the battery and digicam high quality.
- The digicam nonetheless suffers from shutter lag, making it much less superb for capturing fast-moving topics.
extra shopping for selections
The Samsung Galaxy S25 may not be as flashy because the Ultra, but it surely’s nonetheless the very best compact telephone you should purchase proper now. It refines an already nice formulation with a slimmer, lighter design, higher battery life, and smarter AI features. However with minimal {hardware} upgrades over its predecessor, is it nonetheless price $799?
Additionally: I replaced my iPhone 16 Pro with the Galaxy S25 Ultra – and there’s a clear winner
It helps that Samsung is relying on an upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor this yr, which not solely brings velocity enhancements but additionally higher picture readability and extra environment friendly battery life — arguably the three most vital elements for customers. I’ve spent the previous week testing the gadget, and whereas the spec sheet might not excite you, the real-world expertise tells a distinct story.
The Galaxy S25 is slimmer and lighter than final yr’s Galaxy S24. Actually, it is one of the vital snug telephones I’ve held and used. Not like the bigger Galaxy S25 Extremely, the flat sides do not feel unwieldy, and the curved edges hold it useful. I would go so far as to say it gives a greater in-hand really feel than the Google Pixel 9 and iPhone 16.
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On the entrance, there is a 6.2-inch AMOLED show with an FHD+ decision, which, on paper, is much less sharp than the QHD+ screens discovered on the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Extremely. However in apply, it is nonetheless sharp and vibrant for its measurement. From scrolling by Reels on Instagram to looking on Chrome to watching films on Netflix, the Galaxy S25 show delivers a satisfying content material consumption expertise.
I simply want the anti-reflective coating of Gorilla Armor 2 from the Galaxy S25 Extremely had trickled all the way down to this mannequin, because it makes the display screen extra usable in shiny environments. It is a quality-of-life improve that might have made the compact telephone expertise really considered one of a form. That stated, the display screen continues to be pretty legible in direct daylight, as proven within the picture above.
At Galaxy Unpacked, I had the impression that Samsung was over-relying on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor to ship a considerable improve over the Galaxy S24 this yr. Perhaps I dismissed it too shortly as a result of, in my time reviewing the Galaxy S25, I’ve seen battery life enhancements that I’ve by no means seen from the smallest Samsung mannequin.
Additionally: I’ve tested every Samsung Galaxy S25 model – and my favorite isn’t the Ultra
From my checks, the Galaxy S25 lasted me a minimum of an hour and a half longer than its predecessor beneath comparable utilization. It is a one-day telephone for average customers — those that browse, use social media, and message continuously. Whereas navigation and digicam use will drain the battery quicker, most individuals will probably be happy with the battery life right here.
Whereas I like the truth that Samsung has managed to ship higher battery life in a slimmer and lighter design, I would have most popular a charging fee quicker than 25W this yr. Not less than hold it on par with the Galaxy S25 Plus and Extremely’s 45W!
Just like the charging, Samsung hasn’t up to date the cameras on the Galaxy S25 this yr. It options the identical optics because the Galaxy S24, that are the identical because the Galaxy S23 from the yr earlier than. As a substitute, Samsung continues to lean on the most recent processor to boost its digicam {hardware}, which retains the units market-relevant, however nothing extra.
For a refresher, the digicam system features a 50MP major digicam with optical picture stabilization, a 10MP telephoto digicam with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide-angle sensor.
Additionally: These useful One UI 7 features are coming to the Galaxy S25 series – and older models too
The telephone gives good dynamic vary and constant colours throughout its sensors. I’ve discovered my picture samples to be barely extra detailed than these from final yr’s mannequin. Samsung has additionally labored on delivering extra correct human pores and skin tones, together with higher low-light outcomes when it comes to readability and lesser noise in difficult environments.
1x, 3x and 5x pictures on the Galaxy S25.
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
In comparison with the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9, I desire the Galaxy S25 digicam for its versatility. A devoted 3x telephoto digicam is crucial for me. Nonetheless, in case your digicam utilization entails capturing toddlers or pets, the iPhone might serve you higher, as these cameras nonetheless wrestle with fast-moving topics. Except you employ the Knowledgeable RAW app to regulate the shutter velocity for all pictures, this is not the very best digicam system for capturing little people and furry buddies.
A few of the largest digicam upgrades are available in video mode. Now you can shoot log movies with Galaxy Log, enabling cinematographers to use LUTs to color-grade their 10-bit footage.
Additionally: Every Samsung Galaxy S25 model compared: How to decide which phone to buy
The Galaxy S25 additionally introduces a brand new post-editing function referred to as Audio Eraser, which makes use of AI to acknowledge and take away undesirable noises reminiscent of wind, water, or public chatter. The same function is out there on Apple and Google telephones, so I am completely happy to report that Samsung has lastly caught up — and it really works nicely.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 runs Android 15-based One UI 7, which is able to quickly roll out to the older Galaxy S24 collection, bringing most, if not all, of the options I am about to say to final yr’s telephones.
Beginning with AI Choose, my most-used AI function over the previous few days. It really works like Circle to Search, permitting you to focus on on-screen content material and recommend on-device actions based mostly on the data.
Additionally: This $300 Samsung phone looks as good as the Galaxy S25 – at a fraction of the price
For instance, should you obtain an occasion invite through textual content or e-mail with time, date, and placement particulars, you’ll be able to faucet on AI Choose from the Edge Panel, spotlight the invite particulars, and the telephone will recommend an “Add to Calendar” possibility. Faucet on it, and the time, date, and placement are mechanically crammed in inside your Calendar app.
There’s additionally a brand new Galaxy AI function referred to as Now Temporary, an app-widget hybrid that consolidates vital information in a single place. In principle, it could possibly present climate updates, recommend taking the day simple if Galaxy Well being detects poor sleep, suggest Spotify playlists out of your favourite artists, show information and calendar occasions, and recommend YouTube Shorts.
Nonetheless, in my expertise, it has principally been a glorified climate app. It could not detect my Google Match information synced with Galaxy Well being and did not present me any information. The urged Spotify playlists weren’t based mostly on my preferences both. Samsung claims the service will enhance over time, so I am going to replace this evaluate if I discover adjustments.
One UI 7 introduces the Now Bar, a brand new technique to show lively app notifications on the lock display screen. In case you have a timer, music participant, or navigation working, they seem as stacked playing cards on the lock display screen that you could swipe and work together with.
It jogs my memory of Dynamic Island and Dwell Actions on iPhones and, similarly, helps a restricted variety of apps at launch. I anticipate it to achieve assist for extra apps as builders combine it into their merchandise. For now, it appears like a pleasant function in its early phases.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I compared the base models that most people should buy
Different Galaxy AI occasion methods embrace Portrait Studio for creating 3D cartoons and sketches from portraits, Sketch to Picture, and Generative AI for including objects to pictures. These options are extra refined and constant, however duties like Generative AI and background enlargement within the Gallery app can nonetheless take greater than 10 seconds to course of.
The Galaxy S25 additionally consists of Gemini AI upgrades. The brand new, remodeled model of Google Assistant will be triggered by a protracted press of the aspect button. It means that you can ask for data, plan issues, and ship WhatsApp messages to contacts. It is higher at dealing with a number of instructions in a single line, and I am wanting ahead to broader third-party app assist.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Whereas it might appear to be an underwhelming improve on paper, I’ve loved utilizing the Samsung Galaxy S25. My solely gripe is its incapability to seize transferring topics nicely with out adjusting the shutter velocity in Knowledgeable RAW. For those who can overlook that, it is a strong telephone for $799 — and an excellent higher deal should you can snag it with a trade-in supply or promotion.
In comparison with Google and Apple, the Galaxy S25 gives a greater show, the very best in-hand really feel in its section, a extra versatile digicam setup, and good battery life. It is higher than the equally priced Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 — and my high choose for anybody in search of a compact flagship proper now.
