The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is Samsung’s prime flagship of 2025, showcasing the perfect of what the corporate has to supply this yr. Regardless of proudly owning almost each main Galaxy flagship because the authentic Galaxy S, I will not be upgrading to the S25 Extremely. The Galaxy S25 Extremely will not be a foul cellphone. It is going to doubtless rank among the many finest all-around flagships of 2025. Nonetheless, Samsung’s newest providing brings too few enhancements to make it a compelling improve over its earlier flagship fashions.
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No significant digital camera enhancements
Samsung must up its sport within the digital camera division
The Galaxy S25 Extremely ships with virtually the identical digital camera system as its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Extremely. The one notable improve is the change from a 12MP to a 50MP sensor for the ultrawide. It was the identical case with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, which packed virtually the identical cameras because the Galaxy S23 Extremely, solely swapping the 10x 10MP periscope shooter with a much bigger 50MP 5x sensor.
Samsung has used the identical main 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor throughout three generations of its flagship Galaxy cellphone. Even the tiny 10MP 3x telephoto shooter is unchanged. Any picture high quality enhancements over the previous few years stem from processing enhancements and a sooner ISP.
The issue is that higher picture processing can not make up for an older or smaller sensor. Whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s 200MP main digital camera packs lots of pixels, it has a sensor measurement of 1/1.3-inch. For comparability, most ‘Extremely’ flagships launched in 2024 featured a 1-inch sort main digital camera, providing higher dynamic vary and bokeh.
Equally, the 10MP 3x telephoto shooter measures 1/3.52 inches, smaller than the 3x shooter on different camera-centric flagships. The small measurement means it is best to keep away from utilizing the 3x shooter in low-light eventualities as a consequence of its restricted gentle consumption capabilities.
After utilizing the Xiaomi 14 Extremely and Oppo Discover X8 Professional, I ended carrying the Galaxy S23 Extremely for its cameras. The Galaxy S25 brings no main enhancements on the digital camera entrance to alter this.
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Gradual charging speeds
45W will not be reducing it anymore
The Galaxy S25 Extremely retains the identical 45W wired and 15W wi-fi charging velocity because the S24 Extremely. With the battery capability unchanged, Samsung’s latest flagship ought to take round an hour for a full cost, whereas a 30-minute cost ought to replenish the empty cell to just about 70%.
Whereas this would possibly sound spectacular, it pales in comparison with different Android telephones. Even with a bigger 6,000mAh battery, the OnePlus 13 costs from 0 to 100% in roughly 43 minutes, whereas a fast 15-minute cost can increase the battery to 55%. Plus, the larger cell means the OnePlus 13 will last more than the Galaxy S25 Extremely for many customers. The wi-fi charging occasions are even worse, with the velocity remaining unchanged for over half a decade.
The one significant enchancment on the Galaxy S25 Extremely is assist for Qi2, bringing MagSafe-like magnetic wi-fi charging. Nonetheless, the catch is that the cellphone solely helps the magnetic wi-fi charging mechanism when used with a Qi2-ready case.
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Most new Gemini options are coming to all Android telephones
Not a lot is Samsung-exclusive
Google is debuting new Gemini capabilities with the Galaxy S25. The largest spotlight is the flexibility to chain a number of actions throughout apps and providers. You possibly can ask Gemini to open Gmail and draft an e mail about an necessary upcoming occasion. Or you may ask the AI-powered assistant to open Google Maps, search for close by eating places, and draft a textual content in Google Messages.
This Gemini enchancment shall be out there on all Android units, not simply the Galaxy S25 sequence. Equally, including pictures, information, and YouTube movies to a Gemini Stay dialog shall be out there on the Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 9 sequence. Even the shortcut to entry Gemini by lengthy urgent the facility button shall be out there on all Samsung units.
There is not any Gemini characteristic unique to the Galaxy S25 that’s compelling sufficient to make me ditch the Galaxy S23 Extremely and improve to it.
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The S Pen will not be that helpful
It has its advantages, however it isn’t for me
After utilizing varied Extremely Samsung flagships over time, I noticed the S Pen will not be for me. Whereas it’s helpful, particularly for rapidly taking notes and doodling, it has restricted advantages and isn’t well worth the compromises.
I take advantage of the S Pen on my Galaxy S23 Extremely about as soon as a month. Even then, I take advantage of it as a distant shutter button when utilizing the Digicam app. Because the Galaxy S25 Extremely is switching to a passive S Pen, this performance is now not supported.
For artists and creators, the S Pen may be a useful software. However I imagine, like me, most Galaxy S customers don’t discover a lot use of the stylus after the preliminary few weeks.
Because of the S Pen, all Samsung Extremely flagships characteristic a squarish, sharp nook, which makes them exhausting to make use of with one hand as they dig into your palm. The Galaxy S25 Extremely solves this ache level by switching to rounded corners, enhancing ergonomics. Nonetheless, this alteration alone doesn’t make the S Pen extra helpful and isn’t compelling sufficient to improve to Samsung’s latest flagship.
Samsung ought to take into account ditching the S Pen and utilizing the extra area to pack a much bigger battery or higher cameras on its future Extremely flagships.
1
No new breakthrough options
Samsung’s latest flagship lacks innovation
Again within the day, Samsung was identified for its relentless innovation. It was one of many first Android producers to launch a cellphone with a 10x optical zoom digital camera and persistently geared up its units with the perfect OLED panels. Nonetheless, the present Samsung looks like a shell of its former self, solely introducing iterative {hardware} upgrades on its flagship telephones yearly.
The Galaxy S25 Extremely builds on the S24 Extremely with the standard yearly upgrades however would not provide any breakthrough options. It was the identical with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, which packed modest enhancements over the S23 Extremely.
There are software program enhancements, with One UI 7 introducing a serious redesign of Samsung’s software program expertise and new Galaxy AI options. Nonetheless, a lot of the modifications will make their approach to the Galaxy S24 Extremely and S23 Extremely.
Whereas Samsung’s innovation appears to have plateaued, different Android producers are pushing boundaries and innovating in each doable side. They’re launching telephones with floating telephoto macro cameras, an enormous 1-inch sort main sensor, a 200MP periscope shooter, sooner wired and wi-fi charging speeds, and beefier silicon-carbide batteries.
Regardless of being the world’s greatest smartphone maker, Samsung’s finest cellphone of 2025 lacks all these options.
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Samsung must do higher with its flagships
As a long-time Galaxy consumer, I really feel Samsung is resting on its laurels. It depends on its advertising and distribution attain to promote its telephones. The Galaxy S25 Extremely doesn’t considerably enhance upon its predecessor to make it stand out, and it left us unimpressed. The corporate adopted an analogous technique with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which solely included minor upgrades over its predecessor.
Samsung is conscious of its lack of innovation and has publicly apologized for it. Nonetheless, an apology is not sufficient. The corporate must take motion and let its merchandise converse for themselves. The Galaxy S25 Extremely was a chance for Samsung to show this, nevertheless it did not introduce something new to alter the narrative.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely leaves the Be aware-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a large 6.9-inch show, it is a trendy flagship via and thru — and sure, that S Pen remains to be right here too.
