Extra highly effective, however extra of the identical

Over a 12 months because it dipped into generative synthetic intelligence, Samsung’s Galaxy S-series telephones are actually the vanguard for its gen-AI options. This 12 months, we’re getting even deeper hooks into Google’s Gemini AI assistant and extra built-in software program tips than ever earlier than. On the similar time, nevertheless, the Galaxy S25 arrives with marginal {hardware} upgrades over final 12 months’s S24.

Whereas there’s a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” you’ll must stare exhausting on the spec sheets to identify the variations between this 12 months’s cellphone and the 2024 mannequin. With the Galaxy S25, there’s a triple-camera system, a 6.2-inch Full HD+ display screen and help for the ever-improving Galaxy AI, which the corporate appears to be prioritizing this 12 months — even when it isn’t fairly sufficient to hold a wholly new gadget.

{Hardware} and design

Barring a robust new chip, the S25 is an enormous serving of deja vu from a {hardware} perspective. You would revisit final 12 months’s S24 evaluation to get the gist.

Samsung determined thinner is the brand new path this time round. Galaxy S25 Edge apart, this 12 months’s vary has been slimmed down. I believe the S25 is tangibly thinner – however that’s as a result of I used to be capable of evaluate it with a Galaxy S24 side-by-side. It’s much less of a promoting level when measuring a change of 0.4 millimeters.

After a number of years of carrying round and testing telephones with screens over 6.5 inches, having the S25 with me is refreshing. Even when the 6.2-inch display screen is somewhat small for intensive Netflix or YouTube watching, just like the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Professional, it stays a lot huge for just about every part else. The 2X AMOLED display screen tops out at 2,600 nits, which is a lot shiny sufficient, with variable refresh charges that prime out at 120Hz.

I acquired the Silver Shadow S25 with a frosted sheen, which I like. It’s not probably the most eye-catching choice, nevertheless. I believe the wealthy Navy blue is my decide. However who’re we kidding? Most of us throw our telephones into instances – and I’ll do the identical as soon as my case will get right here.

Oddly sufficient, one of many upgrades with the S25 entails including a case: help for quicker Qi2 charging (and magnetic latching) is simply attainable via appropriate instances. These instances, nevertheless, weren’t obtainable for this evaluation. My colleague Sam Rutherford explains all of it right here; however not less than there’s some compatibility, which was missing in final 12 months’s Galaxy telephones.

Cameras

Samsung makes among the greatest smartphones for images, which is fortunate as a result of the S25’s digital camera sensors seem an identical to final 12 months’s. Which themselves are the identical because the 12 months earlier than. Hmm.

As a refresher, that features a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter and a 10MP 3x telephoto digital camera with a front-facing 12MP digital camera. should you’re in search of 5x zoom and high-res sensors, you must take a look at the Galaxy S25 Extremely (or the Pixel 9 Professional) — however the setup on the bottom S25 nonetheless works nicely, regardless of the growing older sensors.

I used to be pleasantly shocked with the S25’s sheer consistency. Most of my photographs had been crisp and objects had been in focus, though I most popular the iPhone 16’s leads to darker situations. I discovered that the Galaxy S25 tends to course of photos in a different way between the telephoto and first sensor, with some night-time pictures popping out a bit amber-hued.

Samsung’s claims that the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite would assist low-light efficiency are additionally correct. The corporate says that with the chip’s energy, the S25 sequence can higher analyze noise, even detecting transferring and static objects and processing them in a different way. Samsung’s computational images has additionally improved relating to tough capturing situations. Digital zoom, at 10x, appears crisper and provides extra usable photographs than its predecessors.

For those who’re prepared to dip right into a separate digital camera app, Samsung’s Professional RAW options one other new choice: digital aperture. I’ve struggled to discern a tangible distinction whereas capturing with the S25. It seems to be a extra superior model of Portrait mode, with out requiring the cellphone to establish an individual or topic to use a delicate bokeh to the background. The impact is reasonably profitable, however calls for a very good degree of sunshine. I discovered it struggled to use a digital aperture impact in darkish environments.

Sadly, the function is hidden away within the experimental part of Samsung’s Professional RAW digital camera app, which must be downloaded individually. This digital camera app is for energy customers who demand guide controls, and it’s nice that it’s obtainable. Nevertheless, plenty of (possibly most) potential S25 patrons received’t want it, and even comprehend it exists

One other under-the-hood enchancment is inside S25’s gallery, the place the search function has improved categorization and makes it typically simpler to search out what you’re in search of. As I typed, it’d recommend WhatsApp photos, places and extra. Samsung says it’s added 2.7 occasions extra key phrases, which is delightfully particular.

Whereas images continues to be comparable, spec-wise, on the S25, Samsung has considerably improved video for extra seasoned cinematographers. This 12 months’s telephones can even seize video in HDR by default, whereas a brand new Galaxy Log mode means you may seize log video for improved dynamic vary. It’ll additionally imply you may apply extra correct shade grading should you prefer to edit movies and get in deep. Video can be recorded in 10-bit shade, providing extra latitude for editors. Nonetheless, like I mentioned, that is for folk already neck-deep in utilizing LUTs, with a appropriate modifying app on the prepared.

With Audio Eraser. Samsung has caught up with Apple and Google. That is its personal post-processing function for recording video in louder environments. It faucets into AI to nix particular environmental noises, like wind, water and visitors. The impact isn’t fairly as spectacular in actual life as throughout Samsung’s S25 launch keynote, nevertheless.

When confronted with the erratic road visitors noise, Audio Eraser’s automated setting compressed the audio fairly severely, leaving my voice sounding somewhat gurgly and crunchy. It’s just like audio with noise cancellation on Google Meet and WhatsApp voice notes. I used to be positively extra audible – however it wasn’t straightforward listening.

The upgrades are welcome, however given the iPhone 16’s Digital camera Management button and the Pixel 9’s newest software program tips like Add Me, Samsung’s cameras have had a weaker displaying than the competitors.

Software program

Software program additions don’t cease on the digital camera app. There’s a scattering of latest options throughout the board with the S25. Probably the most instantly noticeable replace is extra of a duo: Now Bar and Now Temporary. The Now Bar is a brand new lockscreen tile — half contextual data panel and half notification banner. With rolling Google Maps navigation directions and media enjoying capabilities, we’ve seen many of those concepts on the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. Samsung’s model is extra restricted, not less than for now.

Embarrassingly, solely eight apps (or options) can seem on the Now Bar, together with the clock, sports activities notifications from Google and a voice recorder. It’s underwhelming. If third-party app makers (or extra Google apps) could make their means into the Bar, it might be extra useful, however as it’s, it’s barely greater than a lock-screen widget.

The Now Temporary, equally, might use somewhat extra meat. I hate to make one other Apple comparability, however it’s a extra accessible model of the iPhone’s summaries generated in Notifications. The Now Temporary populates with related notifications, climate summaries and even visitors steering, all of which is presumably most precious within the mornings. It is going to additionally generate each day summaries accessible from a widget on the S25’s dwelling display screen. I’ll be strapping on a Galaxy Watch to see how these work together with health objectives and wellness, so keep tuned for extra perception right here.

(Sidenote: Google Uncover, a swipe-left-from-home display screen additionally provides an identical stream of stories, notifications and different smartphone data. It has been round for years.)

Modifications elsewhere appear extra like rebranded options. AI Choose (as soon as referred to as Sensible Choose) resides within the pull-out Edge Panel (and the screenshot toolbar) and can provide up advised actions as soon as you choose or circle one thing onscreen. It could possibly provide intelligent recommendations when it contextually detects an occasion so as to add to your calendar or one thing that wants translating. I’m undecided AI Choose is noticeably higher than Sensible Choose, however it’s not less than on by default. You needed to allow the previous in Settings for it to seem within the Edge Panel. Whereas it’s not utterly simple, AI Choose does work nicely as a shortcut, suggesting translation with international languages or providing to tug dates into your calendar with a faucet.

This ties into Gemini AI upgrades, which seem first on the S25 sequence however can be coming to different Android telephones that may run Gemini AI. With a protracted press of a button, your voice instructions to Gemini can pull in info after which apply them to make a reminder, plan a route or ship particulars via textual content message to a buddy, or perhaps a WhatsApp message. I’m wanting ahead to Android including additional third-party apps and companies, however I have been ready for extra easy makes use of for AI assistants. It is a step in that path.

I’m additionally not fully writing off the Now Temporary. It might enhance over time, particularly with Samsung’s Private Information Engine, which can try to hitch the dots between your smartphone interactions. As I completed this evaluation, the Now Temporary started providing audio highlights from The Guardian, regardless that I hadn’t but put in the information group’s app. Nevertheless, Galaxy AI figured it out, it was the suitable alternative: I don’t learn the Day by day Mail On-line. I want Google and Apple Information would work that out with out me having to actively block information sources.

Efficiency and battery life

Has Samsung solved our smartphone battery life woes? The Galaxy S25 clocked in at over 28 hours of video playback. That’s nearly 4 hours greater than final 12 months’s S24, and given the {hardware} parity with the S25, it’s a testomony to the processor effectivity upgrades this 12 months. With extra typical use, I used to be recharging the cellphone each two days. That’s not how typically I often need to cost smartphones throughout opinions — I’m very impressed.

With the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, these positive factors aren’t simply in effectivity. The CPU multi-core efficiency hit 8,950 (up from 7,049 on the S24), whereas GPU scored 19,158, up from 15,082 final 12 months. Not that there was that a lot want for such a leap.

As soon as once more, the Galaxy S25 is quick and dealt with every part I threw at it effortlessly. Nevertheless, back-to-back generative AI requests and capturing and importing 4K video made the S25 warmth up – it lacks the expanded vapor chamber that Samsung added to the S25 Extremely.

Wrap up

With the Galaxy S25, by no means has a Galaxy S sequence appeared extra iterative. Happily, Samsung’s premium smartphones are in a commanding place, so even with a display screen (an cameras) that are actually two years outdated, the Galaxy S25 isn’t a nasty smartphone. In reality, it’s an excellent one.

I described the S25’s cameras as constant and I believe that applies to your complete cellphone. The display screen is shiny, easy and wealthy, the battery life is, frankly, unbelievable, whereas each efficiency scores and my expertise with it show it is a highly effective flagship cellphone.

I like the streamlined Gemini AI capabilities, which might take a voice command and simply flip it right into a calendar entry, reminder and even plan my route. Even Galaxy AI diversions just like the Portrait Studio supplied extra refined (and constant) 3D cartoons and sketches of my portrait photographs. I’m undecided Samsung’s options would warrant an AI subscription — I doubt many would pay for them as they stand.

And that brings me to an even bigger level: Apart from a robust new chip and AI tips, why isn’t the S25 cheaper? The Galaxy S25 is priced at $799 at launch, the identical because the S24 and even the S23. The comparability you need to make isn’t solely with the most recent iPhone, but additionally cheaper Android telephones, just like the $499 Pixel 8a. Or, sadly, the year-old Galaxy S24. Until you’re determined for a bump in processing energy and battery life, it could be sensible to see how closely final 12 months’s fashions get discounted within the coming months.