Comprehensive Review: Samsung Galaxy S25
The $799 Samsung Galaxy S25 offers a flagship experience tailored for users who prefer a compact form factor. Despite this year's hardware updates being relatively limited, the introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy significantly enhances battery life and camera quality. Nevertheless, the camera continues to struggle with shutter lag, making it less suitable for fast-moving subjects.
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Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Worth $799?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 might not boast the grandeur of the Ultra model, yet it stands as the premium compact phone available. The S25 refines its predecessor's formula with a slimmer, lighter design, enhanced battery life, and improved AI features. However, the question remains whether these upgrades justify the $799 price tag.
Hardware Improvements and Real-World Experience
This year, Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S25 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This upgrade enhances speed, image clarity, and battery efficiency—three crucial consumer needs. After a week of testing, the spec sheet may seem modest, but the real-world usage scenario offers a different, more positive outlook.
Key Specifications
The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 comes with a compact 6.2-inch display, a 4,000mAh battery, and the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. You can view more details about the Samsung Galaxy S25 on Samsung's official site.
Design and Display
The Galaxy S25's design is slimmer and lighter compared to last year's Galaxy S24, providing one of the most comfortable in-hand experiences. Unlike the larger Galaxy S25 Ultra, its flat sides and curved edges significantly enhance ergonomics. The 6.2-inch AMOLED display, with FHD+ resolution, may not match the QHD+ screens of its siblings, yet it still offers a vibrant viewing experience for streaming, browsing, and social media.
Battery Life Improvements
Samsung's reliance on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor seems to have paid off in terms of battery life. Testing revealed the Galaxy S25 outlasted its predecessor by about an hour and a half under similar usage conditions. While heavy tasks like navigation and camera usage drain the battery faster, moderate users will find its one-day battery lifespan satisfactory. However, the 25W charging speed remains a drawback compared to its siblings' 45W charging capability.
Camera Quality and Features
The camera system on the Galaxy S25 remains unchanged from previous models, featuring a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilization, a 10MP telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. Despite incremental improvements like better human skin tone accuracy and enhanced low-light performance, the camera still lacks in capturing moving subjects efficiently.
| Camera Comparison | Galaxy S25 | iPhone 16 | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Camera | 50MP with OIS | 48MP with OIS | 50MP with OIS |
| Telephoto Camera | 10MP, 3x Optical Zoom | 12MP, 2x Optical Zoom | 16MP, 3x Optical Zoom |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
New Features and Enhancements
The Galaxy S25 introduces Galaxy Log for shooting log videos suitable for professional cinematographers. The phone’s new AI-driven Audio Eraser feature effectively removes unwanted background noises like wind, water, and public chatter from videos, a feature already available on Apple and Google phones.
Software Upgrades with One UI 7
The Samsung Galaxy S25 runs on the Android 15-based One UI 7, scheduled for rollout to older Galaxy S24 models, introducing features like AI Select, Now Brief, and updated Now Bar notifications. AI Select simplifies task automation within apps, while Now Brief aims to consolidate critical updates but still needs fine-tuning based on user experiences.
Further AI Capabilities
Other notable AI enhancements include Portrait Studio, Sketch to Image, and Generative AI for photo editing, alongside an upgraded Gemini AI that supports multi-command inputs and integrates more seamlessly with third-party apps.
Buying Advice
Despite appearing as a modest upgrade, the Samsung Galaxy S25 proves to be an enjoyable device. Its versatile camera system, comfortable in-hand feel, vibrant display, and competitive battery life justify the price, especially if snagged under promotional or trade-in offers.
Considering its price range, the Galaxy S25 edges out the Google Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 with better display quality, ergonomics, and versatility in photography. It stands as the top recommendation for anyone in the market for a compact flagship device.
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