The Galaxy S25 Extremely is lastly right here, however for anybody anticipating Samsung to utterly revolutionize its smartphone lineup is for certain to be disenchanted. The corporate’s latest phablet adapts the design from its smaller siblings into an S Pen-equipped behemoth, however other than an enormous push on the AI entrance, nothing comes off as notably new this yr. In the event you’re in a equally disenchanted boat, take a journey with me as I work out my emotions as to why I am left feeling so unimpressed by the Galaxy S25 Extremely.
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The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s look is not my cup of tea
An absence of identification exterior the phrase “large”
Look. Magnificence is within the eye of the beholder and all that jazz, however I’ve to be trustworthy — I actually do not care for a way the Galaxy S25 Extremely appears to be like. It is taking inspiration from the final couple of generations of smaller S-series gadgets, with a flat body and rounded corners that will not dig into your palm. The result’s one thing that’s undoubtedly designed to please anybody who discovered earlier Extremely gadgets notably uncomfortable, myself included.
Sadly, in individual, it merely would not work for me, and for one easy cause: it is too rattling large. To my eyes, Apple had an identical downside final yr, minimizing bezels and lengthening the peak of the iPhone 16 Professional Max to squeeze in as giant of a panel as doable. There comes a degree the place a tool appears to be like simply comically giant — we nonetheless take into consideration the Nexus 6 to today for a cause, in any case — and I concern the Galaxy S25 Extremely has fallen into this class.
It is also, frankly, lots much less charming. Sure, I discovered the Galaxy S24 Extremely fairly uncomfortable in my palms, however with its delicate curved body and sharp corners, it held onto a novel identification extending again to the times of the Galaxy Word. There was no mistaking the Galaxy S24 Extremely for anything. Now, although? It is peak glass-and-metal slab, an nameless obelisk that is available in 4 completely different shades of grey, with its huge digicam modules the one factor left to supply any sense of distinguishing options. It is lighter and extra snug, positive, however these adjustments come at the price of a fairly distinctive design.
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Specs
To some extent, most smartphone refreshes today are taking part in prolonged video games of “spot the variations” with specs sheets. Even so, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is an outlier. Spec for spec, there merely is not a lot new on this gadget in comparison with its predecessor. Exterior of Qualcomm’s newest flagship processor, practically all the things is unchanged between Samsung’s present and last-gen Extremely fashions. 12GB of RAM, as much as 1TB of storage, 5,000mAh battery — even the digicam system is almost similar, save for an upgraded ultra-wide lens.
To not diminish the Snapdragon 8 Elite, however contemplating how wonderful of a chip the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was, I am unsure it is an improve price getting enthusiastic about by itself. Worse but, although, are Samsung’s rivals, which are trying to push their respective specs sheets ahead in some significant methods. Take the OnePlus 13, for instance, which mixes that exact same chipset with a a lot bigger battery, considerably sooner charging speeds, IP69 certification, and new ultra-wide and telephoto lenses.
Samsung would not must reinvent the wheel yearly, however there’s loads of house for some significant adjustments to the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s specs sheet. The model even missed some simple wins, like a transfer as much as 16GB of RAM — one thing rapidly turning into customary within the “AI period” of smartphones. If this cellphone is meant to be Samsung’s alternative for its energy consumer fan base, it must strive a little bit tougher right here.
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Older telephones
Samsung’s large advertising push for the Galaxy S25 Extremely would not revolve round a contemporary design, or a very spectacular specs sheet. It is all about Galaxy AI, newly upgraded for 2025 with all kinds of instruments options, and brokers supposedly designed to make your life simpler. Solely time will inform whether or not these tips are adequate to make an affect on how folks use their smartphones, however till then, customers on older {hardware} can calm down: You may see loads of AI options within the near-future.
Samsung confirmed to press throughout a briefing on the Galaxy S25 that it deliberate to carry as many AI options to older {hardware} because it presumably may. Meaning Galaxy S24 Extremely — and, doubtlessly, even S23 Extremely — house owners may see nearly all of One UI 7’s most spectacular options hit their telephones within the coming months. Clearly, we’ll want to attend for Samsung to substantiate precisely what’s coming to legacy smartphones, however this pro-consumer promise does, admittedly, let the air out of the S25’s announcement.
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Legacy Word customers
I would be hard-pressed to consider a tool sequence that had as many devoted followers because the Galaxy Word. As time ticks by, Samsung’s determination to fold its S Pen-equipped phablet into the Galaxy S-series makes, in my eyes, much less and fewer sense, abandoning its core viewers of street warriors and energy customers to slowly converge its product strains into numerous sizes and never a lot else. Whereas Samsung is positioning the Galaxy S25 Extremely as a tool worthy for S22 and S23 house owners to improve, I feel the corporate has a bigger downside at hand: anybody nonetheless holding onto an older Word cellphone.
Virtually each characteristic these customers have beforehand cared about — expandable storage, 3.5mm headphone jacks, expansive shows with out gap punch cameras — have been left behind on numerous fashions. Now, with the Galaxy S25 Extremely, one other sacrifice has been made, with the S Pen dropping assist for any and all Bluetooth LE-based options. Say goodbye to all the things from Air Actions to digicam shutter controls.
Associated
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Dangerous worth
Samsung saved the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s beginning price at $1,300 this yr, avoiding rumors of a possible value enhance for the second yr in a row. Some may see it as a commendable transfer; I see it as a needed step to keep away from some doubtlessly harsh criticism. There’s nothing on this specs sheet that will’ve justified a value enhance, and in comparison with cheaper flagships just like the OnePlus 13 and Pixel 9 Professional XL, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is definitely missing in some regards.
That very similarity that leaves the S25 Extremely feeling like a rerun additionally makes it a a lot worse worth than ever earlier than. The following few months will virtually undoubtedly see large offers on final yr’s Galaxy S24 Extremely, as carriers and retailers alike work to maneuver their remaining inventory. Even should you’re dead-set on sticking in Samsung’s ecosystem, why not save a couple of hundred {dollars} and rating a year-old cellphone on low cost? Even should you’re fearful about longevity, the Galaxy S24 Extremely has software program assist via early 2031 — that is nonetheless six years of promised updates.
That is, in fact, ignoring the Galaxy S25+, which squeezes practically all the things nice concerning the Galaxy S25 Extremely right into a extra manageable — but nonetheless expansive — chassis, all at a less expensive value. Even the S Pen feels much less needed than ever with out its Bluetooth LE-based toolset, which actually begs the query of whether or not it is price the additional price. Even the extra telephoto lens and upgraded ultra-wide simply do not fairly really feel price the fee in comparison with the opposite choices in the marketplace.
The Galaxy S25 Extremely may nonetheless impress — solely time will inform
As I write this, I am simply hours away from getting my palms on a Galaxy S25 Extremely evaluation unit. Over the following couple of weeks, Samsung may have loads of possibilities to show me improper, to show that I ought to be impressed with its imaginative and prescient for cell AI and smartphones basically. However first impressions are all the things, and my first impressions with the Galaxy S25 Extremely merely did not depart me feeling the identical type of pleasure that smartphone launches ought to — and have — generated. We’ll have to attend to see simply how all the things shakes out.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely leaves the Word-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and an enormous 6.9-inch show, this can be a fashionable flagship via and thru — and sure, that S Pen remains to be right here too.