Samsung Galaxy S25+ review: Iterative excellence

As we’ve come to anticipate, Samsung kicked off 2025 with a bang with the launch of its Galaxy S25 sequence of flagship telephones. 

Or no less than, it ought to have accomplished. The Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Extremely are all extraordinarily just like their predecessors, with Samsung choosing the naked minimal on the subject of upgrades. 

Understandably, many individuals are dissatisfied with the corporate’s obvious lack of ambition. However in the event you’re significantly contemplating the Galaxy S25+, you most likely don’t already personal the Galaxy S24+. (When you do, we will inform you proper now: don’t waste your cash on the brand new cellphone.) 

As a substitute, you’re prone to personal a cellphone that’s no less than three or 4 generations outdated, making the S25+ a way more vital step up. However once you’re paying no less than £999/$999.99 outright, are there higher flagship choices on the market? Right here’s my full evaluate. 

Design & Construct

• Premium but sturdy design 
• 190g 
• IP68 water and mud resistance 

The Galaxy S25+ has a easy but very efficient design.  

It’s what we’ve come to anticipate from Samsung: a glass back and front (each outfitted with robust Gorilla Glass Victus 2), an aluminium body and three particular person digital camera lenses. The model additionally retains bodily buttons to an absolute minimal – all you get here’s a quantity rocker and energy button. 

Some folks will name the design boring, particularly in the event you don’t select one of many extra vibrant color choices (there are seven in complete, together with three which can be unique to the Samsung web site). The ‘Silver Shadow’ model I examined definitely doesn’t stand out. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Nevertheless, I feel that misses the purpose of what most individuals are on the lookout for in a flagship cellphone. An unorthodox design is cool at first however can rapidly develop into tiresome. One thing extra low-key like it will stand the take a look at of time. 

The S25+ is a well-built cellphone that feels impressively sturdy. But at 190g, it’s barely lighter than the S24+ and doesn’t make my hand ache just like the 221g Pixel 9 Professional XL can. 

Nevertheless, I’d suggest including slightly additional weight within the type of a case. I’ve been with out one all through my testing and was usually anxious about it slipping off a desk or out of my pocket. Somewhat additional grip is important. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Nonetheless, you don’t have to fret concerning the S25+ being uncovered to the weather. Its IP68 ranking means it’s absolutely protected towards mud and might survive immersion in as much as 1.5m of recent water for as much as half-hour. The ocean, nevertheless, is a unique story. 

The one different factor to say right here is the vibration motor, which delivers a number of the finest haptic suggestions I’ve seen on any cellphone. I’m not often a fan of haptics, however I can’t deny how reasonable and satisfying the response feels when typing, multitasking and gaming. 

Display & Audio system

• 6.7-inch, 120Hz, 1440p AMOLED 
• Lacking the S25 Extremely’s anti-reflective coating 
• Stereo audio system 

The show was one space of the S25+ that didn’t want any consideration. The S24+’s 6.7-inch, 1440 x 3120 panel was already probably the greatest cellphone screens obtainable, so Samsung determined towards any modifications this time round. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Whereas that’s largely a great factor, it means the S25+ misses out on the Extremely’s anti-reflective show coating, which mixes improved visibility with higher scratch and impression resistance.  

With 2600 nits of peak brightness, utilizing the S25+ exterior on a vibrant sunny day shouldn’t be a difficulty (a really gray February within the UK meant I couldn’t take a look at this for myself), however the reflections may be annoying generally. 

Nevertheless, that’s one minor draw back to an in any other case very good show. On the ‘Pure’ mode I selected, the content material appears extremely crisp, clear and true-to-life. Swapping to ‘Vivid’ provides a success of distinction and saturation that makes films and TV look even higher. Having each means the S25+’s show is extraordinarily versatile. 

That’s earlier than we even get to the 120Hz refresh charge. It may be customary on most Android telephones lately, however the fluidity and smoothness listed below are up there with the perfect. The default ‘Adaptive’ mode can routinely drop as little as 1Hz, that means you get the advantages with out pointless battery drain. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Inside the show is an improved model of Samsung’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. It’s usually quick and dependable, however a frustratingly small goal space on your finger meant I generally missed it when making an attempt to rapidly unlock the cellphone. Face unlock is simply as safe lately, so I most well-liked that. 

Samsung has caught with the identical stereo audio system as on the S24+. They provide spectacular readability and keep away from audible distortion, however don’t get significantly loud. In fact, if you would like a correct hit of bass, you’ll want to connect with headphones or audio system. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 
• 12GB RAM on each fashions 
• 256- or 512GB of non-expandable storage 

Not like the Galaxy S24 sequence, Samsung is utilizing a Qualcomm chipset on all three Galaxy S25 telephones in all places, together with the UK and Europe.  

It makes the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy – an overclocked model of Qualcomm’s newest and best – a big improve in comparison with the Exynos 2400 model of the Galaxy S24+. For patrons exterior the US, it’s the one largest enchancment from final yr’s cellphone. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

What I’m about to say about efficiency most likely gained’t come as a shock. The S25+ is ridiculously quick and responsive, rushing via each conceivable job with ease. Alongside 12GB of RAM throughout all fashions, it’s nice for internet looking, social media, multitasking and all the pieces in between. 

The highest-tier specs additionally imply it’s a potent gaming machine. Hearth up Name of Obligation: Cellular, PUBG Cellular, Genshin Influence or every other demanding title from the Google Play Retailer and also you’ll get the graceful gameplay you’d affiliate with devoted gaming telephones. 

Prolonged gaming periods show extra of a problem, with the S25+ changing into noticeably heat to the contact. However with out devoted cooling techniques, that’s comprehensible. In common on a regular basis use, there’s no signal of overheating in anyway. 

The S25+ is out there with both 256- or 512GB of quick UFS 4.0 storage. Simply be sure you get sufficient as a result of there’s no assist for Micro-SD expandable storage. 

Samsung Galaxy S25+ benchmarks

Cameras

• 50Mp, f/1.8 major 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide 
• 10Mp, f/2.4 3x telephoto 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 selfie 

Samsung hasn’t made any significant modifications to the digital camera {hardware} on the Galaxy S25+.  

It has the identical triple rear setup as its predecessor, consisting of 50Mp major, 10Mp 3x telephoto and 12Mp ultrawide. Which means you miss out on the S25 Extremely’s 200Mp major sensor and further 50Mp 5x telephoto, and it reveals. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Basic digital camera efficiency for stills remains to be superb, however it’s a noticeable step down from the Extremely and the opposite finest digital camera telephones round, together with the Pixel 9 Professional XL, iPhone 16 Professional Max and Xiaomi 14 Extremely. 

That’s not obvious from the principle 50Mp lens, which persistently delivers nice element and dynamic vary. It usually handles shadows nicely and does a great job of not over- or under-exposing gray skies. I’m additionally impressed with its color accuracy – pictures are extra true-to-life than we’ve traditionally seen on Samsung telephones. 

Even in low mild, the routinely enabled ‘Night time shot’ subtly brightens darkish photographs with out trying synthetic or introducing an excessive amount of noise. 

I additionally loved utilizing the principle lens for portrait-style pictures. It does a great job of separating the topic from the background, and I really like you could modify the extent of background blur earlier than or after the shot is taken. 

Sadly, the supporting lenses are slightly underwhelming. The 10Mp telephoto is robust in good lighting, and the pliability of a 3x optical zoom is nice, however counting on digital zoom past that (as much as 30x) means picture high quality rapidly drops. 

In low mild, the telephoto additionally struggles to copy the impact of the principle lens. You sometimes both get a disappointingly darkish picture or one with seen noise. 

The 12Mp ultrawide lens is respectable, and I loved having the pliability of that 120-degree area of view. There are small downgrades to dynamic vary and publicity in comparison with the principle lens, however not sufficient to note until you’re evaluating them side-by-side. Offered you’re conscious of those limitations, it’s nicely price utilizing. 

On the entrance, the 12Mp lens is constant throughout all of the S25 telephones. It delivers clear, crisp selfies in a spread of environments, together with low mild. I used to be significantly impressed with the best way it captured pores and skin tones and correct colors. 

See extra digital camera samples within the gallery under:

The S25+ can nonetheless seize video at as much as 8K, with OIS (optical picture stabilisation) on the principle and telephoto lenses making certain all the pieces stays clean. Alongside crystal-clear twin mics, it’s a terrific alternative for capturing footage from a live performance or different reside occasion. 

Nevertheless, probably the most vital change right here is the introduction of a Log recording mode. When enabled, it means that you can movie with a flat picture profile, after which colour-grade the footage your self. Mixed with the 8K taking pictures capacity, it’s one of the superior digital camera telephones for video on the market. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 4900mAh battery 
• 45W wired and 15W wi-fi charging 
• Qi2 wi-fi requires a appropriate case 

The S25+ has the identical 4900mAh battery as its predecessor. In comparison with most flagship telephones on the market, that’s slightly on the small aspect. I wouldn’t go as far as to say battery life is a weak spot, however it’s not a energy, both.  

With reasonable utilization, you’ll comfortably be capable of get a full day on a single cost. I averaged round 3 hours per day throughout testing, and it was often round midway via day two earlier than I had to connect with the facility. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Nevertheless, on these uncommon demanding days, I wasn’t so assured. With excessive brightness, GPS and cell knowledge all enabled, I misplaced over half the cost with simply two hours of screen-on time. Granted, this included taking plenty of pictures and movies, however I’d nonetheless desire a energy financial institution useful simply in case. 

Frustratingly, the S25+ remains to be restricted to simply 45W charging. It’s nicely behind the likes of the OnePlus 13 (100W) and Xiaomi 14 Extremely (90W), and there’s no charger included within the field. 

Utilizing a 65W charger I had at house, the cellphone went from flat to 25% in quarter-hour, then 53% by the half-hour mark. A full cost took 85 minutes – not unhealthy, however not nice both. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Wi-fi charging stays restricted to a a lot slower 15W, with the MagSafe-style Qi2 customary counting on the separate buy of a appropriate case.

Common battery life and comparatively sluggish charging are the important thing components that depend towards the S25+, however they shouldn’t be dealbreakers for most individuals. 

Software program & Apps

• One UI 7 over Android 15 
• New Galaxy AI options 
• Seven years of OS and safety updates 

Similar to the opposite Galaxy S25 telephones, the S25+ runs Samsung’s One UI 7 out of the field. Whereas based mostly on Android 15, it has a really completely different feel and look to the model on Google’s Pixel telephones. 

And I by no means anticipated to say this, however One UI 7 is my favorite model of Android ever. It’s simple to make use of, appears nice and integrates genuinely helpful AI options. 

I really like how customisable it’s, permitting me to create a house display screen, lock display screen and fast settings menu that’s completely tailor-made to my preferences.  

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The latter is now break up from the notification tray relying on the place you swipe down, similar to iOS, however I favor it to the model on the iPhone. And in contrast to the Pixel, a single faucet can toggle Wi-Fi or cell knowledge on and off, which makes an enormous distinction for me. 

There are examples of AI all through One UI 7, however my favorite implementation is in search. While you’re looking for one thing within the app drawer or Settings, you should use pure language and it’ll discover simply what you’re on the lookout for. When the auto brightness function is named ‘Adaptive brightness’ and the refresh charge is ‘Movement smoothness’, it makes an enormous distinction. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

One UI 7 additionally get probably the most highly effective model of Google Gemini on any cellphone proper now. A protracted press of the facility button brings up the common assistant-style model, which may be swapped for Gemini Reside for a human-like dialog. Each modes work very nicely. 

Gemini can be used to work together with some Samsung inventory apps, whether or not it’s creating an occasion within the Calendar or including one thing to Notes. Nevertheless, this particular function works finest in the event you’re already invested within the Samsung ecosystem. 

The identical may be stated for the Now Transient, which summarises data it thinks is related and ‘briefs’ you thrice a day. Nevertheless, as somebody who primarily makes use of Google’s apps and doesn’t have any wearables linked, its usefulness is proscribed. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Whereas Circle to Search remains to be right here, AI Choose makes it much more highly effective. As a substitute of simply discovering out about what’s in your display screen, you should use it as the premise for one thing new. I used to be impressed with the best way it may change up the type of a photograph, seamlessly take away background objects or create one thing new (utilizing generative AI, in fact). 

Audio Eraser is one other new function. It mainly works in the identical means as Audio Magic Eraser, analysing audio in a video and lowering the noise. It usually works nicely, however the consequence can sound slightly synthetic at occasions. 

Alongside writing, transcription, summarising and real-time translating instruments launched with the Galaxy S24 sequence, the S25+ presents a complete suite of AI that may be genuinely helpful.  

Add in Samsung’s continued class-leading dedication to seven years of each OS and safety updates, and also you’ve received a virtually faultless software program expertise. 

Worth & Availability

The Galaxy S25+ may be very a lot a flagship cellphone, and it’s priced to match. 

It begins at £999/$999.99 for a mannequin with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, although doubling the latter will value £1,099/$1,099.99. 

You purchase the cellphone outright from Samsung UK or Samsung US, plus a spread of third-party retailers. See the complete choice in our information to the most effective Galaxy S25 offers. 

On contract, see the most effective choices within the UK and US within the widgets under. 

That outright beginning value places it up towards a number of the easiest telephones you should purchase, together with the Google Pixel 9 Professional (from £99/$999), Apple iPhone 16 Professional (from £999/$999) and OnePlus 13 (from £899/$899). Nevertheless, it’s considerably cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Extremely (from £1,249/$1,299). 

Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S25+? 

When you at present have a cellphone that’s no less than three years outdated and might afford it, sure. For most individuals, the S25+ is the candy spot in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 vary. 

It presents a compelling mixture of top-tier {hardware} and very good, AI-infused software program. Whilst you’ll have to surrender the S Pen and 50Mp ultrawide from the Extremely, the cash you save will probably be nicely price it for most individuals. Apart from comparatively sluggish charging and a few digital camera inconsistencies, it is a cellphone with no actual weaknesses. 

The dearth of upgrades means no Galaxy S24 or S23 house owners ought to contemplate it, however if in case you have something older, you’ll actually discover the distinction. The S25+ is a powerful cellphone that ought to stand the take a look at of time, making it simple to suggest. 

Specs

• One UI 7, based mostly on Android 15 
• 6.7-inch, 1440 x 3120, AMOLED, 120Hz 
• Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 
• 12GB RAM 
• 256GB / 512GB storage
• 50Mp, f/1.8 major digital camera
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide 
• 10Mp, f/2.4 3x telephoto 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 selfie 
• As much as 8K @ 30fps rear video 
• Stereo audio system 
• Twin-SIM + eSIM 
• Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth 5.4 
• 5000mAh battery 
• 45W wired charging 
• 15W wi-fi charging 
• 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm 
• IP68 licensed 
• 190g 
• Colors: Navy, Icyblue, Silver Shadow, Mint, Blueback (Samsung.com unique), Coralred (Samsung.com unique), Pinkgold (Samsung.com unique)