ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The $799 Samsung Galaxy S25 is for customers who need a flagship expertise in a smaller kind issue.
- This 12 months’s {hardware} upgrades are pretty restricted, however a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy does enhance the battery and digital camera high quality.
- The digital camera nonetheless suffers from shutter lag, making it much less perfect for capturing fast-moving topics.
extra shopping for decisions
The Samsung Galaxy S25 may not be as flashy because the Ultra, but it surely’s nonetheless the most effective compact telephone you should buy proper now. It refines an already nice method with a slimmer, lighter design, higher battery life, and smarter AI features. However with minimal {hardware} upgrades over its predecessor, is it nonetheless value $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 12 months, which not solely brings pace enhancements but additionally higher picture readability and extra environment friendly battery life — arguably the three most necessary elements for shoppers. I’ve spent the previous week testing the system, and whereas the spec sheet could not excite you, the real-world expertise tells a distinct story.
The Galaxy S25 is slimmer and lighter than final 12 months’s Galaxy S24. In truth, it is one of the comfy telephones I’ve held and used. In contrast to the bigger Galaxy S25 Extremely, the flat sides do not feel unwieldy, and the curved edges preserve it helpful. I would go so far as to say it affords a greater in-hand really feel than the Google Pixel 9 and iPhone 16.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I compared the base models that most people should buy
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 follow, it is nonetheless sharp and vibrant for its measurement. From scrolling by Reels on Instagram to searching 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 right down to this mannequin, because it makes the display screen extra usable in shiny environments. It is a quality-of-life improve that may have made the compact telephone expertise actually one among a sort. That mentioned, 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 12 months. Possibly I dismissed it too rapidly as a result of, in my time reviewing the Galaxy S25, I’ve observed 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 assessments, the Galaxy S25 lasted me at the very least an hour and a half longer than its predecessor below related utilization. It is a one-day telephone for average customers — those that browse, use social media, and message ceaselessly. Whereas navigation and digital camera use will drain the battery sooner, most individuals will likely 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 sooner than 25W this 12 months. At the very least preserve 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 12 months. It options the identical optics because the Galaxy S24, that are the identical because the Galaxy S23 from the 12 months earlier than. As a substitute, Samsung continues to lean on the most recent processor to reinforce its digital camera {hardware}, which retains the units market-relevant, however nothing extra.
For a refresher, the digital camera system features a 50MP major digital camera with optical picture stabilization, a 10MP telephoto digital camera 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 affords good dynamic vary and constant colours throughout its sensors. I’ve discovered my picture samples to be barely extra detailed than these from final 12 months’s mannequin. Samsung has additionally labored on delivering extra correct human pores and skin tones, together with higher low-light outcomes by way of readability and lesser noise in difficult environments.
1x, 3x and 5x images on the Galaxy S25.
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
In comparison with the iPhone 16 and Pixel 9, I desire the Galaxy S25 digital camera for its versatility. A devoted 3x telephoto digital camera is crucial for me. Nonetheless, in case your digital camera utilization includes capturing toddlers or pets, the iPhone could serve you higher, as these cameras nonetheless battle with fast-moving topics. Except you utilize the Professional RAW app to regulate the shutter pace for all images, this is not the most effective digital camera system for capturing little people and furry pals.
Among the largest digital camera 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 known as Audio Eraser, which makes use of AI to acknowledge and take away undesirable noises resembling wind, water, or public chatter. An identical function is accessible on Apple and Google telephones, so I am glad 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 12 months’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 knowledge.
Additionally: This $300 Samsung phone looks as good as the Galaxy S25 – at a fraction of the price
For instance, for those who obtain an occasion invite by way of textual content or e mail with time, date, and site 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 site are robotically stuffed in inside your Calendar app.
There’s additionally a brand new Galaxy AI function known as Now Transient, an app-widget hybrid that consolidates necessary knowledge in a single place. In idea, it could possibly present climate updates, recommend taking the day straightforward 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 knowledge synced with Galaxy Well being and did not present me any information. The recommended Spotify playlists weren’t based mostly on my preferences both. Samsung claims the service will enhance over time, so I will replace this evaluate if I discover adjustments.
One UI 7 introduces the Now Bar, a brand new option to show energetic 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 would be able to 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 realize assist for extra apps as builders combine it into their merchandise. For now, it seems like a pleasant function in its early levels.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I compared the base models that most people should buy
Different Galaxy AI occasion tips embody Portrait Studio for creating 3D cartoons and sketches from portraits, Sketch to Picture, and Generative AI for including objects to images. 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 contains Gemini AI upgrades. The brand new, reworked model of Google Assistant will be triggered by a protracted press of the facet button. It permits you to 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 trying 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 incapacity to seize transferring topics nicely with out adjusting the shutter pace in Professional RAW. In the event you can overlook that, this can be a stable telephone for $799 — and an excellent higher deal for those who can snag it with a trade-in provide or promotion.
In comparison with Google and Apple, the Galaxy S25 affords a greater show, the most effective in-hand really feel in its phase, a extra versatile digital camera setup, and good battery life. It is higher than the equally priced Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 — and my prime choose for anybody on the lookout for a compact flagship proper now.
