The Samsung Galaxy S25 is right here, and it brings new {hardware}, Qi2-compatible equipment, and a thinner and lighter body to the desk. Nonetheless, it is not a major improve for homeowners of the Galaxy S24, and even these trying to improve from an older cellphone or be part of the Galaxy group might need to look elsewhere.
The Galaxy S25 is a robust cellphone, but it surely is not the cellphone you should purchase this 12 months. Many of the largest modifications to the Samsung Galaxy expertise include One UI 7, which can be obtainable on older Galaxy telephones together with the Galaxy S24.
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Samsung has missed one other probability to create a novel look
It is onerous to distinguish it from the Galaxy S24 at a look
The very first thing you may discover concerning the Samsung Galaxy S25 is that it appears to be like like each different cellphone launched within the final couple of years from the entrance. In contrast to the Galaxy S25 Extremely, which swapped out squared corners for rounded ones, the Galaxy S25 is actually the identical trying cellphone as final 12 months. We have turn into used to Samsung’s lack of innovation relating to its cellphone’s designs, however the Galaxy S25 is very problematic. Apple’s iPhone 16 design has ensured the Galaxy S collection will not look distinctive except Samsung makes some drastic design modifications.
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The Samsung Galaxy S25 wants a brand new design to face out from the group
It has been too lengthy for the reason that Galaxy S-series noticed any significant change
Apple took a leaf out of Samsung’s guide with its iPhone 16 digital camera format by mimicking the distinctive site visitors gentle association of Galaxy telephones. It is not an identical, the iPhone 16 sports activities two lenses in comparison with the three on the Galaxy S25, but it surely’s shut sufficient to indicate that Galaxy telephones have misplaced their distinctive aptitude. If you happen to like proudly owning a novel cellphone, it is best to skip the Galaxy S25. It is price ready one other 12 months for Samsung to lastly see the sunshine, but when not, Google and OnePlus are your greatest decisions to select up a particular cellphone.
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The cameras are outdated
The Galaxy S25 is just not a photographer’s cellphone
The Galaxy S25’s design is not the one factor Samsung refused to innovate with. The cameras are an identical on the within in addition to the skin. If you happen to assume the Galaxy S23 and S24 take one of the best photographs out of any Android cellphone, the Galaxy S25 will give you extra of the identical because the cameras are an identical.
On the within, the Galaxy S25 gives the identical 50P foremost and 10MP telephoto cameras because the Galaxy S24. The 12 MP entrance digital camera can also be an identical. Samsung has promised enhancements to the cellphone’s post-processing capabilities, however there appears to be like to be no change to the Galaxy’s movement blur subject.
These are the total digital camera specs of the Galaxy S25:
50MP OIS foremost, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, 12MP selfie.
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Half-baked implementation of Qi2
Samsung refuses to go all the best way with adopting the wi-fi charging normal
Since Qi2 was introduced in 2023, we have been eagerly awaiting the primary Android cellphone to undertake the wi-fi charging normal. Whereas it was cheap to count on that 2023 was far too quickly, and there wasn’t sufficient time to implement it into 2024’s flagship, it appeared probably that 2025 can be the 12 months of the primary Qi2 Android cellphone. Sadly, as an alternative of bringing Qi2 to the Galaxy S25 collection, Samsung has as an alternative made mediocre enhancements to wi-fi charging speeds, and launched “Qi2 Prepared” equipment.
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6 causes Qi2 wi-fi charging is completely definitely worth the hype
Extra producers ought to get on board with Qi2
Whereas your Samsung S25 will now cost quicker over a wi-fi connection, the shortage of full Qi2 help is obvious. Magnetic charging did intrude with the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s S Pen features, but when Samsung is assured sufficient to launch a first-party case, it has solved this subject. Even when S Pen interference was nonetheless an issue, there is no purpose why the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus cannot undertake Qi2. So if you wish to see Qi2 help on a Samsung cellphone, it is best to carry out and wait. Hopefully, it is a step in direction of full Qi2 integration on the Galaxy S26, and never the beginning of a pattern.
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No enhancements to battery life and wired charging speeds
25W charging feels slower and slower yearly
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has the identical 4,000mAh battery with 25W wired charging velocity because the Galaxy S24. This is not a foul factor, in our overview of the Galaxy S24 we obtained a mean of 9 hours of screen-on time by way of common utilization. Nonetheless, intensive use of the One Ui 7’s AI options will severely impression this.
The massive drawback is that the charging velocity is pathetic in comparison with older telephones just like the OnePlus 12. Whereas 45W is sufficient to cost up your cellphone to 50 % in half-hour, the 80W charging velocity on the OnePlus 12 means you do not want to consider plugging it in each evening. A major enhance to charging velocity might have marked the Galaxy S25 as a must-buy, however as an alternative, it appears to be like like we’ll have to attend not less than one other 12 months for Samsung to catch up.
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The Galaxy S24 gives the same expertise for much less
Why pay extra for upgrades you will not discover?
Many of the largest options of the Galaxy S25 are on the software program aspect. One UI 7 is filled with options that make it a considerable improve over One UI 6, however this replace can also be coming to the Galaxy S24, which can obtain six extra years of software program updates.
Whereas the Galaxy S25 has not elevated in worth, it is simple to seek out the Galaxy S24 at a reduction. We noticed it obtainable by way of Amazon and Greatest Purchase this month at $150 off. The Galaxy S25 is just not totally different sufficient to be price the additional cash. In case you are trying to improve or swap to a Samsung Galaxy cellphone, we suggest saving some cash and settling for final 12 months’s flagship.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is an effective alternative if you have not upgraded your cellphone in years
It is onerous to justify shopping for a Samsung Galaxy S25 in case you’ve picked up a brand new Android cellphone within the final couple of years. Nonetheless, in case you personal a Galaxy S21 or older gadget, the improve can be noticeable. That being mentioned, Samsung has missed the mark on so many options that you could be be greatest off ready one other 12 months. Alternatively, The Google Pixel 9 and the OnePlus 12 are among the greatest Android telephones available on the market.