Samsung has simply unveiled its flagship telephones for 2025, and I used to be fortunate sufficient to take the brand-new Galaxy S25 Extremely for a fast spin forward of the Unpacked launch to carry you some hands-on impressions.
The model’s prime telephone has plenty of new options, however probably the most instantly apparent change is the brand new form. So let’s begin there.
Galaxy S25 Extremely design adjustments
The sharp squared-off corners are gone, and so they’ve been changed with gentle curves which are far more pleasant to your palms. I’m in two minds about this transfer. I perceive the choice, loads of individuals have moaned in regards to the S24 Extremely’s uncomfortable form.
The sharp boxy form of the S24 Extremely gave it some character, nonetheless, and I can’t assist however really feel the S25 Extremely seems to be somewhat extra generic.
I used to be pleasantly shocked to see that it’s nonetheless extra boxy than its extra reasonably priced siblings, at the least. So even when it’s not as iconic because it as soon as was, it does nonetheless stand out from the lineup.
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Across the again, the cameras are actually outlined by chunky black bezels, identical to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The facet rails are nonetheless infused with titanium and there’s nonetheless an S-Pen nestled inside. The telephone has been on a weight-reduction plan and it’s now round 15g lighter than its predecessor, with a barely slimmer physique, too, at 8.2mm.
It’s accessible in 4 colors as normal: Silverblue, Whitesilver, Gray and Black. To be sincere, except for the black one, all of them look very comparable. All of them have a matt end and are largely simply barely completely different hues of silvery-grey. That mentioned, they do all look very good.
For those who purchase from Samsung’s web site, there are three further colors, Jadegreen, Pinkgold and Jetblack. These are somewhat extra energetic than the usual color choices, apart from Jetblack, which is simply very black – as you’ll have guessed.
Galaxy S25 Extremely {hardware} upgrades
So, what’s new? Properly, we get the compulsory improve to the most recent Qualcomm chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and as common, it’s a customized “for Galaxy” model with an overclock utilized.
This yr, the entire lineup is working on the identical chip, there aren’t any Exynos variants to be discovered. To maintain it working easily, the vapour chamber has been super-sized, and it’s now 40% bigger than the one within the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Samsung hasn’t actually pushed the boat out with the {hardware}
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There’s additionally a brand-new ultrawide digital camera, with a 50Mp decision and macro focusing capabilities. It ought to show to be a giant improve over the 12Mp unit of its predecessor, however at this stage, I haven’t absolutely explored its capabilities.
5 options which are unique to the Galaxy S25 Extremely
I snapped just a few photos at Samsung’s Kings Cross retailer, and for now, I can affirm that it focuses extraordinarily shut and appears respectable. I’ll have to attempt it in some completely different lighting circumstances to get an actual really feel for it.
In any other case, the {hardware} is generally unchanged from the final technology. The display screen is a teeny bit larger at 6.9-inch, with 15% slimmer bezels, and it has a more recent model of its anti-reflective Gorilla Armor glass.
The opposite show specs stay unchanged, and the remainder of the cameras are all the identical. You continue to get a 5000mAh battery, and it nonetheless solely costs at 45W with a wire and 15W wirelessly. It’s fairly sluggish in comparison with the competitors.
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Samsung is now providing MagSafe / Qi2 suitable charging, however the telephone itself doesn’t have these magnets. So, if you wish to become involved in some Apple-style magnetic accessorising, you now have the choice, however provided that you shell out for one of many official instances.
We noticed the model go all-in on Galaxy AI options with the Galaxy S24 collection, and Samsung is doubling down for the S25 collection.
Galaxy S25 Extremely software program options
As you’ve in all probability gathered, Samsung hasn’t actually pushed the boat out with the {hardware}. As a substitute, it closely depends on software program options to drum up curiosity. We noticed the model go all-in on Galaxy AI options with the Galaxy S24 collection, and Samsung is doubling down for the S25 collection.
AI options are woven into nearly each a part of the working system, and there are such a lot of that it’s nearly unimaginable to say all of them. The most important change is what the AI can do in your system.
Moderately than simply answering questions like digital assistants we’re already used to, the AI will really be capable of carry out actions in your telephone throughout completely different apps. Samsung is looking it a “human-like AI agent.”
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For instance, there’s a general-purpose search bar on the telephone, the type you’d usually use to shortly discover an app or search the net. You possibly can ask something on this search bar, and the AI agent will attempt to assist.
Samsung Galaxy AI: 5 brand-new options that I can’t wait to attempt
Utilizing regular conversational language, you’ll be able to ask issues like “Present me seashore photos from after I was final in Spain” and it’ll magically do it. You may as well regulate system settings utilizing pure language. So, if you happen to say “I can’t learn the textual content, are you able to make it larger?” the AI agent can regulate the font measurement system-wide.
The AI can carry out these actions throughout a number of apps, too. In principle, it ought to be capable of textual content a buddy with a plan for a meetup, discover restaurant info and add it to your calendar, multi functional motion.
It has the potential to be extraordinarily highly effective and handy, the one drawback is, for the reason that telephone I attempted wasn’t absolutely arrange, I haven’t seen this in full motion but so keep tuned for a ultimate evaluation quickly.
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For those who opt-in, the S25 Extremely’s AI assistant will even generate Morning, Noon and Night Briefs. These are mechanically delivered to your lock display screen and can present related info at a look.
You possibly can anticipate issues like calendar occasions, site visitors, climate info and extra. It additionally works for particular Occasions, like a vacation or work journey, and also you’ll get a short with issues like boarding passes, terminal information, site visitors updates, and reminders. Fairly useful!
The choose device has been turbo-charged with AI, too. It could actually nonetheless seize screenshots, movies and GIFs prefer it at all times has, but it surely’ll now recommend actions based mostly on the context. So, if you choose an handle, it’ll recommend opening Maps, and if you choose a telephone quantity, it’ll recommend Telephone or WhatsApp.
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One factor I discovered barely odd is that there’s a variety of overlap with Google’s Circle to Search, I can think about customers being confused about which device to make use of, however regardless, they’re each extraordinarily handy. Circle to Search debuted on the S24 collection, and it’s arriving with enhanced options on the S25 collection. It now works with on-screen movies and music, so that you aren’t simply restricted to photographs and textual content. It’ll even discover you a tune if you happen to hum the tune.
Other than all of the AI stuff, Samsung has a really welcome addition for eager video shooters. There’s now a correct Log profile accessible within the digital camera app, so that you’ll be capable of match your colors with skilled video cameras extra simply, or simply give your footage a extra cinematic look.
For photographers, ExpertRAW now has a digital aperture management device, so you’ll be able to add some synthetic depth to your RAW photos, too.
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Galaxy S25 Extremely early verdict
I’ll want to spend so much extra time with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely earlier than reaching any agency conclusions. There’s rather a lot to discover right here, and if all of it works as marketed, it has the potential to alter how we work together with our telephones each day with its new layers of AI software program.
As a tech fanatic, I’m undoubtedly disenchanted by the shortage of {hardware} upgrades, and with Samsung so dedicated to software program assist, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a variety of the brand new AI options land on the S24 collection, and earlier telephones too.
Which means the principle issues this telephone has to supply are a speedier processor, a brand new ultrawide digital camera and a smoother design with curved corners. Is that sufficient to warrant an improve? I’m not completely satisfied if you happen to’re utilizing an S24 Extremely, however I’m wanting ahead to discovering out.
Our full evaluation is coming quickly so hold tight although you’ll be able to pre-order now if you happen to’re assured. Within the meantime, try what we rank as one of the best telephones cash should purchase.