Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Incremental Upgrades and AI Enhancements

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Worth the Upgrade? S24 Ultra Owners MUST WATCH!

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has arrived, marking another milestone in the company's lineup of premium smartphones. As the successor to the highly acclaimed Galaxy S24 Ultra, this new device brings a host of improvements and refinements that aim to solidify its position as a top contender in the flagship market. However, for current S24 Ultra owners, the decision to upgrade may not be as clear-cut. In the video below, ZONEofTECH takes a closer look at the key features and enhancements of the S25 Ultra to help you determine whether it's the right choice for your needs. The Galaxy S25 Ultra retains the impressive 2600 nits peak brightness from its predecessor, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. However, Samsung has made subtle adjustments to enhance the overall viewing experience: While these changes contribute to a more refined display, the overall visual experience remains largely similar to the S24 Ultra. As such, the display improvements may not be a significant factor for those considering an upgrade. One of the most significant upgrades in the Galaxy S25 Ultra lies under the hood. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, which delivers substantial performance improvements over its predecessor: These enhancements translate to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and more advanced AI-driven features. Gamers will also appreciate the 40% larger vapor chamber, which improves thermal efficiency during extended gaming sessions, ensuring a cooler and more consistent performance. The S25 Ultra introduces several improvements to its camera system, making it an attractive choice for photography enthusiasts: These upgrades elevate the S25 Ultra's camera capabilities, allowing users to capture stunning photos and videos in various lighting conditions. Samsung has integrated Google Gemini AI into the S25 Ultra, allowing natural language commands and seamless app interactions. New features like "Now Brief," which provides personalized daily insights, and "Now Bar," offering dynamic notifications, aim to enhance the overall user experience. However, it's worth noting that many of these AI-driven features are expected to roll out to the S24 Ultra through software updates, narrowing the gap between the two models in terms of software capabilities. The S25 Ultra maintains the same 5,000mAh battery and 45W fast charging capabilities as its predecessor. While the charging speeds remain unchanged, the new chipset's improved power efficiency ensures longer battery life, even during heavy usage. This means users can expect more reliable battery performance throughout the day. One notable change in the S25 Ultra is the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen. While this simplifies the stylus, it also eliminates features like Air Gestures and remote shutter controls. For users who relied on these capabilities, this change may feel like a step backward. However, those who prefer a more straightforward stylus experience may still find the new S Pen suitable for their needs. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra brings meaningful improvements in design, performance, and camera technology. However, for current S24 Ultra users, the decision to upgrade may not be as straightforward. If you prioritize innovative performance, enhanced durability, or advanced camera capabilities, the S25 Ultra may be worth considering. However, if you're satisfied with your S24 Ultra and don't feel a pressing need for the latest features, you may want to wait for a more significant upgrade in the future. For those in the market for a new flagship device, the S24 Ultra remains a strong contender, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. Many of its features are still top-notch, and it will likely receive some of the software enhancements introduced with the S25 Ultra. Ultimately, the decision to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra depends on your individual needs, preferences, and budget. By carefully considering the improvements and weighing them against your current device, you can make an informed choice that best suits your smartphone requirements.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 things potentially worth the upgrade

Incremental annual phone updates have become pretty normal, but even by modern industry standards, the latest Samsung flagship devices feel iterative. The Galaxy S25 series was unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event this week with the promise of fancy hardware upgrades and useful new software features. That's...not entirely what we got, though. At first blush, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is very similar to last year's model. Its display specs are nearly identical, and the story is similar with its rear camera measurements. Aside from a new 50MP ultra-wide lens (and I don't want to pretend like that's nothing), little has changed. After some brief hands-on testing with the Ultra, though, I've identified a couple of things that might make this phone worth a purchase, especially if you're rocking a handset that's getting up there in years. Probably the biggest hardware enhancement Samsung added to the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the latest and greatest in Snapdragon processing, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. After a little bit of time using the phone, I can confirm everything feels very speedy and responsive. I'll wait until the full review to get into benchmarking scores and whatnot, but the new chip makes a great first impression. Things that seem like they should be hardware-intensive, such as AI features, seem to run without much of a fuss. I can say the same about basic everyday app usage. I haven't spent a huge amount of time with the S25 Ultra just yet, but based on the early goings, the new chip is probably going to be the biggest change for anyone upgrading from an older handset. Speaking of AI features, Samsung went whole hog this year with a suite of new AI goodies that, at least for now, seem to be exclusive to S25 Ultra. These include a number of agentic AI features that I haven't had time to properly put through their paces yet, such as the ability to have Gemini look up information for you and add it to your notes or calendar automatically. This did work for me on the first try (I told it to add this weekend's playoff football games to my personal calendar), but I'll need more time with it to fully judge it. However, one new AI features does stick out to me right away, and that's the Now Brief. This is a widget that lives on your home screen by default that puts things like the day's weather, upcoming calendar obligations, and news stories that are relevant to your interests in one easily scrollable page. While I am as much of an AI hater as anyone (largely due to its destructive environmental impact), I'll admit that there's some use to this. Being able to quickly see what kind of weather the day will bring, as well as what it is that I have to do that day and what's happening in the news, is convenient. Could I also easily do all of this myself with about 30 seconds of Google searching? Absolutely. But this is slightly more convenient, if nothing else. Lastly, Samsung made one small change that I really like: The edges of the S25 Ultra are curved. Previously, the titanium frame on the S24 Ultra had hard corners around the phone, which distinguished the Ultra models from their less expensive brethren, but also made them kind of a pain to actually hold. That's not as true of the S25 Ultra, which I feel has a more natural grip and doesn't dig into your palms like the old cornered edges would. The new phone is also 14g lighter than the old one, for what that's worth. I'll need more time with the S25 Ultra to fully formulate my thoughts on it, but so far, this phone seems exactly as iterative as you think it is. It's not really a surprise at this point why Samsung's Unpacked stream waited until the final few minutes to actually talk about hardware; there just isn't a lot to talk about. But maybe after some more time with the S25 Ultra, I'll feel differently.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: You HAVE to See This!

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, alongside its S25 and S25+ counterparts, continues Samsung's tradition of incremental improvements. While the hardware changes are modest, the series leans heavily on software advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and user experience. If you're weighing an upgrade, this lineup offers a mix of reliability, longevity, and understated innovation. Marques Brownlee gives us a look at the new Samsung flagship smartphones in his latest video. At first glance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn't stray far from the design of its predecessor, the S24 Ultra. However, subtle tweaks make a difference. The Ultra model now features slightly square edges and larger camera bump rings, lending it a more polished look. A 15% reduction in bezel size allows for a slightly larger display without increasing the phone's overall dimensions. Despite these refinements, the core hardware remains largely unchanged, with the same battery capacity, button layout, and display brightness as the S24 series. Underneath the surface, the S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, delivering improved performance and energy efficiency. A 40% larger vapor cooling chamber enhances thermal management, particularly during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. The camera system also sees a meaningful upgrade, with a new 50MP ultra-wide sensor replacing the previous 12MP version, promising sharper, more detailed images. Durability gets a boost too, thanks to the latest Gorilla Glass, which offers better resistance to drops and scratches. Other notable hardware features include: Samsung has doubled down on AI-driven features in the S25 series, making software the star of the show. The hybrid AI assistant, which combines Google Gemini and Bixby, offers a more seamless and intuitive experience. Whether you're managing your calendar, controlling smart home devices, or searching for information, the assistant adapts to your needs using advanced natural language processing. Another standout feature is the AI Select tool, which simplifies tasks like creating GIFs, summarizing text, or extracting key details from media. Meanwhile, the AI-curated "Now" widget delivers context-aware updates, such as weather forecasts, calendar reminders, and personalized suggestions, tailored to your daily routine. For content creators, the audio eraser tool removes background noise from videos, ensuring professional-grade results. Samsung's One UI 7 software interface introduces a refreshed design and new customization options. Inspired by iOS, the lock screen now allows for greater personalization, letting you adjust widgets, fonts, and layouts to suit your preferences. These enhancements make the S25 series feel more intuitive and user-friendly. Other notable software features include: One of the standout commitments of the S25 series is Samsung's promise of seven years of software updates. In a market where long-term support is often overlooked, this pledge ensures your device remains secure and functional for years to come. Many of the new AI features introduced with the S25 series will also be rolled out to older models like the S24, extending their usability and value. This commitment to longevity is further reinforced by the S25 Ultra's durable design. The device features an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, ensuring it can withstand the elements. The aforementioned Gorilla Glass protection also contributes to the phone's long-term durability, reducing the risk of damage from accidental drops or scratches. The Galaxy S25 series doesn't aim to transform the smartphone market. Instead, it focuses on thoughtful refinements that prioritize reliability and longevity. While some users may lament the absence of faster charging or brighter displays, the series excels in delivering a balanced, polished experience. It's a device for those who value subtle improvements over flashy, headline-grabbing innovations. In a market increasingly saturated with high-end smartphones, the S25 series stands out for its commitment to incremental progress and long-term support. By emphasizing software enhancements and AI-driven features, Samsung aims to deliver a device that grows more capable and intuitive over time, rather than becoming outdated after a few years. If you already own an S24 series device, the S25 may not offer enough to justify an upgrade. The hardware changes are minimal, and many of the software enhancements will be available on older models. However, if you're using an older device or prioritize long-term software support, the S25 series becomes a compelling option. It's also worth noting that the S25 Ultra's price tag may be a barrier for some users. As a premium device, it commands a higher price than many of its competitors. While the phone's features and longevity may justify the cost for some, others may find better value in more affordable options. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and its siblings focus on refinement and reliability rather than radical change. With an emphasis on AI-driven features, improved durability, and extended software support, the series caters to users seeking a dependable, future-proof smartphone. While it may not dazzle with groundbreaking innovations, the S25 series reinforces Samsung's reputation for delivering polished, user-centric devices. If you value a smartphone that evolves with you, adapting to your needs and preferences over time, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a compelling choice. Its subtle hardware improvements, combined with a strong focus on software enhancements, make it a device built to stand the test of time. While it may not be the most exciting release of the year, the S25 series is a dependable choice for those seeking a reliable, long-lasting smartphone experience.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: Camera Shootout!

The Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung's latest flagship smartphone, arrives with the promise of refining and enhancing the user experience set by its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the device features a range of improvements, including subtle design changes, AI-powered camera upgrades, and smarter software features, it also raises questions about whether these updates are significant enough to warrant an upgrade for current S24 Ultra users. The video below from Techmo compares the cameras on the two handsets. At first glance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, maintaining a sense of continuity in its design language. However, upon closer inspection, several minor design tweaks become apparent, contributing to a more polished and modern aesthetic. The device features more rounded corners and a larger camera ring, giving it a sleeker appearance. Additionally, Samsung has managed to reduce the bezels even further, resulting in a slightly larger display that offers a more immersive viewing experience. While these refinements enhance the overall look and feel of the device, they do not represent a radical departure from the design of the S24 Ultra. One area where the Galaxy S25 Ultra truly shines is its camera system, which has undergone notable improvements thanks to the integration of advanced AI capabilities. The device features a new ultrawide sensor that delivers enhanced color accuracy and detail, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. This upgrade is especially beneficial for photographers who often shoot in low light or high-contrast environments. Moreover, the inclusion of a LOG picture profile opens up new possibilities for advanced color grading, allowing users to achieve professional-quality results straight from their smartphone. Samsung's emphasis on computational photography and videography is evident in the S25 Ultra's camera performance. The device leverages AI algorithms to enhance clarity, reduce noise, and improve skin tone rendering in both photos and videos. This results in more natural-looking and visually appealing images and footage, even in suboptimal conditions. Additionally, the introduction of customizable filters gives users greater creative control over their shots, allowing them to tailor the look and feel of their photos to their personal preferences. While these camera upgrades are undoubtedly impressive and cater to the needs of photography and videography enthusiasts, they may not be considered innovative in the grand scheme of smartphone camera advancements. Nevertheless, they represent a significant step forward for the Galaxy S series and solidify the S25 Ultra's position as a capable and versatile device for capturing high-quality content. Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which offers improved performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor. While this upgrade translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness, the gains are incremental rather than groundbreaking. The 5000 mAh battery capacity remains unchanged from the S24 Ultra, but the power optimization provided by the new chipset results in slightly better battery life. This improvement is welcome, although it may not be significant enough to be a deciding factor for potential buyers. The S25 Ultra's display features an anti-reflective coating, which enhances visibility in bright environments by reducing glare and reflections. However, it is worth noting that the device does not incorporate the latest M14 panel technology, which could have further improved the display's performance in terms of color accuracy, brightness, and power efficiency. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra's hardware improvements may be incremental, Samsung has placed a strong emphasis on software innovation. The device introduces several new features designed to simplify and enhance daily interactions, leveraging the power of AI to deliver a more intuitive user experience. One notable addition is the context-aware sidebar, which provides app-specific suggestions based on the user's current activity. This feature streamlines multitasking by offering quick access to relevant tools and information, saving users time and effort. Another useful feature is the voice background eraser, which uses AI algorithms to remove unwanted noise during calls or recordings, resulting in clearer audio quality. The introduction of the Now Bar is another welcome improvement, providing users with quick access to music controls and notifications directly from the home screen. This feature makes it easier to stay connected and entertained without having to navigate through multiple apps or menus. These software enhancements demonstrate Samsung's commitment to leveraging AI and machine learning to create a more seamless and personalized user experience. While they may not be as tangible as hardware upgrades, they contribute significantly to the overall usability and convenience of the device. Despite the various improvements and additions, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has also made a controversial decision by removing Bluetooth functionality from the S-Pen. This change limits the S-Pen's remote capabilities, such as controlling presentations or taking photos from a distance, which were popular features among power users. While the S-Pen remains a versatile tool for note-taking, sketching, and navigation, the loss of its advanced wireless features may disappoint long-time fans who relied on these capabilities. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers several improvements over its predecessor, it also leaves room for criticism in certain areas. One notable disappointment is the lack of upgrades to the telephoto lenses, which maintain the same zoom capabilities as the S24 Ultra. In an era where smartphone photography is increasingly focused on versatility and long-range capabilities, the absence of improvements in this area feels like a missed opportunity. Another feature that is conspicuously absent from the S25 Ultra is Qi2 magnetic functionality. As competitors begin to adopt this technology for enhanced wireless charging and accessory compatibility, Samsung's decision to omit it from their latest flagship device raises questions about their commitment to staying at the forefront of smartphone innovation. Moreover, the lack of substantial hardware advancements over the past two generations of Galaxy S devices has led to concerns about stagnation in Samsung's flagship lineup. While incremental improvements are to be expected, the absence of truly groundbreaking features or design changes may leave some users feeling underwhelmed and questioning the value of upgrading from previous models. The Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a refinement of its predecessor rather than a innovative leap forward. Its focus on AI-driven computational photography, software enhancements, and minor design updates results in a polished and capable device that caters to users seeking a premium smartphone experience. The improvements in camera performance, particularly in low-light and high-contrast situations, along with the introduction of the LOG picture profile, will undoubtedly appeal to photography and videography enthusiasts. However, the removal of features like S-Pen Bluetooth functionality and the lack of significant hardware advancements may give pause to current Galaxy S23 and S24 Ultra users considering an upgrade. While the S25 Ultra offers a compelling package for those coming from older devices, the incremental nature of its updates may not justify the investment for everyone. Ultimately, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a testament to Samsung's ability to refine and enhance their flagship lineup, but it falls short of being a catalyst in the smartphone industry. It remains a solid choice for those seeking a high-end Android device with excellent camera capabilities and a range of smart features, but it may not be the must-have upgrade that some users were hoping for.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the latest addition to Samsung's flagship smartphone lineup, brings a host of exciting upgrades and improvements over its predecessor, the S24 Ultra. From its sleek titanium frame to its advanced AI capabilities, the S25 Ultra aims to redefine the standards for premium smartphones. However, the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen may be a point of contention for some users. In the video below, WhatGear delves into the key differences between the S25 Ultra and the S24 Ultra, helping you determine whether the latest model is worth the upgrade. The S25 Ultra showcases a significant shift in design philosophy, prioritizing comfort and durability. Unlike the sharp edges of the S24 Ultra, the S25 Ultra features rounded corners and a flat frame crafted from lightweight titanium. This change not only enhances the device's durability but also reduces its overall weight, making it more comfortable to hold during extended use. The S25 Ultra is notably thinner and lighter than its predecessor, offering a more refined and premium feel in the hand. In addition to the ergonomic improvements, the S25 Ultra introduces a range of titanium-inspired colors, including: These color options cater to various aesthetic preferences, ensuring that there is a S25 Ultra to suit every taste. While the S25 Ultra maintains the impressive 6.9-inch display size and 2,600 nits peak brightness of the S24 Ultra, it incorporates a more power-efficient panel. This enhancement reduces energy consumption by up to 30%, resulting in extended battery life during demanding tasks such as gaming or video playback. The inclusion of the Pro Scaler tool further improves the viewing experience by upscaling lower-resolution content to match the display's high pixel density, ensuring sharper and more detailed visuals across all media. The S25 Ultra takes durability to new heights with the introduction of Corning Gorilla Armor Glass 2. This innovative glass technology features a 29% increase in durability and a 60% improvement in scratch resistance compared to the glass used in the S24 Ultra. Additionally, the enhanced anti-reflective properties of the glass improve visibility in bright environments, making the S25 Ultra a reliable companion for everyday use, regardless of lighting conditions. Photography enthusiasts and content creators will be thrilled by the substantial upgrades to the S25 Ultra's camera system. The standout feature is the new 50MP ultra-wide sensor, which captures more detail and excels in low-light conditions, expanding the creative possibilities for wide-angle shots. Moreover, the addition of Corning DX coatings on all rear cameras reduces chromatic aberration and enhances light intake, resulting in sharper and more vibrant images across all lenses. The S25 Ultra also introduces a range of AI-driven camera features, including: These features further enhance the device's appeal to photography enthusiasts and content creators, allowing them to capture professional-grade content with ease. At the heart of the S25 Ultra lies the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, delivering a remarkable 37% faster CPU, 30% faster GPU, and 40% improved AI processing compared to the S24 Ultra. This translates to smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and enhanced gaming performance, ensuring that the S25 Ultra can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. To maintain optimal performance during extended use, the S25 Ultra features a larger vapor cooling chamber, which effectively dissipates heat and prevents thermal throttling. This allows users to enjoy sustained high performance without worrying about the device overheating. The S25 Ultra comes with standard configurations of 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS storage, providing ample speed and capacity for seamless multitasking and storage of high-quality media files. Although the S25 Ultra maintains the same battery capacity as the S24 Ultra, it benefits from improved power efficiency, resulting in longer usage times on a single charge. The inclusion of the new G2 wireless charging coil supports faster wireless charging speeds, making it more convenient to top up the device throughout the day. However, it is worth noting that the absence of built-in magnets may limit compatibility with certain wireless charging accessories. The S Pen undergoes a subtle redesign in the S25 Ultra, featuring a chunkier button for improved usability. However, the removal of Bluetooth functionality is a notable drawback, as it eliminates popular features such as remote photo capture and other Bluetooth-dependent tasks. This change may disappoint users who have grown accustomed to the extended capabilities of the S Pen in previous models. The S25 Ultra introduces a suite of advanced AI tools that transform the way users interact with their devices. Some of the standout features include: In addition to these AI-driven features, the S25 Ultra incorporates post-quantum security, ensuring that user data remains protected against potential threats posed by future quantum computing advancements. The S25 Ultra brings a host of additional features designed to enhance everyday convenience. The lock screen now supports real-time sports updates and Google Maps integration, allowing users to access essential information at a glance. Samsung's commitment to providing seven years of software and security updates ensures that the S25 Ultra remains relevant, secure, and up-to-date for years to come. In addition to the four standard titanium-themed colors, the S25 Ultra is available in a range of online-exclusive color options. These colors are carefully curated to maintain their appeal over time, ensuring that the device remains aesthetically pleasing throughout its lifespan. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra represents a significant step forward in terms of design, performance, and functionality. Its titanium frame, enhanced durability, and advanced AI capabilities set it apart from its predecessor, the S24 Ultra. However, the removal of Bluetooth functionality from the S Pen may be a dealbreaker for some users who have come to rely on this feature. With its commitment to long-term usability and seven years of software updates, the S25 Ultra is an attractive option for those seeking a future-proof flagship device. Ultimately, whether the S25 Ultra is worth the upgrade depends on individual priorities and how much value is placed on the new features and improvements, weighed against the impact of the S Pen changes on personal workflows.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Generational Leap or Incremental Update?

Quick Links Price and Availability Galaxy S25 Ultra Is Slimmer and Lighter Than Its Predecessor Galaxy S25 Ultra's Thinner Bezels Accommodate a Slightly Larger Screen The S-Pen Isn't as Good as It Used to Be Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Samsung Goes All-In On Agentic AI New Ultra Gets a 50MP Ultrawide Camera Among Other Software Tweaks Similar Battery Capacity on Both Phones Is a Bit Disappointing How Could Samsung Not Announce This Key Feature? Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra? With Samsung's announcement of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, many people are wondering whether they should get the latest flagship or save some money and go with the S24 Ultra instead. If you're one of them, here's a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision. Price and Availability The Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) costs $1,299.99. It is currently up for pre-orders and will hit stores starting February 7, 2025. Although the Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) launched at the same price, it is currently available at Best Buy for $899 (with immediate activation). Galaxy S25 Ultra Is Slimmer and Lighter Than Its Predecessor Galaxy S25 Ultra It is easy to confuse between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and that's because the phones look very similar. However, the newer phone has rounder corners for a better in-hand feel, slightly flatter edges, textured camera rings (I'm referring to the periphery of the sensors), and new colors. Regarding dimensions, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is 0.5mm taller, 1.4mm narrower, and 0.4mm slimmer than its predecessor. While the handset's measurements aren't all that different from the S24 Ultra, its weight sure is. At 218 grams, the phone is 14 grams lighter. Galaxy S24 Ultra Although Samsung hasn't changed the design much, it has upgraded the materials. Instead of Corning Gorilla Armor glass on the S24 Ultra, the S25 Ultra uses Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which offers better scratch and drop protection. Further, the 2025 flagship uses the stronger grade 5 titanium for its frame (vs. grade 2 on the previous generation). In terms of dust and water resistance, both phones have an official IP68 rating. Last but not least, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in seven colors, including the online exclusive Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Pinkgold, and the regular Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silverblue, and Titanium Whitesilver shades. Galaxy S25 Ultra's Thinner Bezels Accommodate a Slightly Larger Screen Galaxy S25 Ultra The Galaxy S25 Ultra flaunts a gorgeous 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen that can reach a peak brightness of 2,600 nits and supports a variable refresh rate (1-120Hz). Given that the phone is taller yet narrower than its predecessor, the reduction in the size of bezels accommodates the 0.1-inch bigger screen than the S24 Ultra. While that number might sound negligible, it results in a four percent increase in the screen-to-body ratio of the S25 Ultra. The bigger screen takes a slight toll on the pixel density, though, as it goes down from 505 ppi on the S24 Ultra to 498 ppi on the S25 Ultra. Beyond that, there are no differences between the phones' screens. Thanks to the AMOLED screen, both phones get an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner. The S-Pen Isn't as Good as It Used to Be Galaxy S25 Ultra For a very odd reason (discussed later), the Galaxy S25 Ultra's S-Pen doesn't feature Bluetooth connectivity. In other words, you can no longer use the stylus as a remote shutter to capture pictures. The Air actions are missing as well. Why, you ask? While Samsung claims that most Ultra users don't use the Bluetooth-based features of the S-Pen, I believe it's an attempt to reduce manufacturing costs associated with a Bluetooth transmitter and a battery to power it. It could also be an attempt to reduce the smartphone's weight (as the battery might have weighed a few grams). Nonetheless, you can still use the S-Pen to take notes, draw on the Galaxy S25 Ultra's screen, and use the Circle to Search feature. However, most features that set the S-Pen apart from a generic stylus aren't there anymore. Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) SoC. While the regular version features two 4.32 GHz prime scores, the 'for Galaxy' variant takes it up to 4.47 GHz. This results in better CPU performance (a 37% improvement, as claimed by the company) than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Like the CPU, the chipset's GPU is about 30% faster than its predecessor. Given that the S25 Ultra also includes support for Vulkan Engine API and improved ray tracing, video games should look more realistic on the S25 Ultra. Qualcomm has also upgraded the NPU on the processor; it can now handle features that previously required cloud processing, like Generative Edit. Samsung Goes All-In On Agentic AI Galaxy S25 Ultra While One UI 7 comes with a few cosmetic changes, its main highlight remains to be the deeper integration of Gemini-based agentic AI, which is not just better at understanding the natural language but can also interpret multimodal inputs like text, speech, photos, and videos. The AI is better at understanding what you're asking, why you're asking it, and what could be the best possible solution. For instance, you can ask Gemini on Galaxy S25 Ultra to find a picture in the Gallery and send it to someone on WhatsApp. You can also ask the AI assistant to adjust system settings, like the font on the screen, to change the brightness or perform other tasks without intervention. The Circle to Search feature has also received a minor upgrade, wherein it can identify any details (like a phone number or email IDs on the screen) and suggest possible actions you might take. Last but not least, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, like other models in the lineup, will receive seven years of Android and security updates (which gives it one additional update over the Galaxy S24 Ultra). New Ultra Gets a 50MP Ultrawide Camera Among Other Software Tweaks Galaxy S25 Ultra When it comes to optics, four out of five camera sensors on the S25 Ultra are the same as those on the S24 Ultra. We have the 200MP (f/1.7) primary sensor, the 50MP (f/3.4, OIS) sensor with a 5x telephoto lens, the 10MP (f/2.4, OIS) sensor with a 3x telephoto lens, and the 12MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter common on both the smartphones. However, the S25 Ultra's ultrawide camera has been upgraded from a 12MP (f/2.2) sensor to a 50MP (f/1.9) sensor. This setup lets you capture photos (or videos) at virtually any zoom range, right from 0.5x to 100x (called Space Zoom). Further, the ultrawide sensor doubles as a macro shooter, allowing you to get closer to tiny subjects. While features like 8K video at 30 fps and 4K video at 120 fps remain common on both smartphones, the S25 Ultra has learned some new tricks. For instance, the phone now shoots better-quality videos in low light. It also gets the Audio Eraser feature (similar to Audio Magic Eraser on the Pixel lineup) that helps remove background noises from a video. There's a new virtual depth-of-field control button in the Expert RAW mode, along with the ability to shoot in Galaxy Log. Similar Battery Capacity on Both Phones Is a Bit Disappointing Galaxy S25 Ultra At a time when new Android flagships are coming with 6,000 mAh or bigger batteries, the S25 Ultra still uses the good old 5,000 mAh cell. That's not to say that something's wrong with it. In fact, the device is rated to provide 31 hours of video playback (one more than the S24 Ultra). The battery supports 45W wired charging, Fast Wireless Charging, and reverse wireless charging. Oddly enough, Samsung didn't include the magnetic rings in the phone's casing mandated by the Qi2 protocol. How Could Samsung Not Announce This Key Feature? Galaxy S25 Ultra The Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4 (vs. 5.3 on the S24 Ultra), and ultra-wideband for precise location tracking on Google's Find My Device network. It also features the same USB-C 3.2 port as its predecessor. However, Samsung didn't announce the inclusion of satellite connectivity on the S25 Ultra. Shortly after the Galaxy Unpacked event, Qualcomm published a press release mentioning how the Snapdragon X80 5G modem on the S25 Ultra can send/receive messages to satellites via narrowband (NTN), a feature that could come in handy during emergencies. Although the feature isn't active yet, Samsung should enable it via a future One UI upgrade in select regions. Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra? Galaxy S24 Ultra If you already own the S24 Ultra, there really isn't a compelling reason to upgrade to the S25 Ultra. Your phone can do almost everything that is possible on the new iteration. Further, there's a good chance that the features that are currently exclusive to the S25 Ultra will trickle down to older models, and when that happens, the S24 Ultra will be the first ones to receive them. On the other hand, prospective buyers can make a decision based on their budget. Currently, the S24 Ultra (256GB) is available at Best Buy for $899.99 (with immediate activation), which is a steal of a deal. Even if you want the 512GB variant, Best Buy is selling it at $1,019.99 (with immediate activation), which is $280 less than Samsung's introductory price. The Galaxy S25 Ultra isn't worthy of being called a generation leap, but it surely improves upon the standard set by the S24 Ultra. If you want the absolute best Android phone money can buy and are willing to shell out as much money as it will take, you can't go wrong with the S25 Ultra. Pro tip: exchange your old Android phone for a cash discount.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Top Features You'll Love

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra arrives as a testament to the company's commitment to delivering a premium smartphone experience. While the device maintains a familiar design language, it introduces a series of thoughtful upgrades that aim to elevate user interaction and productivity. From AI-powered features to camera enhancements and performance improvements, the S25 Ultra caters to a wide range of users, from casual enthusiasts to professional content creators. The video below from Hayls World gives us a look at the top features on the new Samsung flagship. One of the standout features of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is its emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). Samsung has integrated a suite of AI-powered tools that redefine how users interact with their smartphones: These AI-driven innovations make the S25 Ultra a versatile companion for both productivity and creativity, catering to the diverse needs of modern smartphone users. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features significant upgrades to its camera system, solidifying its position as a top choice for photography and videography enthusiasts: These enhancements make the S25 Ultra a compelling option for content creators seeking high-quality tools to capture and share their vision with the world. Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the innovative Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, delivering the fastest performance in any smartphone to date. This processor not only ensures seamless multitasking but also unlocks exclusive AI-driven capabilities, enhancing the overall user experience. While the battery size and charging speeds remain unchanged, Samsung has optimized battery efficiency, offering approximately one additional hour of usage compared to its predecessor. These refinements contribute to a more dependable and enduring device, ensuring users can rely on their S25 Ultra throughout the day. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features subtle yet impactful changes to its design. With a thinner, more symmetrical profile and reduced bezels, the device exudes a sleek and modern appearance. The slightly squared-off edges add a touch of sophistication while improving ergonomics, making the phone more comfortable to hold and use. These updates maintain the premium feel that Galaxy Ultra users have come to expect. However, one notable change is the reduced functionality of the S Pen. By removing the battery, Samsung has eliminated features such as Bluetooth connectivity, air gestures, and the shutter button functionality. While the S Pen remains a valuable tool for note-taking and drawing, these omissions may disappoint users who relied on its advanced capabilities in previous models. The Galaxy S25 Ultra integrates Google Gemini alongside an upgraded Bixby, offering robust AI assistance for a variety of tasks. These assistants provide seamless support for managing schedules, controlling smart devices, and seeking contextual information. Additionally, the Samsung browser now includes text-to-speech functionality, improving accessibility and making it easier to consume content on the go. Despite the numerous upgrades, Samsung has maintained the same pricing as the previous year's models, ensuring the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains accessible to a broad audience. The base model now includes 512GB of storage, catering to users with extensive media libraries or demanding storage needs. For users seeking faster performance, advanced cameras, and innovative AI features, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is an excellent choice. Its professional-grade capabilities make it particularly appealing to content creators and photography enthusiasts. However, those who already own the Galaxy S23 or S24 Ultra may find the incremental nature of the updates insufficient to justify an immediate upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra strikes a balance between refinement and familiarity, delivering meaningful improvements without overhauling its established formula. It solidifies its place as a reliable and feature-rich option in Samsung's flagship lineup, offering a versatile and powerful experience tailored to the needs of both casual users and professionals alike.

Samsung Galaxy S25: 3 reasons to upgrade and 3 reasons to wait

Samsung's first Unpacked event of the year is over, and it's time to get excited for the Galaxy S25. But not too excited, unless you like using AI tools on your phone and the idea of background updates thrills you. While Samsung's Galaxy S25 launch fails to show that Samsung is capable of innovation in 2025, the S25 shows that Samsung is still capable of taking steps in the right direction, even if it is far from a thrilling device. Unfortunately, Samsung has missed a couple of features that would have turned the Galaxy S25 from a good phone to a great phone. While there are tentative steps towards full integration of long-awaited features (Looking at you, Qi2), common issues that have plagued Galaxy S-series phones for years are still alive and well. So let's jump into the features Samsung nailed with the Galaxy S25, and the ones it messed up (again). Related 5 Samsung Galaxy S25 takeaways from my first hour with the phone This isn't for Galaxy S24 owners, that's for sure Posts 3 6 AI-powered Bixby gives the smart assistant new life You won't have to repeat yourself as much Bixby has often felt like a bit of a joke compared to Google Assistant and Siri. While it can perform more tasks on your phone than Google Assistant, its poor speech recognition software makes issuing simple instructions like "Set a 15-minute timer" a frustrating back-and-forth of repeated orders. However, Samsung has jumped on the generative AI train and upgraded Bixby with AI superpowers. This solves the biggest problem we had with Bixby as LLMs are fantastic at understanding natural language. It's also capable of generating presentations and documents, understanding on-screen content, and performing complex tasks like adding a watermark to a picture. Technically AI-powered Bixby is already available in China on the W25 and W25 Flip, but the Galaxy S25 and its bigger siblings will be the first place you can play with it internationally. It'll be available alongside the rest of One UI 7's AI features for older Samsung phones later in the year. Who knows, perhaps you'll no longer need to immediately replace Bixby with Google Assistant after setting up a new Samsung phone. Related Samsung's One UI 7 ushers in the era of AI agents Coming first to the Galaxy S25 series Posts 5 Seamless updates mean less restarts Background updates are here to stay Seamless updates let your Android phone update in the background, so you can use your phone while it installs updates. Not only this, but the process creates a safety net in case installation errors happen, avoiding the need to reset your phone if something goes wrong. While Google introduced this feature with the Pixel 1, the first Galaxy phone to use this feature was the Galaxy A55 in March 2024. All the Galaxy S25 models have seamless updates, and it looks like this will be the standard going forward. It's a huge quality of life improvement, even if it isn't the sexiest. 4 Bigger memory and a better processer Play demanding games and use AI tools without performance drops The Galaxy S25 has a minimum of 12GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Samsung is trying to keep the majority of AI processing on the device, so the RAM upgrade should prevent performance upgrades when using Bixby AI or other AI tools. If you don't use AI features, you'll still have a phone equipped with the latest Android hardware capable of handling all the most demanding games. Close 3 Half-hearted Qi2 support "Qi-2 Ready" is a poor substitute for full Qi2 integration One of the most frustrating experiences for Android enthusiasts has been watching iPhone users enjoy MagSafe charging since 2020's iPhone 12. While Qi wireless charging is expected in most Android phones, and magnetic charging cases are easy to find, Qi2 charging is still frustratingly absent. However, the Galaxy S25 will be "Qi2 Ready." This means that it will support Qi2 wireless charging, but only if you pair it with an approved case. In other words, nothing has really changed except for a slight bump in charging speeds. What's most frustrating about this is that rather than being a step on the road to Qi2 support, it could delay the integration for years. Qi2 is one of the longest-awaited features for Galaxy phones, so this is a frustrating diversion that doesn't give us what we wanted. 2 No major changes to the cameras Expect the same camera quality as before The Samsung Galaxy S25 features the same camera hardware as the Galaxy S23. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra's telephoto and ultrawide lenses are getting an upgrade to 50MP, the only thing the Galaxy S25 will receive are improved post-processing algorithms. This doesn't mean that the Samsung Galaxy S25 has a bad camera, but it shows that the Galaxy S series is steadily falling behind the competition. 1 The design is recycled from other phones Samsung is losing its unique touch The saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is great in theory, but in the competitive smartphone world, change is necessary for success. And while I don't particularly care if sales of the Galaxy S25 slump due to its repetitive design, it's the last phone on my list if I want to branch out to something new. There are some minor changes to the Galaxy formula on the S25. The camera rings are thicker and match the phone's color, and the phone is 0.4mm thinner than the Galaxy S24. Samsung might as well have not bothere changing anything. At least that way Galaxy S25 owners could reuse their cases. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a great phone, but it isn't exciting While the hardware changes to the Galaxy S25 are modest at best, it will launch alongside One UI 7. This latest update to Samsung's Android skin looks to have a more substantial impact on your Galaxy experience. From the aforementioned Bixby AI, to the Now Bar (A copy of Apple's Dynamic Island), this is what you should be excited for, not the new hardware. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's Galaxy S25 keeps things small without sacrificing power. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all sorts of tools courtesy of Galaxy AI, this is everything you expect from a modern flagship squeezed into a relatively svelte chassis. $800 at Samsung $800 at Best Buy $800 at Amazon Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ finds just the right middle ground between its two siblings. With a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, this smartphone includes practically everything you could ask for in the modern AI age, without driving up the price. $1000 at Samsung $1000 at Best Buy $1000 at Amazon Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. $1300 at Samsung $1300 at Best Buy $1300 at Amazon

Here are some reasons Galaxy S25 is a good upgrade, and some reasons it's not

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is technically Samsung's best phone ever made, and it brings loads of AI features to the consumer. However, it doesn't look incredibly different from other generations in specs and appearance. Given that, here are a couple of reasons you might want to pick one up, as well as a couple of reasons you might want to hold off on upgrading to the Galaxy S25. Technically, it is a better phone The Galaxy S25 Ultra, along with the S25 and S25+, is equipped with a few familiar specs. That includes a similarly sized display at a similar display resolution, 12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery. On the surface, it really all looks the same except for some rounded corners on the new one. However, Samsung is surprisingly bad at advertising the real differences. The first, obviously, is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC is running the Galaxy S25 series. This means it can handle AI better than the previous version. On top of that, the new 5,000mAh battery has a different design with supposedly better heat management, which means it lasts longer compared to the previous version. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also has a different, more advanced screen than the one before it. Again, Samsung didn't really mention this during the event. It's still an LTPO AOMED 2X display, but it's a version that can take advantage of Samsung's new image engine for what the company claims is better fidelity. All of that is packed under the second iteration of Corning's Gorilla Armor, which adds some extra strength and tones down reflections further. Another improvement is the Galaxy S25 Ultra's new 50MP ultrawide lens. This is a small change, but it adds a little weight to the wide-angle functionality for users who need to fit more in the frame. The rest of the array is pretty similar, if not identical, to the S24. With that, the company also added a LOG function for better color correction. This is a great add, bringing the Galaxy S25 up to par with more professional cameras. It's a rare feature to find on a smartphone, with the iPhone's Pro series being the only other notable option. It might also pan out that Samsung doesn't bring the new AI camera features to the Galaxy S24, though it's hard to argue either way without knowing for sure. Galaxy AI is finally getting good Samsung spent a lot of time diving into the new and existing parts of Galaxy AI, and it finally seems like the company's AI suite is getting better and might be worth an upgrade to the S25. For one, real-time translation has support for 20 languages, which is a pretty good step in the right direction. The tech is impressive in itself, but it only works if a large portion of users can take advantage. Bringing it to more languages is the way to do that. To that point, the Galaxy S25 series can also create full transcripts of calls from the call screen. Samsung also announced that Now Brief and Now Bar would be coming to the Galaxy S25 series on launch. The Now Brief takes everything Galaxy AI thinks you'll need to know and delivers it in one quick summary. That includes meeting reminders, notifications, and weather information. This tool will likely only add more context as One UI improves, but the feature is incredibly helpful to have on hand. The Now Bar is an added companion to that. It's targeted more toward sports fans and offers live stats and Google Maps notifications, but it'll likely have much more functionality with future upgrades. All of that is powered by what Samsung calls the "personal data engine," though it's a lot less sinister than it sounds. It's essentially an improved way for Galaxy AI to determine what you're interested in. This is a case of "the more you use it, the better it gets." It's also worth noting that the Galaxy S25 series will get all of the One UI 7 features we know about, like Circle to Search and Gemini. It also brought up new ways to search your phone with natural language, like searching for an image by asking, which is cool to see. You may never use that feature, but it proves that Samsung's AI engine is evolving on the S25. Seven more years of updates Another small reason it might be worth upgrading is the longevity of the Galaxy S25 series. Samsung is handing out another seven years of updates -- both security and OS upgrades. Of course, one could argue that the previous version had seven years, and one would likely upgrade before then anyway. It's essentially the same phone over again I'm aware I made the point that the Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra are better phones, but as a whole, there isn't too much of a difference between this latest model and what came before. The new SoC is really good, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is perfectly fine for most users. On top of that, the Galaxy S25 Ultra does not take on more RAM, unlike the S25 and S25+. The lack of upgrades there makes it harder to justify the jump. The only big jump that matters more than anything is the battery upgrade, and even then, it's a little early to tell what that performance jump looks like. If it's big, then that may be worth it on its own if a decent upgrade deal is involved, which Samsung usually does a decent job of during the pre-order phase. Galaxy AI is not limited to new phones It's worth noting that some of these, if not all, will come to the Galaxy S24 series and maybe even earlier models. Samsung wants a lot of users to experience Galaxy AI, and with the S24 series debuting a lot of the company's first big tools, it would stand to reason these features will trickle down to those older phones. Samsung hasn't made a public note on this, and it's hard to tell what would be brought to the S24 and earlier. Still, it's safe to assume some big Galaxy AI features will overflow, and some probably won't. There are better options out there If you're in the market for an upgrade, other OEMs are developing devices that build on Google's AI with proprietary models, all while packing exceptional hardware. The OnePlus 13, for instance, offers a great hardware and software experience, which can't be said for every manufacturer. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 series is still one of the best Android lineups around, and it gets access to some of Samsung's co-op features with Google before the Galaxy lineup does. The Galaxy S25 is a good phone, but other options with different selling points exist. On paper, the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra are good phones. Some might say Samsung has actually almost perfected hardware, though that may be a stretch. The sentiment remains that Samsung's Galaxy S25 phones are good, and while the S25 series doesn't dramatically differ from the phones that came before it, they're still pretty great devices with solid hardware and some of the best AI on the Android market -- something worth upgrading to. Of course, you're probably not missing out on much if you're using an S24.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 reasons I recommend the flagship phone (and 1 reason to skip)

Samsung's flagship phone of 2025 is finally here, and it sets a new standard for AI-powered handsets. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at a bold $1,299 price tag, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display than ever, an upgraded camera system with some useful editing tricks, and the infamous S Pen stylus. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I spent an intimate afternoon with the new Galaxy S25 phones, with a particular focus on the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, and wasn't too surprised to find myself equal parts fascinated, equal parts bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if even a part of you is considering upgrading to the latest Galaxy flagship, here are the changes you should know about. The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds true this year. In the hand, the S25 Ultra feels like the fanciest calculator ever (and I say that in a nice way), with its squared-off edges and tall stature. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, and Samsung says it's the company's thinnest-ever S-series device. That is, until the Galaxy S25 Edge releases. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I remember my S24 Ultra having numerous micro-scratches after just a week of usage, so I'm hopeful that the S25 Ultra will hold up better this time around. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes. These S25 Ultra colors are not it. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra demo unit swiftly removed subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pulled up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's why You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some higher-level, backend modifications. The new Gemini app can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, like telling the AI assistant to look up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone for Android users right now. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone is still the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change this year is with the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Boo. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. How all of these new features fare in the real world is what I'm most interested in seeing. I'll test the S25 Ultra over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for the updates. This one's fairly obvious, but with how enticing Samsung and other major retailer's offers can be, let this be a reminder that you don't have to upgrade your phone every year or two. When I first tried the S25 Ultra, I was quite surprised by how similar it felt overall to older flagships like the S22 and S23 Ultra. Samsung has also confirmed that most of the new AI features, especially the ones embedded into One UI 7, will eventually trickle down to older Galaxy phones, so if the latest software is part of the reason why you're considering upgrading, you should reconsider. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for preorder today with a starting price of $1,299 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage variant. You'll have a choice of Titanium SIlverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black if you're shopping through a major retailer or carrier, and have more colorful options if you buy directly from Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra First Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a testament to the company's relentless pursuit of innovation in the smartphone industry. As the latest addition to the Ultra series, this flagship device combines sleek design, innovative artificial intelligence (AI), and powerful hardware to deliver a premium user experience. Building upon the strengths of its predecessor, the S25 Ultra introduces a range of new features and improvements that cater to both tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. However, while the device pushes the boundaries of what's possible in a smartphone, it also has its limitations, such as the absence of magnetic charging, which may disappoint some users. Mrwhotheboss gives us a detailed look at the handset in the latest video. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a refined design that showcases Samsung's commitment to craftsmanship. Measuring 0.4mm thinner and 15g lighter than the S24 Ultra, it is the slimmest Ultra phone to date. The device's titanium frame enhances its durability, while the Gorilla Glass Armor 2 offers a remarkable 29% increase in toughness, providing better protection against drops and scratches. The S25 Ultra also features 15% smaller bezels, allowing for a slightly larger 6.9-inch display without increasing the phone's overall size. The rounded corners improve comfort in the hand, although some users may find the flat sides to be a bit sharp. Despite these improvements, the design of the S25 Ultra has its drawbacks. The color options have been criticized as uninspired, and the mismatched panel designs detract from the phone's otherwise premium look and feel. While the build quality is undeniably solid, these design choices may not appeal to all users. One of the standout features of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is its stunning display. Samsung's new "Hop 3" display technology takes center stage, offering improved touch responsiveness, superior image quality, and enhanced energy efficiency. The upgraded anti-reflective coating makes the screen easier to read in bright environments, ensuring excellent visibility even when used outdoors. Although the battery capacity remains unchanged at 5,000mAh, the S25 Ultra manages to deliver an additional hour of video playback thanks to the efficiency gains provided by the new display technology. These display improvements further solidify Samsung's reputation for producing industry-leading screens, making the S25 Ultra an excellent choice for users who prioritize visual quality and immersive viewing experiences. The Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on One UI 7, Samsung's latest software interface that brings a host of new features and improvements to the table. This updated version of the software introduces enhanced customization options, faster performance, and a more cohesive design language. Improvements to widget management and quick settings make navigation more intuitive, while extended Android update support ensures that the device remains relevant and secure for years to come, with updates promised up to Android 22. One UI 7 also debuts new AI-powered tools, such as AI Select and browser page summaries, which are designed to simplify your daily tasks and make your smartphone experience more efficient. These features, combined with the overall polish and refinement of the software, create a user-friendly experience that is tailored to your individual needs and preferences. Artificial intelligence is a key focus of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with the device leveraging AI to provide a more personalized and convenient user experience. The phone offers tailored notifications and suggestions, such as reminders for expiring coupons or traffic alerts before a scheduled flight. Cross-app actions enable seamless multitasking, allowing you to perform tasks like adding calendar events directly from a messaging app, saving you time and effort. While these AI-driven features showcase the potential for personalized smartphone experiences, they also raise concerns about data privacy and the possibility of a subscription model for advanced AI tools after 2025. Despite these concerns, the integration of AI into everyday tasks represents a significant step forward in smartphone usability and demonstrates Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible with this technology. Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a true powerhouse. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 4 Galaxy chip, which delivers a remarkable 30-40% performance boost over its predecessor. The base model now comes equipped with 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and excellent app performance, even when running demanding applications. The larger vapor chamber cooling system enhances thermal management, allowing the phone to maintain peak performance during intensive tasks, such as gaming or video editing. The S25 Ultra also benefits from AI-driven features like Pro Scaler, which improves content upscaling, and enhanced low-light camera performance. These upgrades make the device a versatile tool for both productivity and entertainment, catering to a wide range of user needs and preferences. The camera system of the Galaxy S25 Ultra has undergone significant upgrades, further cementing Samsung's position as a leader in smartphone photography. The device now features a 50MP ultra-wide camera, replacing the previous 12MP sensor, which results in sharper and more detailed images when capturing ultra-wide and macro shots. Video recording capabilities have also been improved, thanks to a new spatial-temporal filter that distinguishes between moving and stationary objects, resulting in clearer and more stable footage. The addition of 10-bit HDR video recording and log recording provides greater flexibility for advanced video editing, making the S25 Ultra an excellent choice for content creators and videographers. Samsung has also partnered with popular social media platforms to optimize in-app camera performance, ensuring that your photos and videos look their best when shared online. These camera enhancements make the S25 Ultra a compelling option for photography enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone who wants to capture life's moments with exceptional quality. Despite its numerous advancements and innovations, the Galaxy S25 Ultra lacks one feature that has become standard on competing devices: magnetic charging. While this omission may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, it may disappoint users who have come to expect this convenience in a premium smartphone, especially considering that Apple's iPhones have offered this feature since 2020. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a smartphone. With its sleek design, powerful hardware, and AI-driven features, the device offers a premium user experience that caters to a wide range of users, from casual consumers to professionals and content creators. However, while the S25 Ultra excels in many areas, it also has its limitations. The absence of magnetic charging and concerns over AI privacy highlight areas where the device could improve in future iterations. Despite these drawbacks, the Galaxy S25 Ultra sets a high standard for next-generation smartphones, blending innovative technology with user-focused features to deliver a well-rounded and compelling device. As Samsung continues to refine its flagship offerings, it will be exciting to see how the company addresses these limitations and builds upon the strengths of the S25 Ultra in future releases.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: Why I'm nearly sold on the flagship Android phone

Samsung's flagship phone of 2025 has finally launched, and it sets a new standard for AI-powered handsets. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at a bold $1,299 price tag, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display than ever, an upgraded camera system with some useful editing tricks, and the infamous S Pen stylus. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I spent an intimate afternoon with the new Galaxy S25 phones, with a particular focus on the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, and wasn't too surprised to find myself equal parts fascinated, equal parts bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if even a part of you is considering upgrading to the latest Galaxy flagship, here are the changes you should know about. The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds true this year. In the hand, the S25 Ultra feels like the fanciest calculator ever (and I say that in a nice way), with its squared-off edges and tall stature. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, and Samsung says it's the company's thinnest-ever S-series device. That is, until the Galaxy S25 Edge releases. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I remember my S24 Ultra having numerous micro-scratches after just a week of usage, so I'm hopeful that the S25 Ultra will hold up better this time around. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes. These S25 Ultra colors are not it. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra demo unit swiftly removed subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pulled up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's why You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some higher-level, backend modifications. The new Gemini app can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, like telling the AI assistant to look up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone for Android users right now. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone is still the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change this year is with the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Boo. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. How all of these new features fare in the real world is what I'm most interested in seeing. I'll test the S25 Ultra over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for the updates. This one's fairly obvious, but with how enticing Samsung and other major retailer's offers can be, let this be a reminder that you don't have to upgrade your phone every year or two. When I first tried the S25 Ultra, I was quite surprised by how similar it felt overall to older flagships like the S22 and S23 Ultra. Samsung has also confirmed that most of the new AI features, especially the ones embedded into One UI 7, will eventually trickle down to older Galaxy phones, so if the latest software is part of the reason why you're considering upgrading, you should reconsider. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for preorder today with a starting price of $1,299 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage variant. You'll have a choice of Titanium SIlverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black if you're shopping through a major retailer or carrier, and have more colorful options if you buy directly from Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 major upgrades I'm looking forward to testing

Samsung's flagship phone of 2025 is officially here, and it's still a boringly awesome device. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at a bold $1,299 price tag, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display than ever, an upgraded camera system with some useful editing tricks, and the infamous S Pen stylus. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I spent an intimate afternoon with the new Galaxy S25 phones, with a particular focus on the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, and wasn't too surprised to find myself equal parts fascinated, equal parts bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if even a part of you is considering upgrading to the latest Galaxy flagship, here are the changes you should know about. The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds true this year. In the hand, the S25 Ultra feels like the fanciest calculator ever (and I say that in a nice way), with its squared-off edges and tall stature. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, and Samsung says it's the company's thinnest-ever S-series device. So much for a Galaxy S25 Slim, I guess. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I remember my S24 Ultra having numerous micro-scratches after just a week of usage, so I'm hopeful that the S25 Ultra will hold up better this time around. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes. These S25 Ultra colors are not it. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra demo unit swiftly removed subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pulled up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. Also: This surprise Android phone gives the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra a run for its money You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some higher-level, backend modifications. The new Gemini app can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, like telling the AI assistant to look up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone for Android users right now. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone is still the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change this year is with the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Boo. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. How all of these new features fare in the real world is what I'm most interested in seeing. I'll test the S25 Ultra over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for the updates. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for preorder today with a starting price of $1,299 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage variant. You'll have a choice of Titanium SIlverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black if you're shopping through a major retailer or carrier, and have more colorful options if you buy directly from Samsung.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Might Be the Sleeper Phones of 2025

Summary The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for substantial performance gains. The Ultra model has significant camera upgrades, including a 50MP ultra-wide lens. Samsung introduces AI features in One UI 7 for more personalized experiences and privacy. Samsung's first Unpacked of 2025 brings the Galaxy S25 series, and while the hardware changes might seem iterative at first glance, there's a lot more going on under the hood that could make these devices one of the year's best phones. The Galaxy S25 Ultra Leads With Power The Galaxy S25 Ultra continues Samsung's overall design language from last year but with some refinements. For one, it's the slimmest and lightest Ultra device we've seen, coming in at 218 grams and 8.2mm, compared to the S24 Ultra's 233 grams and 8.6mm of thickness. In the grand scheme of things, a 15 gram difference isn't going to mean much, but with the Ultra phones being one of the biggest devices on the market, I think it's excellent to see Samsung reduce weight and thickness where they can without sacrificing any core features. The real upgrade here is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. Samsung claims we're looking at substantial performance gains with 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU, and 30% in GPU compared to last year's model. We've already seen other devices like the OnePlus 13 rock this chipset, but with Samsung's "For Galaxy" moniker, you can expect these phones to have a slightly higher clock speed across the board, which could make the Samsung devices perform marginally better. What's particularly noteworthy is the improved thermal management. Samsung has increased the vapor chamber size by 40% and implemented a new thermal interface material, which should help maintain those performance gains during extended use. Camera-wise, the Ultra has gotten some meaningful upgrades this year. The ultrawide camera jumps from 12MP to 50MP, which should bring much better detail not only in landscape shots, but also improve upon macrophotography as well. The rest of the setup remains familiar with a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP 5x telephoto, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. Honestly, what I'm most excited about in terms of camera quality is the default 10-bit HDR recording and support for improved log recording, which will be interesting compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, which is currently the gold standard in smartphone video. Aside from these changes, the biggest visual difference with this year's Ultra phone is its rounded edges. Personally, for content consumption, I really liked the Galaxy S24 Ultra's flat and squared-off display, but it did mean the corners of the phone felt sharp in the hand. With the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it follows suit with flat rounded edges from the smaller S25 and S25+ phones, and makes the Ultra much easier to hold. That said, I can't help but feel that this design language, which was blatantly copied from the iPhone and the Pixel series after it, makes the S25 Ultra just a touch more generic than it needs to be. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The Galaxy S25 Ultra sets a new standard for AI-driven mobile experiences, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The device introduces context-aware AI capabilities, such as multimodal interactions and tools like AI-assisted editing and natural language commands. With a durable titanium build, a new 50MP ultrawide camera, and ProVisual Engine enhancements, it offers exceptional photography and video quality. Brand Samsung SoC Snapdragon 8 Elite Display 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate RAM 12GB Storage 256, 512, 1TB Battery 5000mAh Ports USB-C Operating System Android 15 / One UI 7 Camera (Rear, Front) 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto Front camera 12MP wide Dimensions 77.6 x 162.8 x 8.2mm Colors Titan Black, Titan Gray, Titan Silverblue, Titan Whitesilver Weight 218g Expand See at Samsung See at AT&T See at Verizon See at T-Mobile The S25+ and S25 Get Their Share of Upgrades The regular S25 and S25+, which visually look identical to the S24 and S24+, get their fair share of "improvements" too. Both devices now include recycled materials in every external component, which is a first for the series, and includes recycled aluminum in their frames. Both phones share the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip as the Ultra, with the main differences coming down to the cameras and battery sizes -- 4,900mAh for the Plus and 4,000mAh for the base model. Aside from the chipset, this year is again another year of very marginal changes, with the rest of the phone's hardware being nearly identical to the Galaxy S24 and S24+. While it's commendable to see Samsung begin to introduce more meaningful and sustainable approaches to its supply chain, the end-user experience doesn't really get anything worth upgrading to this year for the base models, and I think it's a real shame given that these are the devices that would benefit the most from a visual overhaul. Samsung Galaxy S25 The Galaxy S25 delivers a refined experience with its compact 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and durable design, incorporating sustainable materials. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it supports AI-enhanced features like natural language commands and context-aware interactions for improved usability. See at Samsung See at AT&T See at Verizon See at T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus The Galaxy S25+ strikes a balance between size and performance with its 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and durable build using sustainable materials. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it supports advanced AI features like natural language commands and context-aware interactions for seamless usability. See at Samsung See at Verizon See at T-Mobile See at AT&T Galaxy AI Gets More Contextual On the software side, Samsung brings Android 15 through One UI 7 along with a couple of upgrades to its Galaxy AI suite. The interesting part of the Galaxy S25's software suite isn't necessarily its individual features but how Samsung is approaching contextual awareness. The phones now use what Samsung calls the Personal Data Engine to analyze your usage patterns on-device and enable more personalized experiences while keeping your data private. Some practical applications include the new Now Brief feature, which proactively offers suggestions through the Now Bar on your lock screen, and more natural language understanding for searching through your photo gallery or adjusting system settings. There's also a new Audio Eraser feature for videos that lets you isolate and remove specific categories of sounds similar to what we've seen with the iPhone 16 series. It'll be intriguing to see how all of these new AI features play out in real-world testing, but what remains constant with Samsung's software promises is the continued seven-year security and software upgrade commitment, which is always excellent to see. Overall, while this might seem like an iterative update on the surface, the combination of the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, improved thermal management, and more sophisticated AI features makes this feel like a more substantial upgrade than in recent years. The Ultra,, with its improved ultra-wide camera and new build materials, is shaping up to be a compelling option for power users. The real test will be how all these AI features perform in daily use, and whether that new chip can maintain its performance over time. But from what we're seeing so far, Samsung seems to be taking meaningful steps forward, even if they're not all immediately visible on the surface. Samsung Galaxy S25 The Galaxy S25 delivers a refined experience with its compact 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and durable design, incorporating sustainable materials. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it supports AI-enhanced features like natural language commands and context-aware interactions for improved usability. See at Samsung See at AT&T See at Verizon See at T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus The Galaxy S25+ strikes a balance between size and performance with its 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and durable build using sustainable materials. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it supports advanced AI features like natural language commands and context-aware interactions for seamless usability. See at Samsung See at Verizon See at T-Mobile See at AT&T Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The Galaxy S25 Ultra sets a new standard for AI-driven mobile experiences, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The device introduces context-aware AI capabilities, such as multimodal interactions and tools like AI-assisted editing and natural language commands. With a durable titanium build, a new 50MP ultrawide camera, and ProVisual Engine enhancements, it offers exceptional photography and video quality. See at Samsung See at AT&T See at Verizon See at T-Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra First Impressions: A Bold Design Shift

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the S25 Ultra brings refined AI features, though innovation feels minimal compared to previous models. I am in San Jose, where Samsung hosted its Unpacked event for 2025 and just unveiled three new phones -- Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+ and S25 -- and 36 hours prior to the launch, I had access to these devices for about an hour. Now, that's not a lot of time to like or dislike a phone -- here, we are talking about three. But, quick thoughts: The S25 Ultra has a solid hardware, is probably still the best Android phone money can buy -- also, it feels like an underwhelming upgrade over the S24 Ultra. The latest flagship from the South Korean tech giant aims to strike a balance between refinement and innovation. That's what most top of the line phones from both Samsung and Apple have been trying to do in the last few years. With each passing year, there is more of refinement and less of innovation. Result? The big talking point for this year is the new design on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra marks a departure from the curved edges that have been synonymous with Samsung's Ultra series. This year, the phone features flat edges and a flat display, a design choice that prioritises functionality over flair. Personally, I am a little disappointed. I have always preferred curved display over flat screen, it's just so much better to hold and use but I can't deny that the new approach makes the S25 Ultra more comfortable to hold, reducing the risk of accidental touches that often plagued curved displays. Despite this design change, the phone maintains its premium build quality, with a combination of glass and titanium that feels robust and luxurious. At 6.8 inches, the device is undeniably large, but Samsung has managed to trim down the weight compared to the S24 Ultra. This reduction in weight improves the phone's ergonomics. However, I can only talk about the long-term benefits once we have the device with us. One of S25 Ultra's strength remains to be its display. The device boasts a stunning high-resolution screen with ultra-slim bezels and impeccable clarity. The high-refresh rate screen offers smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The colours look sharp and make the phone ideal for gaming, content consumption, and productivity tasks. Incremental Camera Upgrades The camera system on the S25 Ultra is more or less the same as its predecessor. A lot depends on how it will perform in real-word. The phone retains the main sensor and two telephoto lenses found in the S24 Ultra, offering a reliable if not improved camera performance. However, the inclusion of a new 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor is a noteworthy upgrade. It should enable high-resolution ultra-wide as well as macro shots. I experienced all three phones in a very controlled, indoor environment so will reserve my thoughts on the camera for later. AI Features: A Step Forward Under the hood, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. We have seen the chipset in a bunch of devices like iQOO 13, Realme GT 7 Pro and OnePlus 13. All these devices had far better benchmark scores than the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. I am expecting the S25 Ultra to score in the same region. There will of course be multiple RAM and storage options available in India. One of the advantages of the chipset are the on-device AI features. We saw a bunch of interesting announcements as part of Galaxy AI last year on the S24 Ultra. While this year's AI announcements weren't that exciting, they still feel like a step in the right direction. For example, the 'Circle to Search' feature from last year has been further improved to provide more details than before. Additionally, the text-to-speech functionality has been refined for greater accuracy and naturalness, promising a more seamless experience for users who rely on accessibility features. The AI also feels more interactive than before, responding to queries and tasks with increased precision. However, there's still room for growth. Separately, the phone packs a 5000mAh battery and there is no improvement in the charging speed over last year's model. Refinements Over Revolution That's been the story for the last few years and seems like it's here to stay with both Samsung and Apple. There are more refinements on the S25 Ultra than groundbreaking innovations. The flat-edge design and lighter weight make it more user-friendly, while the display and ultra-wide camera sensor add incremental improvements. The Galaxy AI suite has also seen some progress, although it still leaves me wanting more. For those looking for a reliable flagship, the S25 Ultra is a solid choice. However, for S24 Ultra owners, the changes might not be compelling enough to justify an immediate upgrade. Stay tuned as we get the phone in our Digit testing lab and put out our final review.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: One day later, I'm slowly becoming an AI phone believer

No major shifts to camera hardware, battery size, and charging speeds. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at the same bold price as last year, $1,299, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display, an upgraded camera system with some handy editing tricks, and the latest Qualcomm processor keeping things running. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Samsung Unpacked 2025: Five biggest announcements, including S25 Edge and AR glasses While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I've spent the past 24 hours testing the S25 Ultra and wasn't too surprised to find myself equal parts fascinated, equal parts bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if you're currently using a three to four-year-old handset and considering an upgrade, take this first-hand testimonial -- I'm not calling it a full review yet -- to heart. (And if you're an enthusiast, it'll matter just as much to you.) The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds true this year. When I first unboxed the S25 Ultra, it felt like the fanciest calculator ever (and I say that in a nice way), with its round-off edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I recently reviewed -- which, on paper, is relatively similar in size -- the S25 Ultra had a more bold and striking presence. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being, even though Samsung encased the four rear cameras with thicker rings this time around. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, earning it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Ultra ever. You'll likely hear more about the "thinnification" of phones later this year. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade with the S25 Ultra is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I believe it. My S24 Ultra last year had numerous micro-scratches after just days of testing, while my S25 Ultra review unit has remained pristine so far. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes, because these S25 Ultra colors are uninspiring. Perhaps it's the nature of titanium finishes or the harsh reality that is consumers more likely to opt for safer colors with black, white, and silver hues than poppy and bright. Regardless, you'll want to slap on a case if you want to give your S25 Ultra even a touch of personality. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: We tested both, and the winner is not so obvious In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra has been able to swiftly remove subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pull up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some sketchy, backend modifications -- so this change is a breath of fresh air. It makes transitioning over from any other Android phone that uses Gemini as the default assistant much more burdenless. Speaking of which, the new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent, as Samsung confusingly puts it, can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, like looking up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's why The important thing is knowing how to phrase your commands. For example, when I asked the AI agent to create a Spotify playlist for road trips and send it to my wife, it responded that it was unable to do so. When, instead, I asked it to find songs that were good for road trips, it curated the list and drafted a modifiable text message. Ladies and gentlemen, AI. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini-Bixby experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone on the market right now. Some other new Galaxy AI tools like AI Select and Now Brief only reinforce that statement, with the former being an adaptive, context-aware screen selection tool, and the latter giving you daily summaries of the weather, calendar events, and news. Also: Samsung appliances are about to get smarter and wiser - thanks to AI I just wish Now Brief showed me more than just political news; even with my topic preferences within my Samsung News app set to technology and sports, the app still wakes me up with an "Uplifting Morning Prep" Spotify playlist and the latest scoop on the US president signing executive orders. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone is still the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change is with the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which, from my initial shots, yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. I'll be testing the shooting mode more in the coming days. My first full day of testing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra confirms several things for me. While most aspects of the phone, such as the vibrant, glare-free display and versatility across the cameras and AI features, are easy to appreciate, the upgrades this year feel iterative and safe. In ways, Samsung has even taken a few steps back, with the S Pen stylus no longer supporting Bluetooth controls and gestures, and the company opting for Qi2-ready cases instead of embedding the actual technology within its phones. In a vacuum that is early adopters and tech enthusiasts, it's understandable to feel underwhelmed by the S25 Ultra. But when I consider consumers who are coming from an S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even an older iPhone, Samsung's new flagship handset checks almost every box you can think of. And you may even score a generous trade-in deal through your local carrier or retailer.

Galaxy S25 vs. Galaxy S24: Samsung Could Have Done Better

Quick Links Price and Availability Galaxy S25 Is Slimmer and Lighter Than Galaxy S24 Galaxy S25 Offers the Same Screen as the Galaxy S24 Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Galaxy AI Is Now an Integral Part of One UI 7 Is the Similar Camera Hardware With Few Tweaks Enough? Even the Battery Capacity Is the Same on Both Phones Did Samsung at Least Improve the Connectivity Options? Which Phone is Right For You? The all-new Samsung Galaxy S25 comes with a deeper Galaxy AI integration and a more powerful chipset than its predecessor. However, does it offer enough upside for Galaxy S24 to upgrade? Let's find out. Price and Availability The Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) is available for $799.99. Pre-orders for the smartphone begin today, with general availability starting on February 7, 2025. The one-year-old Galaxy S24 also debuted at the same price. However, with some digging, you can find the phone for excellent discounts. For instance, the baseline Galaxy S24 (128GB) is available at Best Buy for $549.99 (if you agree to connect the phone to a carrier at the time of purchase). Galaxy S25 Is Slimmer and Lighter Than Galaxy S24 Close Available in new colors like Icyblue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow and online-exclusive colors like Blueblack, Coralred, and Pinkgold, the Galaxy S25 shares its basic blueprint with the Galaxy S24 but with some noteworthy changes. For instance, the Galaxy S25 measures 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm, a hair shorter and narrower but considerably slimmer than the Galaxy S24, which measures 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm. Samsung has managed to shave off a few grams of weight from the S25's chassis; it now weighs 162 grams as opposed to the Galaxy S24, which weighs up to 168 grams. Both the Galaxy S25 and its predecessor have an Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back protection, and an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. However, the Galaxy S25 has textured outer rings on the cameras. Galaxy S25 Offers the Same Screen as the Galaxy S24 Last year, Samsung equipped the vanilla Galaxy S24 with a Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen that supports up to 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600 nits peak brightness. Based on the embargoed specifications sheet we received, the baseline Galaxy S25 ships with the same panel, with a similar refresh rate and peak brightness. On the one hand, I am satisfied with the Galaxy S25's screen, as it already offers a variable refresh rate (1-120Hz) and enough peak brightness for outdoor usage. However, the enthusiast within me isn't content with Samsung repeating the specifications for a consecutive year, especially when competitors are equipping their handsets with brighter panels. Perhaps the phone makes up for this with other hardware components? Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 This year, Samsung has replaced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the Galaxy S24 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy on the Galaxy S25, and right off the bat, the newer chipset offers a 37% improvement in CPU, thanks to the redesigned cluster that contains two prime cores clocked at 4.32 GHz, compared to one 3.39 GHz prime core on the predecessor. The Adreno 830 GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Elite is about 30% faster than the Adreno 750 on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Combined with the inclusion of the Vulkan Engine API and improved ray tracing, the Galaxy S25 should provide a significantly better gaming experience. Samsung's 2025 flagship also features a larger vapor chamber to facilitate prolonged gaming sessions. With Snapdragon 8 Elite's advanced NPU, the Galaxy S25 series can now handle features like Generative Edit entirely on the device, which wasn't possible on the Galaxy S24. Moreover, the Galaxy S25 series receives the performance boost it deserves, and this should be evident when using the phones side by side, whether for day-to-day tasks or demanding workflows like video editing or gaming. Galaxy AI Is Now an Integral Part of One UI 7 Up until the Galaxy S24, Galaxy AI was like a set of features that you could invoke for several instances. However, with the Galaxy S25, Samsung has integrated Galaxy AI deep within its One UI 7 user interface (based on Android 15). The Galaxy S25 comes with multimodal AI agents that can interpret text, speech, images, and videos with an improved understanding of natural language. This enables the phone to understand the context of your requirements and suggest better solutions. Samsung has also partnered with Google to improve the popular visual look-up feature called Circle to Search, which can now recognize phone numbers, email IDs, and web URLs on the screen. Those who like to use Gemini can now ask it to fetch data from different Samsung and Google apps (along with third-party apps like Spotify). For instance, you can ask the AI assistant to find specific photos in Gallery, adjust the font size in Settings, or fetch a concert's date and add it to your calendar, all with one voice command. With on-screen awareness and deep integration with apps, the Galaxy AI has made big strides in improving the user experience. However, it could also be a point of concern for some users who aren't comfortable sharing their apps' information with the chatbot. Like the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S25 will also receive seven years of major Android and security upgrades. However, whether Samsung will release the new Galaxy AI features for the Galaxy S24 is something we have yet to figure out. Is the Similar Camera Hardware With Few Tweaks Enough? The Galaxy S25 comes with a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP (f/1.8) primary camera with optical stabilization, a 12MP (f/2.2, 120°) ultrawide camera, and a 10MP (f/2.4) sensor with 3x telephoto lens. On the front, users get a 12MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter. Together, the sensors make up for a tried and tested camera setup that provides versatility. Further, the primary camera can record 8K videos in 30 fps. However, the fact that we've also tried and tested the same camera setup on the Galaxy S24 is a bit upsetting; we expect better from you, Samsung. It's not like the Galaxy S25 doesn't include any camera-related upgrades at all. In fact, Samsung has improved the smartphone's low-light video recording abilities (with reduced noise and cleaner footage). Further, it has also added a new Audio Eraser feature that can separate background noises and vocals in a video and remove the former. Then there are minor additions like the Virtual Aperture button that allows users to control the depth-of-field while in the Expert RAW mode, the ability to record in Galaxy Log, improvements to the Portrait Studio, and new filters. However, these are software-based features, and sooner or later, they might trickle down to the Galaxy S24 series (at least to the Ultra variant). Samsung could have improved the front camera resolution on the Galaxy S25, but it seems to be following the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule. At the moment, rival models like the iPhone 16 and the Pixel 9 still have a two-camera setup, giving the Galaxy S25 an edge over them. Even the Battery Capacity Is the Same on Both Phones The Galaxy S25 borrows its 4,000 mAh from the Galaxy S25, along with the maximum charging speed (25W), Fast Wireless Charging (compatible with WPC), and reverse wireless charging. Given that the smartphone features an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, it might not be as power efficient as the standard variant, which consumes 44% less power than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. As a result, the Galaxy S25 might not show a major boost in battery life. Did Samsung at Least Improve the Connectivity Options? Compared to Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth v5.3 on the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S25 features Wi-Fi 7 for enhanced download/upload speed and Bluetooth v5.4 for a more stable connection with accessories. Beyond this, both phones support sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G. Which Phone is Right For You? Writing this comparison between the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 reminds me of the iPhone SE (2020) and the iPhone 8. In both cases, the phones share a similar form factor (with minor changes like weight and color) with slightly improved specifications. If you already have the Galaxy S24, I won't recommend an upgrade to the Galaxy S25. Your phone can already do 90% of the things that the latest version can do. If you're using an older Android smartphone and reading this article to make up your mind between the smartphones, I will recommend the Galaxy S24 (128GB) at $549.99 and the Galaxy S24 (256GB) at $609.99 any day over the new Galaxy S25 (unless you absolutely have to get the latest smartphone and can make the best of the pre-order and trade-in offers).

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: Faster, curvier and way more... AI-ier

Last year Samsung embraced artificial intelligence with its suite of Galaxy AI features. And while the new S25 Ultra is a bit faster, a little curvier and has a slightly bigger display than before, it's clear the company's primary focus was upgrading the software and machine learning capabilities of its top-spec flagship phone. But is that enough? Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra features a titanium frame. However, for 2025, Samsung wanted to buck tradition by making the phone a bit less boxy. So instead of a totally angular chassis, Samsung rounded off its corners. This gives the Ultra a bit more of a familial resemblance to its less expensive siblings (both the S25 and S25+). That said, the Ultra still has flat edges that are a touch sharper than on last year's phone, so it's more of a remix than a full revamp. For its front and back glass, Samsung moved to Corning's new Gorilla Armor 2, which features a "next-gen" anti-reflective coating that helps eliminate more glare than before. But perhaps the best new hardware upgrade is a larger 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display (up from 6.8 inches) with 15 percent smaller bezels, allowing for more screen space without increasing the phone's overall dimensions (6.41 x 3.05 x 0.32 inches). On the flip side, the S25 Ultra's included S Pen is actually getting a tiny downgrade as Samsung is removing Bluetooth Low Energy support from the stylus. This might seem like a bit of a headscratcher, but Samsung claims only a tiny percentage of owners were using Air Actions (which was the only S Pen feature that required BT LE) and that by getting rid of it, the stylus is more durable than before because there's no need worry about equipping it with tiny radios. The company also says the only gesture that saw significant use was the one for remotely triggering the phone's camera, which can be accomplished in a variety of other ways (e.g. holding up your palm or using a Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring). Another design quirk is that while the S25 family (including the Ultra) supports wireless charging at up to 15 watts, it's not technically fully Qi2 compliant. Instead, Samsung says the phone is "Qi2 ready" which means it will work with compatible chargers, but because there aren't any alignment magnets inside of the handset, users will need to rely on aftermarket cases to provide a proper mounting point for magnetic accessories. The final noteworthy hardware addition is a new 50-megapixel sensor for the ultra-wide camera, which joins the three that return from last year's phone: 200MP main, 10MP telephoto and 50MP telephoto cameras (with the latter two offering 3x and 5x optical zoom respectively). Samsung says there should be some general photo and image processing improvements thanks to the S25 Ultra's new chip, such as improved noise reduction and a better spatial-temporal filter that can more accurately tell the difference between moving and stationary objects. But we're going to wait until we can review the phone to say what these features can really do. Inside, the S25 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip along with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. For buyers outside North America, Samsung says it's using the same SoC across the globe instead of opting for its own Exynos chips in certain regions as it has in the past. The company claims general CPU performance is up 37 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, GPU speeds are up 30 percent while the S25 Ultra's NPU has gotten the biggest boost of around 40 percent. And to help provide improved sustained performance for things like gaming, Samsung claims the S25 Ultra's vapor chamber is 40 percent larger than before. In real life, the phone felt expectedly responsive, though it was hard to tell if that was all thanks to the phone's new chip or if it was due in part to the snappier animations in One UI 7, which will come pre-installed on the Galaxy S25 family. And as before, Samsung is continuing to offer seven years of OS updates and regular security patches. Of course, as with so many other recent gadgets, the S25's main focus is on expanded AI functionality and after introducing its first set of features on the S24 line last year, it feels like Samsung's goal was to make everything a bit more powerful and easier to use. For example, existing tools like Smart Select have been renamed to AI Select and transformed into what the company is calling AI agents. Generally, this means a single feature will support a wider range of abilities and improved contextual awareness. Now when you tap the AI Select icon after pulling up Samsung's side bar, the phone will analyze whatever you're looking at and provide an assortment of suggestions like taking a screenshot, performing a visual search, summarizing an article or even capturing a video clip and turning it into a GIF. It's a similar situation for Samsung's Sketch to Image tool which has been renamed to Drawing Assist, which not only provides more realistic results, it also allows you to add AI-generated art to photos by roughly sketching something with the S Pen or simply using text prompts. Even Google's Circle to Search feature has gotten a small upgrade as it now supports song identification either by listening to music or someone humming a tune. Alternatively, in order to surface information in a more timely manner, Samsung has created a Now Brief tool and Now Bar. The Now Brief is designed to provide a customized feed that appears periodically throughout the day (generally in the morning, afternoon and evening) populated by news and events relevant to you. This includes everything from appointments in your calendar to the weather and traffic. Meanwhile, the Now Bar is an offshoot of this functionality that will pop up on your lock screen or in your notifications so you can keep tabs on apps you may already have open or the score for your favorite sports teams. It's very similar in spirit to Apple's Live Activities. Samsung says it has also designed the phone to observe your habits and notice patterns so it can provide helpful shortcuts in the future. One example would be if you regularly turn on Bluetooth before getting in your car and then turn it off when you get home, which is a process the phone may be able to handle automatically. There's also a new Audio Eraser tool in the camera app which functions a lot like what we've seen in recent Pixel phones. It uses AI to identify six different types of noise like wind or speech and then creates a custom EQ allowing you to turn down distracting ambient sounds or boost the volume of whoever is talking. But, at least for me, the S25 line's most powerful new AI-based ability is improved natural voice recognition, which allows the phone to perform complex tasks that may involve more than one app at a time. During my brief hands-on time, I asked the phone to add the next Detroit Lions game to my calendar. That might sound like a simple request, but if you break it down, the AI first needs to figure out which game I'm talking about based on a web search, when it's being played, and then create an appointment inside the Samsung Calendar app. And the AI did add the relevant match to the calendar in the demo S25 Ultra I was using. Granted, we've sort of seen this before, but this implementation feels much more streamlined and cohesive. You can also search for images in the Samsung Gallery app with your voice, while the enhanced natural language recognition applies to generally controlling the device as well. This means you can ask the phone to adjust specific settings like changing screen resolution, which is nice for anyone who doesn't feel like scrolling through a seemingly endless list of options. Lastly, some more niche improvements include support for logarithmic video capture (Galaxy Log) with exclusive look-up-tables. When watching movies or clips, Samsung is also borrowing some tech from its TV division to automatically upscale lower-res content. And for its Wallet app, the company is adding the ability to "Buy now, pay later" even when shopping at brick-and-mortar retailers or wirelessly transferring money to someone else just by tapping two devices together. However, the new Wallet features won't be available at launch (they're coming "sometime later") and they will only be available when using debit cards from Visa and Mastercard. After my short time with the S25 UItra, I came away with mixed feelings. Samsung's general approach to AI tools feels much more cohesive and easier to get into. But I still wonder how much value they really add and how much of a benefit they will provide on a day-to-day basis. The slightly curvier chassis makes the S25 Ultra fit in more with the rest of the line's design, but that feels like a minor change. I appreciate the new anti-reflective coating from Corning's Gorilla Armor 2 and I'm happy to see a new sensor for the phone's ultra-wide camera. But even so, I'm left feeling like there are a handful of features Samsung could have given a little more attention to. How about a bigger battery like the 6,000mAh pack in OnePlus 13 instead of the same 5,000mAh cell we've seen for several generations? Or what about something for the S Pen? And then there's Samsung's half-baked solution for supporting Qi2, which just seems a bit lazy. Don't get me wrong, the S25 Ultra still looks like a good phone and I like that Samsung hasn't bumped up its price for 2025. But at the same time, it seems like the biggest phone maker in the world could be doing more for its most expensive non-folding phone.

Samsung Galaxy S25: 5 reasons to buy and 4 reasons to skip

There's no more mystery about the Samsung Galaxy S25, which made its debut at Galaxy Unpacked this week after months of rumors and speculation about Samsung's plans for its new flagship. And it turns out the assumptions about this phone proved to be true -- the Samsung Galaxy S25 offers a number of minor hardware changes but has a very strong focus on new Galaxy AI capabilities. Will that be enough to convince you to upgrade to Samsung's latest phone? It's more than just a theoretical question, as Samsung has already started taking Galaxy S25 preorders in advance of the phone hitting stores on February 7. If you want to take advantage of any preorder deals, then you need to decide if the Galaxy S25 is right for you. We can help. While we're still conducting testing on the entry-level flagship for a full review, we've spent some hands-on time with the Galaxy S25 and can share some first impressions. (That also goes for the Galaxy S25 Plus, in case you're mulling over Samsung's larger model, as it shares many of the Galaxy S25's features.) Here's what we like so far about the Galaxy S25, along with the features that might make us pause before upgrading to the new phone. I said the Galaxy S25 introduces some modest improvements over its predecessors, but that doesn't include the Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon that's powering this phone. We've already seen examples of how this chipset boosts performance and battery life in phones like the Ausu ROG Phone 9 Pro and OnePlus 13. Now it's Samsung's turn to put this system-on-chip to good use, and from the sound of it, the phone maker's going to make the most of the opportunity. Specifically, Samsung plans to use an optimized version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite that teases out more performance than you saw in the OnePlus 13, just to name one example. Samsung's talking about a 37% boost in CPU performance and 30% improvement to the GPU compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that came before it. The NPU gets a boost, too, which should help with all the AI capabilities Samsung has introduced to this phone. Best of all, you won't be playing chipset roulette when you buy a Galaxy S25 as you did with previous Samsung flagship models. Rather than use Qualcomm silicon in some phones and Exynos chips in others, every Galaxy S25 features this improved Qualcomm SoC, so you're getting the best possible experience no matter where in the world you're buying the phone. Last year's introduction of Galaxy AI was a solid start for AI capabilities on the phone, as Samsung included plenty of productivity-boosting bangers like Circle to Search, live translations and generative editing tools for images. This time around, the focus is on AI that does a better job of working across different apps on your phone and using your personal data to serve up appropriate suggestions that anticipate what you're looking for. This AI agent feature lets you look up information about an upcoming event, add it to your calendar and text a friend about it -- - all from the same command. Because the phone's Personal Data Agent feature is analyzing your behavior and remembering specific things you've done on the phone, it's able to help you more easily find photos, files and other data based on natural language searches. It sounds good on paper, especially if Samsung delivers on its promised privacy protections. Outside of the Snapdragon silicon, AI improvements are likely to be the main reason to upgrade to a Galaxy S25. From a specs standpoint, not much has changed with the Galaxy S25's display. You get the same 6.2-inch screen size, the same refresh rate and the same resolution found on the Galaxy S24. The peak brightness of 2,600 nits promised by Samsung hasn't changed either. But this time around, the display taps into a new ProScaler feature that taps into AI to improve the images on your screen. Samsung's claiming a 40% improvement in image accuracy, which we take to mean sharper images with better color accuracy and less noise in the picture whether you're watching video or playing games. A mobile Digital Natural Image engine is also supposed to make the Galaxy S25's display more power efficient which means you'll be able to keep the screen bright without sapping as much battery power. You're getting the same look as with recent Galaxy S flagships when you opt for the Galaxy S25. But my colleague John Velasco noticed some subtle changes when he went hands-on with the phone. Specifically, the 5.78 x 2.77 x 0.28-inch Galaxy S25 is a bit more compact than the 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30-inch Galaxy S24. Yes, that's a fractional change, but when one of your selling points is a compact form factor as it is with the base Galaxy S25 model, than shorter and thinner is always welcome. The new phone is 0.2 ounces lighter as well -- again, not a change that stands out but one designed with making the Galaxy S25 easier to tote around. It seems like every phone launch brings rumors of imminent price hikes. Of course, the problem's been that in recent years, those rumors usually panned out, at least in some markets. Fortunately, with the Galaxy S25 Samsung is holding the line on pricing from last year's S24. The Galaxy S24 starts at $799/£799 for a 128GB model, matching the Galaxy S24's starting price. (In Australia, the phone costs AU$1,399, but that's for a 256GB version, which is also unchanged from the S24.) Maybe the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a more expensive chip, as rumors were claiming and other components costs have gone up. But if that's the case, then Samsung has wisely chosen to eat the costs instead of passing them on to consumers at a time when we seem to be paying more for everything. In terms of hardware, the Galaxy S25 camera setup appears unchanged from last year (and the Galaxy S24 introduced no real changes from the Galaxy S23). You still get a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto with a 3x zoom. That's not necessarily a step backward, given that the Galaxy S24 produced excellent photos. But it's not much incentive to upgrade if you have a Galaxy S23 or Galaxy S24. Add to that the fact that phones like the OnePlus 13 are making camera improvements -- both to the hardware and software on offer -- and Samsung runs the risk of its entry-level flagship getting lapped by other camera phones. To be fair to Samsung, the Galaxy S25 should benefit from an upgraded ProVisual Engine for processing images. And there are plenty of AI-powered editing improvements, with lots of features that should appear to anyone who captures video with the new phone. When we get a chance to compare the Galaxy S25 cameras with those on other phones, we could be singing a different tune, but for right now, it's hard not to look at the lack of changes on the camera front and feel underwhelmed by the Galaxy S25. Let's give more credit to Samsung -- One UI 7 looks great, and it's got a number of smart features we can't wait to try out. The Now Bar -- which serves up priority notifications like upcoming meetings, sports scores and more -- feels like a huge improvement. And the Now Brief looks to be a great way to start your day, as the Galaxy S25 brings up weather, traffic and other information you need first thing in the morning. But One UI 7 isn't specific. It's rolling out to older Galaxy S models that are capable of supporting it, including the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S23. Samsung's not specifically steering owners of those phones away from jumping to the latest Galaxy, but it's not going out fo its way to convince them that it's time for a new phone, either. Earlier this month, Samsung pledged to support the Qi2 wireless charging standard that promises more secure connections for wireless charging as well as improvements to charging speed. "You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025," Samsung said in a statement. Well, the Galaxy S25 sort of supports Qi2 wireless charging. You'll need to spring for Qi2 case if you want to be able to connect with Qi2 chargers and other magnetic mounts and accessories. The phone itself still offers the same 15W wireless charging speeds as last year's offering. In fact, charging speeds are unchanged all around on the Galaxy S25, another bummer. The Galaxy S series has established itself as the go-to Android device in large part because it had Samsung's name and resources behind it. That means Samsung flagships could adopt any feature they needed to keep well ahead of the pack. That hasn't necessarily happened this year. As welcome as the Galaxy AI improvements are and as much as they'll help the Galaxy S25 stand out from other phones, there's so much about this year's model that has been ported over from the Galaxy S25. We've already mentioned the same cameras and the same charging speed, but the Galaxy S25 also offers the same battery size as its predecessor. Contrast that with the Pixel 9 series, which has added Galaxy AI features of its own. Or the OnePlus 13 with its very impressive camera improvements. We'll skip the Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16 comparison for now, as not everyone's willing and able to switch phone platforms. But thee's enough happening with other well-regarded Android phone makers where Samsung can't afford to get by with minimal updates. The Galaxy AI improvements and better silicon deliver important changes to the Galaxy S25, and if you've been holding on to your phone for a while, you'll see a big gain by upgrading. Owners of more recent phones may want to hold off at least until we can finish a more formal review to see if there's more enhancements we've yet to uncover.

One day later with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - I'm slowly becoming an AI phone believer

No major shifts to camera hardware, battery size, and charging speeds. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at the same bold price as last year, $1,299, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display, an upgraded camera system with some handy editing tricks, and the latest Qualcomm processor keeping things running. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Samsung Unpacked 2025: Five biggest announcements, including S25 Edge and AR glasses While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I've spent the past day and a half testing the S25 Ultra and wasn't too surprised to find myself both fascinated and bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if you're currently using a three- to four-year-old handset and considering an upgrade, take this first-hand testimonial -- I'm not calling it a full review yet -- to heart. (And if you're an enthusiast, it'll matter just as much to you.) The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds this year. When I first unboxed the S25 Ultra, it felt like the fanciest calculator ever (and I mean that in a nice way), with its round edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I recently reviewed -- which, on paper, is relatively similar in size -- the S25 Ultra had a bolder and more striking presence. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being, even though Samsung encased the four rear cameras with thicker rings this time around. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, earning it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Ultra ever. You'll likely hear more about the "thinnification" of phones later this year. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade with the S25 Ultra is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I believe it. My S24 Ultra last year had numerous micro scratches after just days of testing, while my S25 Ultra review unit has remained pristine so far. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes, because these S25 Ultra colors are uninspiring. Perhaps it's the nature of titanium finishes or the harsh reality that consumers are more likely to opt for safer colors with black, white, and silver hues than poppy and bright. Regardless, you'll want to slap on a case if you want to give your S25 Ultra even a touch of personality. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: We tested both, and the winner is not so obvious In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra can swiftly remove subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pull up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some sketchy, backend modifications -- so this change is a breath of fresh air. It makes transitioning from any other Android phone that uses Gemini as the default assistant much more burdenless. Speaking of which, the new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent, as Samsung confusingly puts it, can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, such as looking up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's why The important thing is knowing how to phrase your commands. For example, when I asked the AI agent to create a Spotify playlist for road trips and send it to my wife, it responded that it was unable to do so. When, instead, I asked it to find songs that were good for road trips, it curated the list and drafted a modifiable text message. Ladies and gentlemen, AI. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini-Bixby experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone on the market right now. Some other new Galaxy AI tools like AI Select and Now Brief only reinforce that statement, with the former being an adaptive, context-aware screen selection tool, and the latter giving you daily summaries of the weather, calendar events, and news. Also: Samsung appliances are about to get smarter and wiser - thanks to AI I just wish Now Brief showed me more than just political news; even with my topic preferences within my Samsung News app set to technology and sports, the app still wakes me up with an "Uplifting Morning Prep" Spotify playlist and the latest scoop on the US president signing executive orders. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone continues to be the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change is the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which, from my initial shots, yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. I'll be testing the shooting mode more in the coming days. My first full day of testing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra confirms several things for me. While most aspects of the phone, such as the vibrant, glare-free display and versatility across the cameras and AI features, are easy to appreciate, the upgrades this year feel iterative and safe. In ways, Samsung has even taken a few steps back, with the S Pen stylus no longer supporting Bluetooth controls and gestures, and the company opting for Qi2-ready cases instead of embedding the actual technology within its phones. It's understandable that early adopters and tech enthusiasts might feel underwhelmed by the S25 Ultra. But when I consider consumers who are coming from an S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even an older iPhone, Samsung's new flagship handset checks almost every box you can think of. And you may even score a generous trade-in deal through your local carrier or retailer.

Samsung Galaxy S25: Design, specs, pricing, and release date

Samsung Galaxy S25's free Galaxy AI access may only last until 2025 ends The wait is over, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup is here. The company unveiled its new phones during its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose on January 22nd. Despite a full slate of new hardware, Samsung focused on software enhancements and improvements to Galaxy AI during its presentation, with multimodal, agentic AI functionality taking center stage. Samsung is attempting to bring AI out of the abstract, making it about more than just funny cat pictures. The company hopes its nifty conversational language assistant and more intuitive software routines make your life easier and an upgrade to a new Galaxy device more attractive. There is plenty of new hardware and features to review, so let's see what will be on store shelves when the phones are released on February 7th. Samsung Galaxy S25: Design and specs Chipset bump and rounded corners As expected, Samsung refreshed the look of the S25 Ultra, ditching the sharp, Note-esque aesthetic of the last few Ultra-branded devices. While some might have preferred Samsung stick with the boxier S24 Ultra design, the S25 Ultra follows current trends from rivals like Apple and Google. Plus, it comes without the cost of the embedded S Pen. Smaller bezels have allowed Samsung to fit a 6.9-inch display in the same footprint as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Unfortunately, the S pen loses Bluetooth functionality, meaning it can no longer function as a remote shutter. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a new frame, bringing its thickness down to 8.2mm, compared to 8.6mm last year. The Galaxy S24 Ultra weighed 233g, and Samsung has got that down to 218g for the S25 Ultra. The S25 Ultra also features second-gen Gorilla Armor, exclusive to the Ultra model. Samsung has kept the same display dimensions for the smaller phones despite rumors of an increase on the entry-level S25. The S25+ has a 6.7-inch panel, while the smaller S25 has a 6.2-inch display. The Galaxy S25+ and S25 also have a thinner frame than their predecessors, trimming to 7.3mm and 7.2mm, respectively. While the S25 Ultra and S25+ feature QHD+ displays, the S25 is limited to FHD+ like previous models. The entire Galaxy S25 lineup is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 3nm chipset that promises impressive performance in all areas, from AI to gaming. Compared to other Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered devices, it's a slightly modified chipset, and Samsung highlights collaborating with Snapdragon to enhance its cross-app AI integrations. Samsung also claims image processing improvements with more functions handled on the device without cloud support. All models of the Galaxy 25 feature 12GB of RAM. There is no longer an 8GB variant of the base S25. Unfortunately, rumors of a RAM increase to 16GB for the S25 Ultra were inaccurate, with Samsung sticking to 12GB of RAM. Battery sizes remain unchanged from the Galaxy S24 lineup. Samsung claims the improved battery efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset has enhanced battery performance at the existing capacities. The S25 Ultra retains its 5,000mAh battery, while the S25+ and S25 include 4,900 and 4,000mAh cells, respectively. Wired charging speeds are also unchanged, with 45W for the S25 Ultra and S25+, while the S25 is limited to 25W wired charging. Wireless charging and wireless powershare are available on all models, but Samsung has not confirmed the speeds. Samsung offers a variety of colors for all models. The S25 Ultra is available in Titan Black, Titan Gray, Titan Sliverblue, and Titan Whitesilver, with several Samsung-exclusive colors available through its website. The Galaxy S25+ and S25 come in Icyblue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow, with other colors available through Samsung only. Galaxy S25: Software AI, AI, and more AI When we tested One UI 7, it was clear that AI would be Samsung's priority for 2025. Samsung is doubling down with the Galaxy S25 series, introducing an array of new AI functionalities meant to take AI out of the abstract and put it to work, making your life easier. Cross-app action lets you pull information and interact with several Google or Samsung apps from a single prompt. Your Galaxy S25 can look up an event in your calendar and draft a text to a friend reminding them of the date without requiring multiple steps or user input. Related Hands-on: One UI 7 is so good, it might make me switch to Samsung Samsung's next update is looking like a win Posts 4 Samsung demonstrated several natural language conversations with its improved AI agent. Cross-app action is currently limited to Google and Samsung apps, Spotify, and WhatsApp. Still, APKs have been sent to developers, and Samsung expects other apps to allow integration. As we've seen from the One UI 7 beta, the Now Bar is Samsung's answer to Apple's Dynamic Island. It can display suggested actions or control music. Now Brief is a curated feed about your day that highlights upcoming events and weather and makes suggestions based on several data points, such as whether you should set an earlier alarm for your meeting. With all this information flowing back and forth, security and personal privacy are concerns. Samsung's Personal Data Engine employs post-quantum cryptography to protect your information, even as new threats to personal data emerge. The new Knox Matrix dashboard displays security across your device network since the Galaxy S25 can process data points from your smart home devices and smartwatch. Audio Eraser for Videos allows users to scrub through video content and isolate independent sounds using AI. Galaxy AI also improves photo editing by considering artifacts left by items you remove, such as shadows left by people you've edited from a photo. As expected, the Galaxy S25 series is slated for 7 years of major One UI upgrades and 7 years of security updates. Samsung Galaxy S25: Cameras No major changes There aren't many changes to the Galaxy S25 lineup's cameras, except for the S25 Ultra. The Ultra picks up a 50MP ultrawide lens for 2025, up from 12MP on last year's phone. The zoom levels remain the same on the Ultra, with 3x and 5x telephoto zooms, and it still features the same 200MP primary sensor. The S25+ and S25 maintain last year's triple camera setup, with a 50MP primary lens, 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP 3x optical zoom. It's disappointing to see the smaller Galaxy phones on camera hardware from two years ago, but Samsung claims its AI enhancements improve the performance of the existing lenses. All models feature a 12MP front-facing camera. Despite the lack of changes, we're hoping the Galaxy S25 lineup is better at capturing motion than its predecessors; perhaps an area where image processing on the Snapdragon 8 Elite shines. Samsung Galaxy S25: Price and release date Samsung is keeping the exact base pricing across the entire Galaxy S25 lineup. The Galaxy S25 Ultra still starts at $1,299, with prices of $999 and $799 for the S25+ and S25. The base model of the S25 Ultra features 256GB of storage, with 512GB and 1TB variants available. The S25+ comes with 256 or 512GB of storage, while you're limited to 128 or 256GB on the S25. Pre-orders start on January 22nd, and the phones will be released on February 7th. As always, we expect aggressive Samsung trade-in offers during the initial pre-order period. Is it enough for you to upgrade? The Galaxy S25 lineup hasn't changed much on the outside, but Samsung fans will notice a significant departure from the company's software. One UI 7 is a visual departure from previous generations, and with the Galaxy S25, Samsung is leaning into upgrades to Galaxy AI, making it more prevalent throughout the user experience. It'll be interesting to see how buyers react, and we'll have comprehensive reviews of all three Galaxy S25 models. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's Galaxy S25 keeps things small without sacrificing power. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all sorts of tools courtesy of Galaxy AI, this is everything you expect from a modern flagship squeezed into a relatively svelte chassis. $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ finds just the right middle ground between its two siblings. With a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, this smartphone includes practically everything you could ask for in the modern AI age, without driving up the price. $1000 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. $1300 at Samsung

I just went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra -- and it beats the iPhone in one big way

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate. I have a confession about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I wish my iPhone were more like it. Make no mistake, the hardware changes made by Samsung here are minimal. You get a slightly bigger 6.9-inch display, a slightly thinner and lighter design with curved corners and a more powerful 50MP ultrawide camera. But the big story here is AI -- and this time the features are less "look what I can do!" party tricks and more practical "here's how I can help you" smarts. This is Samsung's plan to become the best phone. For example, you can look up the date for an upcoming concert with your voice, add it to your calendar and send the details to your friend in a text with a single voice request. The S25 Ultra knows which apps to use and does the work for you. Welcome to the AI agent era. Say you're in the YouTube app. Tap the AI Select button and the S25 Ultra will analyze what's on your screen to present recommendations -- like turning that clip of a dog into a GIF on the fly. The S25 Ultra is chockfull of helpful AI features like this, thanks to a combination of Samsung's One UI 7 software and an even deeper partnership with Google Gemini. While I've only spent an hour or so with the S25 Ultra so far, I came away from my hands-on session thinking that Apple Intelligence on the iPhone has a long way to go to catch up. If AI is the new battleground for smartphones, Samsung is now winning the war. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for pre-order now, with a February 7 release date. You'll be able to buy through carriers, Amazon, Best Buy and Samsung.com. The phone starts at $1,299 / £1,249 for 256GB of storage. Check out our Samsung Galaxy S25 pre-order deals page to get the biggest discounts. Samsung is also rolling out a New Galaxy Club program. You can enroll for $8.33 per month, and you'll be able to upgrade to the newest Galaxy device any time after 12 months. You'll also get one year of Samsung Care+ through Galaxy Club. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra kind of reverses the design of last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. Instead of rounded edges and sharp corners, you now get flat edges and rounded corners. I think it's a change for the better, as the S25 Ultra feels less slippery in your hand. At the same time, the rounded-off corners are comfier; they don't dig into your palm. I also like how the rear cameras now look like they're floating above the chassis. I give credit to Samsung for making the S25 Ultra lighter and thinner, but there's a trade-off. Samsung took out 15 grams of weight and shaved off .02 inches while also trimming the bezels. The result is a big-screen handset that's very sleek at 6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches and 7.69 ounces. That's practically the same exact dimensions as the iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.32 inches), but Apple's device is a bit heavier at 7.99 ounces. The trade-off is that Samsung has removed the Bluetooth LE radio from the S Pen on the S25 Ultra, which means you can't perform Air Actions like remotely activating the camera shutter. I can live with that. The 6.9-inch OLED display on the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the same QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate as before, but this screen is built tougher. It uses Corning's Gorilla Glass Armor 2 tech to deliver a promised 28% better resistance to fractures and 60% less screen damage repair. Samsung offers four standard colors with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and a few exclusive colors through Samsung.com. There's Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silverblue and Titanium Whitesilver. I'm a fan of the Silverblue hue, which really pops, but I noticed that the back of the phone quickly picked up fingerprint smudges. Samsung.com will offer exclusive S25 Ultra colors: Titanium PinkGoldTitanium Jetblack and Titanium Jadegreen. The Galaxy S25 Ultra builds on the solid Galaxy AI foundation from the S24 Ultra, which introduced handy features like Circle to Search and Live Translate. Samsung's goal with its improved Galaxy AI? Introduce AI agents that can do stuff on your behalf, integrate the AI more deeply into the software and make it more personal. There's two Galaxy AI features that impressed me most during my hands-on time. The first is cross-app actions. Long press the side button the S25 Ultra, and this phone turns into your personal concierge. For example, I could say :find the next Buffalo Bills game and add it to my calendar." It worked instantly. You can also long press and ask about the cooking video you're watching. You can say "list the dishes from this video and add them to my notes." This feature works with Samsung's native apps, the full Google suite of apps and a couple of third-party apps so far in Spotify and WhatsApp. If this sounds a lot like the voice control feature for apps that's coming to Siri in a future iOS 18 update, you're right. But Samsung's version is ready right right now. Thanks to built-in Google Gemini, the S25 Ultra can also help you perform tasks by leveraging your camera. For example, you can point the camera at your fridge, and you'll get recommendations on what dishes you can make based on your ingredients. Circle to Search is getting an upgrade, too. It now works with sound, and it can recognize phone numbers, emails and urls for quick actions. The other major pillar of Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is personalization. This phone has its own personal data engine that's stored on the device, and it can recommend routines based on your activities, such as asking if you want to turn Bluetooth on when you get in the car. Have a Galaxy Ring or Samsung Galaxy Watch? Galaxy AI can tell when you've fallen asleep and turn off your Samsung TV for you (no sleep timer required). This personalization extends to two major new features for the Galaxy S25 Ultra: Now Brief and Now Bar. The Now Brief is easily accessible from your home screen and gives you quick access to weather, calendar reminders and suggestions for routines based on your personal habits (like driving mode). It also surfaces news articles based on your interests. There's an Evening Brief, too, which can give you a quick summary of the day's events, photos you took, reminders about upcoming travel and more. Presumably the Now Brief will get more useful over time as the S25 Ultra learns more about you. The other major new personalization feature within the One UI 7 running on the latest Samsung phones is the Now Bar, which delivers short tidbits of info and AI-powered recommendations. Think of it like the Dynamic Island on the iPhone with Live Activities. Thanks to the Now Bar, you can see things like sports scores, directions to your next meeting, countdown timers and more. This info can appear on your lock screen as well. If you're freaked out by all this AI personalization, Samsung says you can always opt out, as well as reset or delete your data. The company claims that the personal data engine is "locked down" with end-to-end encryption and that Samsung uses "post quantum enhanced data security," though I don't know what that means. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers one major camera upgrade on the hardware front, and that's the jump from 12MP to 50MP for the ultrawide lens. This should result in crisper ultrawide shots but also macro photos with up to 4x greater detail. I snapped some shots of flowers after toggling on 50MP mode, and I could get much closer to the subject while enjoying an astounding level of detail on the petals. The images looked quite bright, too, even though we were indoors. Samsung is also promising a boost to Nightography on the S25 Ultra with less noise and what's called double-analysis noise removal. This involves real-time analysis of every pixel. The S25 Ultra steps up its AI game for photo editing as well. You should expect improved generative edits, with smarter tools that don't just remove unwanted subjects but their shadows, too. Just like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, you can also use Sketch to Image to add items to your pictures using AI. You can draw right on top of your pics or use a text prompt. When it comes to video, the S25 Ultra supports recording 10-bit HDR footage, which gives you 4x richer colors versus 8-bit. And for the first time, you can record in the Log format, which gives professional videographers more creative control over the lighting, colors and more. My favorite new video feature on the S25 Ultra is Audio Eraser, which can recognize up to six different sounds and remove what you want for cleaner sounding clips. Available sounds include speaker, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. I tried this feature very briefly and it seemed to work well, but I'll have to compare it side by side with the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Audio Mix feature -- whose sound quality can be iffy based on our testing. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is once again powered by a special chip in the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. This is an overclocked 3nm chip that promises faster performance than, say, the OnePlus 13. Samsung claims that you'll get 40% better NPU performance, 37% faster CPU and 30% GPU compared to the S24 Ultra. You can also expect better ray tracing performance for more realistic game play, but we'll have to put that to the test. I can't say how fast this phone is yet, but it was very responsive and smooth during our hands-on demo. This chip is backed up by 12GB of RAM and your choice of 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage. The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs the same 5,000 mAh battery as the last few Samsung Galaxy Ultra phones, but that doesn't mean it won't last longer on a charger than the S24 Ultra. We expect at least some efficiency games with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Alas, the charging for the S25 Ultra is stuck at 45 watts of power, so you shouldn't expect to see an improvement in charging speeds. It's rated for 65% in 30 minutes, which is good but not best-in-class. So what about Qi 2.0 charging, which would let you connect this flagship to all sorts of magnetized accessories? The S25 Ultra technically supports it, but only if you spring for a case that supports the new standard. There are no magnets in the phone itself. Bummer. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra looks like yet another iterative upgrade on paper, and it kind of is on the hardware front. But at the same time, Samsung is pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI on a phone, making it more practical and personal, which is something I appreciate. The cross-app actions and the integration of Gemini in particular are impressive on the S25 Ultra, and I look forward to seeing Samsung bringing in more third-party apps for taking advantage of its AI agents. Don't get me wrong. The hardware looks solid, and I appreciate the slimmer and lighter design and bigger and more durable screen. The 50MP ultra wide camera could also help elevate your macro shots, and I look forward to putting Samsung's Nightography upgrades to the test. The big question is whether the S25 Ultra is worth upgrading to if Samsung winds up making many of the AI features available on older devices, and how far back they decide to go. For now, though, the Galaxy S25 Ultra looks like the big-screen AI phone to beat and smarter than any iPhone 16 with Apple Intelligence.

72 hours later with Galaxy S25 Ultra - the AI hype is getting real for me

No major shifts to camera hardware, battery size, and charging speeds. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at the same bold price as last year, $1,299, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display, an upgraded camera system with some handy editing tricks, and the latest Qualcomm processor keeping things running. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Samsung Unpacked 2025: Five biggest announcements, including S25 Edge and AR glasses While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I've spent the three days so far testing the S25 Ultra and wasn't too surprised to find myself both fascinated and bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if you're currently using a three- to four-year-old handset and considering an upgrade, take this first-hand testimonial -- I'm not calling it a full review yet -- to heart. (And if you're an enthusiast, it'll matter just as much to you.) The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds this year. When I first unboxed the S25 Ultra, it felt like the fanciest calculator ever (and I mean that in a nice way), with its round edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I recently reviewed -- which, on paper, is relatively similar in size -- the S25 Ultra had a bolder and more striking presence. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being, even though Samsung encased the four rear cameras with thicker rings this time around. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, earning it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Ultra ever. You'll likely hear more about the "thinnification" of phones later this year. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade with the S25 Ultra is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I believe it. My S24 Ultra last year had numerous micro scratches after just days of testing, while my S25 Ultra review unit has remained pristine so far. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes, because these S25 Ultra colors are uninspiring. Perhaps it's the nature of titanium finishes or the harsh reality that consumers are more likely to opt for safer colors with black, white, and silver hues than poppy and bright. Regardless, you'll want to slap on a case if you want to give your S25 Ultra even a touch of personality. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: We tested both, and the winner is not so obvious In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra can swiftly remove subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pull up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some sketchy, backend modifications -- so this change is a breath of fresh air. It makes transitioning from any other Android phone that uses Gemini as the default assistant much more burdenless. Speaking of which, the new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent, as Samsung confusingly puts it, can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, such as looking up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's why The important thing is knowing how to phrase your commands. For example, when I asked the AI agent to create a Spotify playlist for road trips and send it to my wife, it responded that it was unable to do so. When, instead, I asked it to find songs that were good for road trips, it curated the list and drafted a modifiable text message. Ladies and gentlemen, AI. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini-Bixby experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone on the market right now. Some other new Galaxy AI tools like AI Select and Now Brief only reinforce that statement, with the former being an adaptive, context-aware screen selection tool, and the latter giving you daily summaries of the weather, calendar events, and news. Also: Samsung appliances are about to get smarter and wiser - thanks to AI I just wish Now Brief showed me more than just political news; even with my topic preferences within my Samsung News app set to technology and sports, the app still wakes me up with an "Uplifting Morning Prep" Spotify playlist and the latest scoop on the US president signing executive orders. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone continues to be the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change is the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which, from my initial shots, yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. I'll be testing the shooting mode more in the coming days. My first several day of testing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra confirms several things for me. While most aspects of the phone, such as the vibrant, glare-free display and versatility across the cameras and AI features, are easy to appreciate, the upgrades this year feel iterative and safe. In ways, Samsung has even taken a few steps back, with the S Pen stylus no longer supporting Bluetooth controls and gestures, and the company opting for Qi2-ready cases instead of embedding the actual technology within its phones. It's understandable that early adopters and tech enthusiasts might feel underwhelmed by the S25 Ultra. But when I consider consumers who are coming from an S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even an older iPhone, Samsung's new flagship handset checks almost every box you can think of. And you may even score a generous trade-in deal through your local carrier or retailer.

Galaxy S25 Series: New Cameras, Powerful Processors, and Stunning Displays

Samsung's Galaxy S25 series has arrived, offering a trio of flagship models -- S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra -- that aim to redefine your smartphone experience. With a focus on subtle design refinements, powerful performance, and AI-driven innovations, the lineup strikes a balance between hardware excellence and software intelligence. The S25 Ultra, in particular, stands out with its titanium frame, advanced camera system, and ergonomic enhancements. Sustainability and long-term usability are also key priorities, ensuring these devices remain relevant for years to come. The video below from ThisIsE gives us more details about the three new handsets. The Galaxy S25 series introduces understated yet meaningful design updates. All models feature flatter aesthetics and redesigned camera rings, creating a sleek and modern look. The S25 Ultra takes durability to the next level with its titanium frame, which is both lightweight and robust. Rounded corners and improved glass protection enhance comfort and resistance to daily wear, making the device practical for everyday use. These refinements ensure the S25 series feels as premium as it looks, combining elegance with functionality. Samsung has also made strides in improving the devices' resistance to water and dust, with all models featuring an IP68 rating. This means that the S25 series can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, providing peace of mind in case of accidental spills or exposure to the elements. Samsung continues its tradition of delivering top-tier displays with the Galaxy S25 lineup. The S25 features a 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen, while the S25 Plus upgrades to a 6.7-inch WQHD panel. The S25 Ultra offers a stunning 6.9-inch display with thinner bezels and an anti-reflective coating, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright environments. While peak brightness remains consistent with previous models, the displays excel in color vibrancy and sharpness, making them ideal for streaming, gaming, and productivity tasks. The displays also feature adaptive refresh rates, ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz, which intelligently adjust based on the content being displayed. This technology helps to conserve battery life while still delivering a smooth and responsive experience when needed. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the Galaxy S25 series delivers a significant boost in CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. Whether you're multitasking, gaming, or leveraging AI-driven features, the processor ensures smooth and efficient operation. To handle intensive tasks, Samsung has incorporated a larger vapor chamber and advanced thermal materials, improving heat dissipation across all models. This means you can enjoy consistent performance without worrying about overheating, even during prolonged use. The S25 series also offers ample storage and memory options, with base models starting at 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. For those who require even more space, the S25 Ultra can be configured with up to 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM, providing ample room for apps, media, and files. The Galaxy S25 Ultra sets a new standard for smartphone photography. Its 50MP ultra-wide lens enables detailed macro shots, capturing intricate textures with precision. AI-driven enhancements optimize portrait photography, ensuring sharpness and depth even in group shots. For video creators, the Galaxy Log feature and virtual aperture provide greater control over editing, allowing you to produce professional-grade content directly from your device. These upgrades make the S25 Ultra a versatile tool for both casual users and content creators alike. The S25 and S25 Plus also receive camera upgrades, with improved low-light performance and faster autofocus. All models feature a new AI-powered night mode, which intelligently combines multiple exposures to deliver brighter, clearer images in dimly lit environments. Samsung's One UI 7 introduces a suite of AI-driven features designed to simplify and personalize your experience. Galaxy AI offers advanced audio recognition, contextual search, and generative editing tools for photos and videos. AI Select provides smart suggestions, helping you refine content with minimal effort. Integration with ChatGPT and Gemini enables intuitive commands for tasks like scheduling, messaging, and research. Personalized widgets, such as Now Brief and Now Bar, adapt to your daily routine, delivering relevant information and shortcuts at a glance. One UI 7 also brings improvements to privacy and security features. The new Privacy Dashboard provides a centralized view of app permissions and data usage, allowing you to easily manage your device's access to sensitive information. Additionally, the enhanced Knox security platform offers real-time protection against malware and other threats. The Galaxy S25 series underscores Samsung's dedication to sustainability. Durable materials reduce repair rates, while the company's promise of seven years of software support ensures your device remains secure and functional over time. These efforts not only extend the lifespan of the devices but also reflect a more environmentally conscious approach to technology. Samsung has also made strides in reducing the environmental impact of its packaging. The S25 series comes in boxes made from 100% recycled paper, with soy-based ink used for printing. The company has also eliminated plastic from its packaging, opting for more sustainable materials. Despite the numerous upgrades, Samsung has maintained pricing consistent with the previous generation. The base Galaxy S25 model starts with 12GB of RAM, offering excellent value for its performance and features. This makes the S25 series an appealing choice for those seeking a premium smartphone experience without a significant price increase. The Galaxy S25 series will be available for purchase starting on March 15th, with pre-orders beginning on March 1st. Samsung is offering a range of launch promotions, including trade-in deals and bundled accessories, making it easier than ever to upgrade to the latest Galaxy devices. The Galaxy S25 series represents a thoughtful evolution of Samsung's flagship lineup. By combining incremental hardware improvements with innovative software features, it delivers a cohesive and personalized user experience. Whether your priorities lie in performance, photography, or sustainability, the S25 series offers a well-rounded package tailored to meet your needs. With its refined design, powerful specs, and long-term value, the Galaxy S25 series is poised to be a top contender in the premium smartphone market.

I tested Samsung's $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra - and I'm slowly becoming an AI phone believer

No major shifts to camera hardware, battery size, and charging speeds. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at the same bold price as last year, $1,299, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display, an upgraded camera system with some handy editing tricks, and the latest Qualcomm processor keeping things running. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Samsung Unpacked 2025: Five biggest announcements, including S25 Edge and AR glasses While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I've spent the three days so far testing the S25 Ultra and wasn't too surprised to find myself both fascinated and bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if you're currently using a three- to four-year-old handset and considering an upgrade, take this first-hand testimonial -- I'm not calling it a full review yet -- to heart. (And if you're an enthusiast, it'll matter just as much to you.) The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds this year. When I first unboxed the S25 Ultra, it felt like the fanciest calculator ever (and I mean that in a nice way), with its round edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I recently reviewed -- which, on paper, is relatively similar in size -- the S25 Ultra had a bolder and more striking presence. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being, even though Samsung encased the four rear cameras with thicker rings this time around. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, earning it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Ultra ever. You'll likely hear more about the "thinnification" of phones later this year. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade with the S25 Ultra is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I believe it. My S24 Ultra last year had numerous micro scratches after just days of testing, while my S25 Ultra review unit has remained pristine so far. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes, because these S25 Ultra colors are uninspiring. Perhaps it's the nature of titanium finishes or the harsh reality that consumers are more likely to opt for safer colors with black, white, and silver hues than poppy and bright. Regardless, you'll want to slap on a case if you want to give your S25 Ultra even a touch of personality. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: We tested both, and the winner is not so obvious In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra can swiftly remove subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pull up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some sketchy, backend modifications -- so this change is a breath of fresh air. It makes transitioning from any other Android phone that uses Gemini as the default assistant much more burdenless. Speaking of which, the new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent, as Samsung confusingly puts it, can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, such as looking up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's why The important thing is knowing how to phrase your commands. For example, when I asked the AI agent to create a Spotify playlist for road trips and send it to my wife, it responded that it was unable to do so. When, instead, I asked it to find songs that were good for road trips, it curated the list and drafted a modifiable text message. Ladies and gentlemen, AI. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini-Bixby experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone on the market right now. Some other new Galaxy AI tools like AI Select and Now Brief only reinforce that statement, with the former being an adaptive, context-aware screen selection tool, and the latter giving you daily summaries of the weather, calendar events, and news. Also: Samsung appliances are about to get smarter and wiser - thanks to AI I just wish Now Brief showed me more than just political news; even with my topic preferences within my Samsung News app set to technology and sports, the app still wakes me up with an "Uplifting Morning Prep" Spotify playlist and the latest scoop on the US president signing executive orders. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone continues to be the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change is the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which, from my initial shots, yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. I'll be testing the shooting mode more in the coming days. My first several day of testing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra confirms several things for me. While most aspects of the phone, such as the vibrant, glare-free display and versatility across the cameras and AI features, are easy to appreciate, the upgrades this year feel iterative and safe. In ways, Samsung has even taken a few steps back, with the S Pen stylus no longer supporting Bluetooth controls and gestures, and the company opting for Qi2-ready cases instead of embedding the actual technology within its phones. It's understandable that early adopters and tech enthusiasts might feel underwhelmed by the S25 Ultra. But when I consider consumers who are coming from an S21 series, Pixel 6 or 7, or even an older iPhone, Samsung's new flagship handset checks almost every box you can think of. And you may even score a generous trade-in deal through your local carrier or retailer.

I went hands-on with Samsung's standard Galaxy S25 and didn't envy the Ultra model at all

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus won't break new ground, but the refinements and polish make them easy to recommend. Samsung's Galaxy S25 series has arrived, and like last year, the theme is all about AI. However, things are slightly different this year because the "AI" that Samsung so confidently touts is a little more mature. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more With the Galaxy S25 phones, Samsung is introducing new contextual AI features to make them more helpful. And these software tricks are accompanied by more polished hardware that feels better than ever in the hand. While there aren't many major spec upgrades, the $799 Galaxy S25 and $999 Galaxy S25 Plus remain strong contenders in their respective segments. Here are my key takeaways after spending an afternoon with both devices ahead of the Wednesday event. Both the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are slimmer and thinner than ever. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent in-hand feel of Samsung's new compact flagship during my brief hands-on experience. They both retain the design language of the Galaxy S24 -- the same rounded edges and slight curves on the flat sides make them fit comfortably in your palm -- but feel much lighter at about four grams less. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 major upgrades I'm looking forward to testing Not much else has changed in terms of hardware. The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, while the Plus variant has a 6.7-inch screen. Both field 120Hz dynamic refresh rates, which can go from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content on the screen. For instance, the phones will switch to 1Hz with the Always-On Display to save battery and go up to 120Hz while scrolling and gaming. Powering every Galaxy S25 model this year is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. The "for Galaxy" designation indicates better optimizations for Samsung's Galaxy AI features, which now operate faster and more accurately. Some of my favorites include a new Now Bar status indicator on the lock screen and Audio Eraser. Also: 3 exciting AI features coming to Google Pixel and other Android phones The new Now Bar is Samsung's take on Dynamic Island, but I prefer it over Apple's rendition because it feels more intuitive. You can start a workout, navigation, or stopwatch via stacked cards on the lock screen. These cards are interactive, allowing you to swipe between them and play/pause activities. The Now Bar also works with Google services, so if you've been searching sports scores, it'll naturally display the live scores of teams you follow. Samsung says these phones are meant to become more optimized and tailored as you use them, and the new Now Brief feature is a good representation of that approach. It's an app (and home screen widget) that gives you daily briefings based on data from your Calendar, Samsung Health, favorite sports, artists, and more. For instance, the Brief can suggest taking it easy if it detects that you haven't slept well. I can see this being useful for people who don't tend to open the Health app frequently. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus are also getting new AI features like Audio Eraser and more accurate Generative Edits. The former is similar to Apple's Audio Mix, which can recognize six types of sound, including Wind, Voices, and more. You can select these and adjust their levels as the video is playing. The feature worked surprisingly well during my demo, with the Galaxy S25 managing to separate wind and noise, enhancing the sound quality of a person's instrument. As for improvements to Generative Edit, it's faster and more accurate at detecting and removing unwanted objects (including shadows) from your photos. Additionally, Samsung Smart Select is now AI Select, which can identify on-screen content and suggest actions based on it. For example, it can detect a date and location in a wall of text and suggest adding it to your Calendar, eliminating the need to manually copy and paste details. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus have received a RAM upgrade from 8GB to 12GB. But unlike the competing OnePlus 13, which offers multiple RAM options, you only get one RAM capacity here, with three storage variants: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. While the camera hardware remains unchanged, the ISP of the Snapdragon Elite 8 chip does improve the output of the 50MP primary camera, 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and 12MP ultrawide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view. I'll be testing the devices in the real world to see how they stack up with other handsets. Also: Samsung Care+ includes free same-day screen repairs for Galaxy devices now The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus pack the same 4,000mAh and 4,900mAh batteries, respectively, as their predecessors. However, Samsung is promising better battery life this time around due to the power efficiency of the Qualcomm chipset. What you won't see the company touting is Qi2 wireless charging support, which both devices unfortunately do not have. You can preorder the Galaxy S25 for a starting price of $799 and the Galaxy S25 Plus for a starting price of $999. The phones are available in Icy Blue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow color options, but my favorite is a red color (pictured at the top of the article) that's exclusive to online customers only.

Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review - head-turning power and all-encompassing AI

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Goodbye, all those Note vestiges, and hello to new, or at least more consistent, design language. The all-new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra finally looks like a part of the Galaxy S Family, sharing the same flat band wrapping around its body. For this latest flagship, Samsung has recast the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the image of its siblings while maintaining that Ultra flair with premium materials, the largest screen, and, yes, the integrated S Pen. Like the rest of the line, the S25 Ultra now features Qualcomm's best mobile CPU, the 3-nanometer Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite for Galaxy, which promises to be faster and more efficient than anything the Galaxy S line has run before. Samsung told us this is actually a custom version of the processor, but didn't go into detail. While we've not yet had the time to benchmark the new phone - we'll be doing that for our full review - the company did note that the NPU could be 40% faster, the CPU is, as they measure it, 37% faster than the last Ultra, and the GPU is, they promise, 30% faster. Even ray tracing gets a boost with Samsung's benchmarks finding it 40% better than the S24 Ultra's Ray Tracing capabilities. Put another way, this might be a very good gaming smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked on January 22. It's available to pre-order now in a choice of four colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium White Silver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black. The phone ships in either 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage configurations, and every variant comes with 12GB RAM. The Galaxy S25 Ultra will begin shipping on February 7 for the following prices: Here's a look at the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's key specs: Goodbye, all those Note vestiges, and hello to new, or at least more consistent, design language. The all-new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra finally looks like a part of the Galaxy S Family, sharing the same flat band wrapping around its body. For this latest flagship, Samsung has recast the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the image of its siblings while maintaining that Ultra flair with premium materials, the largest screen, and, yes, the integrated S Pen. Like the rest of the line, the S25 Ultra now features Qualcomm's best mobile CPU, the 3-nanometer Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite, which promises be faster and more efficient than anything the Galaxy S line has run before. Samsung told us this is actually a custom version of the processor, but didn't go into detail. While we've not yet had the time to benchmark the new phone - we'll be doing that for our full review - the company did note that the NPU could be 40% faster, the CPU is, as they measure it, 37% faster than the last Ultra, and the GPU is, they promise, 30% faster. Even ray tracing gets a boost with Samsung's benchmarks finding it 40% better than the S24 Ultra's Ray Tracing capabilities. Put another way, this might be a very good gaming smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra looks and feels good, and while some might prefer the Galaxy S24 Ultra's more rounded styling, the S25 Ultra is 15% lighter and, as a result, feels better in the hand. It's also still rated IPX68 for water and dust resistance. Samsung has mostly chosen to leave the screen technology as it is. Covered in more scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Armor 2 (the previous model had the first generation of Armor glass), the display still has a sharp and pleasing QHD+ resolution, but it's slightly larger than the S24 Ultra's at 6.9 inches instead of 6.8 inches diagonally. Samsung did this not by making the phone larger, but by shrinking the bezel by 15%. It's still an adaptive refresh screen, moving smoothly from 1Hz to 120Hz on an as-needed basis. New to the screen technology is ProScaler, which actually comes from Samsung's TV line and upscales lower-resolution content. This is a hardware update that will not filter down to previous models. While the camera array has been redesigned, and the three rear lenses now almost float above the phone body, two of the three cameras are unchanged from the S24 Ultra: the 50MP 5x zoom and the 200MP wide main camera. New to the trio is the 50MP ultra-wide. Shooting macro images in 12MP binned format, I could already see the quality difference and was especially impressed with the level of close-up detail I could capture. The front-facing portrait camera is unchanged from the S24 Ultra. It's still 12MP, and in my brief hands-on time it did an excellent job of capturing portrait-mode photos. I'm a bit disappointed that Samsung didn't bring back its optical 10x zoom from the S23 Ultra, but the 10x zoom that crops in on the higher pixel count zoom will probably satisfy most people. Battery size is unchanged from the S24 Ultra, but Samsung says we should expect better battery life from the Galaxy S25 Ultra thanks to the Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite's 3-nanometer process and the new 40% larger vapor chamber that Samsung has paired with a Thermal Interface Covering (TIM). The TIM sits right on top of the CPU, and the vapor chamber is on top of that to deliver more efficient heat dissipation, which can extend better battery life. Speaking of the battery, Samsung says the phone is "Qi2 compatible", but that support is not built into the phone; in other words, the phone will work with an external accessory that supports the updated wireless charging system. Perhaps the biggest upgrade over the S24 Ultra is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's impressive AI capabilities. This is more than just a Galaxy AI upgrade; Samsung has infused AI throughout the system, and given it broader capabilities that span across Samsung and Google apps. The company is calling it Cross Action Apps. Smart select is, well, smarter now, with the ability to recognize on-screen elements and then make suggestions about what you might want to do, AI-wise, with the image. For instance, it could suggest a straight generative edit or making a GIF. Circle to Search is now aurally capable, with the ability to identify sounds in a video. It's also adept at naming that tune. I pressed the home button, tapped the new music note icon, and began humming Hot to Go by Chappell Roan. The AI got it right, bringing up the music video from YouTube in Google search. It did similarly well with my terrible hum of Fly Me to the Moon. The recognition isn't instant; you have to know more than a few bars, and the software will prompt you to "keep going" as necessary. AI-assisted search is now more agnostic. I long-pressed the home button and asked natural language questions about travel and buying a new vacuum. In each instance, the system used Google Gemini to tap into YouTube and Samsung Notes. It found what I was looking for on Google's service, dug into videos to find the details that mattered to me, made summaries, and saved them in Samsung Notes. These Gemini Live and Bixby enhancements can access all native Samsung and Google apps. Plus, Samsung plans to release the APK so that other third-party companies can become part of the Galaxy AI ecosystem. At launch, it'll feature built-in Spotify and WhatsApp support. Samsung has also enhanced many of its generative image tools. I took a photo, and drew a marquee to select and remove all the background people in the shot with a single tap. I could tap another icon to quickly see the original photo. The Galaxy S25 Ultra did a good job, even neatly removing shadows. Other photography features have also been given a generative-AI sheen. Portraits can now instantly be turned into excellent pencil sketches, and the ones I generated looked as good as any sketch portrait that might appear in The Wall Street Journal. Seeing the quality made me a little sad for the soon-to-be-unemployed sketch artists around the world - although I felt a little better when I took another portrait, but in less dramatic light, and the sketch looked nothing like my subject. There's also a powerful new AI audio cleanup tool called Audio Eraser, which I used to remove distracting background noises from an interview - I could do it on the fly in the video playback, and tone the background noises down or up to my taste. When I fully removed the background noises, though, the main audio sounded a bit artificial. This is similar to the Audio Mix tools Apple introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro, but with fewer audio presets, and I can't say for certain yet if it has more limited capabilities until I get to spend more time with it. Sketch to image, which I used to entertaining effect on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 last summer, is now multi-modal, which means you can start with a photo, draw on that, and have the generative AI do its image magic. You can also use text prompts to adjust the image, although I didn't get to try this feature in my brief hands-on time. Even Samsung's photo library app, Gallery, has been given a brain transplant, and now lets you search by voice. I asked it to show me pictures of "wine" and quickly got a gallery of photos of wine bottles. One UI 7, a three-year-long project for Samsung, has had a complete makeover. I generally like One UI because it's long been one of the least overbearing Android overlays, and based on my brief look at it, I think One UI 7 continues this trend. There's also a new Now Brief widget, which uses on-system AI to learn about you and give you morning and evening briefs that can help you manage your days and nights. There's health-related info, upcoming schedules, your energy score, sleep quality, weather, reminders, and more. The connections to some of Samsung's other devices, like the Galaxy Ring are impressive - if you own all the latest Samsung gear, the S25 Ultra could be an even more worthwhile upgrade. What's interesting here is how Samsung is managing this private data locally, using something called the Personal Data Engine. Through this the phone sends your data to an onboard core that can use AI to understand and act as AI agents on your behalf. None of your data, which is protected by Samsung's Knox security, is shared with the cloud or with apps. It's the kind of insight Apple has been promising us with Apple Intelligence but has so far failed to deliver. The S Pen is still there, but Samsung has removed Bluetooth LE support because, it told us, no one was using it. Its main function was to enable you to use the pen as a remote control for shooting photos or controlling presentations. I doubt I will miss it. Otherwise, the S Pen's operation is unchanged - I drew with it a bit on the S25 Ultra and was impressed with the responsiveness. Finally, the good news is that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra costs the same as its predecessor, starting at $1,299 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (you can go up to 1GB). That's still a hefty price, but you should expect some early promotions to lower the pocket pain, and trade-in deals are typically excellent.

5 Samsung Galaxy S25 takeaways from my first hour with the phone

It took an 8-hour flight for Samsung's DeX mode to finally click with me The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is official with three new phones from the company that were unveiled on today at an event in San Jose, California. There's the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, and they're some of Samsung's most iterative updates yet. The overarching story here is that the changes from Samsung in 2025 are minimal with very few spec changes from last year's flagship phones. If you own a Galaxy S24, there are going to be limited reasons to upgrade. Everything here is a slight tweak to what has gone before. You can read our full take on the Galaxy S25 Ultra in our hands-on article from Stephen Radochia, and expect to hear more of our opinions throughout the next few weeks. Right now though, I've spent an hour and a bit with all three phones, but I've focused on testing the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+. Here are my five first impressions from an hour with the Galaxy S25 in my hands. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's Galaxy S25 keeps things small without sacrificing power. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all sorts of tools courtesy of Galaxy AI, this is everything you expect from a modern flagship squeezed into a relatively svelte chassis. SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy Display type LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz Display dimensions 6.2" Display resolution 2340 x 1080 RAM 12GB Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Battery 4,000mAh Charge speed 25W Charge options USB-C Wired, Qi wireless Ports USB-C Operating System Android 15 and One UI 7 Front camera 12MP f/2.2 Rear camera 50MP f/1.8 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto Cellular connectivity Sub-6 & mmWave 5G Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity NFC Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4 Dimensions 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm Weight 162g IP Rating IP68 Colors Silver Shadow, Navy, Icy Blue, Mint Stylus No Price $800 Expand $800 at Samsung 5 Samsung's new Now features are the best sort of throwback Close Remember Google Now? The idea is back, but now Samsung has retooled it into what it's branding Samsung Now features. It's one of the best Galaxy AI features I've seen so far, if it works like Samsung is promising it will. Now Brief is an app on the Galaxy S25 series that pulls together a daily rundown of your most important services in one place. Local weather details, your upcoming calendar appointments, changes to your morning commute, or even a new album dropping on Spotify will pull into this feed. If your commute is looking to be delayed due to an accident on a morning, the briefing will tell you to leave early. That sort of way of using AI to impact your daily routine. This isn't anything revolutionary, but it appears to be the best-packaged version of this I've seen so far. If the company can keep adding third-party services to it, it could become powerful. In my hands-on briefing with the phone, the handsets weren't intelligent enough to fill out the Now Brief elements with much more than just weather as they'd yet to have enough usage on the phone to bring through the right services. Nevertheless, this is the number one feature I want to try on the Galaxy S25 when it lands on my desk. 4 I'm not sure anyone needs a Galaxy S25 Slim Close The Galaxy S25 is slimmer than previous generations at 7.2mm compared to the Galaxy S24's 7.6mm. I wouldn't say this was immediately noticeable when I picked up the phone but I would say it's as thin as I need a smartphone to be. This comes from someone rocking a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 at the moment, so use the fact I have a 13.4mm phone in my pocket right now to inform whether you agree with me. Samsung is heavily rumored to be teasing a Galaxy S25 Slim model during its launch today, and if that's true... I don't think you need it. I may change my opinion when I've used the final phone, but considering that the handset is likely to be around the 6.2mm mark, I don't think it's going to be worth the wait unless you're truly obsessed with thinness. 3 8GB of RAM on a Galaxy S is truly dead Every flagship Samsung phone since the Galaxy S20 has had an 8GB of RAM option. That's dead in 2025. Now, Samsung has moved to a 12GB of RAM minimum in every model of its flagship series for the first time bringing it in line with the Plus and Ultra models. Every Galaxy S25 version you buy in the US will have 12GB of RAM; there's no higher option either, heavily suggesting that Samsung is ready to make the case that 12GB of RAM is the goldilocks option for not increasing the price of a phone while offering enough power. Samsung has yet to confirm a 16GB variant, but in the lead-up to the launch it has been heavily rumored the company is opting for only releasing this model in select Asian countries. It'll be a shame if this doesn't make its way to the US, but we're hopeful the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset will bring enough power alongside that 12GB of RAM. In the first hour of usage of all three phones, it seemed to be powerful enough for running everyday tasks, but you'll have to wait for our full review for the final verdict on power. 2 Goodbye 512GB of storage, for the S25 On the other hand, Samsung has also taken away storage options for 2025 which isn't quite as positive. The 512GB Galaxy S24 model wasn't easily available in the US, but it seems Samsung is dropping it entirely for the Galaxy S25 series. So far, according to the brand, there won't be any option outside of 128GB or 256GB. That may not be the case forever, but it's a real shame for those who want a high-storage smaller Samsung phone. You've got to opt for the Plus or an Ultra to get 512GB of storage with both phones sporting 256GB models as well. This may be because Samsung found sales for its 512GB model of the smaller Galaxy S were lacking but less choice is always a shame for Samsung fans. 1 This is not for Galaxy S24 owners Close In my short time with the phone, it's clearer than ever that Samsung isn't looking to court the latest Galaxy owners to upgrade. The changes here from the last model are minimal at best, and looking at a specs sheet side by side it can be very difficult to tell what the changes are. There are software differences within One UI 7 that you'll get first on the Galaxy S25 series but remember you'll eventually get at least some of these on a Galaxy S24 as well. I've only used the phone for an hour or so, which means it may change at the time of our full review, but right now I'd advise that this is an upgrade option for those with a Galaxy S23 or even handsets before that era. In fact, a lot of the Galaxy S23 specs are the same here, so it's likely Samsung is trying to court those with an even older phone than that. Phone brands continue to make new flagship devices with slight tweaks on the same formula, and it means you'll be less encouraged to upgrade every year. With the longer life of smartphones with better battery tech and improved software updates, that's great as you can live with the same device for longer. For enthusiasts who want to see something new, that's much less exciting. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung's Galaxy S25 keeps things small without sacrificing power. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all sorts of tools courtesy of Galaxy AI, this is everything you expect from a modern flagship squeezed into a relatively svelte chassis. $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ finds just the right middle ground between its two siblings. With a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, this smartphone includes practically everything you could ask for in the modern AI age, without driving up the price. $1000 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Hands-On

Here's hoping you like AI in your phone, because Samsung's priciest flagship has a ton of it to show off. If you've been holding off on upgrading your Samsung device to the latest Ultra variant, this may be the generation to start paying attention. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the lightest it's ever been while promising significant gains in performance, battery life, and AI prowess. I can't tell you if those claims are true, because I only held the S25 Ultra for a measly hour. However, Samsung is putting its best foot forward here. What I see on the outside doesn't scream repetition, even if I have seen some of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's AI features before. Like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, this year's Galaxy S25 Ultra focuses on what it can do with AI, generative or otherwise. Some features have been improved, like the Object Eraser, which lets you easily scrub objects from a photo. Other AI features have been contextualized to become more integrated with the Samsung device. There's even a more conversational algorithm. But don't be surprised if some of the AI features sound familiar. Well, it's the dawning of the age of Aquariusâ€"it's literally in the stars right nowâ€"and while I had hoped that would mean an era of radical new smartphone design, we have the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with even squarer edges instead! The Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn't move the design mark on Samsung's ultimate, everything-you-could-want-flagship. But Samsung did such a good job lightening up the chassis that I constantly chanted light as a feather, stiff as a board to myself while handling it. It was the only thing I could think about. The phone feels more airy than the heavier units of the last few generations. Samsung said it extracted 15 grams from the previous Ultra's chassis to create this lighter version. The bezel is also 15% thinner this time, which helped remove some extra trim. Inside, the Galaxy S25 Ultra runs what Samsung calls the "first of its kind" customized Snapdragon 8 Elite processor coupled with 12GB of RAM. (I would have liked to see 16GB instead since that's where Google and OnePlus are.) Technically, it is a first of its kind because the Elite is a new processor series, but it's the same kind of partnership that Samsung and Qualcomm have had for a while now. Samsung claims a 40% faster NPU, 37% faster CPU, and 30% performance improvement for the GPU. That power bump accommodates the improved camera system and gaming capabilities on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the device's hoards of generative AI tasks. Samsung also made a big to-do about its 40% larger vapor chamber, which has a tailored thermal interface material, or TIM, to help draw out the hot air toward the exhaust vents meant for them. The S Pen is still a significant part of the Samsung Galaxy Ultra production, though there's nothing remarkably new about it in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. In this generation, Samsung removed Bluetooth from the S Pen to lighten the load. It also removed the need for a charging coil to power the stylus. The camera improvements on the Galaxy S25 Ultra are minimal, though the S25 Ultra's new 50-MP ultra-wide camera sensor will produce more detailed wide-angle scenery. Otherwise, it's the same 200-MP primary camera with incredible Space zoom, a 50-MP telephoto lens, and an additional 10-MP telephoto. Most of what Samsung improved lives in the camera's algorithms, like the Portrait Studio mode for taking glamorous shots among the everyday doldrums. The photo filters have also been updated with more vintage appeal, and a new virtual aperture feature is available in the camera's Expert RAW mode. Speaking of experts, if you have been asking Samsung for Log capabilities (they told us this was a heftily requested feature), you are finally getting your due. Samsung has taken a page from the books of overseas phone manufacturers and included log access capabilities in videos taken with its hardware. Specifically, it's called Galaxy Log, which allows you to access the color grading and adjust it as you see fit. The Personalized Data Engine is a big part of the Samsung One UI 7.0 experience, which ships on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This engine effectively works in the background to collect information and attempt to deliver it smartly and contextually. The main AI feature that utilizes it is the Now Bar, which is like the iPhone's Dynamic Island if it were all AI-based, but I didn't get to test it outright. There's also the twice-daily brief. I write more about my experience using Morning Brief in the Galaxy S25/S25+ hands-on since that's the phone I experienced it with, but it's the same experience across the board. I was mentioning features I'd seen on other phones before. I appreciate that Samsung added a way to edit audio, called the Audio Eraser, but it's nothing to write home about. Google's Pixel 9 series was already boasting that capability. I tried it out in the semi-noisy briefing area, where I had hands-on time. I tried to increase the volume of my voice and lower the background noise. I could hear the phone blaring the audio, but I couldn't tell whether the editing was precise. I want to try it out on the Bay Area's transit system, BART, known for its screeching tunnels. That's the real test of these audio-adjusting algorithms. Samsung made a big deal about its AI agents' "cross-app" capabilities and how it knows where to put data you ask it to move. I'm confused about the branding, but it's all AI. Smart Select, a feature that's existed on Samsung for millennia, has been renamed AI Select. The idea is exactly like Google's Circle to Search, except it can reach out to other apps when the context calls for it. For instance, Samsung mentioned an example of adding a schedule of sports games you're looking at on the page to a personal calendar. I tried to do this with a Galaxy S25 sample unit but with concert tour dates instead. It did not work as I had envisioned. I hope to get more time to do this once we receive our hardware for review. There is so much more to say about the Galaxy S25 Ultra that I cannot put into words until I have the hardware to test against the other smartphones you can buy. But I can tell you that Samsung kept the price of this year's Ultra steady. Like last year's device, the phone starts at $1,300 for 256GB of storage and is available with up to 1 TB. It will be available in four colors: Silver Blue, White Silver, Gray, and Black. A menagerie of exclusive colors will be sold only online if you're willing to wait longer for shipping. The phone is available for pre-order today.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: The indifference is on display

When companies release new phones, I always give them the benefit of the doubt. I listen to the sales pitch and take a step back to consider who a new device might be right for. I prioritize highlighting features and upgrades that might make you consider buying a phone like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, after using the S25 Ultra for a couple of hours and seeing what Samsung offers for $1,300, I'm struggling to work up enthusiasm for this year's phone. I am willing to wait and see how well the new multimodal AI features work to enhance the user experience, but that still doesn't excuse Samsung's lack of inspiration and innovation with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy Display type LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz Display dimensions 6.9" Display resolution 3120 x 1440 RAM 12GB Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Battery 5,000mAh Charge speed 45W Charge options USB-C wired, Qi wireless Ports USB-C Operating System Android 15 and One UI 7 Front camera 12MP f/2.2 Rear camera 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 telephoto, 50MP f/3.4 telephoto Cellular connectivity Sub-6 & mmWave 5G Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity NFC, UWB Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4 Dimensions 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm Weight 218g IP Rating IP68 Colors Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Silverblue Stylus Yes, S Pen Price $1,300 Expand $1300 at Samsung Rounded corners aren't the win I thought they'd be Not what I expected Any character the Galaxy S24 Ultra design had is stripped away with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Yes, the corners are rounded, which Samsung says brings the Galaxy S25 Ultra design in line with the rest of its phones -- as if that's a design worth celebrating. Unfortunately, Samsung opted for flat edges on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, making it more awkward in the hand than its predecessor. Sure, the corners no longer dig into my wrist, but the rounded frame of the S24 Ultra made for a comfortable fit. The S25 Ultra feels like a hunk of glass and titanium, with little thought about how it would sit in your hand. Cases solve the S24 Ultra's sharp corners, and the S25 Ultra's flat edges will make the device even bulkier with a case. I believe there is a better solution to be found. The Snapdragon 8 Elite powers the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but that feels like table stakes for a $1,300 phone in 2025 -- even if it is the enhanced "for Galaxy" variant of Qualcomm's chipset. I was disappointed that the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn't have a 16GB RAM model, especially given Samsung's heavy push into AI this year. Samsung is doing more AI computing on the device than ever, including functions between multiple apps, but isn't providing the additional RAM to help things run smoothly or guarantee additional AI features for years to come. It's surprising that Samsung opted to keep the same 5,000mAh battery size as last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. Samsung claims it's seeing improved battery life with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and keeping the 5,000mAh battery cell saves weight. It's a curious decision, since the OnePlus 13 has a 6,000mAh hour dual-cell silicon-carbon battery fitted while weighing slightly less -- maybe for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. We're left with the same charging speeds as last year, limited to 45W wired. However, the 50W wireless charging speeds on the OnePlus 13 are faster than the wired charging speeds on the Galaxy S25 Ultra -- for $400 less. It's another area where Samsung has lagged woefully behind, perhaps still haunted by the memory of the Galaxy Note 7. Read our review Review: The OnePlus 13 is good enough to make you say goodbye to Samsung A true daily driver candidate Posts 10 The S Pen is no longer Bluetooth, which means air commands and remote shutter are no longer available. This is a minor issue but part of a more significant theme: Samsung gives us less. A lack of competition in the US has buoyed Samsung's stagnant progress. Google was trying to find a direction that worked, and OnePlus took a while to find itself -- but now that's happened. The Pixel 9 series is terrific, giving users plenty of AI with a great software experience. The OnePlus 13 offers fantastic power and performance for several hundred dollars less, so the days of Samsung coasting are over. I promise software and hardware innovation can happen simultaneously. Samsung seems to be picking software enhancements over hardware features in 2025, and I'm confused about why the company is so limited. I hope you really like AI Samsung seems to have focused solely on software If you're scouring for reasons to pick up a Galaxy S25 Ultra, its software offers some hope. One UI 7 looks good and performed well in my brief testing. Samsung focused on more practical applications for AI. Prompts can be more conversational, with natural speech getting you from query to action faster. Cross-app integration pulls in data from several apps with a single prompt. You can add an event to your calendar and have it pull the information over to draft a text for your friend. At launch, the cross-app functionality will be limited to Samsung and Google apps, with access to Spotify and WhatsApp. However, APKs have been sent to developers, so I expect further integrations shortly. I'm intrigued by Samsung's work on routines. I like that my phone syncs with other devices and recognizes patterns in my behavior, suggesting routines. One UI 7 will even track your sleep and environment through items in your smart home, like your thermostat and television, highlighting the conditions under which you sleep best. The company is putting AI to work in the background to improve your life and workflow, and while many will never warm up to the sometimes intrusive nature of AI, it's here to stay. I like the Now Brief concept in One UI 7. I don't mind a curated news feed or helpful tips on how to set myself up for success that day. Samsung demonstrated a scenario in which my Galaxy S25 Ultra recognized that I had an earlier-than-usual meeting the following day and recommended setting an earlier alarm. It's refreshing we're moving beyond AI being all about drawing funny cat pictures, but it doesn't replace old-fashioned hardware innovation. Samsung promises 7 years of One UI upgrades and security updates, which adds value but raises other questions. Why am I buying the Galaxy S25 Ultra, specifically? The S25+ and standard S25 will get many of the same software enhancements, as should my Galaxy S24 Ultra. But if I'm told in a few months that my Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered Galaxy S24 Ultra can't handle certain AI features because it's not running a Snapdragon 8 Elite, then I have serious concerns. I don't know where we go from here It seems that Samsung doesn't consider Google or OnePlus competitors. Instead, the company hopes that users of the Galaxy S22 Ultra will notice a significant boost in performance -- I hope so. Samsung has adopted many things we dislike about Apple without even the ecosystem to back it up. I don't doubt the Galaxy S25 Ultra will run well, and One UI 7 does seem smooth. I like the direction AI is taking, but if you ask for $1,300 out of my wallet, you better deliver the goods. Samsung is like an aging movie star, phoning in film after film, hoping no one notices. We're starting to notice. Samsung needs to change its ways to keep top billing for much longer. I'll wait for the review and hold out hope, but it's challenging to recommend people upgrade to a Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through -- and yes, that S Pen is still here too. $1300 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25+ vs. Galaxy S24+: A minor update

Samsung Galaxy S25+ Top-tier specs without breaking the bank Coming in at $999, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ brings all the performance of top-tier Galaxy S25 Ultra to a more affordable price point. Alongside, you get all the 2025 AI-enhancements that Samsung is touting. While not much has changed on the imaging front, the company claims that you can expect upgraded image quality with the power of AI. Pros & Cons Top-tier chipset Oodles of AI Capable cameras No upgrade to camera sensors No Qi2 magnets No change to battery capacity $1000 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24+ One year old, still great The Samsung Galaxy S24+ packs a host of AI-driven features, a vibrant display, and a seamless one-piece design, delivering the expansive screen and robust functionality of the S24 Ultra -- minus the wallet-draining price. Seven years of updates and Samsung's commitment to bringing all the latest AI updates keep the phone fresh even in 2025. Pros & Cons Top-tier hardware Capable performance Seven years of OS updates Dated camera sensors Uninspired hardware design AI features aren't a system seller $1000 at Amazon Samsung's 2025 Galaxy S25 lineup is out, and a predictable set of upgrades comes with it. The Galaxy S25+, in particular, finds itself in an interesting spot. Like the Galaxy S24+ before it, it brings most of the top-end Galaxy S25 Ultra performance while omitting the S Pen and some of the camera features, allowing for a much more affordable smartphone. Sharing much of the spec list with last year's Galaxy S24+, picking a phone between the two can be difficult, especially if value is of primary concern. Price, availability, and specs This year's big upgrade to the Galaxy S25+ comes in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset and a general weight reduction. Like last year, you can grab the Galaxy S25+ starting at $999 for the 256GB option or pay more for the 512GB version. There are several color options, too, with Icyblue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow as standard colorways. In typical Samsung fashion, additional colors like Blueblack, Coralred, and Pinkgold will also be available directly through the company's website. The Galaxy S25+ is available across all major operators, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You can also pick up the phone unlocked from Best Buy, Amazon, and Samsung. Samsung is known to offer excellent pre-order bonuses and exclusive colors, making it a good choice. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is available through the big three carriers -- Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The S24+ comes in various colors, including black, gray, purple, and yellow. Additionally, Samsung's site offers exclusive pastel shades of orange, green, and blue for those seeking something unique. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ retailed at $999 at launch, but you can sometimes find it on sale at a deep discount since it's a year old. Samsung Galaxy S25+Samsung Galaxy S24+SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyDisplay type120Hz AMOLEDAMOLED, 1-120HzDisplay dimensions6.7 inches6.7"Display resolution3120 x 14403120 × 1440RAM12GB12GBStorage256GB/512GB256GB or 512GBBattery4,900mAh4,900mAhCharge speed45W wired, 15W wireless45W wired, 15W wirelessCharge optionsWired, wireless, wireless powershareUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-COperating SystemAndroid 15, One UI 7Android 14 and One UI 6.1Front camera12MP f/2.212MP, f/2.2Rear camera50MP, f/1.8 OIS main; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 10MP, f/2.4 telephoto (3× zoom)50MP, f/1.8 OIS main; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 10MP, f/2.4 telephoto (3× zoom)Cellular connectivity5G, 4G LTE4G LTE, 5G (sub-6 and mmWave)Wi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6e, Wi-Fi DirectConnectivityNFC, UWB, Wireless DeXNFC, UWBBluetoothBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.3Dimensions158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm158.5 × 76.2 × 7.6mmWeight190g197gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsSilver Shadow, Navy, Ice Blue, MintOnyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone OrangeStylusNoNoPrice$1,000$1,000 Samsung Galaxy S25: Design, specs, pricing, and release date Samsung's new Galaxy S25 line has arrived Posts Samsung Galaxy S24+ review: A safe bet AI gimmicks aside, this is a very easy-to-recommend flagship Posts Design Familiar yet sleek Close Looking at the Samsung Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S24+ from a distance, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference in design. Indeed, Samsung has followed the philosophy of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The Galaxy S25+ mirrors the design language of the S24+ but has shaved off about 0.4 mm from the overall thickness -- barely noticeable. What is observable, however, is the weight reduction. The latter feels somewhat lighter in the hand, from 197 grams for the S24+ to 190g for the S25+. If you're looking for something significantly thinner, you'll need to keep waiting for the Galaxy S25 Edge. Beyond that, the design is the same with the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the back and front and an aluminum mid-frame section. Display No changes there Just like the design, there is no change on the display front. This isn't a significant issue, however, as the Galaxy S24+ already packed an excellent display to begin with. To reiterate the specs, you'll find a 6.7-inch 1440 x 320 Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display. Refresh rates top off at 120Hz, and the overall peak brightness is 2600 nits. It's not the brightest display on the block, but the display on the Galaxy S25+ should pose no trouble holding up just fine in bright daylight. Software The Galaxy S25+ is all about AI, but you won't miss out The biggest upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25+ comes with software. Like the Galaxy S24 lineup, Samsung is continuing its commitment to long-term software support, offering seven years of Android updates and security patches. Alongside this, the Galaxy S25+ debuts with One UI 7 and a strong focus on AI features. While the company isn't ready to say goodbye to Bixby just yet, Google Gemini sits front and center as part of the software features. This year, Samsung's AI tools include new features such as Now Brief and Now Bar, which act as modern-day versions of Google Now and Apple's Live Activities, respectively, keeping users updated with daily summaries and bite-sized content. Meanwhile, Circle to Search receives upgrades with AI overviews, providing quick summaries of search results and recognizing on-screen elements like phone numbers and URLs. Importantly, Samsung allows users to control which AI tools are active -- particularly cloud-based ones -- giving them the flexibility to prioritize privacy while benefiting from advanced AI capabilities. That said, most, if not all, of these features will be coming to the S24 Series in the coming months -- Samsung confirmed as much with Android Police during the S25's launch. That makes it less of a differentiator and makes the S25 Series a way to get early access instead. Performance Flagship-grade performance in a svelte package The Samsung Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S24+ are effectively flagships of their generation, decked out with top-tier specifications. This means a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor in the case of the Galaxy S25+ and last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the Galaxy S24+. Both phones have 12GB of RAM as standard and a choice of storage configurations ranging from 256 GB to 512 GB. Unlike last year, there is no Exynos model -- Samsung is using Qualcomm's chipset across all models globally. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip with a 40% boost in NPU performance and 12GB of RAM across all models, the S25 series is designed for advanced on-device AI processing. In practice, the difference won't be quite as dramatic as the numbers might suggest, and the Galaxy S24+ can easily hold its own while running the latest games or performing AI-based tasks. Battery life More of the same Nothing has changed on the battery front either, and the Galaxy S25+ has the same 4,900mAh battery as the Galaxy S24+. In fact, there's no change to charging speeds either -- with wired charging topping off at 45W and wireless charging restricted to 15W. Samsung has advertised the Galaxy S25 series as Qi2-ready, but in practice, this means Samsung is offering compatible first-party cases. If you're looking for a phone with magnets built in, you'll need to wait for a future release. Camera AI does the heavy-lifting If you were expecting a serious camera upgrade with the Galaxy S25+, prepare to be disappointed. The phone sports the exact same camera combination as the S24+ -- down to the sensors. Samsung claims that the real enhancements come through its upgraded AI-based ProVisual engine. Among the promised upgrades are reduced shutter lag and 10-bit HDR recording, which you won't find on last year's Galaxy S24+. Which is right for you? The Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S24+ are solid options, offering flagship-tier performance, excellent displays, and long-term software support. However, if you already own a Galaxy S24+, the upgrades in the S25+ -- such as the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, lighter design, and early access to AI features -- do not justify the switch. If you're looking to pick up your first Samsung, the S25+ will do just fine. If you're upgrading from an older phone, the Galaxy S25+ presents itself as a decent deal for $999. That is, if you don't already have the S24+. The latest option Samsung Galaxy S25+ The Samsung Galaxy S25+ strikes the perfect balance between its siblings. Featuring a 6.7-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, it offers nearly everything you'd want in a modern AI-driven smartphone -- without breaking the bank. $1000 at Samsung $1000 at Best Buy $1000 at Amazon If you're looking for a bargain or don't care about early access to AI features, the Galaxy S24+ is an excellent value choice with near-identical capabilities. Plus, you can sometimes catch it at a much lower price. Also, if you happen to have an S24+, the upgrade from the S25+ is barely noticeable. Still a great phone Samsung Galaxy S24+ 8.5 / 10 The Samsung Galaxy S24+ combines AI-powered features, a brilliant display, and a sleek one-piece design, offering the large screen and powerful capabilities of the S24 Ultra -- without the hefty price tag. With seven years of updates and Samsung's dedication to delivering cutting-edge AI enhancements, this phone stays ahead of the curve well into 2025. $1000 at Amazon $1000 at Best Buy $1000 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: AI-driven features lead the way

How Nike's new CEO plans to revive the struggling sportswear giant This story incorporates reporting from Tom's Guide, Forbes, Gizmodo and HotHardware. In the ever-evolving smartphone landscape, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra emerges as a formidable contender. Slated for release on Feb. 7,, at a starting price of $1,299, the device boasts a blend of advanced AI features and hardware enhancements. Samsung continues its tradition of iterative improvements, building on the solid foundation set by last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a refined design and is powered by the exclusive Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, promising enhanced performance and efficiency. The Galaxy S25 Ultra extends its focus on artificial intelligence, a highlight that first gained traction with the S24 Ultra. The device introduces Galaxy AI upgrades, including enhanced contextual photography capabilities and improved search functionality within the gallery app. These AI-driven features aim to enhance user experience by providing more intuitive interfaces and increased automation in everyday tasks. Design-wise, the Galaxy S25 Ultra makes subtle but impactful revisions. This year's model is bigger, yet noticeably thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The squarer-edge aesthetic remains, coupled with the retained S Pen, offering no significant design departures but honing the existing elements for a sleeker appearance. The display is a central talking point for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, sporting an enlarged screen that promises a more immersive viewing experience. This design choice reflects the current market trend towards larger displays, catering to consumer demand for more expansive digital interaction spaces. However, beyond its size, the functionality of the display, paired with new AI features, aims to set the device apart. Under the hood, the device runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip designed specifically for Galaxy devices, suggesting a focus on optimizing performance and energy consumption. Although the battery capacity remains at 5,000 mAh, user expectations for longer-lasting charges are addressed through software and hardware synergies aimed at energy efficiency. The launch of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is part of a broader rollout of Samsung's flagship products, as seen at the recent Unpacked 2025 event in San Jose, California. Alongside the S25 Ultra, Samsung unveiled the S25 and S25+ models, with prices starting at $999 and offering varying specs such as battery and charging capacities. Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may appear as an evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary one, it embodies the tech giant's commitment to enhancing user experience through incremental improvements and meaningful AI integrations.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. S25 and S25 Plus: I Compared All the Major Specs and Features

Expertise Smartphones | Smartwatches | Tablets | Telecom industry | Mobile semiconductors | Mobile gaming Samsung showed off the Samsung Galaxy S25 series of phones at its Unpacked event in San Jose, and while most of the showcase was reserved for new AI features, there's still plenty of new hardware details to highlight. Here's what's different across the trio of new phones, and how the Galaxy S25 Ultra specs compare with the the standard Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. All three phones have the same prices as last year's Galaxy S24 family, but they've all seen changes: The standard $800 S25 has all the new AI tricks and upgrades, the $1,000 S25 Plus builds on that with more storage and battery in a larger-format handset and finally the most premium (and most expensive) $1,300 S25 Ultra has the absolute best specs in terms of its cameras and screen. Unbeknownst to everyone in attendance, the Unpacked event had one last surprise to reveal: the Galaxy S25 Edge, a slimmer fourth sibling in the phone generation. Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't revealed much about this device, and aside from seeing it on the show floor showing off its thinness, we don't have any specs to compare to its three well-known siblings. Chalk it up to a mystery that we could see released in the first half of this year, if rumors are to be believed. That said, here are all the specs about the three S25 phones we know plenty about. You'd be hard-pressed to see differences between last year's phones and this year's, as the overall look hasn't changed much. But there are still visual differences between the phones. Both the smaller S25 and larger S25 Plus both have a trio of phone lenses on the back, while the S25 Ultra has four. As has been the case for years, the Ultra model has a slot on the right side of its bottom edge for an extractable S Pen stylus. Unsurprisingly, the standard S25 is the lightest of the bunch, weighing 162 grams (5.71 ounces), while the S25 Plus is heavier at 190 grams (6.7 ounces) and the S25 Ultra coming in at 218 grams (7.69 ounces). The S25 and S25 Plus both have standard aluminum frames, while the S25 Ultra has a titanium one. All three phones are IP68 rated for dust- and water-resistance. Though all AMOLED with 1-120Hz refresh rates, the displays are where the phones start to differ. The standard S25 has a 6.2-inch screen with tall HD resolution (2,340 by 1,080 pixels), while the larger S25 Plus has a 6.7-inch screen with sharper 1440p resolution (3,120 by 1,440 pixels) and the S25 Ultra has a slightly bigger 6.8-inch screen with the same 1440p resolution with an anti-glare coating to help minimize reflections. There's another unifying factor: for the first time in years, the S25 Ultra has a curved-cornered screen just like its smaller siblings. Another vestige of the Note series, the flat edges of the screen, is gone. The phone screens all have a maximum 2,600-nit peak brightness. All three phones' cameras haven't changed much since last year's S24 series. The standard S25 and S25 Plus both have a trio of rear cameras: a 50-megapixel main shooter, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The S25 Ultra boosts those capabilities with a 200-megapixel main camera, a new 50-megapixel ultrawide shooter, and dual telephoto cameras: a 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom along with a 50-megapixel 5x optical zoom camera. All three phones have a 12-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies, and all can shoot up to 8K video from their rear cameras. The phones are roughly aligned in terms of performance, likely because all of their AI features require a high specs baseline. (We've also heard this about Apple's iPhones.) All three phones pack 12GB of RAM, which could be a new baseline to use these features. Previously the S24 only had 8GB of RAM. All three pack a customized version of Qualcomm's most advanced mobile chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite introduced last October, which has fast speeds and plenty of AI capabilities built-in. The S25 phones aren't the first to pack the chip, coming in after the Xiaomi 15 late last year and the OnePlus 13 introduced at the beginning of this year -- but Samsung's newest phones are among the initial pack harnessing Qualcomm's most advanced silicon for phones yet. The phones pack escalating amounts of storage, with the S25 coming in either 128GB or 256GB, the S25 Plus packing either 256GB or 512GB and the S25 Ultra arriving with either 256GB, 512GB or 1TB. As in previous years, none of the phones have a microSD slot or other way to physically expand storage, so you'll need to buy cloud storage options to save beyond their onboard storage. The phones all come with Android 15 out of the box as well as Samsung's One UI 7 overlay. The phones all have Samsung's guaranteed seven years of Android and security updates. The new AI features in the S25 series may be its most defining feature distinguishing it from last year's S24 phones (it's unclear if or how many of the features will trickle down to older Samsung handsets). All three S25 phones can access the same AI features. One of the most significant new AI features is what Samsung is calling cross app actions -- for example, a request to "find a vegan pet-friendly restaurant and text it to me" would consult multiple apps for an answer, like Yelp and Messages. Depending on the request, either Samsung's or Google's AI models will be used. Another Samsung-exclusive AI feature is AI Select, which suggests actions or apps depending on what you're looking at. Just swipe out from the screen to launch the Edge Panel (the sidebar with app shortcuts) and tap the AI Select button to have it make suggestions in the context of what you're looking at, like setting a GIF or the image you're looking at as your phone background. Samsung also has a new feature called conversational search which responds to more casual requests with contextual suggestions -- so if you say "my eyes are hurting, can you help with the screen" then the phone will bring up brightness settings and the blue light filter. It will also help make photo search smarter, much like how Apple and Google have used AI to improve their own photo album searches. The Circle to Search function, which debuted on last year's S24 series, is also getting an upgrade: It can now recognize audio, so you can say goodbye to Shazam. The new phones also have more personalized recommendations, Samsung says, like recommending thermostat changes when your phone notices you sleep better at a certain temperature (assuming that health data is coming in from a Samsung Galaxy Ring or Galaxy Watch). Battery capacity is another area where the phones differ, though it's important to clarify that more capacity doesn't always correlate to your phone lasting longer. Brightness, GPS location-tracking and other features could drain your phone fast regardless. But all things being equal, bigger batteries mean more battery life: the S25 has a 4,000-mAh battery, the S25 Plus has a 4,900-mAh battery and the S25 Ultra has a 5,000-mAh battery. Both the S25 and S25 Plus have 25-watt charging, a rate Samsung phones have been stuck on for years as other leading Android flagships leave them in the dust -- the OnePlus 13, for instance, has 100-watt charging (80-watt in the US) that completely refilled an empty battery in just over half an hour in our testing. The S25 Ultra is slightly better, with 45-watt charging, but it feels particularly archaic on the most advanced phone in Samsung's stable. All three phones have 15-watt wireless charging (the same as you'll get with the Qi2 standard) as well as wireless PowerShare to juice up other devices using its own battery. While the phones don't have the MagSafe magnetic connection within the phones like Apple's latest iPhones, they can approximate it with official Samsung and third-party cases with magnetic connectors. Samsung's three-phone lineup is pretty set in stone these days, with the lowest-priced S25 having the least impressive specs, the larger S25 Plus suiting users who want more battery and the S25 Ultra offering the highest spec with S Pen functionality. But those lines have been blurred a bit thanks to the across-the-board upgrade to 12GB of RAM, which leaves storage and screen resolution as the biggest differentiator between all the phones. The big leap between the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra remains the latter's more impressive cameras and stylus, though that's becoming a steeper hike for the $300 jump in price.

Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+ hands-on: Slimmer, but a little too similar

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. In just a few years, Samsung has built up a substantial collection of artificial intelligence tricks, features and apps. While some of them have been impressive, like live translation and annotation, others (often involving generative AI) aren't actually helpful -- or notable -- enough to warrant regular use. The latest trio of Galaxy S flagship phones means another barrage of AI. Samsung has saved the best hardware for its S25 Ultra, of course, but the company also has smaller (and cheaper) flagships, with the Galaxy S25 ($800) and larger S25+ ($1,000) both launching at the same time. And those AI features could be more crucial for the base S25 and larger S25+. Aside from the addition of a potent new chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, there's not a lot here to differentiate from last year's Galaxy S24. In fact, you really have to look for changes. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ are as premium and solidly built as any of their predecessors. Once again, the company has gone for aluminum frames, while the S25 Ultra gets the favorable titanium treatment. There's also Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 across both the screen and the back of the devices, with a trio of cameras (the same again) standing out as the only detail on the otherwise smooth backs. All of the devices' edges are flat just like their predecessors -- even the S25 Ultra's design has caught up here too. Is this more comfortable than the curvier sides? I don't think anyone knows. We've seen Samsung, Apple and many others flit from rounded to flattened edges. I don't know anymore. But, boy, are they skinny. Does the Galaxy S25 "slim" exist? I'm not sure it needs to: This year's S-series models are the slimmest we've seen in nearly a decade - barring Samsung's foldables (... unfolded). Both the S25 and S25+ are 0.4mm thinner than their predecessors. That makes the S25 the thinnest Galaxy phone since the 6.8mm Galaxy S6. They're both more pocketable because of this change, but I have an oversized affection for the base S25. It's bigger, but it reminds me of the Apple iPhone mini (RIP). As you'd expect from Samsung, the AMOLED displays on these new phones are vivid, bright and gorgeous, with refresh rates up to 120Hz. The smaller 6.2-inch S25 has an FHD+ resolution, which is fine for a screen this size. Fortunately, the bigger S25+ has a higher-res qHD+ 6.7-inch display. So what's the biggest upgrade this year? It's a bit dry, but it's the chip. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is the biggest hardware upgrade since last year. Samsung claims the S25's CPU is 37 percent faster than its predecessor, with 40 percent improvements on the NPU, and a 30 percent more powerful GPU. Those are substantial jumps. Given the hardware has barely changed, AI improvements and upgrades are the core focus for the Galaxy S25 series. Some features were unavailable during my briefing or will require a closer look and deeper testing. Some are intriguing, though, like a new spatial-temporal filter on the camera app. It's a Samsung exclusive since it relies on the custom Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and adds more power to noise analysis, as well as the ability to apparently maintain crispness of photo and video subjects while taming blurring backgrounds and low-light noise. Samsung says its new AI image processing with ProScaler offers 40 percent improvements to its AI images only on the S25+ and S25 Ultra. If you're looking for video upgrades, the S25 series all records 10-bit color profile video by default, while Audio Eraser offers some AI-augmented noise removal, although the benefits were difficult to discern during my brief time with the devices. A new large language model is also part of the S25's camera processing, which the company says will improve Portrait mode results and generative AI editing like object removal. Sadly, there is no sign of the Pixel's "Add Me" -- arguably the best application of AI and photography on a phone. However, Samsung has also used its AI improvements (and the more powerful chip) to substantially improve the generative AI selfies inside the S25's Portrait Studio. Just look at what it did with my face at our briefing. This is a pretty decent line drawing -- and yes I was wearing a neckerchief. Like we've mentioned elsewhere, Samsung has refined its existing AI features. A new AI select button will appear when you tap on the side panel, suggesting what you might want to do, based on the context of what the S25 can "see" on screen; Circle to Search can now figure out what to search based on sound too, using Google's existing Shazam-like hum-to-search feature. Cross-app smarts that integrate Google's Gemini mean the voice assistant can dip in and out of multiple apps to add appointments, figure out routes and set reminders. From my brief testing, this appears to involve only core Samsung and Google apps, which could constrain exactly how useful this is. I'm at least intrigued and want to test this out in real life. Another feature that demands real-world testing is Samsung's new "Now Bar" and "Now Brief," which is meant to collate your smartphone life and schedules into, hopefully, a single place. It'll offer up a morning and evening briefing, even pulling in sleep and wearable data for some wellness and health insights. One feature Samsung mentioned but did not hugely elaborate on was the S25's Personal Data Engine, which will analyze user context, patterns and preferences to deliver a personalized way of using your new Samsung device. I'd imagine that taps into "Now Brief," which seems similar to iOS's daily summaries, offering up a curated selection of your schedule, weather updates, travel plans and even fitness and health insights from all those Galaxy wearables. Whether this offers some truly personalized experiences within One UI 7 will only be clear once we're using these phones, but it's hard to imagine it'll be all that game-changing. Let's see if the S25 can change my mind, Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S25 hands-on: 3 compelling reasons I'd settle with this model

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus aren't groundbreaking by any means, but the refinements and polish make them easy to recommend. Samsung's Galaxy S25 series has arrived, and like last year, the theme is all about AI. However, things are slightly different this year because the "AI" that Samsung so confidently touts is a little more mature. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more With the Galaxy S25 phones, Samsung is introducing new contextual AI features to make them more helpful. And these software tricks are accompanied by more polished hardware that feels better than ever in the hand. While there aren't many major spec upgrades, the $799 Galaxy S25 and $999 Galaxy S25 Plus remain strong contenders in their respective segments. Here are my key takeaways after spending an afternoon with both devices ahead of the Wednesday event. Both the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are slimmer and thinner than ever. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent in-hand feel of Samsung's new compact flagship during my brief hands-on experience. They both retain the design language of the Galaxy S24 -- the same rounded edges and slight curves on the flat sides make them fit comfortably in your palm -- but feel much lighter at about four grams less. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 major upgrades I'm looking forward to testing Not much else has changed in terms of hardware. The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, while the Plus variant has a 6.7-inch screen. Both field 120Hz dynamic refresh rates, which can go from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content on the screen. For instance, the phones will switch to 1Hz with the Always-On Display to save battery and go up to 120Hz while scrolling and gaming. Powering every Galaxy S25 model this year is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. The "for Galaxy" designation indicates better optimizations for Samsung's Galaxy AI features, which now operate faster and more accurately. Some of my favorites include a new Now Bar status indicator on the lock screen and Audio Eraser. Also: 3 exciting AI features coming to Google Pixel and other Android phones The new Now Bar is Samsung's take on Dynamic Island, but I prefer it over Apple's rendition because it feels more intuitive. You can start a workout, navigation, or stopwatch via stacked cards on the lock screen. These cards are interactive, allowing you to swipe between them and play/pause activities. The Now Bar also works with Google services, so if you've been searching sports scores, it'll naturally display the live scores of teams you follow. Samsung says these phones are meant to become more optimized and tailored as you use them, and the new Now Brief feature is a good representation of that approach. It's an app (and home screen widget) that gives you daily briefings based on data from your Calendar, Samsung Health, favorite sports, artists, and more. For instance, the Brief can suggest taking it easy if it detects that you haven't slept well. I can see this being useful for people who don't tend to open the Health app frequently. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus are also getting new AI features like Audio Eraser and more accurate Generative Edits. The former is similar to Apple's Audio Mix, which can recognize six types of sound, including Wind, Voices, and more. You can select these and adjust their levels as the video is playing. The feature worked surprisingly well during my demo, with the Galaxy S25 managing to separate wind and noise, enhancing the sound quality of a person's instrument. As for improvements to Generative Edit, it's faster and more accurate at detecting and removing unwanted objects (including shadows) from your photos. Additionally, Samsung Smart Select is now AI Select, which can identify on-screen content and suggest actions based on it. For example, it can detect a date and location in a wall of text and suggest adding it to your Calendar, eliminating the need to manually copy and paste details. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus have received a RAM upgrade from 8GB to 12GB. But unlike the competing OnePlus 13, which offers multiple RAM options, you only get one RAM capacity here, with three storage variants: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. While the camera hardware remains unchanged, the ISP of the Snapdragon Elite 8 chip does improve the output of the 50MP primary camera, 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and 12MP ultrawide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view. I'll be testing the devices in the real world to see how they stack up with other handsets. Also: Samsung Care+ includes free same-day screen repairs for Galaxy devices now The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus pack the same 4,000mAh and 4,900mAh batteries, respectively, as their predecessors. However, Samsung is promising better battery life this time around due to the power efficiency of the Qualcomm chipset. What you won't see the company touting is Qi2 wireless charging support, which both devices unfortunately do not have. You can preorder the Galaxy S25 for a starting price of $799 and the Galaxy S25 Plus for a starting price of $999. The phones are available in Icy Blue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow color options, but my favorite is a red color (pictured at the top of the article) that's exclusive to online customers only.

I went hands-on with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - it's the AI phone to beat in 2025

Samsung's flagship phone of 2025 is finally here, and it's a boringly awesome device. Samsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at a bold $1,299 price tag, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display than ever, an upgraded camera system with some useful editing tricks, and the infamous S Pen stylus. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more While last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI. I spent an intimate afternoon with the new Galaxy S25 phones, with a particular focus on the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, and wasn't too surprised to find myself equal parts fascinated, equal parts bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if even a part of you is considering upgrading to the latest Galaxy flagship, here are the changes you should know about. The Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds true this year. In the hand, the S25 Ultra feels like the fanciest calculator ever (and I say that in a nice way), with its squared-off edges and tall stature. Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, and Samsung says it's the company's thinnest-ever S-series device. So much for a Galaxy S25 Slim, I guess. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished The other notable design upgrade is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I remember my S24 Ultra having numerous micro-scratches after just a week of usage, so I'm hopeful that the S25 Ultra will hold up better this time around. Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes. These S25 Ultra colors are not it. Under the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra demo unit swiftly removed subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pulled up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds. Also: This surprise Android phone gives the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra a run for its money You can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some higher-level, backend modifications. The new Gemini app can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, like telling the AI assistant to look up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too. Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone for Android users right now. One of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone is still the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change this year is with the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Boo. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode. The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. How all of these new features fare in the real world is what I'm most interested in seeing. I'll test the S25 Ultra over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for the updates. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for preorder today with a starting price of $1,299 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage variant. You'll have a choice of Titanium SIlverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black if you're shopping through a major retailer or carrier, and have more colorful options if you buy directly from Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Gets a Bigger Screen, Smooth Corners and More AI

Expertise Apple | Samsung | Google | Smartphones | Smartwatches | Wearables | Fitness trackers Samsung's top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Ultra is getting a slightly larger screen and an updated look that brings it closer to the standard Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. All three of the company's new phones will also have AI more tightly woven into the operating system for tasks such as serving up recommended actions or apps, allowing users to search for photos using natural language and stringing together multiple actions with a single voice command. Samsung's approach with the Galaxy S25 series is another sign that smartphone makers are increasingly leaning on AI to make their phones stand out. Several of the new features Samsung announced on Wednesday are competitive with Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI features available on the iPhone, iPad and Mac -- further underscoring how tech giants are vying to offer the best AI experience. Samsung began its big push into new smartphone-based AI features last year with the launch of Galaxy AI. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,300 like last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. As the largest and most expensive phone in Samsung's Galaxy S lineup, it includes a bigger 6.9-inch screen, a high resolution 200-megapixel main camera and new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, along with the familiar S Pen stylus. It's these features that differentiate it from the cheaper $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus and $800 Galaxy S25, which Samsung also announced during Wednesday's Unpacked event. Read more: Your Phone's Camera Is Paving the Way For Virtual Assistants of the Future Galaxy AI was the biggest focus of last year's Galaxy S24 series, and that continues to be the case with the Galaxy S25. But instead of focusing on individual AI-powered features, like Generative Edit for manipulating photos or Live Translate for translating phone calls in different languages, Samsung is incorporating AI into its phones on a more fundamental level. For example, a new tool called AI Select will suggest actions based on what's on your phone's screen. The photo gallery app will also support conversational search queries, such as "Find bottles of wine from France," much like photo apps from Apple and Google. What's perhaps even more interesting is that Samsung is incorporating this into the settings menu so that you can type in a query such as, "My eyes are hurting, can you help with the screen?" to adjust the blue light filter or lower the brightness. Apple similarly gave Siri the ability to answer tech support questions about its devices with the arrival of Apple Intelligence. Circle to Search, which emerged as being one of the more popular phone-based AI features in 2024, is also getting updated with the ability to recognize sound. Samsung is improving the way voice commands work on the Galaxy S25 series too, undoubtedly a move to more closely compete with Apple's Siri and OpenAI's ChatGPT. You'll be able to long hold the power button to issue more complex commands such as, "Get me the schedule for this season's Arsenal matches and add them to my calendar" or "Find me a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and send it in a text message." Samsung and Google apps will be supported, as well as certain third-party apps including WhatsApp and Spotify to start. Like many Galaxy AI features, these voice commands will use a combination of Google and Samsung's models, with the difference depending on the task at hand. A search-related query might use Google, for example, while saving information to Samsung Notes would likely involve Samsung's model. Samsung is also using a large language model to make recommendations based on your personal routines by examining data from apps like the web browser, photo gallery, Samsung Health, Samsung Wallet and SmartThings. So if your bedroom's temperature is too high and your Galaxy Ring knows you keep waking up in the middle of the night, Samsung might suggest that you set a routine to turn down the temperature on your SmartThings thermostat once you fall asleep. The company says personal data will be stored on the device in the same area of its Samsung Knox mobile security platform where biometric data is kept. Samsung is attempting to make the lock screen and home screen more helpful with new features called Now Brief and the Now Bar. The Now Brief is exactly what it sounds like: a summary of information such as how you slept, the weather forecast, schedule reminders and routine suggestions based on your habits. The Now Bar, on the other hand, reminds me of the iPhone's Dynamic Island and Live Actions. It's a tiny space on the lock screen for showing information such as sports scores or real-time navigation without having to unlock your phone. Some of these new AI features feel similar to tools that have emerged over the past decade in the Internet of Things era -- such as the ability to surface recommendations based on personal habits and routines. Others, like the revamped voice assistant, seem like an attempt to keep pace with rivals like Apple's Siri, which will also gain the ability to work with apps in the future. However, Apple hasn't launched this capability yet, as it's been rolling out specific Apple Intelligence features in phases through software updates. Samsung says all of its newly announced AI tools will be available on the Galaxy S25 series at launch. It's promising to see smartphone AI moving in a direction that impacts general usage rather than individual features that are easily forgettable. Still, I would have liked to see AI software specifically designed for the Ultra or the S Pen to help it further stand out from its cheaper counterparts. Read more: Google's Android President on Why Smart Glasses Are Going to Work This Time Since 2022, Samsung's Ultra phones have essentially looked like replicas of the Galaxy Note, with their boxy edges and somewhat brutalist aesthetic. But Galaxy S25 Ultra has rounded edges that make it look more like a larger version of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, along with slimmer bezels that give the phone a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen. In terms of performance, the Galaxy S25 series will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, continuing the tradition Samsung has established in recent years of putting customized versions of Qualcomm's latest chip in its new phones. The company claims this version of the chip is clocked higher than non-Galaxy editions, meaning it should enable faster performance. The Ultra in particular has a 40% larger vapor chamber for heat dissipation compared to the S24 Ultra, Samsung says, which may make it more suitable for gaming. The new processor should also enhance power efficiency and battery life. However, Samsung isn't making any claims about battery life improvements, and charging speeds also remain the same -- which means the base Galaxy S25 will have 25W wired charging while the S25 Plus and Ultra will support 45W. That's a bit disappointing considering the OnePlus 13 supports 80-watt fast charging. When it comes to the camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will see the biggest improvement in its ultra wide sensor, which is getting upgraded to 50-megapixels from 12-megapixels. Otherwise, it will have a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel 5X telephoto camera and a 10-megapixel 3X zoom camera like last year's Ultra. Thankfully, the Galaxy S25 series will get seven years of operating system and security updates like the previous models, meaning these phones should last quite some time. Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like an incremental step up from the Galaxy S24 Ultra. With minimal hardware changes, there's a lot riding on AI to show how Samsung's phones are evolving.

I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus aren't groundbreaking by any means, but the refined design and functional AI features might be all that's really needed. Samsung's Galaxy S25 series has arrived, and like last year, the theme is all about AI. However, things are slightly different this year because the "AI" that Samsung so confidently touts is a little more mature. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more With the Galaxy S25 phones, Samsung is introducing new contextual AI features to make them more helpful. And these software tricks are accompanied by more polished hardware that feels better than ever in the hand. While there aren't many major spec upgrades, the $799 Galaxy S25 and $999 Galaxy S25 Plus remain strong contenders in their respective segments. Here are my key takeaways after spending an afternoon with both devices ahead of the Wednesday event. Both the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are slimmer and thinner than ever. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent in-hand feel of Samsung's new compact flagship during my brief hands-on experience. They both retain the design language of the Galaxy S24 -- the same rounded edges and slight curves on the flat sides make them fit comfortably in your palm -- but feel much lighter at about four grams less. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 major upgrades I'm looking forward to testing Not much else has changed in terms of hardware. The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, while the Plus variant has a 6.7-inch screen. Both field 120Hz dynamic refresh rates, which can go from 1Hz to 120Hz depending on the content on the screen. For instance, the phones will switch to 1Hz with the Always-On Display to save battery and go up to 120Hz while scrolling and gaming. Powering every Galaxy S25 model this year is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. The "for Galaxy" designation indicates better optimizations for Samsung's Galaxy AI features, which now operate faster and more accurately. Some of my favorites include a new Now Bar status indicator on the lock screen and Audio Eraser. Also: 3 exciting AI features coming to Google Pixel and other Android phones The new Now Bar is Samsung's take on Dynamic Island, but I prefer it over Apple's rendition because it feels more intuitive. You can start a workout, navigation, or stopwatch via stacked cards on the lock screen. These cards are interactive, allowing you to swipe between them and play/pause activities. The Now Bar also works with Google services, so if you've been searching sports scores, it'll naturally display the live scores of teams you follow. Samsung says these phones are meant to become more optimized and tailored as you use them, and the new Now Brief feature is a good representation of that approach. It's an app (and home screen widget) that gives you daily briefings based on data from your Calendar, Samsung Health, favorite sports, artists, and more. For instance, the Brief can suggest taking it easy if it detects that you haven't slept well. I can see this being useful for people who don't tend to open the Health app frequently. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus are also getting new AI features like Audio Eraser and more accurate Generative Edits. The former is similar to Apple's Audio Mix, which can recognize six types of sound, including Wind, Voices, and more. You can select these and adjust their levels as the video is playing. The feature worked surprisingly well during my demo, with the Galaxy S25 managing to separate wind and noise, enhancing the sound quality of a person's instrument. As for improvements to Generative Edit, it's faster and more accurate at detecting and removing unwanted objects (including shadows) from your photos. Additionally, Samsung Smart Select is now AI Select, which can identify on-screen content and suggest actions based on it. For example, it can detect a date and location in a wall of text and suggest adding it to your Calendar, eliminating the need to manually copy and paste details. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus have received a RAM upgrade from 8GB to 12GB. But unlike the competing OnePlus 13, which offers multiple RAM options, you only get one RAM capacity here, with three storage variants: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. While the camera hardware remains unchanged, the ISP of the Snapdragon Elite 8 chip does improve the output of the 50MP primary camera, 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and 12MP ultrawide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view. I'll be testing the devices in the real world to see how they stack up with other handsets. Also: Samsung Care+ includes free same-day screen repairs for Galaxy devices now The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus pack the same 4,000mAh and 4,900mAh batteries, respectively, as their predecessors. However, Samsung is promising better battery life this time around due to the power efficiency of the Qualcomm chipset. What you won't see the company touting is Qi2 wireless charging support, which both devices unfortunately do not have. You can preorder the Galaxy S25 for a starting price of $799 and the Galaxy S25 Plus for a starting price of $999. The phones are available in Icy Blue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow color options, but my favorite is a red color (pictured at the top of the article) that's exclusive to online customers only.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Gets a Bigger Screen and More AI

Expertise Apple | Samsung | Google | Smartphones | Smartwatches | Wearables | Fitness trackers Samsung's top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Ultra is getting a slightly larger screen and an updated look that brings it closer to the standard Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. All three of the company's new phones will also have AI more tightly woven into the operating system for tasks such as serving up recommended actions or apps, allowing users to search for photos using natural language and stringing together multiple actions with a single voice command. Samsung's approach with the Galaxy S25 series is another sign that smartphone makers are increasingly leaning on AI to make their phones stand out. Several of the new features Samsung announced on Wednesday are competitive with Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI features available on the iPhone, iPad and Mac -- further underscoring how tech giants are vying to offer the best AI experience. Samsung began its big push into new smartphone-based AI features last year with the launch of Galaxy AI. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,300 like last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. As the largest and most expensive phone in Samsung's Galaxy S lineup, it includes a bigger 6.9-inch screen, a high resolution 200-megapixel main camera and new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, along with the familiar S Pen stylus. It's these features that differentiate it from the cheaper $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus and $800 Galaxy S25, which Samsung also announced during Wednesday's Unpacked event. Read more: Your Phone's Camera Is Paving the Way For Virtual Assistants of the Future Galaxy AI was the biggest focus of last year's Galaxy S24 series, and that continues to be the case with the Galaxy S25. But instead of focusing on individual AI-powered features, like Generative Edit for manipulating photos or Live Translate for translating phone calls in different languages, Samsung is incorporating AI into its phones on a more fundamental level. For example, a new tool called AI Select will suggest actions based on what's on your phone's screen. The photo gallery app will also support conversational search queries, such as "Find bottles of wine from France," much like photo apps from Apple and Google. What's perhaps even more interesting is that Samsung is incorporating this into the settings menu so that you can type in a query such as, "My eyes are hurting, can you help with the screen?" to adjust the blue light filter or lower the brightness. Apple similarly gave Siri the ability to answer tech support questions about its devices with the arrival of Apple Intelligence. Circle to Search, which emerged as being one of the more popular phone-based AI features in 2024, is also getting updated with the ability to recognize sound. Samsung is improving the way voice commands work on the Galaxy S25 series too, undoubtedly a move to more closely compete with Apple's Siri and OpenAI's ChatGPT. You'll be able to long hold the power button to issue more complex commands such as, "Get me the schedule for this season's Arsenal matches and add them to my calendar" or "Find me a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and send it in a text message." Samsung and Google apps will be supported, as well as certain third-party apps including WhatsApp and Spotify to start. Like many Galaxy AI features, these voice commands will use a combination of Google and Samsung's models, with the difference depending on the task at hand. A search-related query might use Google, for example, while saving information to Samsung Notes would likely involve Samsung's model. Samsung is also using a large language model to make recommendations based on your personal routines by examining data from apps like the web browser, photo gallery, Samsung Health, Samsung Wallet and SmartThings. So if your bedroom's temperature is too high and your Galaxy Ring knows you keep waking up in the middle of the night, Samsung might suggest that you set a routine to turn down the temperature on your SmartThings thermostat once you fall asleep. The company says personal data will be stored on the device in the same area of its Samsung Knox mobile security platform where biometric data is kept. Samsung is attempting to make the lock screen and home screen more helpful with new features called Now Brief and the Now Bar. The Now Brief is exactly what it sounds like: a summary of information such as how you slept, the weather forecast, schedule reminders and routine suggestions based on your habits. The Now Bar, on the other hand, reminds me of the iPhone's Dynamic Island and Live Actions. It's a tiny space on the lock screen for showing information such as sports scores or real-time navigation without having to unlock your phone. Some of these new AI features feel similar to tools that have emerged over the past decade in the Internet of Things era -- such as the ability to surface recommendations based on personal habits and routines. Others, like the revamped voice assistant, seem like an attempt to keep pace with rivals like Apple's Siri, which will also gain the ability to work with apps in the future. However, Apple hasn't launched this capability yet, as it's been rolling out specific Apple Intelligence features in phases through software updates. Samsung says all of its newly announced AI tools will be available on the Galaxy S25 series at launch. It's promising to see smartphone AI moving in a direction that impacts general usage rather than individual features that are easily forgettable. Still, I would have liked to see AI software specifically designed for the Ultra or the S Pen to help it further stand out from its cheaper counterparts. Read more: Google's Android President on Why Smart Glasses Are Going to Work This Time Since 2022, Samsung's Ultra phones have essentially looked like replicas of the Galaxy Note, with their boxy edges and somewhat brutalist aesthetic. But Galaxy S25 Ultra has rounded edges that make it look more like a larger version of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, along with slimmer bezels that give the phone a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen. In terms of performance, the Galaxy S25 series will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, continuing the tradition Samsung has established in recent years of putting customized versions of Qualcomm's latest chip in its new phones. The company claims this version of the chip is clocked higher than non-Galaxy editions, meaning it should enable faster performance. The Ultra in particular has a 40% larger vapor chamber for heat dissipation compared to the S24 Ultra, Samsung says, which may make it more suitable for gaming. The new processor should also enhance power efficiency and battery life. However, Samsung isn't making any claims about battery life improvements, and charging speeds also remain the same -- which means the base Galaxy S25 will have 25W wired charging while the S25 Plus and Ultra will support 45W. That's a bit disappointing considering the OnePlus 13 supports 80-watt fast charging. When it comes to the camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will see the biggest improvement in its ultra wide sensor, which is getting upgraded to 50-megapixels from 12-megapixels. Otherwise, it will have a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel 5X telephoto camera and a 10-megapixel 3X zoom camera like last year's Ultra. Thankfully, the Galaxy S25 series will get seven years of operating system and security updates like the previous models, meaning these phones should last quite some time. Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like an incremental step up from the Galaxy S24 Ultra. With minimal hardware changes, there's a lot riding on AI to show how Samsung's phones are evolving.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Hands On: AI Everywhere, Plus a Bigger Screen

Expertise Apple | Samsung | Google | Smartphones | Smartwatches | Wearables | Fitness trackers Samsung's top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Ultra now has an even bigger screen and looks a lot more like the standard Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus -- signaling a departure from the company's previous design approach. All three of Samsung's new phones will also have AI more tightly woven into the operating system for tasks such as serving up recommended actions or apps, allowing users to search for photos using natural language and stringing together multiple actions with a single voice command. Samsung's approach with the Galaxy S25 series is another sign that smartphone makers are increasingly leaning on AI to make their phones stand out. Several of the new features Samsung announced on Wednesday are competitive with Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI features available on the iPhone, iPad and Mac -- further underscoring how tech giants are vying to offer the best AI experience. Samsung began its big push into new smartphone-based AI features last year with the launch of Galaxy AI. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis also announced that Samsung's new phones will be among the first to incorporate technology from Google's Project Astra AI assistant into the Gemini app -- meaning the Gemini app on those phones will be able to analyze live video and content on screen to answer questions about the world around you. The move indicates both Samsung and Google are hoping to position Android as being the ideal mobile platform for AI assistants, with Samsung's phones playing a big role in that ambition. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,300 like last year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. As the largest and most expensive phone in Samsung's Galaxy S lineup, it includes a bigger 6.9-inch screen, a high resolution 200-megapixel main camera and new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, along with the familiar S Pen stylus. It's these features that differentiate it from the cheaper $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus and $800 Galaxy S25, which Samsung also announced during Wednesday's Unpacked event. Read more: Your Phone's Camera Is Paving the Way For Virtual Assistants of the Future Galaxy AI was the biggest focus of last year's Galaxy S24 series, and that continues to be the case with the Galaxy S25. But instead of focusing on individual AI-powered features, like Generative Edit for manipulating photos or Live Translate for translating phone calls in different languages, Samsung is incorporating AI into its phones on a more fundamental level. For example, a new tool called AI Select will suggest actions based on what's on your phone's screen. The photo gallery app will also support conversational search queries, such as "Find bottles of wine from France," much like photo apps from Apple and Google. What's perhaps even more interesting is that Samsung is incorporating this into the settings menu so that you can type in a query such as, "My eyes are hurting, can you help with the screen?" to adjust the blue light filter or lower the brightness. Apple similarly gave Siri the ability to answer tech support questions about its devices with the arrival of Apple Intelligence. Circle to Search, which emerged as being one of the more popular phone-based AI features in 2024, is also getting updated with the ability to recognize sound. Samsung is improving the way voice commands work on the Galaxy S25 series too, undoubtedly a move to more closely compete with Apple's Siri and OpenAI's ChatGPT. You'll be able to long hold the power button to issue more complex commands such as, "Get me the schedule for this season's Arsenal matches and add them to my calendar" or "Find me a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and send it in a text message." Samsung and Google apps will be supported, as well as certain third-party apps including WhatsApp and Spotify to start. Like many Galaxy AI features, these voice commands will use a combination of Google and Samsung's models, with the difference depending on the task at hand. A search-related query might use Google, for example, while saving information to Samsung Notes would likely involve Samsung's model. Samsung is also using a large language model to make recommendations based on your personal routines by examining data from apps like the web browser, photo gallery, Samsung Health, Samsung Wallet and SmartThings. So if your bedroom's temperature is too high and your Galaxy Ring knows you keep waking up in the middle of the night, Samsung might suggest that you set a routine to turn down the temperature on your SmartThings thermostat once you fall asleep. The company says personal data will be stored on the device in the same area of its Samsung Knox mobile security platform where biometric data is kept. Samsung is attempting to make the lock screen and home screen more helpful with new features called Now Brief and the Now Bar. The Now Brief is exactly what it sounds like: a summary of information such as how you slept, the weather forecast, schedule reminders and routine suggestions based on your habits. The Now Bar, on the other hand, reminds me of the iPhone's Dynamic Island and Live Actions. It's a tiny space on the lock screen for showing information such as sports scores or real-time navigation without having to unlock your phone. Some of these new AI features feel similar to tools that have emerged over the past decade in the Internet of Things era -- such as the ability to surface recommendations based on personal habits and routines. Others, like the revamped voice assistant, seem like an attempt to keep pace with rivals like Apple's Siri, which will also gain the ability to work with apps in the future. However, Apple hasn't launched this capability yet, as it's been rolling out specific Apple Intelligence features in phases through software updates. Samsung says all of its newly announced AI tools will be available on the Galaxy S25 series at launch. It's promising to see smartphone AI moving in a direction that impacts general usage rather than individual features that are easily forgettable. Still, I would have liked to see AI software specifically designed for the Ultra or the S Pen to help it further stand out from its cheaper counterparts. Read more: Google's Android President on Why Smart Glasses Are Going to Work This Time Since 2022, Samsung's Ultra phones have essentially looked like replicas of the Galaxy Note, with their boxy edges and somewhat brutalist aesthetic. But Galaxy S25 Ultra has rounded edges that make it look more like a larger version of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, along with slimmer bezels that give the phone a slightly larger 6.9-inch screen. I was a fan of the Ultra's older look, but the new aesthetic feels like a nice bridge between the Note and the Galaxy S family. It's also notably lighter than last year's Ultra, which should make it less cumbersome for those who prefer phones with large screens. In terms of performance, the Galaxy S25 series will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, continuing the tradition Samsung has established in recent years of putting customized versions of Qualcomm's latest chip in its new phones. The company claims this version of the chip is clocked higher than non-Galaxy editions, meaning it should enable faster performance. The Ultra in particular has a 40% larger vapor chamber for heat dissipation compared to the S24 Ultra, Samsung says, which may make it more suitable for gaming. The new processor should also enhance power efficiency and battery life. However, Samsung isn't making any claims about battery life improvements, and charging speeds also remain the same -- which means the base Galaxy S25 will have 25W wired charging while the S25 Plus and Ultra will support 45W. That's a bit disappointing considering the OnePlus 13 supports 80-watt fast charging. When it comes to the camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will see the biggest improvement in its ultra wide sensor, which is getting upgraded to 50-megapixels from 12-megapixels. Otherwise, it will have a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel 5X telephoto camera and a 10-megapixel 3X zoom camera like last year's Ultra. Thankfully, the Galaxy S25 series will get seven years of operating system and security updates like the previous models, meaning these phones should last quite some time. Overall, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels like an incremental step up from the Galaxy S24 Ultra. With minimal hardware changes, there's a lot riding on AI to show how Samsung's phones are evolving.

Hands On: Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus Are More of the Same, With AI Hogging the Spotlight

Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. If you want to be impressed by the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, you've got to take the phrase "It's what's on the inside that counts" to heart. That's not to say Samsung's new Galaxy phones don't leave an impression -- I immediately fell in love with the range of color options and appreciate the sleek look and feel of the devices. But it does mean the biggest flexes come in the form of AI enhancements. That includes everything from AI-powered agents to new navigation tools to camera improvements. That's no surprise, given how AI stole the spotlight in Samsung's Unpacked invite. Ahead of the Wednesday keynote, the company heavily teased updates to Galaxy AI and mentioned the new Galaxy series, too -- namely, how it ties in with AI, of course. Appearance-wise, the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus borrow heavily from their predecessors (a common theme across phones these days), with smooth rounded edges and three stacked camera lenses on the back. They come in Navy, Icyblue, Mint and Silver Shadow, as well as the online-exclusive colors Blueblack, Coralred and Pinkgold. (Why have one color when you could have two?) The phones are both outfitted with Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and feature aluminum frames. The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus arrive with a slew of expected features like an IP68 rating, a trio of rear cameras, Android 15 and Samsung's One UI 7. And like the Pixel 9 series, you'll get seven years of OS and security updates, helping you get the most bang for your buck. But ultimately, it's the new AI features, powered by a custom-built Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, that Samsung hopes will make its latest series stand out from competitors. Let's start with the big question: Will you have to pay more for this year's Galaxy devices? Thankfully, the answer is no. The Galaxy S25 starts at $800, while the S25 Plus starts at $1,000. If you want to go with the most premium option, the S25 Ultra rings in at $1,300. All three devices are priced the same as last year's models. Samsung also has several pre-order perks to help offset the price of a new phone. While the phrase "artificial intelligence" has been tossed around incessantly over the last few years, Samsung emphasized at an early press event on Tuesday that the Galaxy S25 lineup is "purpose-built" with Galaxy AI in mind. What does that mean? It means you can use more natural, conversational language when searching for an image in your Gallery. It means you can long-press the side power button and ask when the next Warriors game is, have it added to your calendar and text your friends about it, all with one voice command. It means your phone will pick up on your habits and show you the weather, remind you of today's meetings and share news articles you may be interested in when you wake up, all without asking, via the Now Brief widget. The S25 lineup also introduces a tool called AI Select, which you can access via a panel on the edge of your screen. AI Select will detect what's being shown and then make suggestions, like turning part of a YouTube video into a GIF or summarizing text on a webpage. Circle to Search is also better at recognizing objects on your screen and surfacing relevant information and links. It can now also be used to look up sounds, like that song playing on your Instagram feed or a tune you hum or sing. (I can confirm it accurately detected my hummed rendition of Taylor Swift's Love Story.) These new Galaxy AI features will be available on the S25 lineup at launch and will eventually expand to older models, Samsung says. Both the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus feature a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera. They can both shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, or 8K video at 30 frames per second. For the biggest camera upgrade, you'll have to look to the S25 Ultra, which gets a new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. While the lenses on the S25 and S25 Plus remain the same as last year's models, it's again AI that levels things up, according to Samsung. Nighttime videos, for instance, get a boost with the help of a new removal tool that examines individual pixels to detect any noise. It then uses AI to correct those issues and serve up clearer, more true-to-life footage, according to Samsung. The company also says the latest phones do a better job of distinguishing between moving and static objects to maximize and enhance color, contrast and movement, so you don't get a blurry person walking through a video. This is all done in real time, on device. I look forward to testing these features out for myself during a more in-depth review. Generative Edit, which lets you move, resize or remove objects as well as alter backgrounds, gets faster and more accurate, and can recognize shadows attached to objects you're removing for a cleaner final image. Portrait Studio, which creates a range of stylized portraits, also gets more accurate and adds detail to those final images. My own demo with this impressively captured the color and flow of my hijab in the 3D cartoon rendition of Portrait Studio, and is what I imagine I'd look like as a Pixar character. Ultimately, AI fine-tunes what the S25 and S25 Plus's cameras capture and gives photo generation and editing a boost. The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus support 15W-watt wireless charging, which is the same as what you'll get with Qi2. You can use Samsung's own case with the Qi2 magnetic profile or a compatible third-party case to take advantage of those wireless capabilities. The short answer: not much. A more detailed answer: The S25 Plus is, not surprisingly, bigger than the baseline model, with a 6.7-inch QHD Plus Dynamic AMOLED display, versus the baseline's 6.2-inch FHD Plus Dynamic AMOLED display. They both feature a 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate. This makes the S25 Plus clock in at 190g, versus the baseline's 162g - but they both feel nice and relatively lightweight in hand. More room means higher battery capacity, with the S25 Plus packing a 4,900-mAh battery, versus the baseline's 4,000-mAh battery. We'll have to see through more hands-on experience and testing how those batteries stack up. The parallels between the S25 and S25 Plus can place the latter in an awkward position; although it's a larger device, it's still not as advanced as the more premium (and expensive) S25 Ultra. But it'll still cost you $200 more than the baseline model. Whether that's worth it ultimately comes down to personal preference, but based on my initial impressions, it appears you won't be sacrificing much in terms of performance by pocketing that money and sticking with the baseline model. But that, again, is something we'll explore more with further testing.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra Continues Samsung's Apple-fication

The PetaPixel team is in San Jose, California for the Samsung Unpacked event and is working hard on our review of the latest Galaxy S25 Ultra for photographers. However, we did get an early briefing and first look at the latest high-end phone from Samsung and we have some thoughts about the most exciting features. The S25 Ultra sheds a little bit of weight dropping it down to 7.69 ounces (218 grams) and is 15% thinner than the S24 Ultra, too. I definitely appreciate the stronger Gorilla Glass 2 Victus found on the S25 Ultra as I have found the iPhone 16 Pro with its similar glass to stand up much better to abuse. Battery life is the same as far as capacity goes but the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor should prove to be more power efficient than before. Overall, the S25 Ultra is a little sleeker, a little lighter, and a lot faster. The cameras are largely unchanged on the S25 Ultra with one important distinction: the new model has a new 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera that allows for some close-up macro shots as well. This is a pretty big difference from the previous 12-megapixel camera in the S24 series. I will be testing this new camera fully to see if we get a larger sensor and noticeable improvements to image quality. Before seeing the new phone, I hoped and dared to dream that Samsung might return to a 10x telephoto camera but it has taken the more conservative approach and we instead see the return of the 5x camera. The 3x camera and 200-megapixel main camera also make a return from the S24 Ultra. Generative AI was one of the most dramatic changes on the S24 Ultra but let's not conflate "dramatic" with good. Although you could erase unwanted subjects or move people around in the frame the results were often unrealistic and the time it took to connect with the cloud servers and download the result was an arduous process at best. I'm going to reserve judgment on the quality of the results until I get more time with the phone, but the generative changes are all done on device now and this drastically speeds up the waiting times. What was once an annoying process that sapped all the fun out of the experience is now a convenient and usable tool. We see the return of Samsung's Sketch to Image feature which converts a basic doodle into an AI-generated image. I admit that I don't often use this feature and it still does require cloud access to work but the wait time is not very long. However, there is a new feature that brought immense joy to the people trying it out right before we did. Samsung debuted a new Photo Studio feature that can apply a stylized AI-generated effect to a portrait. This cloud-dependant feature can transform your image into an adorable cartoon, a stylish pencil sketch, or even an impressionistic watercolor painting. I must say that although some people's results captured a very recognizable aspect of their appearance, mine looked more like an eyewitness sketch that only showed a passable likeness. I'm definitely going to play with this feature more though because the results can be entertaining and the speed with which the S25 Ultra connects to the cloud and processes the result is drastically better than before. Samsung may have just surpassed the Google Pixel 9 Pro when it comes to video flexibility with one very big change. The S25 Ultra now has log recording in all its modes. As long as you're shooting 10-bit H265 video you can get a very flat profile with plenty of room to grade the footage. There are flat profiles available on Android phones via third-party apps but we often find that when a manufacturer makes a log profile, the results are far more useful. Samsung has also improved its low-light game by adding AI-based noise reduction to both photos and video recording in real-time. Google uses a video noise reduction feature which is a cloud-based affair, with very long wait times to receive the footage back. Being able to have a better low-light video with the convenience of real-time processing and a proper log profile to grade with is a great step in the right direction. I'm excited to try out some of the new features on the Galaxy S25 Ultra but I'm left with some lingering thoughts and concerns. The hardware is largely the same as before so I expect the image quality to follow suit and give us a similar experience to the S24 Ultra. However, the experience of using the dramatically faster AI tools was way more pleasurable than before and the video features look to be markedly improved. I'm eager to test the S25 Ultra in the coming days and see how far it has come but I can't help but feel like Samsung is still playing a game of catch-up, in particular to the iPhone 16 Pro. Samsung seems to be trying to at least match the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max in most arenas but I don't think it will surpass it in any major ways. Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong because innovation is what drives the smartphone market more than almost any other industry. At $1,299 the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra carries a premium price and I find myself wondering if it will feel like it's worth the cost but I worry that it might instead fail to impress.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra has given me hope about AI, but only for now

Table of Contents Table of Contents The more you use it Using the hardware New specification An exciting future There's a lot riding on the latest Galaxy AI features headlining the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but after spending a short time with the phone I'm far more positive about it than I have been about mobile AI at all so far. It's a good thing, as the rest of the Galaxy S25 Ultra isn't exactly groundbreaking. However, it's going to take a while before we truly understand if Galaxy AI on the S25 series is as transformational as Samsung claims. The more you use it There's something to explain about the Galaxy AI features before we go any further. I'm basing my positive interest on what I've been told it'll do, rather than seeing it actually doing it in person. Normally this would be a cardinal sin, but as this is a hands-on and not a review, I feel it's acceptable. The reason is, Galaxy AI's personalized insights -- the most intriguing aspect -- needs time to get to know you, and unless you've used the phone for a period of time, it doesn't work. Recommended Videos Samsung's Personalized AI powers the Now Brief, a proactive "AI agent" delivering informative summaries multiple times a day, containing details on the weather, your activities for the day, photos taken, your upcoming schedule, the amount of steps taken, and a host of other things based on your interests. This can include new content from your favorite artists, podcasts, or sports scores and fixtures. The more you use the phone, the more it'll inform you. Previous Next 1 of 9 The Daily Brief appears on a dedicated page, or on the Now Bar at the bottom of the lock screen. The Now Bar operates like the iPhone's Dynamic Island, showing timers, music playing, and other live information. It's a really neat implementation, and as it's software driven and not partially obscuring a camera cutout, it's entirely hidden if it's not in use. The Now Brief, when explained to me, sounds genuinely helpful. As it's entirely customizable, I won't be bothered by things I don't care about, cutting down on information overload or unnecessary noise, plus all my data is end-to-end encrypted. I don't think Galaxy AI's "personalized" approach is all that new, but Samsung is really pushing its intelligence and convenience, plus the overall design and implementation is top notch. Mobile AI needs to provide value, appear seamless and well-crafted, and needs to regularly save me time and effort. The Daily Brief system sounds like it should do most of this, but unfortunately only time will tell if it does. However, Samsung did a really good job at selling the promise to me, and I feel more positive about Samsung's personalized AI features than I have about any other mobile AI feature yet. Using the hardware Previous Next 1 of 4 Will you want to use the Galaxy S25 Ultra for the length of time required so Galaxy AI gets to know you? There are some big hardware changes compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I'm not completely sure how I feel about them yet. Samsung has rounded the frame which it says improves grip, but throughout my time holding and trying the phone out, it didn't feel especially comfortable. The flat sides have a sharper taper than the S25 or S25 Plus, and it's less comfortable to hold than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. Samsung has reduced the weight down to 215 grams and the larger 6.9-inch screen has 15% smaller bezels, so the phone is pleasingly light and all screen on the front. The body is also a couple of millimeters less wide, which you really do notice, especially as the S Pen stylus' holder is right at the edge of the phone's base now. Just like the tiny differences in dimensions between the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung has worked to make its non-folding flagship less of a handful, even after increasing the screen size. It works, but the phone leaves less of an impression than before, as it doesn't look or feel quite such a behemoth anymore. Previous Next 1 of 6 On the back it's business as usual as it has not changed the camera layout, but the overall shape of the phone is "new" enough that I don't think you'll mistake the S25 Ultra for the S24 Ultra. However, after holding all three S25 phones, I came away thinking the S25 and S25 Plus had the more pleasing in-hand feel. The titanium frame continues on from the S24 Ultra with a few improvements, while the Gorilla Armor 2 glass's anti-reflection surface treatment is even more effective, and more resistant to fractures and damage than before. New specification An overclocked, better optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor powers the S25 Ultra (and all other S25 models), and there's a larger vapor chamber for cooling, plus 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage space. The camera retains the 200-megapixel main unit and 50MP telephoto from the S24 Ultra, but there's a new 50MP wide-angle camera. I was impressed by the new smooth zoom feature, and seeing the instant color correction mode in action when shooting video in Log mode. A demo of the Audio Eraser feature -- where unwanted noise can be removed from a video -- showed how effective it can be in noisy environments. I got the impression there are a lot of tiny changes in the camera's software and feature list, such as 10-bit HDR, a virtual aperture mode when using the Expert RAW app, new generative edit features, and updated noise reduction algorithms. It was the same story with the rest of Galaxy AI, such as Circle to Search now working with sound from video to identify songs, and being able to verbally request alterations in the Settings menu. Some of these you'll notice and use, others work in the background, and others you may never use at all. Previous Next 1 of 5 As with previous years, the reason to choose the S25 Ultra over the other two models lies mostly in the massive screen, the top-spec camera, and the S Pen stylus. All three new S25 phones use the same processor. The screen is huge, but when I briefly used the Galaxy S25 Plus, it didn't feel small or cramped, and if you're not a real camera geek and don't ever plan to use the S Pen, then it's probably a better buy. The S25 and S25 Plus are more shapely too, and when compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's squared-off corners are emphasized even more. An exciting future If the Daily Brief and more personalized aspects of Galaxy AI work as Samsung described, it may become the first major mobile AI feature set to mean something to a lot of people. The S25 Ultra's hardware is more palatable too, with its rounded corners, lighter weight, and slimmer case. Combined, it makes the Galaxy S24 Ultra less for the hardcore user, and more interesting to demanding buyers who want the best Samsung offers. However, there are two very big "ifs" in all this. If Galaxy AI's personalized features don't deliver value, and if the S25 Ultra's new design proves to be uncomfortable or fatiguing to hold for longer periods of time, then your attention should turn towards the Galaxy S25 or S25 Plus, or outside towards the Google Pixel 9 series. We'll know for sure when we review the S25 Ultra, but for now, I'm very excited about its potential as the first smartphone with true, mass appeal AI inside it. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will be released on February 7 and start vat $1,299 or 1,249 British pounds.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Hands On: Same Look, But Big Changes Inside

Samsung has officially unveiled its Galaxy S25 line at Galaxy Unpacked in San Jose. Outwardly, very little has changed across the three phones other than a softer look for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Most of the updates are on the inside and empower these handsets to offer more meaningful AI tools to help make everyday experiences better. Samsung has fully adopted Google Gemini and put Bixby on the bench. Further, new cross-app functionality lets you turn simple voice requests into multi-app actions. We spent some time with the new trio of phones before their announcement. Read on for our first impressions as we put the phones through their paces for full reviews. Design: Attack of the Clones Externally, you'd be hard-pressed to spot visual differences between the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 series. The familiar rounded rectangle shape is back, though all three phones are lighter than their predecessors (more on that in a bit). The sharp corners of the S24 Ultra are gone, replaced with somewhat more rounded corners that are much more comfortable to hold and put in your pocket. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ rely on Armor Aluminum to strengthen their frames. The S25 Ultra upgrades its frame to titanium and adds the next-generation Corning Gorilla Armor 2 to protect the display. This glass rejects glare and is more resistant to fractures compared with the Gorilla Armor of last year's phone. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the rear of the Ultra as well as both the front and rear of the S25 and S25+, as it does on the S24. Samsung protects its flagship phones from dust and water, which all share the same IP68 rating. This means they can be submerged in up to about five feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The new models have new colors. The S25 and S25+ are available at retail in Icyblue, Mint, Navy, or Silver Shadow. If you want Blueblack, Coralred, or Pinkgold, you'll have to order from Samsung directly. The S25 Ultra comes in Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silverblue, or Titanium Whitesilver. Three more options are available directly from Samsung: Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Pinkgold. All the phones have matte finishes (and are fingerprint magnets). Samsung hasn't changed the displays of the two smaller phones. The S25 sticks to a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2,340-by-1,080-pixel resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 2,600-nit peak brightness. The S25+ has the same refresh rate and brightness as the S25, though its display is 6.7 inches with a higher 3,120-by-1,440-pixel resolution. The S25 Ultra features a slightly larger 6.9-inch display also at a 3,120-by-1,440-pixel resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,600-nit peak brightness. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a smaller 6.8-inch panel. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ feel remarkably similar to the previous generation. Their build quality is excellent, the buttons feel great, the screen is responsive, the bezels are small, and they both feel pleasant to hold. The S25 Ultra's redesign is a welcome change. The rounded corners don't dig into your palm like the S24 Ultra and nestle into your hand more securely. I do have a minor nitpick about the S25 Ultra -- the S Pen stylus does not sit completely flush with the rounded frame. The outermost side of the S Pen juts out just slightly from the bottom. For a phone that starts at $1,299.99, I find this irksome. However, if you put it in a case, you may never notice. Otherwise, there's no question that these phones are well-made, premium devices. Like in previous years, you get three distinctly different-sized devices. The S25 measures 5.78 by 2.78 by 0.28 inches (HWD) and weighs 5.71 ounces, which is 0.01 inches shorter, 0.02 inches thinner, and 0.22 ounces lighter than the S24. The Galaxy S25+ measures 6.24 by 2.98 by 0.29 inches and 6.70 ounces, which is roughly the same size as the S24+ but lighter by 0.25 ounces. As for the S25 Ultra, it is taller than the S24 Ultra but smaller in every other respect at 6.41 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches and 7.69 ounces. Samsung shaved 0.53 ounces from the Ultra's weight and it makes a huge difference in the hand. It's no longer quite as heavy a burden to bear. The port and button layout is the same as before, with a volume toggle on the right edge and a power button below it. The USB-C port, SIM card tray, and speaker are all located on the bottom edge. The Ultra's S Pen is tucked into a slot in the bottom left corner. The camera layout is the same as the previous models but features bolder black rings around the lenses instead of the thin silver rings of the S24 line. The S25 and S25+ include three lenses in a vertical orientation, while the Ultra adds two smaller sensors to the right of the vertical stack. The lenses stick out quite a bit and may get snagged on your pants if you don't use a case. Last, there's a big change to the Ultra model's S Pen: It no longer supports Bluetooth LE, meaning it can no longer perform Air Actions. Samsung says that only 1% of S Pen owners used this feature, and of that 1%, most used it as a remote shutter button. Since that feature can still be activated by a hand wave or a compatible smartwatch, Samsung pulled the Bluetooth radio and battery from the S Pen, which it says "reduces one more point of failure." Specs: These Phones Got Guts Every Samsung Galaxy S25 model worldwide is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. Previous "for Galaxy" variants were overclocked versions of Qualcomm's standard 8 series chip. This time, Samsung had Qualcomm develop a customized application processor that allows the Galaxy S25 series to perform more on-device AI functions. Additionally, the S25 series features larger vapor chambers -- 40% bigger on the Ultra and 15% bigger on the S25 and S25+. These improvements are vital for cooling, which allows for sustained performance. Samsung says the chip delivers a 40% increase in NPU performance, a 37% increase in CPU performance, and a 30% increase in GPU performance compared with the S24. The base Galaxy S25 now comes with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB on the S24, while the other two models carry over 12GB from their S24 counterparts. On one hand, this gives the S25 parity with the larger models, but on the other hand, it's strange that the Ultra does not feature more RAM while competitors like the Asus ROG Phone 9 and the RedMagic 10 Pro have up to 16GB and 24GB, respectively. The S25's storage options remain the same as the S24 lineup. The S25 has either 128GB or 256GB, the S25+ has 256GB or 512GB, and the Ultra has 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. None of the phones offers expandable storage, which is unfortunately par for the course these days. Battery sizes and charging capabilities are also carried over from the Galaxy S24 series. The S25 has a 4,000mAh battery, the S25+ has a 4,900mAh battery, and the S25 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery. Despite leaving the capacities unchanged, Samsung claims the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, combined with its own software enhancements, delivers big improvements to battery life across the board. The S25 charges at a top rate of 25W via wire, while the other two phones support faster 45W charging. All three support 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Apple, meanwhile, is now offering 25W wireless charging with MagSafe. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ now match the Ultra with Wi-Fi 7, and all models support 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave), Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. Once again, ultra-wideband is available on the S25+ and S25 Ultra, but not the base model. Cameras: Similar Sensors, New Tricks Only the Ultra model receives any upgrades to its camera hardware. It still features a 200MP f/1.7 main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a second 10MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. It now has a 50MP ultra-wide camera, up from the 12MP camera of the S24 Ultra, that supports a high-resolution macro mode. The Ultra is capable of 100x Space Zoom, which combines optical zoom and digital cropping. The S25 and S25+ carry over the same cameras as last year's models. You get a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Both phones are capable of 30x Space Zoom. Every S25 has the same 12MP front-facing camera. Rear capture tops out at 8K resolution and 30 frames per second (fps), while the selfie camera reaches up to 4K at 60fps. You can shoot in 4K at 120fps for super-smooth action, and the new ProVisual Engine supports advanced features like Log video capture if you want to apply your own color profiles in post. This puts the S25 somewhat more on par with the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro. Samsung says it has improved night photography and videography using a Spatial-Temporal Filter (STF) that can search for noise at the individual pixel level of every frame. STF should yield sharper pictures with less noise, even in dark environments. The Gallery app is also smarter. It can now automatically suggest removing multiple background items from your photos, like a group of people and their shadows. You can now perform Generative Image Editing completely offline -- as long as you download the Large Language Model (LLM) packet. This allows you to remove or resize items in an image or expand the background beyond what was visible in the original picture. Without the LLM download, you'll need a network connection to perform these generative edits. Samsung says the results will be the same either way. There is also a virtual aperture feature, similar to dSLRs, that gives you real-time control over depth and brightness. Software: Improved AI for the Real World The Galaxy S25 line runs Android 15 with the brand-new One UI 7 atop it. Like the S24, the S25 phones will receive seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, matching Google's seven-year commitment to its Pixel phones. Galaxy AI is the key feature of One UI 7. It includes existing AI tools like Chat Assist, Live Translate, Notes Assist, and Writing Assist, but adds cross-app functionality. For example, you can say to your phone, "Put the next New York Rangers game on my calendar," and Gemini will find the information online and create the appropriate event in your calendar. Before this advancement, a similar action would require multiple steps. At launch, cross-app functionality will work with Samsung Calendar, Clock, Messages, and Notes. Samsung says support for some Google apps and third-party ones like Spotify and WhatsApp will come later. Google Gemini is now the default assistant across the Galaxy S25 line. Long-pressing the side button invokes it, though you can configure the button to call up Bixby or the power menu. Samsung says the S25 will personalize its AI by creating your own personal LLM, which will be locked down by its security system, Knox. As your phone learns about you and the way you use it, Gemini will recommend routines and other actions. The new Now Brief home screen widget acts as a proactive dashboard meant to anticipate your needs. It contains information like a summary of your sleep conditions, weather forecasts, reminders, and insights. Some of these functions are duplicated on the lock screen in the Now Bar, which lets you interact with your most-used apps and controls without needing to launch the full apps. Search also gets easier. Circle to Search can now find audio information along with images and text. So, if you want to know what song is playing in a video, Circle to Search can find it. Natural language search is built into the Gallery app and the Settings menu. In the Gallery, you can ask for something like, "Find pictures of wine bottles in France," and it will show you the results. For Settings, you can say things like, "My eyes hurt looking at the screen," and it will take you to features meant to reduce eye strain, like the Eye Comfort Shield. In theory, you won't need to know the exact phrases to find things. Samsung says Gemini supports more natural language interactions and relies less on strict syntax. Samsung adds an Audio Eraser function to the Gallery app that can assist with your videos. This tool analyzes a video and separates out the types of audio noise (wind, crowd, animals, traffic) so you can choose what is heard and what should be lowered. Audio Eraser works entirely on the device, doesn't need a network connection, and you can mix the results in real time. This feature works on any video, not just ones recorded with an S25. When and Where to Buy the Galaxy S25 Pricing for the Galaxy S25 family remains the same as it was for the Galaxy S24 line. Here's how it breaks down: Samsung is selling the S25 lineup from its own site as well as via its usual carrier and retail partners -- meaning Amazon, AT&T, Best Buy, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The phones are available for pre-order now and reach stores on February 7. We're in the process of testing the Galaxy S25 lineup now, so make sure to check back soon for our full reviews. In the meantime, see how the S25 models compare.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. Galaxy S24: It's mainly about the Snapdragon 8 Elite

Samsung Galaxy S25 Compact and powerful Samsung's Galaxy S25 is an iterative upgrade over the Galaxy S24. It has the new Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and One UI 7. The compact design has also been retained with minor tweaks. Pros & Cons Powerful processor Beautiful display Good battery life Limited to 25W wired charging $800 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24 A capable predecessor The Galaxy S24 is a year old but still one of the best small phones you can buy. It packs a beautiful display and a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Pros & Cons Gorgeous display Solid processor Frequently sold at a discount Camera performance could be better 25W wired charging $860 at Samsung Samsung's newest compact flagship, the Galaxy S25 , is here. It packs Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a host of updated AI features, and a slightly tweaked design. But otherwise, it's very similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 , including the 120Hz LTPO OLED display, the 4,000mAh battery, and 25W wired charging. Are the upgrades in the Galaxy S25 enough to justify it over the Galaxy S24 as an upgrade or a fresh small phone purchase? Let's find out. Read our ranking Best small phones in 2025 Small phones are more powerful than ever Posts Price, availability, specifications Samsung has kept the Galaxy S25's launch price the same as the Galaxy S24 in the US. You get two storage variants with the same 12GB of RAM: 128GB and 256GB. The 128GB model costs $800, whereas the 256GB version is $860. The phone will go on sale starting February 7 and will be available widely, including through Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung.com, and carriers. The Galaxy S24, which was launched at $800 for the 128GB model and $860 for the 256GB model, is often discounted these days. It hasn't got an official price cut, but it's easy to get both storage variants with at least a $100 discount. It also has a relatively lower availability than the S25, so you may not get both storage variants at all retailers. Samsung still stocks both variants on its website, including the exclusive colors you can't buy elsewhere. Before we delve deeper, here's a look at the raw specifications of the two phones. Samsung Galaxy S25Samsung Galaxy S24SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Display typeLTPO AMOLED, 120HzLTPO AMOLED, 120HzDisplay dimensions6.2"6.2"Display resolution2340 x 1080 2340 × 1080RAM12GB8GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GBBattery4,000mAh4,000mAhCharge speed25W25WCharge optionsUSB-C Wired, Qi wirelessUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-COperating SystemAndroid 15 and One UI 7Android 14 and One UI 6.1Front camera12MP f/2.212MP f/2.2Rear camera50MP f/1.8 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto50MP f/1.8 main, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 3x telephotoCellular connectivitySub-6 & mmWave 5GSub-6 & mmWave 5GWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6EConnectivityNFCNFCBluetoothBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.3Dimensions146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm147.1 x 70.6 x 7.6mm Weight162g168gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsSilver Shadow, Navy, Icy Blue, MintOnyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone OrangeStylusNoNo Read our review Samsung Galaxy S24 review: Small but super Bright screen, flat sides, can't lose Posts Design and display Minor design tweaks with the same display Samsung has chosen to go with a familiar design for the Galaxy S25, which closely resembles its predecessor. The phone retains the glass sandwich structure of the S24, with an aluminum frame. The only noticeable change is the thicker ring around the rear camera lenses, a design element borrowed from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 . The Galaxy S25 is also slightly thinner and lighter than the Galaxy S24, but the difference is not significant. Aside from these two tweaks, the design remains largely unchanged. Both phones boast an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and feature Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. Things are similar on the display front. The Galaxy S25 retains the 6.2-inch 1080p LTPO OLED panel from the Galaxy S24, which has a 120Hz refresh rate. So you can expect the same punchy and vibrant visuals and variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz. Software One UI 7 brings significant updates The Galaxy S25 runs on Android 15-based One UI 7 out of the box. One UI 7 is a significant update to Samsung software and includes changes to the visual aesthetic, tweaks to the lock-screen setup, a revamped camera app interface, and more. AI also plays a big role and is more deeply integrated into the software. The company claims the One UI 7 brings improvements to Circle to Search, Drawing assist, Writing assist, Call Transcript, and more. While the Galaxy S24 currently runs on Android 14-based One UI 6.1.1, it's set to receive the Android 15 and One UI 7 update by the end of Q1, 2025. This update will bring the software experience closer to that of the Galaxy S25. In terms of the software support period, the Galaxy S25 will have the same seven-year update promise as the Galaxy S24. So, you can expect Android OS and security updates for seven years from their original launch date. Performance and battery life The Galaxy S25 has an edge One of the most significant changes between the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 is at the heart of the two phones. The S25 is powered by Qualcomm's latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip that promises significant performance improvements over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is present in the Galaxy S24. So, the S25 will be a big step up in terms of raw power. However, the 8 Elite also upgrades power efficiency and imaging performance. The Galaxy S25 may have a more powerful chip, but that doesn't mean the Galaxy S24 is a slouch. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a pretty powerful processor that delivers excellent performance, which is good enough for most people. But the Elite is certainly more future-proof, especially if you don't want to upgrade your phone for a long time. In addition to the more powerful processor, the S25 has 12GB of RAM, up four gigs from the Galaxy S24. Another department where Samsung hasn't changed anything is the battery. It's the same 4,000mAh battery as the Galaxy S24. However, the power efficiency improvements offered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite will benefit the Galaxy S25. However, don't expect a big difference. The charging speed is still 25W for wired and 15W for wireless charging on both phones. Among other highlights, there is Wi-Fi 7 , NFC, and Bluetooth 5.4 on the newer Galaxy. The S24 has the same connectivity options except for Bluetooth 5.3. Unfortunately, UWB is still missing and limited to the more expensive siblings of the Galaxy S25. Cameras The same setup as last year The Galaxy S25 packs the same rear and front cameras as the Galaxy S24. You get a 50MP primary shooter with an f/1.8 lens, a 12MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 lens, and a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto shooter with 3x optical zoom. While we weren't particularly impressed with the Galaxy S24 cameras, it remains to be seen if the same is true for the Galaxy S25. You'll be able to read about the phone's camera performance in our Galaxy S25 review, which is expected over the coming days. To recap what we know about the Galaxy S24 cameras, they tend to over-brighten and oversaturate photos. They also struggle with motion. While you can still get some excellent shots from the phone in the daytime with still objects, it's trickier and needs some know-how. So, it'll also be interesting to see if the One UI 7 update brings any imaging performance improvements to the Galaxy S24. Which should you buy? It's clear that the Galaxy S25 is an iterative upgrade over the Galaxy S24. However, it does bring a notable improvement in the form of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with 12GB of RAM. You'll also get Android 15 out of the box. Other features may not have changed, but you still get a beautiful display, a reasonably capable battery, and a long software support period. So, if you're in the market for a smaller flagship and don't already own the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S25 is an excellent choice. However, if you already have the Galaxy S24, there is little reason to upgrade to the S25. Editor's pick Samsung Galaxy S25 Latest and greatest Samsung's brand-new Galaxy S25 keeps the tried and tested but infuses more power with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. $800 at Samsung $800 at Best Buy $800 at Amazon However, if you can get the Galaxy S24 at a good discount, it'll be a value-for-money alternative. It's mostly the same phone as the Galaxy S25, except for a year-old but competent processor. You get the same gorgeous display and same-sized battery. It'll also get the Android 15-based One UI 7 update in weeks. So, it can be a smart choice for folks who don't necessarily want to pay a premium for a brand-new smartphone. Runner-up Samsung Galaxy S24 Older but still excellent Although the Galaxy S24 is a year old, it's still a very capable smartphone with a top-tier display, flagship-grade processor, and decent battery life. $800 at Amazon $800 at Best Buy $860 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+ First Impressions: Familiar Faces, Powerful Performance

Camera hardware remains unchanged from last year, but enhanced processing promises better image optimization with the new chipset. A glance at the Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+ and my reaction was like - "Wait, haven't I seen this before?" Yes, these phones bear a striking resemblance to last year's Galaxy S24 lineup. They also have very similar specifications as their predecessors. But, don't let any of that fool you. Both these phones have enough power beneath the surface and Samsung has packed in a range of refinements that make these devices worthy successors. Think of it like upgrading your favorite gaming console -- same experience, with a lot more power. Both these phones from Samsung have a premium design, a power chipset and plenty of Ai features to keep hype busy. Here's everything you need to know about these phones based on the brief time I spent with them. Familiar Yet Premium Design As I have already established, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ appear nearly identical to last year's models. But, that's been the case with Samsung flagships for the last few years. That's not a defence but I am not surprised either. This design continuity might disappoint some expecting a bold new look, but it's hard to complain when the existing design feels so polished. The phones maintain their premium glass-and-metal build, offering a lightweight and comfortable grip. At 162g and 190g respectively, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ are remarkably easy to handle, striking a balance between durability and portability. Also, there are some new colour options -- some more vibrant than before, enhancing the overall appeal of both these phones. Both devices are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, ensuring durability. The Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, while the S25+ has a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel. Both displays boast a 120Hz refresh rate. They deliver an immersive viewing experience. The difference in resolution is noticeable, with the S25+ offering sharper visuals, making it a better choice for content consumption and gaming enthusiasts. Snapdragon 8 Elite Takes Charge Just like every other year, there was a lot of confusion around the chipset on the standard models and guess what, both the Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+ have the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset as the more premium S25 Ultra. So, expect a really solid performance on both these devices, even though will only be able to put them through real tests once we have them in the studio. The Galaxy S25 is available in 12GB RAM configurations with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The S25+ simplifies things with two variants: 12GB RAM paired with either 256GB or 512GB storage. Both the models are also capable of running the Galaxy AI features like the Ultra model. The improved Circle to Search functionality makes finding images or objects a breeze, while enhanced conversational AI capabilities elevate the user experience, especially in voice commands and assistant interactions. However, the real differentiator between the two models is the battery size. The Galaxy S25 is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, while the S25+ offers a larger 4,900mAh cell. This is what most potential buyers should keep in mind. Also, both devices support 25W wired charging, which feels underwhelming compared to competitors offering faster solutions. No Big Camera Upgrade The camera setup on the Galaxy S25 and S25+ remains unchanged from last year. Both phones sport a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 50-megapixel wide camera, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The 12-megapixel front-facing camera is ideal for selfies and video calls. While the hardware is the same, the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset promises to enhance image processing and optimisation. I clicked a few pictures on the two phones in controlled light conditions. They came out well but the sample size is too small to frame an opinion. Also, it's unlikely these devices will drastically outshine their predecessors in this department. Early Thoughts The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+ bring back an already successful formula and further build on Samsung's Ai story. With the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, stunning displays, and reliable build quality, they're poised to maintain Samsung's stronghold in the premium smartphone segment. The decision between the two boils down to screen size, resolution, and battery life. Having said that, wait till we get the devices in our studio and wait for the final review.

Samsung Galaxy S25 series barely makes a case for itself

Table of Contents Table of Contents Good AI, not unique AI Upgrades. Um, what? Making others look good Samsung's flashy Unpacked event, earlier today, kicked off with chatter about AI, coming straight from its mobile business chief. Throughout the event, AI was a recurring theme, hijacking the talk away from exciting hardware innovation. One of my colleagues even joked about not knowing the phone's screen size despite the event entering its latter half. It was merely a sign of certain unsavory things to come, along with copious amounts of Apple "inspirations." Recommended Videos And now that I've seen the starting price of the phones, which start at roughly $1,000 and go up to $1,920 in my home market, I understood why the focus was less on hardware, and more on AI. Good AI, not unique AI There certainly isn't enough substance to pore over each aspect of the three phones. There are simply not enough upgrades to talk about, at all. And Samsung knows it. But here is the worse part. Even the Galaxy AI innovations Samsung talked about, well, they aren't truly "Galaxy innovations," if at all. The best specimen of this non-exclusivity came as Unpacked was in progress. Google announced that Gemini Live is going multi-modal, which means it will make sense of pictures, YouTube videos, and files. This feature is not limited to the Galaxy S25. The Galaxy S24 series will also get the same upgrade. And so will Google's Pixel 9 series smartphones. "We'll expand to more Android devices in the coming weeks," says Google. The other upgrade -- support for multiple app extensions in the same command -- will even make it to the iPhone app and the Gemini desktop client. This type of coattail surfing is the name of the game for the Galaxy S25. Personal data engine, which aims to keep the bulk of AI processing local to the device, is a desirable trait. Apple does it, too, with the Apple Intelligence. And I am fairly sure when it comes to privacy and safety, any smartphone shopper will pick a Galaxy over an iPhone. Writing Assist on the Galaxy S25 series will let you pull off the same set of tricks as... wait for it... Writing Tools on the iPhone. And iPad. And the Mac. The first look at Galaxy S25 - AI Select Circle to Search can now identify songs. Well, Google Assistant has had that feature for a while now. And so has the iPhone, thanks to its Shazam integration. The Galaxy AI's stack will be able to read the on-screen content and have conversations about it. Siri already does that courtesy of Apple Intelligence, and so does Gemini on other phones. Features like AI Select look neat in action, but they don't stray too far off from what Apple's Visual Intelligence stack is trying to accomplish. Drawing Assist can turn your rough sketches into cool pictures, thanks to generative AI. That facility is already available on the iPads under the Magic Wand label, powered by OpenAI's stack. The Now Bar and Now Brief systems are neat, but they don't stray too far off from the Live Activities system on iPhones. Plus, uttering the magic words "Hey Google, catch me up on today's schedule" will do that just fine on your non-Galaxy phone, as well. You can see the problem here. There are AI features in the Galaxy S25, but they don't move the needle. Upgrades. Um, what? I have already written a few choice words about Samsung's lazy design work. Unfortunately, the streak continues with the Galaxy S25. That's not the most disappointing element, though. The Galaxy S25 and its Plus version only switch to a new Qualcomm silicon, and the niceties that come with it, alongside a jump in RAM figures to 12GB, up from 8GB. The storage capacity is still 128GB for the base model. The nearest Samsung store is selling that version to me for a staggering $930. The folks in the U.S. have it easier at $800, thankfully. The camera hardware remains identical. A measly 10-megapixel telephoto camera with a lowly 3x optical zoom on the $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus? Come on, Samsung! Even Apple is offering better value than that, which in itself is an amazingly bad precedent when it comes to getting the most value out of your smartphone splurge. The OnePlus 13, at $900, offers a fantastic trio of 50-megapixel sensors with more advanced zoom optics. It does a better job at the design and a whole bunch of other aspects, too. Let's talk about the battery, which is again stagnant from the innovation perspective. Silicon carbide batteries that offer better density, higher capacity, and increased longevity? Not in Samsung's house. No, Sir! The Galaxy S25 will offer you a 4,000mAh battery, with 25W wired charging. There is no native Qi 2 wireless charging support. No magnets inside, like Apple's MagSafe. Also, you don't get the charger in the box if you wanted a little extra sand in your face. The Galaxy S25 Plus is a saving grace, as it reaches 45W wired charging. For comparison, the OnePlus 13 offers 100W wired and 50W wireless charging support, tagging alongside a $100 worth of lighter hit on your wallet, and a charger in the box. The display stack remains unchanged, as well. Yes, a 120Hz OLED screen is not a bad deal, but that perk has now trickled down to phones that cost half as much. Those are the fundamental aspects that define the mettle of a phone. Not only is Samsung dealing us a poor no-upgrade situation with the Galaxy S25 series, but also serving a poor competitive picture. Let's talk about the Galaxy S25 Ultra, a bit. The stylus is here to say, but the Bluetooth-driven gesture support is gone. The battery situation remains identical to its predecessor, and equally laggard when it comes to charging capabilities. In the camera department, this $1,300 phone jumps to a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, but the rest of the hardware remains the same. As far as capabilities go, Apple is once again the inspiration. Say hello to Galaxy Log, which arrives nearly two generations late (by the iPhone calendar) to challenge... Apple LOG. Just like Apple, Samsung also paraded a filmmaker's work to showcase the magic of Log capture. The company conveniently omitted just how complex color-grading can be, on pricey editing software, no less. Audio Magic Eraser is already there on Pixel phones, but Samsung's implementation doesn't stray too far from the objective of Audio Mixing on the iPhone 16 Pro. There is a tad more specificity to Samsung's approach, but nothing too original. Making others look good Overall, I am finding it really, really hard to buy into the Galaxy S25 series. Even going by the sticker price for the U.S. market, there is little innovation to see here. Samsung is, in fact, on the losing end against the ambitious Chinese brands on one end, and Apple's terrific reputation (and hype-driven execution) on the other end. There is little breathing space for mediocrity in a year that is about to see some fantastic developments in the smartphone segment. Samsung is not close to any of them. Instead, it's conveniently hawking a trio of phones that will have any sharp buyer asking how they stand out from the competition. For bargain hunters, there is hardly any practical reason to look past the previous year's line-up, which is cheaper, and nearly as competitive. As for me, well, I am not splurging a minimum$1,000 on a phone that offers nothing worth getting excited about on its own unique merit. Hopefully, the upcoming Galaxy Edge is exciting enough, but I am more cautious than optimistic about that ever happening.

Samsung Galaxy S25: Release date, price, specs and more

All the specs and features you need to know about Samsung's new flagship phone The Samsung Galaxy S25 has broken cover at last, so we can finally take a good look at what Samsung's flagship phone offering for 2025 can do for us. Galaxy Unpacked has revealed that, as expected, there are three models in total: the S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra. This page will be focusing on the S25 and S25 Plus, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra getting a page of its own due to its unique characteristics. Compared to the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S25 beefs up the performance and memory while adding lots of new software to play with via the One UI 7 OS update and fresh Galaxy AI features. The price has stayed the same as last year too, which should keep these phones among the best Android phones and best phones overall that we've tested to date. Check on our Galaxy Unpacked 2025 live blog for updates as they happen, as well as details of Samsung's other announcements from today's event. Or read our Galaxy S25 hands-on review and Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on review for our first impressions of these phones in real life. But let's now get into a full rundown of the specs and features of the Samsung Galaxy S25. The Galaxy S25 still starts at $799/£799 for the basic 6.2-inch model, or $999/£999 for the Galaxy S25 Plus. The Galaxy S25 Ultra meanwhile starts at $1,299/£1,249. All of the S25 models are up for pre-orders from today (January 22nd) and on regular sale from February 7th, in about two and a half weeks' time from the reveal date. Samsung has elected to go for rounder-cornered designs across the S25 line-up, so all models now have a clearer family resemblance. The black surrounds on the cameras on the back do give the phones a little extra personality, and help differentiate them from the Galaxy S24 series. As with last year's models, the Galaxy S25 comes with either a 6.2-inch FHD or 6.7-inch QHD display, depending on if you're looking at the standard or Plus. These 120Hz AMOLED screens offer a 2,600 nits peak brightness according to Samsung, but we'll be testing that claim for ourselves once we lure a Galaxy S25 into our laboratory. One difference from older Galaxy S phones is the new "ProScaler" system found on the Galaxy S25 Plus. This helps whatever you're watching or playing better fit the screen, regardless of the source resolution. Like the S24, the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 toughened glass front and back, along with Armor Aluminum sides, to shrug off damage. But Samsung has still managed to make the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus 6 grams and 7 grams (0.21 and 0.25 ounces) lighter than last year respectively. The color choice is the same for both the S25 and S25 Plus: you can pick one of Navy, Icy Blue, Mint and Silver Shadow. On top of those, Blue Black, Coral Red and Pink Gold are online exclusives available if you buy your device from Samsung itself. The 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide (not the new 50MP sensor seen on the Ultra) and 10MP 3x telephoto camera on the back of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, as well as the 12MP selfie camera on the front, are no different from the Galaxy S24's cameras. But as a consolation prize, there is now a Next Gen ProVisual Engine processing the S25's photos, which is designed to minimize the noise in photos and bring out the details, especially in low-light situations. You can also shoot in 10-bit HDR for more detail in your still images, and in a new Galaxy Log format for high-quality, highly-editable video. Maximum resolution remains at 8K/30fps. The Galaxy S25 series uses a customized Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, known as the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, worldwide, switching back to a unified chipset rather than offering a Samsung-built Exynos chip in some markets. We've not benchmarked this version of the 8 Elite silicon yet, but going by the original, we should see some excellent test scores. Samsung further sweetens the deal by offering 12GB RAM on all versions, not 8GB like previous years. Great for multi-tasking and AI processing. There is also better thermal management, with a 15% larger vapor chamber and updated materials to keep heat away from the hardest-working parts of the phone's internals. Starting storage is 128GB on the standard Galaxy S25 model, with a 256GB edition costing a little more, and a 512GB version costing a little more on top of that. The Galaxy S25 Plus starts with 256GB, with 512GB offered for those who need it. As with last year's Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus, the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus use 4,000 mAh and 4,900 mAh batteries respectively. Charging also follows the existing models, with the basic S25 using 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, and the S25 Plus 45W wired and 15W wireless. Neither phone is strictly compatible with the Qi2 standard, despite the rumors suggesting that this would be the case. But Samsung is selling magnetic cases that allow the magnet-equipped chargers to attach to the phones should you want that. The Android 15-based One UI7 is Samsung's latest operating system, and what the Galaxy S25 series runs out of the box. The S25 is promised to get seven years of full security updates, and seven generations of OS updates. Android generations have up to now come annually, but with Google allegedly speeding up development of Android 16, it's possible we'll start seeing full version updates more regularly, hence the change in wording. But enough of that, let's dive into the features. Galaxy AI is back from the Galaxy S24 series, with a number of enhancements to make life easier. For instance, AI Select is a development of good old copy/paste, allowing you to lasso around an object on-screen then perform relevant actions like turning it into a GIF, editing it, sharing or saving it. Galaxy AI can also chain tasks together, such as helping you find a restaurant that meets your dietary requirements, then booking out time in your calendar and sharing the details with your fellow diners. Natural language search, something we've seen in apps like the photos Gallery, can now be used with the Settings app. This could be particularly useful as it in theory will help you find an option you want to tweak without having to dive into sub-menus or search for its exact name to find it. One UI 7 and Galaxy AI come together in harmony with the new Now Bar, which keeps ongoing notifications in view so you can see them, like the Dynamic Island of recent iPhones. The AI part comes in with the Now Brief, which will draw relevant information from your chosen apps to give a rundown of the day ahead or summary of what you've done as you're heading to bed. This includes calendar events, photos, reminders and passes and coupons from your on-device wallet. Samsung's also made image and video editing more powerful with Galaxy AI. A new Audio Eraser for videos lets you separate the sound in a clip into separate types, and then increase or decrease their volume as you need to. Images can benefit from an improved Generative Edit tool for removing elements from or adding them to an image, thanks to a new LLM underpinning it. And your selfies can get a makeover with the more realistic colors and expressions in Portrait Studio, which redraws images in popular artistic styles. Any info you provide the Galaxy S25's AI features is kept securely in the Personal Data Engine, which Samsung claims is secured by "post-quantum enhanced data security" on the device. There's plenty of new stuff to check out with the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus, and we'll be trying it all in our upcoming reviews. But based on our hands-on time so far, it still looks like the Galaxy S25 will be a good entry point for users wanting the essential Galaxy S experience, with the Plus there for users who prioritize display size and battery endurance but don't want to splash out on an Ultra model. The rumored Galaxy S25 Slim could change how we view the range, if and when it arrives in certain countries. Plus we've got detailed comparisons with the OnePlus 13, Google Pixel 9 series and iPhone 16 series to make to figure out where Samsung's latest creations belong in the flagship phone pecking order. We'll get back to you as soon as we can with our final verdicts, but for now don't forget to read our Galaxy S25 hands-on.

Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus review - the sweet spot for the Galaxy family

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is a strange middle child. It's not just a bigger Galaxy S25, because it shares some technology with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Sadly, not the best Ultra tech, like the 200MP camera sensor, the 5x zoom camera lens, or the titanium frame, let alone the S Pen. Still, the Galaxy S25 Plus isn't too hard to recommend. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset is the same in every Samsung Galaxy S25 phone, and that's a significant upgrade no matter what older phone you're using right now. It's faster than last year's Snapdragon, and if your phone is a couple of years old or more, you're going to be in for a real treat. The Galaxy S25 Plus also uses a higher-resolution display than the smaller Galaxy S25. With a nearly-4K resolution, Samsung has endowed the Galaxy S25 Plus and S25 Ultra with its new ProScaler technology. It says this tech is borrowed from the Samsung TV group, and it uses AI to upscale lower-resolution content to look better on a 4K screen. I'll have to compare videos side by side to see if this makes a big difference, but Samsung seems to think it will be worth the upgrade from the standard S25 to the larger Plus model. Because it's bigger, you also get a larger battery inside the Galaxy S25 Plus than in the Galaxy S25: 4,900mAh versus 4,000mAh. I know from my time testing other Snapdragon 8 Elite phones that this chipset can do a great job managing power and sipping battery juice, so hopeful the Galaxy S25 Plus will have winning battery life. Otherwise, the new features on the Galaxy phones this year are all about Galaxy AI. All of the existing AI features are getting a little bit better. The photo editing is improved, and there are new AI assistant tools to help you with videos, whether you want to summarize them or cut them into GIFs. The most interesting AI is yet to come. The Galaxy S25 Plus will include Samsung's Personal Data Engine, a secure hardware partition that will gather information about you for the AI to digest. It will read your messages, listen to your calls, see your photos, and mind your calendar. The Galaxy S25 Plus can also use AI to talk to your Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch, and maybe even your Samsung TV and other SmartThings smart home devices. It will keep track of your habits, and look for patterns. Samsung suggested a few things the Galaxy AI might offer, like a better bed time schedule, but I have a feeling that it's waiting to see what sort of information and patterns its AI can put together. That means the Galaxy S25 Plus, like the Galaxy S25, feels a bit unfinished. It feels like last year's phone with a new engine inside, which is fine, but not very exciting. The exciting Galaxy AI stuff will take a while to build, as the phone gathers more information about you. What will it do with all that info? It will store it securely, for one thing. If you're worried about your phone learning so much about you, Samsung assures us that this personal data will be held securely on a hardware-locked partition protected by Samsung Knox. That's as good as Android protection gets, and it's so good that if you lose your Galaxy S25 Plus, you've lost the data stored in the Personal Data Engine. It doesn't exist in the cloud, and it can't be pulled off the device except during a Smart Switch to a new phone. Great, I get a promise about what Samsung won't do with my personal data, but not a lot of detail about what it will do with all the data it harvests. Once my Galaxy S25 Plus really knows me, after a year or so of use, how will it be different? We don't exactly know, and the answer will probably change over time. Thankfully, Samsung is giving the Galaxy S25 Plus a full seven years of Android and security updates, which means it will have plenty of room to grow. Whether it's worth buying now is a question of how much you want to invest in your own AI future. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus was unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked on January 22. It's available to pre-order now in two storage configurations: 256GB and 512GB. Every variant comes with 12GB RAM. The phone will begin shipping on February 7 for the following prices: Here's a look at the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus's key specs: The Galaxy S25 Plus is a respectable phone for the price, though the Galaxy S25 Ultra hangs above its head with truly superlative specs. Every Galaxy S25 model gets the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for Galaxy, which Samsung tells us Qualcomm has overclocked. Past 'for Galaxy' chips were overclocked 5% in the largest prime core, but we don't know what this year's improvement offers. One big hardware surprise in the Galaxy S25 Plus is a Samsung ProScaler. Samsung says it's borrowing technology from its renowned TV group to upscale video content on your Galaxy S25 Plus using AI. This isn't motion smoothing; it won't artificially boost the frame rate, just the resolution. It doesn't seem like the smaller Galaxy S25 will get this feature - it may only come to the larger Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra with QHD+ displays - and late rumors suggested that Samsung would make this a key selling point. I'll have to take a look at video on the phones side by side to determine if the ProScaler makes a real difference. Besides ProScaler, the Galaxy S25 Plus has a couple of other key advantages over the standard S25. If you want to use Samsung's SmartTags, you'll need the ultra-wideband (UWB) radio inside the Galaxy S25 Plus and Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Plus should also charge faster than the Galaxy S25 when connected to a compatible Samsung Fast Charger 2.0 wall plug. We'll test the fastest charging capabilities of each Galaxy S25 model once we get them into our testing labs. The Galaxy S25 Plus doesn't just give you a bigger display; it gives you a better viewing experience, and this year there looks to be a larger gap between the Galaxy S25 and the Plus model than ever before, display-wise. The Galaxy S25 Plus has the same resolution as the Galaxy S25 Ultra, at nearly 4K QHD+. At the highest resolution you can also use the new ProScaler hardware. I can't find any ProScaler tech on Samsung's TVs, but I know Samsung's latest sets use AI to upscale lower-resolution content to 4K. Samsung says that all video that's played through the Galaxy S25 Plus (and the S25 Ultra) will get upscaled, but don't worry - this isn't motion smoothing. The frame rate isn't affected, just the resolution, so videos should look sharp but not unnatural. If you were hoping for better cameras in this year's Galaxy S25 Plus, your hopes will rest on the Galaxy AI and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, because the camera specs have gone unchanged again. We haven't seen a big boost in cameras on the Galaxy S lineup, besides the Ultra, since the Galaxy S23. Since then we've been stuck with the same 50MP main camera, 10MP zoom camera with 3x reach, and 12MP ultra-wide camera. The sensors haven't grown, and neither has the resolution, even though the Galaxy S25 Ultra got a 50MP ultra-wide sensor this year. Samsung's Ultra phone has been at (or near) the top of our best camera phones list for two years, so Samsung clearly knows how to make a great camera, and it's confounding that only the Ultra gets the good stuff. It makes the other S25 phones feel like mid-range models compared to the Ultra, which is just silly. All of these phones are top-performers - it's only the cameras that are holding the two smaller phones back. Maybe Samsung wasn't paying attention, but other phone makers have started to respect smaller phones by giving them better camera specs. The iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro offer a smaller, less expensive option than the Pro Max and Pro XL models, without sacrificing megapixels or zoom. I got to try Samsung's new AI Assist tools, which work great for cutting up videos in addition to editing photos. You can basically tap on any video on-screen and create a GIF, or get an AI summary, or create a wallpaper from a still frame. That's in addition to all of the improvements in Samsung's AI photo editing in the Gallery app. Still, software seems like a poor substitute for better glass and more advanced sensors. With the cameras and in too many other ways, the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus feel like afterthoughts for Samsung this year. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is the genuine article, and the Galaxy S25 Plus continues Samsung's threepeat obtaining a slightly enhanced version of Qualcomm's top-tier chipset. The previous two Snapdragon for Galaxy chipsets boosted the main core's clock speed by 5%, but this year's benefits are still unclear. It's a negligible gain that primarily affects benchmark results, but someone has to claim the top spot, right? Beyond the enhanced Snapdragon, this Galaxy includes more intriguing hardware than I expected. The Personal Data Engine is a dedicated hardware partition, managed by on-chip Samsung Knox security, a system powerful enough for many US federal agencies. The information you let Galaxy AI gather remains on the device, and it can't be removed unless you switch to a new Galaxy phone. Transferring this personal data to a new phone is possible using Samsung Smart Switch. However, losing your phone means losing all that stored data. This is unfortunate, as some of Galaxy AI's future lies in its ability to adapt to your needs as it learns about you. It's fascinating to consider how the Galaxy S25 Plus might evolve with two, three, or even seven years' worth of personal data stored in its engine. As for charging, Samsung hasn't embraced faster wired or wireless charging speeds. The Galaxy S25 Plus is limited to 45W, which is still a bit faster than the Galaxy S25, but the OnePlus 13 supports 80W, with a 100W adapter coming soon. Samsung needs to hurry up the charging times. The Galaxy S25 Plus will need to learn about you over time, with its most advanced Galaxy AI features awaiting your personal data. Again, this raises the question of what will the S25 do with this data. The specifics remain unclear, but the goal is to move beyond AI party tricks and create an 'agent', like a user interface, that learns your habits and preferences, and even makes new suggestions. Galaxy AI will gather data not just from your phone, but also from your Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Ring, and SmartThings devices. Samsung suggests this could lead to personalized suggestions, such as optimizing your sleep environment or automating actions like turning off your TV when you fall asleep. This approach to AI feels potentially useful, a step beyond simple gimmicks; but like I said, it will need to gather a lot of data about you from a number of sources. The Galaxy S25 Plus utilizes both Samsung Bixby and Google Gemini for various tasks, but Samsung wisely avoids emphasizing these names. The focus is on seamless functionality, though it's worth noting that many AI features were not yet working on the pre-production demo units I saw. I'm not sure exactly what will be working at launch, so I'll need to get hands-on with a final device to be sure.

4 useful Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features that power users will drool over

The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out among the new Galaxy phones as a powerful device with creatives in mind. Here are the best four features you should know about. Samsung just unveiled its new lineup of flagship smartphones at its Unpacked event, and it's safe to say the company designed the Galaxy S25 Ultra to be a dream device for the creative power user. Compared to the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the S25 Ultra comes with a stunning 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, a built-in S Pen stylus, and 12GB of RAM for fast, responsive performance. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more The camera also shoots 4K video at 120fps, features 100x Space Zoom for distant subjects, and has a hyper-detailed 200MP wide lens on the main camera. But it's not just the camera that makes the device stand out, the additional features orbit around Samsung's latest AI offerings, which utilize multimodal AI and on-device processing for fast, pro-level creative applications. Here's a closer look at the best features for creatives and power users on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While the camera hardware on the S25 Ultra isn't a massive upgrade from the previous version, the handful of improvements in the software sets it further apart. This is particularly true when you take into account the improved processor, suite of AI features, and better battery life that coalesce to make it a standout creators' device. For starters, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is designed to boost the output of the 200MP primary camera, processing images faster and shooting video with much less impact on battery life. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 major upgrades I'm looking forward to testing The S25 Ultra can also take high-res macro shots and high-res zoom for both photos and video, thanks in part to the new 50MP ultrawide lens. Additionally, the 100x Space Zoom is designed to enable users to take clear, hi-res photos of extremely distant objects (like the moon) that use AI processing for low-light shots and high-fidelity telescopic photographs. Lastly, the AI that's built into the phone's photo editing apps has been upgraded as well, allowing for one-click edits like removing reflections, glare, or unwanted objects, while the S Pen powers precision edits and creative composites. Cementing its reputation as a creators' device, the S25 Ultra comes with the S Pen, Samsung's precision stylus. The S Pen is designed to elevate the use of the device from a simple tap-and-drag smartphone to a powerful creative tool, particularly when it comes to photo and video editing and generative AI. For example, the Sketch to Image feature allows users to generate images based on simple sketches drawn on the device. Draw a rough sketch of a dog, and the AI generates a professional-looking image. It also works with voice or text prompts, responding to a complex verbal inquiry instead of just a rudimentary sketch. Also: The most innovative S Pen feature on Samsung Galaxy phones is going away - but you likely won't notice The best part, however, might be how all of these creation methods combine. For example, you can draw a crude image of a house, but then verbally give it a command like "draw a chimney" to edit and alter the drawing. This feature opens up the door for creators to make near-instant prototypes, mock-ups, or storyboards with a few simple sketches or commands. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features many of the same software and app features as the other phones in the series, but it has better camera hardware to make the most of it. For example, the S25 series lets users shoot in Galaxy Log mode, which captures a wider dynamic range than standard 8-bit recordings and unlocks more meticulous fine-tuning of video when it comes to color grading and correction. In addition, users can take advantage of the Audio Eraser feature, which automatically detects different sound elements in your recordings and categorizes them into groups such as nature (wind, rain), and crowds (background noise, voices), and eliminates them with the help of AI. Also: Samsung's Galaxy Ring 2 at Unpacked? What we know and features I'm hoping for Along with the improved macro zoom and 100x Space Zoom features, the camera on the S25 Ultra can shoot 4K video at 120fps, which is double the frame rate of the other phones in the series. In response to the improvements Apple made to its Game Mode last year, Samsung wants to wow mobile gaming enthusiasts with the gaming capabilities on board the Galaxy S25 Ultra. First: the display. The Ultra features the largest screen in the new lineup, a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Coupled with up to 1TB of storage, the Ultra may be the best mainstream choice for gamers. It's not just the visuals, either. The S25 Ultra features the largest battery out of the new Galaxy series, with a 5,000mAh capacity that Samsung says will be more than enough juice to keep the game going without having to worry about toning things down to conserve power.

4 useful Galaxy S25 Ultra features that creatives and power users will love

The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands out among the three new Galaxy phones as a powerful device with creatives in mind. Here are the best four features you should know about. Samsung just unveiled its new lineup of flagship smartphones at its Unpacked event, and it's safe to say the company designed the Galaxy S25 Ultra to be a dream device for the creative power user. Compared to the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the S25 Ultra comes with a stunning 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, a built-in S Pen stylus, and 12GB of RAM for fast, responsive performance. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more The camera also shoots 4K video at 120fps, features 100x Space Zoom for distant subjects, and has a hyper-detailed 200MP wide lens on the main camera. But it's not just the camera that makes the device stand out, the additional features orbit around Samsung's latest AI offerings, which utilize multimodal AI and on-device processing for fast, pro-level creative applications. Here's a closer look at the best features for creatives and power users on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While the camera hardware on the S25 Ultra isn't a massive upgrade from the previous version, the handful of improvements in the software sets it further apart. This is particularly true when you take into account the improved processor, suite of AI features, and better battery life that coalesce to make it a standout creators' device. For starters, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor is designed to boost the output of the 200MP primary camera, processing images faster and shooting video with much less impact on battery life. Also: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on: 3 major upgrades I'm looking forward to testing The S25 Ultra can also take high-res macro shots and high-res zoom for both photos and video, thanks in part to the new 50MP ultrawide lens. Additionally, the 100x Space Zoom is designed to enable users to take clear, hi-res photos of extremely distant objects (like the moon) that use AI processing for low-light shots and high-fidelity telescopic photographs. Lastly, the AI that's built into the phone's photo editing apps has been upgraded as well, allowing for one-click edits like removing reflections, glare, or unwanted objects, while the S Pen powers precision edits and creative composites. Cementing its reputation as a creators' device, the S25 Ultra comes with the S Pen, Samsung's precision stylus. The S Pen is designed to elevate the use of the device from a simple tap-and-drag smartphone to a powerful creative tool, particularly when it comes to photo and video editing and generative AI. For example, the Sketch to Image feature allows users to generate images based on simple sketches drawn on the device. Draw a rough sketch of a dog, and the AI generates a professional-looking image. It also works with voice or text prompts, responding to a complex verbal inquiry instead of just a rudimentary sketch. Also: The most innovative S Pen feature on Samsung Galaxy phones is going away - but you likely won't notice The best part, however, might be how all of these creation methods combine. For example, you can draw a crude image of a house, but then verbally give it a command like "draw a chimney" to edit and alter the drawing. This feature opens up the door for creators to make near-instant prototypes, mock-ups, or storyboards with a few simple sketches or commands. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features many of the same software and app features as the other phones in the series, but it has better camera hardware to make the most of it. For example, the S25 series lets users shoot in Galaxy Log mode, which captures a wider dynamic range than standard 8-bit recordings and unlocks more meticulous fine-tuning of video when it comes to color grading and correction. In addition, users can take advantage of the Audio Eraser feature, which automatically detects different sound elements in your recordings and categorizes them into groups such as nature (wind, rain), and crowds (background noise, voices), and eliminates them with the help of AI. Also: Samsung's Galaxy Ring 2 at Unpacked? What we know and features I'm hoping for Along with the improved macro zoom and 100x Space Zoom features, the camera on the S25 Ultra can shoot 4K video at 120fps, which is double the frame rate of the other phones in the series. In response to the improvements Apple made to its Game Mode last year, Samsung wants to wow mobile gaming enthusiasts with the gaming capabilities on board the Galaxy S25 Ultra. First: the display. The Ultra features the largest screen in the new lineup, a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Coupled with up to 1TB of storage, the Ultra may be the best mainstream choice for gamers. It's not just the visuals, either. The S25 Ultra features the largest battery out of the new Galaxy series, with a 5,000mAh capacity that Samsung says will be more than enough juice to keep the game going without having to worry about toning things down to conserve power.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Is Here: Incremental Upgrades, Lots of AI

Roy Wood Jr. on his Hulu Special and the State of Political Comedy If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. In the world of tech announcements, some years are about incremental upgrades, and some years are about leaps and bounds. Apple's Glowtime event from September was incremental, with the new iPhone and the slow rollout of iOS 18 and AI features. Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, held Jan 22, was about gradual upgrades, too -- with the tech giant unveiling the S25 smartphone line (that looked not too dissimilar from the S24). Besides the small tweaks, the big takeaway from Apple, CES, and Samsung is that AI ain't going anywhere. As has been the case since the S22, the S25 features a base, a Plus, and an Ultra model. Following the Unpacked presentation, all of Samsung's new S25 phones are available to pre-order and arrive by Feb. 7. The S25 upgrades have been incremental, so there's not a ton that's new on the hardware or software front if you're upgrading from the S24. But those coming from earlier models might see a reason to upgrade, including the new Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for faster processing. The Galaxy Unpacked event heavily touted Google Gemini -- the two tech giants have been increasingly collaborative in their quest to chip away at Apple's market share, which surpassed Android in 2023 globally after long-dominating the US smartphone market. Gemini is now the default assistant on the S25, replacing Bixby (which is still available, but no longer the default). Samsung is also throwing in some freebies, including three months of Peacock Premium and SiriusXM and two months of Adobe Lightroom. On the hardware front, Samsung refreshed the colorways and slimmed down the phones. The S25 is smaller than the S24 while maintaining the same screen size, weighing 162g to the S24's 168g. The S25+ and Ultra phones also lost weight. Otherwise, the only significant design change was to the Ultra, which swapped the tablet-inspired squared-off edges for a more comfortable rounded design. The battery is the same size as previous generations, but the new models get an extra hour of video playback time. The phones are "Qi2 ready" for faster wireless charging, but don't have magnetic wireless charging. The base S25 is now available with up to 512 GB of storage and has improved memory, while the Plus and Ultra models retain the same memory from last year. The cameras have the same specs, with software updates and AI features to improve the quality. Samsung also teased the S25 Edge, an ultra-slim entry into its smartphone lineup, but there's no release date or specs yet. Besides the new Galaxy S25 phones that are available to pre-order now, Samsung teased new AR glasses, made in collaboration with Google, as the California company takes another stab at the category following the discontinuation of Google Glass.

Watch: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra HANDS ON Biggest Upgrades! | Tom's Guide

In Mark's Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on review, he'll take you through how this flagship Android phone takes AI to the next level with AI agents that can perform cross-app actions on your behalf, an improved Circle to Search, new Now Brief and Now Bar features and more. In this video, you'll also get an up close look at the S25 Ultra design and more details on that sharper 50MP ultra wide camera and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Spoiler: this Android flagship powered by One UI 7 kind of puts Apple Intelligence on iOS to shame.

Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S25 review - feeling left behind and waiting for the future

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test. The Samsung Galaxy S25 was left home alone this year. In all the excitement over Galaxy AI, the redesigned Galaxy S25 Ultra, and ProScaler on the bigger phones, I think Samsung forgot something important: it forgot to bring the Galaxy S25 into 2025. The Galaxy S25 looks a lot like last year's Galaxy S24, and the Galaxy S23 from the year before that. It's a bit thinner and a tad lighter, but not much else has changed. It uses the same cameras as the Galaxy S23. This year's model comes with 12GB of RAM instead of 8GB, but it still starts at 128GB of storage, a paltry gallery space for all the AI images you'll create, surely. The battery hasn't grown more than 3% larger over the past two years, though I surmise based on my time testing other Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite phones (like the OnePlus 13) that the Elite chipset inside this phone should prove a boon for battery life. Still, we couldn't have had a bigger cell? Or faster charging? Nope. Same, same. Why not just sell the Galaxy S23 with a newer processor inside and call it a day? Shhhhh, I think that's pretty much what Samsung has done. I jest, and hopefully we'll see a bigger refresh next year, but this year is all about the software inside, and the AI that is totally, assuredly coming soon. I don't mean the improved photo-editing tools, or the audio eraser AI for videos, or the better Bixby that can find settings using natural language questions. I'm talking about next-generation AI agents, so-called agentic AI. The Galaxy S25 is going to gather information about you from everywhere. It will use your phone, your Galaxy Ring, your Galaxy Watch, and even your smart home devices, like your lights and your TV. It will learn about you, and keep everything it learns in a secure lockbox on your phone. It will gather that info so that it can... um, actually I'm not sure. Samsung suggested it might turn off the TV when you fall asleep, or suggest better lighting for bed time, but most of what we heard so far is promises of what's to come. Not quite a preview, just a hint. Look at how Samsung talks about this phone. In its official press release, Samsung MX Business President TM Roh says the Galaxy S25 "opens the door to an AI-integrated OS..." and the release says "It's the starting point of a shared vision with Google..." This isn't a finished product. It's a start, an empty vessel, and you fill it with data about you. I like the future that Samsung is building towards. It clearly understands that AI needs to make your phone easier to use and more accessible, and I think the best improvements we'll see in the Galaxy S25 will be Bixby's ability to help parse Samsung's wealth of features. I like that Samsung is taking personal data so seriously with its Personal Data Engine. I'm very curious about what Samsung and my Galaxy S25 will do with all of my personal data, and if Galaxy AI will truly improve as it learns more about me and my habits. There's a lot of potential, but Samsung has only demonstrated a patchwork of possibilities, not a coherent whole. I suspect this is a phone with a long, growing tail, so we'll have to review this phone and revisit it as Samsung keeps improving and evolving Galaxy AI. The Samsung Galaxy S25 was unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked on January 22. It's available to pre-order now in a choice of four colors: Icyblue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow. In normal parlance that's light blue, dark blue, light green, and silver. The phone ships in either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage configurations (that last one is new), and every variant comes with 12GB RAM. The Galaxy S25 will begin shipping on February 7 for the following prices: Here's a look at the Samsung Galaxy S25's key specs: I'm spending so much time talking about AI developments on the Samsung Galaxy S25 because otherwise this generation of Galaxy S is confoundingly unchanged from last year, and the year before. Except for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which now simply looks like an even bigger version of the Galaxy S25 Plus, the basic design will be recognizable, and a bit tired. I don't fault Samsung for not making huge changes this year. There are expensive new components inside, so a massive redesign would have driven the price higher. Samsung has laudably managed to keep the price stable with last year's Galaxy S24 launch, which is a feat in itself, considering the rumors I've heard about sky-high prices for Qualcomm's coveted Snapdragon 8 Elite chips. More on those later; first the Galaxy S25's design. To borrow a car analogy, the Galaxy S25 is like the Toyota Camry of the smartphone world, versus Apple's Honda Accord. In other words, these phones look the same every year, and if you squint they kind of look like each other. We're long past the point of expecting a new look every year. We get minor changes, some flourishes and improvements, but most of the improvements happen under the hood. Nothing to see here so far, at least on paper. I suspect we'll see actual improvements once we've had time to test the new Galaxy S24 cameras, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which includes a new image processing pathway that has shown great results on competing Snapdragon phones. The specs seem to be exactly the same as we've seen on Galaxy S phones for the last two years, at least the not-Ultra models. While the Ultra this year got a new 50MP camera to replace its old 12MP ultra-wide, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus both retain the same 50MP main camera, 10MP 3x zoom, and 12MP ultra-wide lens. Maybe Samsung wasn't paying attention, but phone makers have started to respect smaller phones by giving them better camera specs. The Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro offer a smaller, less expensive option than the Pro Max and Pro XL models, without sacrificing megapixels or zoom. I wish we got the same on a smaller or less expensive Galaxy S25, but instead we get the mighty Ultra, and then the rest. Instead, Samsung has focused on improving photos through AI, both before and after you take the shot. I got to try Samsung's improved photo-editing tools with generative AI, and they were very impressive. When the Gallery app removed someone from a photo, the wood floor beneath their feet was left unbroken, with clean wood plank lines. Still, software seems like a poor substitute for better glass and more advanced sensors. With the cameras and in too many other ways, the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus seem like afterthoughts for Samsung this year. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is the real deal, and the Galaxy S25 continues Samsung's three-year tradition of getting a slightly overclocked version of Qualcomm's best chip. We're not sure exactly what that means, but the last two 'Snapdragon for Galaxy' chipsets overclocked the big primary core by 5%. It's a minimal advantage that only matters in benchmarks, but somebody has to be #1, right? So Samsung gets the bragging rights. Besides the overclocked Snapdragon for Galaxy, there's more interesting hardware in this Galaxy than I expected to find. The Personal Data Engine is an actual hardware partition, governed by the on-chip Samsung Knox security that is good enough for most three-letter US Government agencies. The info that you feed your Galaxy AI will stay on the phone, keeping your data secure. If you get a new phone, you can use Samsung Smart Switch to transfer that personal data, but if you lose your phone, all of the data you stored will be lost. That's kind of sad, because the promise of AI will be how much it can adapt to your needs as it gets to know you. I wonder if the Galaxy S25 will seem like a whole different animal once it has two, three, or even seven years of my personal data stored within its engine. For charging, Samsung hasn't stepped into the modern age with faster wired or wireless charging, and the Galaxy S25 is stuck at around 45W while the OnePlus 13 can push 80W, with a 100W adapter on the way. The difference means missing out because you were waiting for your phone to wake up. The Galaxy S25 is a phone that will get to know you... eventually. Samsung's new flagship phone could be one of the best phones of 2025, but it's hard to get too excited about it... yet. That's because Samsung is handing us tabla rasa, a blank slate, waiting to be filled with our personal data. If asking your smartphone to learn everything - from your sleep habits to your photo gallery to your entire messaging history - sounds frightening, Samsung is well aware of that, which is why the most interesting part of the Galaxy S25 is the so-called 'personal data engine,' a secure container for all of the personal data that the Galaxy S25 gathers about you. What will it do with all of that information? It's hard to say, because we haven't gotten that far. If the last generation of AI features seemed like party tricks, the next generation is going to work hard to get to know you, and then... yada yada, we've got AI! Galaxy AI will gather information from more than just your phone. It will get info from your Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring, and it will compare that with data collected from your Samsung SmartThings smart-home devices. Samsung says, for example, that Galaxy AI might notice if you fall asleep better with certain lights turned on or off, and make suggestions. Your Galaxy Ring will notice that you're asleep, and it will tell your phone to tell your Samsung TV to shut down. We're still learning about everything that Galaxy AI might do, but this feels like the next step for mobile AI. This isn't sleight-of-hand; it feels useful. The Galaxy S25 uses Bixby to control Galaxy apps and smartphone settings, and Google's Gemini for things like generating text in Messages, and Circle to Search, but Samsung is wisely keeping the names to itself. Users don't need to know if they're engaging with Bixby or Gemini or Galaxy AI; it will just work, at least according to Samsung. Unfortunately it doesn't just work just yet, at least not in my brief hands-on time with the Galaxy S25. Many of the new AI features were not working on the pre-production demo units I got to try. Samsung reps had phones with more features, but I don't think everything will be ready at launch. Most of it will need a lot more data from you and me, after all.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup leans on AI to keep its cameras fresh

Samsung's Galaxy S25 smartphones launched today, but when it comes to the all-important cameras, the company leaned on AI rather than making any meaningful changes. There is one welcome addition, though. Samsung finally caught up to to rivals like Honor by introducing log video to allow more precise color grading. Other key updates include improved low-light capability on all models, a "virtual aperture" and a much higher resolution ultrawide camera on the high-end Ultra. Last year the Galaxy S24 Ultra's big selling point was the 200MP camera, which made the 12MP ultrawide look weak in comparison. Samsung remedied that with the Galaxy S25 Ultra by more than quadrupling that sensor to 50MP. That also helps Samsung match up better against Google's Pixel 9 Pro and its 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. With that, the Ultra now has a formidable suite of cameras: a 200MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto and 50MP 5x tele. However, that makes the more mainstream Galaxy S25 and S25+ look a bit weak in comparison. Those only come with a 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP 3x tele, just like the last two models. All phones have a front 12MP selfie camera with up to 4K 60p video. Samsung also rectified a weak point we addressed in our reviews on the S24: sub-par low-light performance. With Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, Samsung says the new cameras can analyze noise more effectively using a new "spatial-temporal filter," that can detect moving and static objects more precisely. That in turn allows for cleaner video, particularly with moving objects in dim environments. The downside is that applying stronger noise reduction can generate weird artifacts, something we'll test further in upcoming reviews. Other key new camera features are also available across the S25 lineup. The most important one for content creators is Galaxy Log, which finally enables log video to improve dynamic range and allow more accurate color grading. That's a much-requested feature for Galaxy phones that was only available previously with third-party apps. However, it still falls short of the ability to capture ProRes log video on the latest iPhones. I tested log on Honor's Magic smartphone series and it can meaningfully improve video by boosting dynamic range in tricky lighting situations (a backlit subject or sunny day, for instance). The problem is that transforming log into regular footage requires an editing app and some knowledge about things like LUTs -- so whether this will catch on with users depends on how Samsung implements it. Samsung also enabled 10-bit HDR video capture by default, which allows you to shoot more colorful and detailed images. However, be aware that such content might not display properly on apps and devices that don't support HDR (other smartphones, PCs, TVs, etc.). To treat photos after you take them, Samsung enhanced Portrait Studio with new features like personalized avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions. It also added new analog filters for a more film-like aesthetic for photos and videos. There are two other new tricks: Audio Eraser and Virtual Aperture. Though all the cameras have a fixed aperture, the latter simulates having an adjustable one just like mirrorless cameras. However, the feat is accomplished through computational tricks, so it's likely to look a bit artificial. Audio Eraser, meanwhile, is an AI-powered noise reduction system designed to cut out background sounds in busy environments when shooting video. The Galaxy S25 Ultra's new camera is great if you can afford that $1,300 model, while the improved low-light handling, Galaxy Log and AI should provide nice, but not spectacular, benefits. All told, Samsung didn't bring as much to the table as the iPhone 16 with its Camera Control button, or the Pixel 9 (Video Boost, Add Me, Auto Frame). For more on how the Galaxy S25's cameras work in the real world, check out our hands-on tests and stay tuned for full reviews.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Smartphones Feature New Cameras and Lots of AI

Samsung announced a trio of new Galaxy S25 series smartphones, including the base Galaxy S25, the large S25+, and the flagship S25 Ultra. While each model differs regarding key specs, especially the Ultra, all three S25 series phones focus heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) features. "The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices more naturally and effortlessly while trusting that their privacy is secured," says TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. "Galaxy S25 series opens the door to an AI-integrated OS that fundamentally shifts how we use technology and how we live our lives." Each phone relies upon One UI 7, which delivers a personalized AI-powered user experience. Samsung says it is the starting point of imagining Android with AI at its core. Notable AI features include multimodal capabilities so S25 can interpret text, speech, images, and videos simultaneously, improved Google Circle to Search, context-aware actionable searches, smarter app switching, natural-language search (including for photos), comprehensive Gemini integration, and more. There are hardware similarities across the entire Galaxy S25 lineup, including the processing pipeline. AI is very resource-hungry, so the Galaxy S25 series features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, the most powerful processor ever customized for Galaxy. The Qualcomm chip is 40% better for neural processing, has 37% faster CPU performance, and has a GPU that is 30% quicker than the previous generation. As for customization, Samsung and Qualcomm worked together to improve AI image processing specifically. ProScaler on Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25+ -- but not the base S25 -- offers a 40% improvement in image quality and features custom Samsung Digital Natural Image engine technology within the imaging pipeline. The Samsung Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The device sports a 4,000mAh battery, is 7.2 millimeters thick, and weighs 162 grams. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports 5G (sub6, mmW) and Wi-Fi 7. That's all well and good, but the most interesting aspect is its camera system. The Galaxy S25 includes a new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera sensor, upgraded from the previous generation's paltry 12-megapixel chip. The 50-megapixel primary camera is flanked by a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera. The telephoto camera, per usual, works with Samsung's Space Zoom to deliver expansive digital zoom -- in this case, 30x. All three cameras have enough resolution for 4K video (capped at 60 frames per second), but only the new main camera can support 8K recording (30p). Another improvement is the move from 8-bit to 10-bit recording by default. 10-bit HDR offers four times better color performance compared to 8-bit. There are also AI improvements, as expected, which Samsung says will improve image and video quality, especially in low-light conditions. Mobile photographers can also control the depth of field with Virtual Aperture, a new integration in the popular Expert RAW app. There are also new analog-inspired filters for users to play with. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is available to preorder today, starting at $799.99. The phone comes in navy, icyblue, mint, and silver shadow colorways. The Galaxy S25 will begin shipping on February 7. In nearly every way, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is just the standard S25 but bigger. The smartphone jumps from a 6.2-inch display to a 6.7-inch screen, which, like the S25, is an AMOLED panel with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. The camera system is the same across both models, including the 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide, and 10-megapixel 3x telephoto. The Galaxy S25+ sports a larger battery -- 4,900mAh versus 4,000 -- and features upgraded fast wired charging. It also adds ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity and is 0.1-millimeter thicker than its smaller sibling. The Samsung Galaxy S25+ starts at $999.99 with 256GB and 512GB storage options. It comes in the same colors as the S25 and will be delivered to customers beginning February 7. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the obvious flagship in the group, offering the sleekest design, the latest features, and the best camera system. Before getting into the imaging features, it is worth looking at the phone's design. It has a big 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED screen with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. It is also the slimmest (8.2 millimeters), lightest (218 grams), and most durable Galaxy Ultra device yet. The phone features a rounded edge for a comfortable grip and includes a titanium frame. It is also the first Galaxy device to feature the new Corning Gorilla Armor 2, a first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass and includes Corning's glass-ceramic anti-reflective surface treatment. Samsung says its new S25 Ultra has better drop protection and scratch resistance. Regarding photo features, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has four rear cameras. Some things have not changed at all from the S24 Ultra, including the 200-megapixel main camera (Type 1/1.3), 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera (Type 1/3.52), and 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera (Type 1/2.52). The significant change here is the ultrawide camera, which has moved from a 12-megapixel sensor to a 50-megapixel one. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features Samsung's ProVisual Engine, captures HDR portraits, offers 100x Space Zoom, and can capture high-resolution macro photos. It also records 4K video at up to 120p and 8K at 30p. It can shoot 8K video with each camera except for the 3x telephoto. The S25 Ultra and the other Galaxy S25 phones offer Galaxy Log video recording, which promises to enable precise color grading options during post-production. Impressively, Galaxy Log is available across all cameras at all frame rates, meaning that mobile filmmakers don't need to compromise when it comes to log video recording. Additional features include a sizeable 5,000mAh battery, fast wired and wireless charging, and an embedded Galaxy S Pen. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available to preorder now ahead of its February 7 launch. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,299.99 and comes with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. It is available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black colorways. Customers who purchase directly from Samsung can also access exclusive Titanium Pinkgold, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Jadegreen colors.

Samsung Galaxy S25 series is quite literally all about AI, starts at $799, Ultra from $1,299

Samsung is launching its new Galaxy S25 series this week, with the trio of new devices not bringing all that many hardware upgrades, but leaning even heavier into AI features, all with the same pricing. Starting with the flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is getting a few hardware tweaks. The screen and hardware corners are now rounded, moving a little further away from the Galaxy Note's design. The display has also grown from 6.8 to 6.9 inches, and the whole phone is lighter at 218g despite having the same 5,000 mAh battery that's been in place since 2020's Galaxy S20 Ultra. Galaxy S25 Ultra also gets an upgrade in the camera department. The 200MP main camera is now combined with a 50MP sensor for ultrawide shots, up from the 12MP sensor used in the past few generations. There's also a 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a 10MP camera with 3x optical zoom. The front-facing camera is still a 12MP sensor. Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in three configurations - 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage, all with 12GB of RAM. That memory allotment is also shared with the Galaxy S25 and S25+, as you'll find 12GB of RAM across every Galaxy S25 device this year, and no variants will have 16GB of RAM. All Galaxy S25 devices, though, will be using the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a slightly tweaked version of Qualcomm's 2025 flagship mobile chip that includes a custom APU. Samsung has also boosted the vapor chamber by 15% on the S25 and S25+, and 40% on the S25 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ are largely unchanged from their predecessors, with 6.2-inch and 6.7-inch displays, 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto cameras, and the same 4,000 mAh and 4,900 mAh batteries. Charging rates remain at 25W and 45W respectively, and the base Galaxy S25 still starts at 128GB of storage. All three devices ship with Android 15 and One UI 7, with 7 years of OS and security updates in the pipeline. Samsung is also adopting "Qi2 Ready" with the Galaxy S25 series. This means that Samsung will be offering some first-party cases and accessories with magnets that work with Qi2 (and MagSafe). There are no magnets in the phones themselves, but you'll also find certain third-party cases with support. The main focus of the Galaxy S25 series, though, is very much not on the hardware. Rather, it's all about AI. With much of it powered by Gemini enhancements, Samsung is leveraging "AI agents" in One UI 7 on the Galaxy S25 to streamline the experience of using your phone. This includes improvements to Google's services, such as Circle to Search upgrades, Gemini's new ability to "chain" commands and interactions with apps, and support for accessing Gemini by long-pressing the Galaxy S25's power button. Samsung apps are also getting Gemini extensions for deeper integration. As for Samsung's Galaxy AI features, there are various improvements coming. Generative Edit can now recognize a person's shadow and remove it when you remove the person, "Now Brief" can summarize your day, and Samsung Gallery can find images using natural language. The "Personal Data Engine" can also analyze your personal data on-device to tailor experiences to you while respecting your privacy. As for pricing, nothing's changing in the United States and many other major markets. $799 for the base Galaxy S25 (128GB), $999 for the Galaxy S25+ (256GB), and $1,299 for the Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB). Galaxy S25 and S25+ will launch in Navy, Icyblue, Mint, and Silver Shadow colors, with Blueblack, Coralred, and Pinkgold available through Samsung.com. Galaxy S25 Ultra gets Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black colors - just do you don't forget this phone has a titanium frame - with Titanium Pinkgold, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Jadegreen colors on Samsung.com. And yes, Samsung intentionally wrote the color names like that... for some reason. What do you think of the Galaxy S25 series? Pre-orders are open now with devices available on February 7. The Galaxy S25 series is now available for pre-order from Samsung.com, with up to $1,200 in savings, plus an additional $50 off when you click on our links and order within 30 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy S25 is so smart it wears Crocs

This year's model adds lots of AI, improved management, and support for biz buyers First fondle Samsung has announced the Galaxy S25, the latest version of its flagship smartphone range, and, as you'd expect, made new AI features the hero. We'll get to those later because The Register has also learned that Samsung has made some changes in the hope that businesses will pay more attention to the devices. One is that Samsung will stock spare parts for the enterprise editions of its handsets for two years. You can be forgiven for not knowing the enterprise editions exist, as Samsung spokespeople told us the company hasn't promoted them aggressively. For those unfamiliar, they allow custom scheduling for firmware and OS updates, and central control of security settings and user permissions. Those are fine features, but businesses don't rush to buy handsets and value long-term support - fair enough, given that Samsung backs the devices with seven years of software updates. Corporate buyers therefore put Galaxy S devices on their shopping lists many months after their release, by which time Samsung's store of spares is depleted. The company has therefore extended hardware support for an extra year to satisfy business buyers. Another change targets mobile fleet admins, whose lives can currently be complicated by the need for users to create a Samsung account to access some functions. The company told us it will allow a single Samsung account to be used across a device fleet. An AI feature that may concern business buyers records and transcribes phone calls. We're told parties to a call are always informed if this is taking place and that data doesn't leave the device. "Now Brief" is another AI addition, and uses unspecified techniques to prepare a schedule, advise of weather conditions, and suggest transport options to get you to engagements on your calendar in a timely fashion. "Now Bar" suggests which app to use based on historical analysis of how you've used your phone. Both rely on a "Personal Data Engine" that we're told only ever runs on the device. Google's Gemini AI model powers these features, but Samsung told The Register it's possible for other models to work with and on the phone. The AI features of the S25 could therefore appear on phones from other manufacturers. We were told that for now their presence in the S25 reflects the depth of collaboration between Google and Samsung. The phone runs a processor called "Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy." Samsung didn't provide specs like speed, core count, or NPU TOPS, but did tell us it's "the most powerful processor ever on Galaxy S series, delivering a performance boost of 40 percent in NPU, 37 percent in CPU9, and 30 percent in GPU compared to the previous generation." The Qualcomm part will be the only SoC used in the Galaxy S25 range - Samsung chose not to use its own Exynos processors this time around. We understand Qualcomm's AI prowess won the day. As usual, Samsung has three models: a base S25, the S25+, and the S25 Ultra. The base model weighs 162 grams and boasts a 6.2-inch FHD+ display, a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, a 10 MP telephoto shooter with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP wide camera. The front-facing selfie cam is 12 MP. The S25+ grows to a 6.7-inch QHD+ display but keeps the same cameras and carries a 4,900 mAh battery, 900 mAh more than the base model. The Ultra is also QHD+, but grows to 6.9 inches and a 5,000 mAh battery. The selfie cam and 10 MP telephoto cam are present, joined by a 50 MP ultra-wide cam, a 200 MP wide cam, and a 50 MP telephoto cam with 5x optical zoom. A big change to the Ultra is that the included S-Pen is no longer a Bluetooth-enabled device. Including the wireless technology meant the button on the stylus could be used for tasks like taking a photograph. That's no longer possible. We're told there's still a capacitor inside and that the handset can therefore detect the presence of the S-Pen as it approaches the screen and draw an on-screen cursor. This year's models have dropped the rounded screen edges Samsung used in recent years, in favor of flat displays that deliver what the company claims are the thinnest Galaxy S machines it's ever made. They also feature rounded corners, in contrast to previous models that were more sharply rectangular. All ship with Android 15 and the new One UI 7. The Register was able to handle all three of the new models and can report they're all as pleasingly light and pretty as any premium handset. The S25 Ultra is a couple of mm smaller in all dimensions than my current S23 Ultra, and rather lighter. The change to a thin silvery metal bezel (titanium on the Ultra) creates the impression of a very compact unit with a display dominating the chassis. Samsung has bafflingly also bulked out the machines by collaborating with ugly footwear brand Crocs for a signature case that launches alongside the new handsets. Here it is: The cases add around a centimeter of width to the devices. Maybe they also afford a little extra protection that the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 can't deliver? The Register attended a Samsung briefing in Australia and was provided Aussie dollar prices. The Galaxy S25 will sell for AU$1,399 or AU$1,599 depending on whether you choose 256 or 512 GB of storage. That's $875 or $1,000. The S25+ will be AU$1,699 or AU$1,899 ($1,063 or $1,189) and the Ultra retails for AU$2,149 ($1,345). Remember that prices seldom translate directly across borders due to local taxes and other factors. Once carriers bundle the devices with coverage plans, prices diverge even further. In the UK, the S25 and S25+ will retail at £799 and £999 respectively. In the US, users can buy the the S25 128 GB version for $799 and can expect to pay $859 for the 256 GB version. ®

Everything Samsung announced at its Galaxy S25 event

Table of Contents Table of Contents Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S25 Galaxy S25 Plus SmartThings is truly getting smart Samsung's glitzy Unpacked 2025 event gave a clear sign that moving forward, phones are entering their agentic era. AI is in the driving seat of mobile experiences, enhancing everything from camera capture to how we get app-based work done. The headline of the event was, of course, the Galaxy S25 series smartphones. At the summit is the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the true showcase of Samsung's imaging capabilities and hardware refinements. The entry-point Galaxy S25 also gets a crucial hardware upgrade to speed up generative AI tasks, while the SmartThings ecosystem is eyeing its biggest sensing overhaul yet. Recommended Videos Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Let's set the ball rolling with the cream of the Galaxy crop. The Galaxy S25 Ultra embraced rounded corners this time around, and a fresh coat of paint as well. There is also a notable jump in the camera capabilities. Please enable Javascript to view this content Samsung has upgraded the ultrawide sensor to a 50-megapixel unit, over four times as powerful as its predecessor. You also get a fairly capable 200-megapixel sensor, alongside a 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom range, and a periscope style long-range snapper with a 50-megapixel resolution and 5x optical zoom range. The company is also talking a leaf out of Apple's camera playback for iPhones. The Galaxy S25 Ultra enables support for shooting videos in what Samsung calls Galaxy Log, similar to Apple's own Log video capture system on the "Pro" iPhones. The idea is to give users the freedom of recording a flat footage, which they can subsequently grade and color-correct to get the desired tonal effect. Apple went all-in with a filter-like toning system with the arrival of the iPhone 16 series. Samsung is now pouring its own version into the Galaxy S25 series by adding "analog-style filters" to help users get a film-like aesthetic in their photos and videos. There is a new Night Video with Audio Eraser that not only allows users to record detailed videos in low-light surroundings but also lets them to minimize noise elements. Samsung says you can isolate human speech, crowd noise, nature, and wind using the onboard AI algorithms. Notably, this feature is already available on the Google Pixel 9 series smartphones under the Audio Magic Eraser label. Another cool feature is the ProScaler system, which upscales images for viewing on larger pixel-dense screens with a minimum resolution of QHD+. Of particular interest to me was the new Virtual Aperture system, which has been integrated into the Expert RAW system where you can get access to pro-grade photo and video capture tools with loads of manual controls. Previous Next 1 of 5 Over at the front, you will find a 6.9-inch 120Hz OLED panel with Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2 protection, alongside Corning's glass-ceramic material with an anti-reflective coat on top. Notably, despite its size, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the thinnest, sturdiest, and lightest Galaxy S phone Samsung has made so far. Just like the latest crop of Apple flagships, Samsung is also using Titanium for its top-of-the-line smartphone. Underneath the glass and metal shell is a 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W wired charging, and allows top-up in wireless mode, as well. Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't quite embraced the Qi 2 wireless charging standard yet, so that's a bummer. Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung is still loyal to the cause of small-ish phones that don't stretch out one's palm. To that end, the entry-point Galaxy S25 still retains a 6.2-inch display, but without skipping on any of the niceties that set its Ultra flagship apart. It serves a bright SuperAMOLED panel that can vary the refresh rate values dynamically between 1Hz and 120Hz, striking the right balance between viewing fluidity and power efficiency. The battery capacity remains stagnant at 4,000 mAh, which is really a shame, considering how labels like OnePlus and Honor have embraced the silicon-carbide battery innovation to fit larger batteries in a small package inside their phones. The most notable change is that Samsung has finally ditched 8GB RAM as a standard, and equipped all Galaxy S25 series phones with 12GB memory. Unfortunately, the storage capacity still starts at a paltry 128GB, so there's that. Previous Next 1 of 7 The camera hardware has also been carried forward from its predecessor for another year. Headlining the imaging kit is a 50-megapixel primary camera, sitting alongside a 12-megapixel ultrawide snapper, and a 10-megapixel sensor for zoom capture. All three phones draw power from the custom Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC, which is claimed to offer some extra processing grunt and AI processing chops. Samsung has also embedded its own mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) on the processor stack to manage the power draw from the display assembly. Moreover, for more efficient heat dissipation, Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S25 series with a larger vapor chamber cooling system. Galaxy S25 Plus The mid-tier model, once again, plays it safe. The only key areas where it stands apart from the Galaxy S25 are the larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display, a bigger 4,900mah, and support for 45W wired charging, instead of 25W on the smaller trim. The camera hardware is identical, but the storage options start at 256GB on this one. Do keep in mind that Samsung doesn't bundle the charger in the box, so you will have to fork out extra cash for the 45W charger to juice up your Galaxy S25 series phones. All three phones maintain an IP68 class dust and water resistance, just like their respective predecessors. Samsung says it will offer seven years of yearly Android OS upgrades and a matching spell for security update coverage. Previous Next 1 of 6 Among the notable AI-first features is a Now Brief system, which keeps users updated and offers suggestions based on information pulled from the local data. Now Brief will also do its job via the dedicated Now Bar, right on the lock screen. The Circle to Search system is also getting an upgrade, and it can now extract phone numbers, email addresses, and website URLs appearing on the screen. Samsung says the Galaxy S25 series also opens the doors for "actionable searches with context-aware suggestions." Essentially, when you look up information using the universal search tool, you will also see action suggestions, an approach Apple and OnePlus have also implemented on their phones. SmartThings is truly getting smart Samsung's SmartThings ecosystem for connected home devices has been out there for a while now. At this year's Unpacked, Samsung is leveling up the game with HomeAI, a rather ambitious idea that collects a wide range of data from ambient sensors, tracks activity, and turns them into actionable insights and suggestions. To that end, Samsung aims to use mmWave sensors (among other types of low-power home sensors as well as those embedded in devices) to understand activity patterns. For example, it can detect when users are engaged in workouts, sleeping, and working. Based on the activity patterns, it can tell users if there is any scope for improvement and how they can better manage their scheduling to get the best out of their at-home lifestyle. For example, it will tell if the posture of your push-ups could use some adjustments and how to plan the best set. The next avatar of SmartThings will also deploy a real-time monitoring and feedback channel. So, let's say that you've been sitting in the same posture on a chair for a while now. When the system detects it, users will be nudged to take a break and straighten their back. Using the sensors embedded in its Frame TV set, Smart Things will detect if you just blow-dried your hair. To handle the mess, it will automatically push the robotic vacuum cleaner into clean-up action. Likewise, when you reach home at the end of the day, the smart home stack will initiate tasks like dimming the lights, turning on the air purifier, and adjusting the room temperature, among others. Generative AI will also lend a hand in creating more immersive in-home map views and natural interactions.

Everything Announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025

Samsung debuted the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra at its Galaxy Unpacked conference, though we still have yet to see its AR glasses. During its latest Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung debuted the Galaxy S25 phone lineup, including the base S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Though the phones pack a few new features and slight redesign made to lure in the iPhone crowd, the phones are a vehicle for Samsung’s new “integrated AI platform.†The devices should be able to perform multiple tasks on your behalf based on a text prompt. Besides phones and a fair amount of AI gimmicks, Samsung teased a new "Edge" variant to the S25 line, alongside a pair of AR glasses that may debut later this year. The new $800 Galaxy S25 and $1,000 S25+ Samsung announced at Galaxy Unpacked are starting to look very close to an iPhone. However, they maintain the three vertical camera bumps typified by the Galaxy devices. The latest devices include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC and 12 GB of RAM, which will help power all the new AI capabilities. While the cheaper Samsung flagship phones don’t feature the bigger camera sensors of the S25 Ultra, they will still pack the new AI features such as “cross-app actions,†Now Briefs, and Audio Eraser. The top-end Samsung phone may have more rounded corners, but it still stands out as the most distinct Galaxy phone in the current lineup. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has the same chip and RAM as the first two phones but now includes a 50 MP ultra-wide lens for more detailed landscape shots. The Ultra also uses the ProScaler model from Samsung’s TVs to increase the resolution of on-screen images to QHD+. Before you ask, it still includes the built-in S Pen, though the new pen lacks the air actions of the previous devices. Samsung's "one more thing" wasn't a pair of AR glasses, like we all hoped for, but instead, a new phone that harkens back to a different age of Samsung mobile devices. We don't have much to go on save for what seemed like stacked internals and camera sensors. Supposedly, this will be a slimmer model than the other S25 stock. Samsung didn't provide details about specs, cameras, or anything else that would entice a hardened tech reporter. We hope to get more information about this supposed fourth Galaxy phone soon. Of course, Samsung's next big thing is AI, but smart glasses packing the new conversational AI assistant are also right around the corner. We don't have a precise device, as Samsung displayed during its keynote, but it will support Android XR similarly to the company's Project Moohan AR headset. The headline feature for all the new phones is the cross-app actions you can take with the built-in Gemini AI. If you hold the side power button on the S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra, you’ll bring up a pop-up assistant to let you speak or type your prompt. This platform should allow you to work across both Samsung and Google apps. If you want to search for an email, add it to the calendar or type a text based on something in your notes. You will need to specify if you wish to use a Google app rather than Samsung, and the only two third-party apps available to start are WhatsApp and Spotify. Samsung says a new APK will allow other developers to make their apps compatible with relatively little effort. If you are still struggling to find that one setting on your phone, Samsung told the crowd at Galaxy Unpacked that its new conversational search for both Gallery and Settings should make it easier to find what you want. However, it won't change your settings, so users must still hit the switch. If you grow tired of the AI features, it may offer a quick and easy way to find where you need to go and turn them off. The new Galaxy S25 Line includes a “Now Bar†on the lock screen. It’s like the regular widgets you see on Pixel phones, though crossed with the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. This widget will display the weather and a few other details to start. However, Samsung promises its “personal AI†will begin to comprehend your habits and app usage, then put in some pertinent details in place of your morning or evening brief, such as health and wellness metrics or current scores of whatever sports game you’re paying attention to. There are more improvements to the phone's on-device generative editing abilities, including an "auto" button that lets AI track which figures don't belong in your shot. If removing people from your photos doesn't float your boat, the audio eraser is one of the Galaxy S25’s headline new features. This can take any video and analyze it for different soundtracks, separating it into voice, music, wind, or distortions. Users can then tweak the volume of each sound source. The feature promises to help users eliminate oppressive background noise, such as any wind while you’re talking to your phone’s mic on a skiing trip, or erase oppressive jackhammer noise from a video of a family outing. While Gemini is now sitting prominently on Samsung's Galaxy S25 phones with a press of the power button, Google's conversational AI Gemini Live sits to the side as an interesting but ultimately dubious app for most Android users. The feature may get a little more useful with the ability to upload images and talk with Google's AI about them. You can also talk with the AI about files you upload to the AI or YouTube videos that are linked. What might you talk with the AI about? Maybe you can ask it about the photo's composition or question it about whether AI also made that YouTube video. These features should be coming to both Galaxy S24 and S25 phones alongside the Pixel 9 series in the coming weeks. Google also promised to bring other Project Astra features like screen sharing and live video AI conversations to Gemini "in the coming months." Google's Circle to Search debuted on the Galaxy S24 and is improving on the S25. During the conference, Google said it is expanding the length of the AI overviews users receive when they search for images or text. Circle to Search should also better recognize numbers, email addresses, or URLs. The tool can also identify sounds from videos and visuals. A new AI search built into Gallery is akin to the enhancements Google and Apple made to their own photo apps. While that's not too exciting, Samsung demoed for Gizmodo how the new Galaxy phones will allow you to search for audio on a YouTube video or wherever you hear your tunes. This feature is similar to the Shazam music discovery app, down to the ability to hum into your phone to find the name of the tune you can't get out of your head. The Galaxy S25 phones will also get a few improvements to the "smart select" feature, now redubbed to "AI Select." This lets you capture content on-screen by drawing around an object on your screen. While many of those actions are already handled by Circle to Search, Samsung is adding the ability to record GIFs from videos without any extra downloading and converting. Unfortunately, you can't control the framerate, and you're locked to a specific number of seconds for recording, but it may be a handy way to send GIFs to friends without any extra heavy lifting. Professional videographers can now use their Galaxy phones to shoot directly in logarithmic, otherwise known as LOG. This feature will be in the Pro mode in users' camera apps. Samsung promoted you'll be able to shoot in 10-bit HEVC and then export to a professional software suite like Davinci Resolve for color correction. Doctor Samsung hopes you'll get more out of Samsung Health with even more health and wellness tracking capabilities. The company said it will add a vascular load indicator and antioxidant index for those who want to manage precisely what they eat. Samsung also plans to upgrade tools with mindfulness features to aid your mental health. The app is meant to combine with AI to become your "personal health assistant." We'll have to see more when these features debut sometime in the second half of this year.

The Galaxy S25 Is Almost Here. These Are the Biggest Changes I Want to See

With the rumored Galaxy S25, which we're expecting to see during Samsung's Unpacked event on Wednesday, Samsung has an opportunity to further the approach it took with the Galaxy S24. Last year's Galaxy S phones included a mix of functional and forward-looking changes, such as longer battery life on the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus and Galaxy AI across all models. I'm similarly hoping to see advancements in AI, along with improvements to more mundane yet critical elements such as the phones' cameras, display and charging speeds. Given Samsung's emphasis on AI, there's a strong chance the Galaxy S25 will come with new Galaxy AI features. Samsung essentially said as much during its developer conference in October, during which it teased its new One UI 7 software update that will be debuting on the S25 lineup. Otherwise, it'll likely include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (at least the US variant of the phone) and routine upgrades to the design and camera. There are also rumblings of a new slimmer version of the Galaxy S25 arriving sometime next year, according to ETNews. Samsung's current Galaxy AI features show promise, but I want the next iteration to have a bigger impact on the overall phone experience. The current features feel very targeted at specific use cases that may not come up all that often, such as language translation and photo editing. Aside from more useful AI tools, I'd like to see faster charging and other optimizations to core elements of the phones such as the camera and display. Read more: Why Google's New Android VP Says 'People Don't Want to Hear About AI' Right now, Galaxy AI and other non-Samsung generative AI features feel like just the beginning. Samsung started by applying generative AI to obvious and practical use cases, such as erasing objects from photos, translating text conversations and real-time phone conversations, generating polished images from rough drawings, and previewing videos in slow motion and saving the results. What I really want is a more dramatic rethinking of how basic tasks get done on our phones that makes using them feel easier and faster. Of all the AI features available on Samsung phones so far, Circle to Search embodies this idea the best by cutting out the middle step of launching Google to search for an object. More of this, please! I want new AI tools that help manage the endless stream of notifications, data and media on my phone. The Pixel 9 lineup's new Screenshots app, which lets you search for content within your screenshots, is a good example of this, as are the notification and text message summaries in Apple Intelligence, which just launched as part of the company's iOS 18.1 update. Although they're far from perfect, message summaries ended up being one of my favorite new features in Apple Intelligence. Sally Hyesoon Jeong, Samsung Electronics' executive vice president and head of the framework research and development team, hinted that Samsung's next mobile software update could align with this theme. During the company's developer conference, she said One UI 7 would be better equipped to understand your intention and "minimize complexity," although she didn't divulge specific details about the software. That direction also falls in line with previous comments that Patrick Chomet, Samsung's executive vice president and head of customer experience, made to CNET about the company's approach to software. "[You'd] never have to go to the settings, or you never have to look for the next action," he said in a previous interview when discussing how the company wants to make the software on Samsung phones smarter. "You may not need to open [an] app." As I wrote in my review, I think Samsung missed an opportunity and should have given the Galaxy S24 Ultra exclusive Galaxy AI features that aren't available on the cheaper models. This would not only help justify its high price but reinforce the Ultra in the phone's name. We'll see if it takes a different approach next year. Changing the way we use our phones is no small feat. Given how much we rely on them for basic tasks, asking consumers to adopt a new way of doing things could be more disruptive than helpful if done the wrong way. I don't expect Samsung to change the entire operating system in a few months, but I'd like to see a step in a new direction, similar to Circle to Search. Read more: What I Learned After Swapping My Apple Watch for Samsung's Galaxy Ring I'm glad Samsung boosted the Galaxy S24's battery life. Now, it just needs faster charging. The Galaxy S24 supports 25-watt wired charging, while the Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 Ultra support 45-watt wired charging. It's been that way for years, at least since the Galaxy S20 generation. With companies like OnePlus offering blazing-fast charging speeds, I'd like to see some improvement from Samsung. The OnePlus 12, for example, offers 80-watt charging in the U.S. and 100-watt in the UK, which enabled my colleague Andrew Lanxon to replenish the battery fully in just 26 minutes. Samsung, it's time to step up. One of the Galaxy S24 Ultra's most underrated features is the screen's Corning Gorilla Armor for reducing glare and reflections. With the screen arguably being the most important part of the phone, any improvement is welcome. My colleague Lexy Savvides was particularly taken with the S24 Ultra's antiglare screen, finding that it was easier to see than the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra on a sunny San Francisco day. This coating is only on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Since screen quality is so essential on a phone, there's a strong case to be made that Samsung should expand this to all Galaxy S25 models. The Ultra's giant screen, S Pen and more sophisticated camera are more than enough to separate Samsung's super high-end phone from the rest of the lineup. Read more: Don't Buy a New Phone Just for AI. At Least Not Yet Samsung made a splash with the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 200-megapixel main camera when it debuted in 2023. Megapixels only tell one side of the story when it comes to photography. Factors like sensor size, pixel size and aperture, along with the chip's image signal processor, are just as important as the sheer number of megapixels when it comes to determining how good of a camera your phone can be. Samsung has made improvements in these areas too over the years, but now that it's facing fresh competition from Xiaomi, it has to work harder if it wants to truly be the king of smartphone photography. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a massive image sensor that's larger than the ones you'll find on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, enabling it to achieve impressive shots with a wide dynamic range that CNET's Andrew Lanxon called some of the best images he's ever seen from a phone. A larger sensor enables a camera to capture more light for improved image quality, lessening the need for noise reduction. I'd also like to see more practical editing features. I was enamored with the iPhone 16's Photographic Styles feature, which applies an effect to an image customized to the scene. I'm not saying Samsung should launch its own version of Photographic Styles, but I'd like to see new tools that elevate the aesthetic of your photos that don't have anything to do with using generative AI to alter the photo's content. Overall, I'm hoping Samsung levels up the camera, display and charging speeds, all while introducing new software features that make its phones feel more intuitive than before. Samsung typically releases new Galaxy S phones in the first quarter of the year, so we're expecting to hear more in the coming months.

Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: Which Flagships Reigns Supreme in 2025?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra Feels Nice, but Samsung Didn't Provide a Reason to Upgrade Quick Links Price and Availability Galaxy S25 Ultra Isn't as Heavy as the iPhone 16 Pro Max Galaxy S25 Ultra Sports a Brighter Screen With Slimmer Bezels Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. A18 Pro Galaxy AI vs. Apple Intelligence Galaxy S25 Ultra Offers a Better Camera Setup Both Phones Offer Excellent Battery Life Which Is the Right Phone for You? Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra takes big strides in integrating AI into every aspect of the user experience, but is it enough to stand a chance against the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Let's find out. Price and Availability The Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) costs $1,299.99. It is currently available for pre-orders and will hit stores starting February 7, 2025. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) starts from $1,199 on the company's official website. Galaxy S25 Ultra Isn't as Heavy as the iPhone 16 Pro Max Available in colors like Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver, and Titanium Gray, the Galaxy S25 Ultra feels quite different from its predecessor; it features rounder corners, a slimmer frame (8.2 mm), and a lighter chassis (218 grams). However, the phone also has familiar elements like vertically stacked camera sensors and a glass back (made with the more durable Gorilla Armor 2). The handset is also available in three online-exclusive colors, including Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Pinkgold. The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes in four different colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium (apologies for the overuse of the word, but that's just the way it is). Interestingly, the iPhone is only 0.2 mm taller and 0.1 mm thicker but weighs nine grams more than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. One of the key differentiators of the flagships' design is the square-shaped camera module on the otherwise textured matte glass back. Beyond that, both phones have a grade-five titanium frame with flatter edges. Even though both smartphones have an IP68 rating, the Ultra can survive 30 minutes in up to 1.5m of freshwater, while the Pro Max can do the time in up to 6m. Galaxy S25 Ultra Sports a Brighter Screen With Slimmer Bezels On the Galaxy S25 Ultra, you get a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with 3,120 x 1,440 pixels (498 ppi) and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. The panel also supports a variable refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz, unlocking the always-on functionality. Samsung has added the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 to the screen for improved protection against drops and scratches. Last but not least, the phone also features an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner for quick and accurate biometric scanning. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a built-in stylus called S-Pen, which unlocks features like note-taking, makes editing photos or videos easier, and allows you to write messages or inputs using your hands. However, for some unknown reason, Samsung has removed the Bluetooth functionality from the S25 Ultra's S-Pen, implying that you can no longer use it as a remote shutter for the camera app. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also offers a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 2,868 x 1,320 pixels (460 ppi) and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. You can also set the screen to one nit of brightness, which could be useful during late-night usage. Unlike the punch-hole notch on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a pill-shaped notch for housing the Face ID sensors and a secondary circular cutout for the front-facing camera (or what Apple calls the Dynamic Island). Last but not least, the iPhone 16 Pro Max supports ProMotion technology, which is Apple's name for the variable refresh rate feature (1-120Hz) and, by extension, the always-on feature. Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. A18 Pro Without going into the technicalities, the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the A18 Pro provide top-tier CPU and GPU performance and can handle anything you throw at them. Whether it is recording or editing 4K videos, running video games at their highest graphics settings, or processing the AI-based features offline, the handsets are perfectly capable of doing it without any hiccups. For the geeks, the Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset, which has two 4.47 GHz prime cores and six 3.53 GHz performance cores. Besides the capable CPU, the Adreno 830 GPU offers Vulkan Engine API and better ray tracing for a more immersive mobile gaming experience. The Snapdragon 8 Elite on the Galaxy S25 Ultra is combined with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. Coming to the other side of the fence, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features Apple's most powerful and efficient chipset to date, the A18 Pro (3nm). Its hexa-core cluster design comprises two 4.05 GHz prime cores and four 2.42 GHz balanced cores. With a hexa-core GPU that provides hardware-accelerated ray tracing, the chipset can handle AAA video games. The A18 Pro runs alongside 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of NVMe storage. Galaxy AI vs. Apple Intelligence The Galaxy S25 Ultra ships with the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which provides the raw computational power required to localize Galaxy AI features like Generative Edit entirely on the device. The chipset also powers the new multimodal AI agent on the Galaxy S25 Ultra (and the other smartphones in the series), which can execute multi-step tasks with a better understanding of natural language. The Gemini AI assistant can now access the information on the screen in Samsung and Google apps and other third-party apps like WhatsApp and Spotify. In theory, you can ask Gemini to send a picture or video from your gallery to a contact on WhatsApp, and the AI voice assistant should be able to do so. Further, the Circle to Search feature can now recognize phone numbers and contact details. Moreover, Galaxy AI on One UI 7 can offer personalized and intuitive suggestions, thanks to the raw processing power provided by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. With its new 16-core Neural Engine, the iPhone 16 Pro Max also runs a few GenAI features, such as text-to-image generation via the Image Playground, proofreading and rewriting text via Writing Tools, and advanced image search in the Photos app. However, Apple Intelligence also includes features that require cloud processing, such as Webpage Summaries, Visual Intelligence, and ChatGPT-integration in Siri. In the past, we've heard some rumors about Siri getting on-screen awareness, but Apple hasn't been able to push the update yet, giving Galaxy AI an upper hand. Galaxy S25 Ultra Offers a Better Camera Setup For years, Samsung's Ultra variant has provided a more versatile camera setup than the iPhone Pro Max, and this year is no different. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a four-camera setup: a 200MP (f/1.7, OIS) primary sensor, a 50MP (f/1.9) ultrawide sensor with autofocus, a 10MP (f/2.4, OIS) sensor with a 3x telephoto lens, and a 50MP (f/3.4, OIS) sensor with a 5x telephoto lens. Then, there's the 12MP (f/2.2) selfie camera. With this setup, you can capture pictures at virtually any zoom range from 0.5x to 100x (what the company calls Space Zoom). The ultrawide sensor also doubles as a macro shooter. Then, you get features like 8K video recording at 30 fps and 4K video at 120 fps, better low-light videos, virtual depth-of-field control in the Expert RAW mode, and improved Portrait Studio. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also lets you click varied photos and videos, but it isn't as good as that on the S25 Ultra. To begin with, you get a 48MP (f/1.8) primary sensor with sensor-shift stabilization, another 48MP (f/2.2) ultrawide sensor with autofocus, and a 12MP (f/2.8) tertiary sensor with a 5x telephoto sensor. Like its competitor, the iPhone has a 12MP (f/1.9) selfie shooter. On the iPhone, you get the new Camera Control button, which allows you to click pictures quickly and more efficiently. Other features include Smart HDR 5, latest-generation Photographic Styles, the ability to capture macro photos, 4K Dolby Vision recording at 120 fps videos, 4K Cinematic Mode, and Audio Mix. Even so, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is limited to 25x digital zoom, which isn't even close to what the S25 Ultra offers. Both Phones Offer Excellent Battery Life Samsung equips the Galaxy S25 Ultra with a 5,000 mAh battery that can provide up to 31 hours of video playback. The battery cell supports 45W fast wired charging, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, and reverse wireless charging. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4,685 mAh battery that supports 20W wired charging, 25W MagSafe wireless charging (with a 30W adapter or higher), 15W Qi2 wireless charging, and Qi wireless charging. The iPhone 16 Pro Max lasts up to 33 hours of video playback. Which Is the Right Phone for You? I wish I had a simpler answer to this question, but hear me out. If you've been an Android user for a while, or better, a One UI user, and wish to stay put with the ecosystem, the S25 Ultra could be a better choice. The phone offers a brighter screen, features one of the most powerful chipsets on a smartphone, runs agentic AI, and has a camera setup that can capture pictures in almost every scenario. Then there's the S-Pen, which offers added functionality (but not as much as that on the S24 Ultra). On the other hand, if you prefer using iOS, have set up an Apple ecosystem, and like the Apple Intelligence features, you can't go wrong with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It also offers exceptional battery life, which is ideal for users who don't like carrying power adapters or power banks. Prioritize what you want and make an informed decision. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top-of-the-line smartphone with a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a 120Hz refresh rate. It boasts the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0. See at Samsung See at T-Mobile See at Verizon See at AT&T Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a battery powerhouse. It offers unparalleled longevity among iPhones and outperforms most of its competitors. See at Apple

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. Apple iPhone 16: Flagship Phone Showdown

There are three Galaxy S25 phones and four iPhone 16 models to choose from. The Galaxy S25 starts at $799.99 for 128GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ starts at $999.99 for 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the most expensive, starting at $1,299.99 for 256GB and 12GB of RAM. The iPhone 16 starts at $799 for 128GB of storage. The iPhone 16 Plus follows at $899 for 128GB of storage, and the 16 Pro comes next at $999 for 128GB of storage. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with 256GB of storage. All iPhone 16 models come with 8GB of RAM, compared with the 12GB available to the Samsung Galaxy S25 devices. The iPhone lineup offers more storage configurations than Samsung's offerings, but upgrading the storage gets pricey quickly. You can order both the S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of storage. The top-end 1TB S25 Ultra costs $1,659.99, while the 1TB 16 Pro Max goes for $1,599. This year, Samsung smoothed over the aggressive corners of the S25 Ultra, which is less pointy than the S24 Ultra. Otherwise, the S25 and S25+ look the same as last year's models. The cameras are stacked vertically on the back left corner of the device. Apple places its cameras in the same spot, though the three-camera module found on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max forms a triangle. The 6.2-inch Galaxy S25 measures 5.78 by 2.77 by 0.28 inches (HWD) and weighs 5.71 ounces, which is smaller and lighter than the 6.7-inch Galaxy S25+, which measures 6.24 by 2.98 by 0.29 inches and weighs 6.70 ounces. The 6.9-inch Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the biggest of the bunch, measuring 6.41 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches and 7.69 ounces. The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch display. It measures 5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches and weighs 6.00 ounces. The 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus measures 6.33 by 3.06 by 0.31 inches and weighs 7.03 ounces, while the 6.3-inch 16 Pro measures 5.89 by 2.81 by 0.32 inches and weighs 7.03 ounces. The 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max is the largest phone in either Apple or Samsung's lineup, measuring 6.42 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches and weighing 7.99 ounces. When held side-by-side, the S25 Ultra and 16 Pro Max are basically the same size. All Apple and Samsung phones have an IP68 rating, which means they are fully dust and waterproof. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ have Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back of the device, with an aluminum frame in between. The S25 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Armor 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back, with a titanium frame in the middle. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, by comparison, use a ceramic glass shield with aluminum frames, while the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max use the same glass with titanium frames. Samsung's and Apple's phones have never looked more similar than they do this year, so it's unlikely that anything about their appearance will sway you to buy one over the other. The Galaxy S25 lineup features three display sizes: 6.2 inches (S25), 6.7 inches (S25+), and 6.9 inches (S25 Ultra). All three phones share the same always-on LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a variable 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 2,600 nits of brightness (peak). The S25 has a resolution of 2,340 by 1,080 pixels with a density of 416 pixels per inch (ppi). The S25+ and S25 Ultra have the same resolution of 3,210 by 1,440 pixels, with pixel densities of 513ppi and 505ppi, respectively. The smallest phone in both Apple and Samsung's lineups is the 6.1-inch iPhone 16, which features a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2,556 by 1,179 pixels and a density of 460ppi, which is sharper than the slightly larger Galaxy S25's screen. The 6.3-inch iPhone 16 Pro also comes with an OLED display and a resolution of 2,622 by 1,206 pixels at 460ppi, but it doesn't have a direct Galaxy equivalent. The iPhone 16 Plus, at 6.7 inches, is the same size as the Galaxy S25+ but has a lower resolution of 2,796 by 1,290 pixels at 460ppi. Finally, the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max has a resolution of 2,868 by 1,320 pixels at 460ppi, which isn't as sharp as the S25 Ultra. Meanwhile, all the iPhone 16s reach only 2,000 nits of peak brightness. While all four Galaxy S25 phones have variable 120Hz refresh rate scenes, only the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max have this feature; the 16 and 16 Plus do not, which we consider disappointing at this price. Every phone in the Galaxy S25 lineup is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. Notably, Samsung had Qualcomm design a custom application processor for the 8 Elite to target AI calculations. Further, Samsung increased the size of the vapor chamber in the phones to help dissipate heat better, which should help with sustained performance. We have yet to test the chip in Samsung's new phones, but we did test the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13, where it performed admirably. We expect the 8 Elite, paired with the S25's generous 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and fast UFS 4.0 storage, to deliver strong results. Beyond speed, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is fine-tuned for all the AI features on board. Apple's A18 Pro chip did well on the Geekbench 6 testing suite, which puts the CPU through its paces. It managed a single-core score of 3,267 and a multi-core score of 8,004. The Snapdragon 8 Elite on the OnePlus 13 did slightly worse on the single-core test (2,995) but better on the multi-core test (9,143). We expect the Galaxy S25 lineup to perform similarly to the OnePlus 13 when it comes to benchmarks. The cameras on the Galaxy S25 and S25+ have not changed from those found on last year's models. You get a 50MP main shooter at f/1.4, a 12MP ultra-wide camera at f/2.2, and a 10MP telephoto camera at f/2.4 with 3x optical zoom and 30x Space Zoom. There's also a 12MP selfie camera at f/2.2. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has more cameras. It comes with a 200MP main camera and dual telephoto cameras: one at 10MP with 3x optical zoom and one at 50MP with 5x optical zoom. This year, Samsung increased the ultra-wide camera's resolution from 12MP to 50MP. The Ultra has the same 12MP f/2.2 selfie camera found on the other Galaxy S25 models. All three S25 devices can shoot 8K video at 30fps and 4K video at 60fps. The S25 Ultra can also shoot 4K at 120fps. New this year is support for Samsung's ProVisual Engine, which supports Log video capture and high-resolution macrophotography on the S25 Ultra. In comparison, Apple's cameras don't have the same megapixel power as those found across the Galaxy S25 lineup. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a 48MP fusion camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, while the 16 Pro and Pro Max have a 48MP fusion camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus only offer 2x optical zoom, though the 16 Pro and Pro Max cameras match the 5x optical zoom of the S25 Ultra. All iPhones include a 12MP TrueDepth front camera for selfies and Face ID. Like the Galaxy lineup, the lower-tier iPhone 16 can capture 4K video at 60fps, while the Pro models can handle 4K at 120fps. The Pro iPhones support advanced Apple ProRes video capture. The batteries across all three Galaxy S25 devices remain unchanged from the Galaxy S24 models. The S25's 4,000mAh battery has a maximum wired charging rate of 25W and a maximum wireless charging rate of 15W. To provide some perspective, the 4,000mAh battery in last year's Galaxy S24 lasted 13 hours and 5 minutes in our battery rundown test, which involves playing a YouTube video on loop over Wi-Fi with the phone's screen set to maximum brightness. Samsung says the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip combined with Android 15 and OneUI 7 software tweaks will give the S25 devices longer battery life than their S24 predecessors. We plan to fully test this in our full reviews. The Galaxy S25+ has a larger 4,900mAh battery that can be charged with a wire at 45W and wirelessly at 15W. Finally, the Galaxy S25 Ultra carries over the S24's 5,000mAh battery. It tops out at 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. All three Galaxy phones offer 4.5W reverse charging. Meanwhile, Apple doesn't divulge the capacities of the batteries in its iPhones. That said, they performed exceptionally well in testing. The iPhone 16 managed 18 hours on a single charge, while the 16 Plus got 24 hours, the 16 Pro got 22 hours, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max notched our all-time longest battery life at 29 hours on a single charge. If you're looking for epic battery life, the iPhone 16 lineup is the one to beat. Samsung states that you can expect seven years of OS and security updates with every phone in the Galaxy S25 lineup. The phones ship with Android 15 and Samsung's OneUI 7. Samsung says OneUI 7 is built on an entirely new framework and is far more efficient than early versions. Further, Samsung continues to push AI-based software features, including Google Gemini and Audio Eraser for Video, which lets you get rid of any errant sounds in your videos. It goes pretty hard with new features such as the News Bar and News Brief to help surface relevant information at just the right time. It adds on-device generative photo editing, as well as AI that learns your behaviors over time. The company promises that they'll be free through at least 2025. Apple isn't nearly as explicit about its ongoing support for iPhones, but you'll get a minimum of five years of support, if not longer. Apple has been slowly rolling out its AI-based Apple Intelligence to mixed results. Samsung and Google remain ahead of Apple in this regard, but the AI race is only just beginning. Whether or not Samsung's new Galaxy AI and software features actually drive sales is anyone's guess at the moment. The Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 lineups offer everything you'd expect from flagship phones, including bright displays, sharp cameras, powerful processors, long battery life, and extensive software support. Based on our early analysis, the two phone families are essentially tied in terms of specs, features, and performance. Which phone you should pick ultimately comes down to whether you prefer Android or iOS. That said, we're in the process of testing the Galaxy S25 lineup, and will update this article with results from our full reviews soon. Until then, read up on why new phones all look the same and why we think AI isn't all that exciting.

Samsung's AI Gamble Isn't All That Inspiring

You could be forgiven for looking at Samsung's latest crop of flagship devices in the S25 series and wonder what the silver lining is. It's all about AI -- Galaxy AI, that is -- and in doubling down on these features, the company is betting that it has a leg up on what could be the next big thing for mobile devices. When your devices look more and more alike year after year, yet you still go ahead with the pageantry of a launch event, you have to bring something new to warrant at least a modicum of excitement. There's certainly potential in disrupting or changing how people use their smartphones, but it remains to be seen if this is the package they're looking for. As Samsung stacks up its AI features and credentials, it also risks continuing to stagnate in a few key respects. Looking at the newest devices firsthand, Samsung reps said very little about hardware changes, photography capabilities improvements, or how overall performance justifies the premium pricing. Samsung rarely reveals sales figures for its mobile devices, so much of the relevant data comes from analysts and market research firms. According to them, the Galaxy S24 series outsold the S23 lineup with a strong start in Q1 2024, including cracking the top 10 in Q3 based on Counterpoint Research's report. Those are encouraging signs for a company that had an otherwise forgettable 2024. It is hardly a surprise that the company would choose to go a similar route in 2025 with the Galaxy S25 series. The few public statements Samsung has made related to its phone business indicate it sees its Galaxy AI software suite as a major driver. In a category (smartphones) searching for renewed growth, something has to feel "new" for users, whatever it is. After all, AI is set to play an increasingly important role in Samsung's varying product lines. From TVs to appliances, on to audio and computing, it sees "generative AI integrated into everyday life." Just look at the products and experiences it discussed at CES 2025, and you notice a pattern. It slaps a screen on just about any product with room for one while equipping them with AI smarts to boot. Its "Vision AI" strategy for the home centers on the idea that AI isn't a one-way street; it can go wherever you need. Samsung believes in it so strongly that it's trying to keep its own Bixby digital assistant alive and kicking through these initiatives. Its phones, tablets, and laptops are all part of this mission. For Samsung, the race isn't to make the most powerful phone or take the greatest photos, it's to lead the charge in AI development and deployment. Doing that right would theoretically give its mobile devices an edge over competitors. The path, however, is fraught with risk and full of potential pitfalls. Not to mention complacency in other respects. For starters, Galaxy AI is highly dependent on Google's own AI infrastructure, be it Gemini or its cloud services. Case in point: Circle to Search is everywhere. Those don't come free, and certainly not cheap. Hence, Samsung warned as far back as January 2024 that the free ride would eventually hit a paywall by the end of 2025. It didn't explicitly say "paywall," but the implication is pretty obvious. These nifty AI-driven features will require a subscription. Whether or not that will apply to all or some of them is a mystery at this point. Moreover, other Android manufacturers generally have access to the same tools Google makes available. Plus, there's little to stop it from holding certain things back for its own Pixel devices. The Galaxy S24 series was as much about highlighting Samsung-Google AI collaboration as it was about the phones themselves. With the Galaxy S25 series, new AI features focus on catching up to others or trying something new. For instance, Best Face is a way to pick the right face for any person in the frame by rolling through a series of selections onscreen. Since the camera takes a live photo, there are multiple frames to choose from. Sound familiar? Sure, because it bears similarities to Best Take on Pixel devices. Audio Eraser is almost the same name since Google calls it Audio Magic Eraser. The idea is the same: remove unwanted background noise from a video. Others, like Call Record, let you record a phone call (notifying both parties) and get a transcript afterward. Generative AI stickers can now be part of your personalized messaging creativity. The Now Bar is an offshoot of Apple's Dynamic Island (and more recently, OnePlus' Live Alerts), which can show contextual information for supporting apps in a bar on the lower part of the screen rather than where the front camera is. That also opens up the Now Brief, an AI-driven daily summary that pulls data from various apps you use. Some of these new features look useful, but now that a possible paywall looms over them by the end of the year, it's hard to gauge what Samsung will leave in front or behind it. What is clear, at least to me, is that Samsung benefits from the fact that its most formidable Android competitors aren't well-known in North America. The likes of Xiaomi, Vivo, and Honor don't have the visibility or distribution and retail channels Samsung has long built on these shores. That leaves OnePlus in an advantageous position as an outlier. While carriers aren't selling OnePlus devices, they shouldn't yield any compatibility issues. The lack of subsidies means you pay full freight to get a OnePlus phone, in most cases. That's a tough sell for some, but it's also hard to argue with the value added. The OnePlus 13 is a stellar device in so many ways because it feels like it's doing something different. It improves performance, battery life, photography, and the software experience across the board. OxygenOS is still one of the best Android overlays you'll find. Where it stumbles is that OnePlus only offers four years of Android updates and six years of security updates. Samsung offers seven years' worth for both. Not that the Galaxy S25 series is cheap. The Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at $1,300, while the S25+ ($1,000) and S25 ($800) also fall into premium territory. The Ultra is $300 more than the 16GB/512GB variant of the OnePlus 13. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, a 256GB variant of that phone is $100 more than the S25+. When a phone so strongly resembles the previous two generations, it is a good time to cut consumers a break. Hence, the hefty price tag is one way to pay for the AI features Samsung markets so much. It's even embracing magnetic charging through select cases for the S25 series, effectively making the devices compatible with MagSafe accessories. OnePlus has already made this move with the 13 and 13R and expects other Android manufacturers to follow suit now that Qi2 wireless charging is standard. This launch isn't likely to intimidate anyone competing with Samsung. Even if we concede there's not much to change on the hardware front, it's clear the brand isn't really leading in particular areas. OnePlus and the other Chinese brands are pursuing new ways to capture photos, including action shots -- something Samsung continues to ignore. It doesn't make it easier to share content with iPhone users. It doesn't lead to battery life in any substantial way. Its S Pen is at the mercy of Wacom, the company behind the stylus' technology. Samsung will claim that its AI suite represents the innovation that users are looking for. Maybe, but that's also what it said last year. Not since the Galaxy S23 series has the hardware felt even the least bit unique or different. That year, the S23 Ultra carried a holster for the S Pen for the first time and introduced the 200-megapixel image sensor still in the S25 Ultra. A flatter and brighter screen and a newer vapor chamber cooling system made the phone feel different. Surprisingly, it simply didn't sell as well as the follow-up S24 series, though its hardware changes remain in place for the S25 series. A Samsung flagship is expensive already, and it may become more expensive once the company rolls out a subscription fee to use its Galaxy AI suite. Selling these features as useful daily tools is one thing, but actually selling them will be another when that conversation starts later this year.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Is Not Exciting: I Blame AI

Significant technological leaps in phones have seemingly stalled as far as the yearly upgrade cycle is concerned. OK, sure, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has more rounded corners, the iPhone 16 has a camera button, and the Pixel 9 has a redesigned camera bar. Other than a few small outward differences, the three leading smartphone families in the US have remained shockingly unchanged in recent years. So, why should we bother buying them? AI, according to Apple, Google, and Samsung. But is that enough? What Stays the Same? The list of features that Samsung carries over from the Galaxy S24 family to the S25 series is almost as impressive as it is disappointing. The company's commitment to an entrenched design could be seen as laudable. The S25 and S25+ have the exact same screens as the S24 and S24+ down to the size, resolution, refresh rate, and brightness. The S25 Ultra's display is 0.1 inches larger and protected by the newer Corning Gorilla Armor 2 but is otherwise identical to the S24 Ultra. The storage configurations are all the same. The S25 is available with 128GB or 256GB, the S25+ is available with 256GB or 512GB, and the S25 Ultra is available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. The S25 moves from 8GB of RAM to 12GB of RAM, but the S25+ and S25 Ultra keep the same 12GB as their predecessors. The camera modules are mainly carried over. The S25 and S25+ have the exact same 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto, and 12MP selfie cameras. The Ultra model swaps the 12MP ultra-wide camera of the S24 Ultra for a new 50MP sensor but keeps the 200MP main camera, 50MP+10MP telephoto cameras, and 12MP selfie cameras the same. Video capture still tops out at 8K30. Even the batteries and charging rates are the same. The S25 (4,000mAh), S25+ (4,900mAh), and S25 Ultra (5,000mAh) contain the same capacities as the S24 family, and the 25W-45W wired and 15W wireless charging rates are carried over. Thankfully, at least Samsung has also kept the prices the same. The S25 starts at $799.99, the S25+ starts at $999.99, and the S25 Ultra starts at $1,299.99. With so much sameness across the spec sheet, it's hard to believe these are new phones at all. It's certainly hard to get excited about the Samsung Galaxy S25 -- at least from a hardware perspective. What's Actually New? A few tidbits have changed, mirroring the changes made by Apple for the iPhone 16 and Google for the Pixel 9. The Galaxy S25 series uses the latest processor -- which is expected -- but it takes things a step further. All versions of the S25 series sold worldwide will ship with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which Qualcomm announced last October. The 8 Elite is an important chip because it contains overhauled CPU and GPU cores from Qualcomm, which can power more capable AI features. Moreover, Samsung had Qualcomm design a custom application processor for its "for Galaxy" version of the chip. Samsung didn't specify what's different about its chip, but it typically has faster clock speeds. In addition to the chip itself, Samsung has improved the S25's ability to dissipate heat. It has coated the SoC with a new material to help remove heat and enlarged the size of the vapor chamber to move that heat away from the processor more effectively. Samsung says this leads to faster, sustained performance across the CPU, GPU, and NPU -- all of which play a critical role in assisting AI. Apple's iPhone 16 line relies on its new A18 and A18 Pro processors, while the Pixel 9 line uses the Google Tensor G4. Both Apple and Google tweaked their chips to be able to handle AI. The Biggest Change: Galaxy AI 2.0 The new version of Galaxy AI is what really separates the S25 from its predecessors. With One UI 7, which is built on Android 15 and features a wholly redesigned framework, Samsung says it can push Galaxy AI experiences further. One UI 7 and Galaxy AI adopt what's called Agentic AI, which makes the experience more personal. Samsung says the AI can anticipate your needs, suggest helpful actions, and deliver functional results. Circle to Search, for example, now recognizes images, text, videos, and sounds. The new conversational search experience supports natural language and makes it simple to look through your photo gallery. Cross-app actions allow you to submit multi-part queries that require two or more apps to complete, such as performing a search and then adding an event to your calendar. The personalized data engine can use an on-device Large Language Model (LLM) to learn your behavior over time and supply relevant and timely support in the New Brief and Now Bar, new widgets in One UI 7. Moreover, the camera app and photo gallery gain new powers to clean up photos as they are taken and remove unwanted background items afterward. But do people actually want AI? AI has seen some pretty spectacular failures as of late. Worse, a recent survey suggests Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI add "little to no value" for smartphone owners. 73% of iPhone owners and 87% of Samsung owners said AI was mostly useless, "highlighting widespread apathy across both brands." According to JPMorgan, Apple Intelligence isn't helping the iPhone 16. It says iPhone 16 sales momentum is slowing quicker than normal and finds that the majority of consumers (67%) have little awareness that Apple Intelligence even exists. That doesn't bode well for the Samsung Galaxy S25. With hardware that's nearly identical year over year, Samsung is counting on AI to set it apart from the S24 and older Galaxy phones. Apathetic buyers, however, may not be all that interested. Why Bank It All on AI? The big question is, why make such a big push on AI? Three of the biggest phone companies in the world have hinged their 2024 and 2025 smartphone sales strategies on features that many people appear to not even be aware of. Apple, Google, and Samsung aren't alone. Honor, Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and others are all targeting AI features in their latest devices, too. Part of the reason is that smartphones have matured. The market has settled down, and innovation, at least in terms of hardware, has been stagnant for a while. Phones will continue to get the usual spec updates each year, but there haven't been any recent huge technological breakthroughs in terms of display, battery, or radio technology to push the category further or make it exciting. Thank goodness we at least have folding phones to keep things somewhat interesting. Until there are significant leaps in hardware technology, the tech will remain mostly unchanged -- and boring -- for at least a few generations. It's software that will set phones apart, and right now, AI is the biggest advancement there is.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked - 9 things we saw and learned, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Edge

Plus the Project Moohan headset, a tri-fold phone, and AI tools for SmartThings Samsung's first Galaxy Unpacked event was packed, and keeping with the brand's tradition, it went through all of its news in a zippy fashion. The Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra were all made official, alongside deeper partnerships with Google for new Gemini tricks, a bevy of new Galaxy AI features, major improvements to content creation, and a tease of what the company is cooking up with Google for its Android XR headset. It was a lot, and while you can read through our live blog of the event - including on-the-ground moments captured by the TechRadar team - here we're sharing the nine most significant things we learned from the January 22, 2025, Galaxy Unpacked. And it all starts with, you guessed it, AI. Just like the Galaxy S24 family, the S25 is all about Galaxy AI, and for 2025, Samsung is doubling down on the performance of these features and their breadth. It starts with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, which comes with 12GB of RAM and a dedicated core for AI tasks dubbed the Personal Data Engine. The idea here is that inside the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra is a core that can be dedicated to handling AI tasks, and eventually create a sort of personalized LLM for you. One that can learn your habits and the other devices you have and serve helpful AI - in the form of Bixby, Gemini, or the new Now Brief functionality - to help you get things done faster or complete them for you without you needing to do much. Samsung wants its devices to do more for you - not just the latest Galaxy phone, but other devices within the ecosystem too, such as a Galaxy Ring, watch, or even a connected appliance. Ideally, it could turn off your TV for you when it your watch tells your phone that you're asleep, or it could make a recommendation to turn on a sleep mode to let you stop doom scrolling on TikTok and put the phone down. The headline hardware announcement from Galaxy Unpacked was the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, aka Samsung's biggest, baddest new flagship smartphone. At first glance, it doesn't look too dissimilar to its predecessor, but there are some important design differences worth mentioning. For starters, the S25 Ultra has much bolder camera rings, which now look more like they do on the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and are consistent across the entire Galaxy S25 lineup. The new phone has a slightly bigger display than S24 Ultra too; it now measures 6.9 inches, up from 6.8 inches on last year's model, which is an increase made possible by a 15% thinner bezel. The S25 Ultra is also thinner than its predecessor more generally, and it weighs 15g less, but the biggest difference comes to the corners, which are now rounded rather than sharp (iPhone fans, rejoice). Under the hood, Samsung's latest flagship boasts a For Galaxy version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which is more powerful than the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and should deliver even better gaming and AI performance. Speaking of which, the S25 Ultra gets a larger vapor cooling chamber than its predecessor, and you'll also get instant access to some new Galaxy AI features like Now Brief and Audio Eraser. Compared to the Ultra, this year's new standard models aren't all that exciting, but they are objectively better than their predecessors and boast a host of future-facing upgrades. Design-wise, you're looking at the same fancy new camera rings as on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and both the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus are 7% thinner than last year's models. The big news for these two phones is the RAM capacity: it's now 12GB instead of 8GB, which brings both models in line with the S25 Ultra, and all three new devices also share the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. There's no Qualcomm/Exynos split this year, which will come as good news for European buyers. Other hardware upgrades for the S25 include a larger vapor cooling chamber, which should facilitate better gaming performance alongside that 8 Elite chipset, and on the software front you'll get instant access to some new Galaxy AI features like Now Brief and Audio Eraser. For an early look at both devices, check out our hands-on Samsung Galaxy S25 review and hands-on Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus review. While the phone rumor mill has been talking about an iPhone 17 Air for quite some time, Samsung beat the Cupertino-based tech giant to the punch. Just like it teased the Galaxy Ring at the end of the January 2024 Unpacked, Samsung closed out this year's Unpacked with a glimpse of an ultra-thin smartphone. The Galaxy S25 Edge shows various components stacking together in a shockingly slim build for a phone that seemingly promises the Galaxy AI powers of the rest of the S25 lineup in an ultra-light build. We got to see it from afar at Galaxy Unpacked, and yes, it's crazy, and super thin, but still has room for a main camera bump and seems to boast matt titanium sides. Of course, nothing more than a quick look and a name was made official, but the minute Samsung gives us more information on the Galaxy S25 Edge, we'll be sure to update you. Google and Samsung formally unveiled the Project Moohan Android XR mixed-reality headset in December of 2024, but it wouldn't have been an Unpacked without a tease right? It was only a brief mention, but Samsung did indeed show off a fresh look at the forthcoming headset. The two brands are still partnering on the Android XR platform, but also on the headset poised to deliver a complete range of XR experiences with eye- and hand-tracking. Samsung again confirmed the headset is in the works, though nothing more concrete was shared except that it will integrate with the existing Samsung ecosystem. Separately, speaking to Bloomberg, Samsung's TM Roh confirmed that the brand is also working on glasses with Google, and that the two companies want to ship them as soon as they're ready. It's safe to say AR, XR, and smart glasses are still heating up. Considering Samsung highlighted a number of new Gemini features during Galaxy Unpacked, it's only right that folks ordering the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or S25 Ultra are getting a freebie. With the purchase of Samsung's latest flagship, you'll get six months of Gemini Advanced at no additional cost, which should let you use all the phone's AI capabilities to the fullest without worrying about limits. The deal also stretches the value of the Galaxy S25 lineup; Gemini Advanced is $19.99 a month in the United States, so a six-month subscription is just short of $120 in value. The race for the title of best camera phone is going to be tight again in 2025, with Samsung revealing that its S25 clan will get some powerful features we've mostly seen from Apple and Google before now. That includes the ability to shoot log video (which is ideal for color grading) and Samsung's take on Google's Best Take for Pixels, which it's calling Best Face. That's ideal if your group shots usually contain someone with unfortunate blinking timing. If you prefer to tweak and color grade your still photos, there's also an equivalent of Apple's Photographic Styles. This lets you select a picture and create a filter based on its look, before fine-tuning its white balance, saturation, and grain. Interestingly, a demo of Gemini Live showed a presenter getting some photo editing tips from an AI assistant by talking to them about their dog photo. Snaps of you furry friend will never have poor composition again. While it wasn't a huge portion of the keynote, SmartThings had its moment in the sun with the official announcement of new ambient sensing technology and Generative AI Map View tools to help you personalize your smart home, all under the banner of Home AI. Ambient sensing is arguably the most exciting feature, marking the first ecosystem-wide sensor-based technology that will allow your smart home devices not only to detect where you are and what you're doing, but also optimize your environment accordingly. Doing some press-ups? Well, your refrigerator might just be watching you, ready to give personalized tips on how to improve your form, or suggest adjustments to the duration of your workout. While the second update might sound less exciting, it's actually part of how ambient sensing can be made even more effective. Samsung's new Gen AI Map View will allow you to photograph and upload your real furnishings into Map View, meaning your Home AI will not only know where the furniture is, but also what the furniture is. This is already somewhat possible with the Bespoke JetBot Combo AI robot vacuum, but Gen AI Map View will open the gates for even more personalization and detail. Given that Samsung is already discussing its vision of bringing devices like the Samsung Galaxy Ring and even SmartTag 2 into the SmartThings fold, it's not hard to imagine just how intelligent your Samsung smart home might be about to become. Both ambient sensing and Gen AI Map View are set to roll out throughout 2025 and 2026. Before closing out the keynote with the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung showed off what looked like a roadmap that included a tri-fold phone. While Samsung didn't share anything further, it likely shows where Samsung is heading with its foldable smartphone lineup. We already have the Flip and Fold, but there will need to be a new form factor to push the category further and deliver something new. It seems that tri-fold is that build type, and Samsung might ship it sooner than we expected.

Here Are Four Good Reasons to Choose the Galaxy S25 Over the iPhone 16

When it comes to choosing between the latest flagship smartphones, the newest Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 16 are the most compelling options on the market. However, there are several reasons why the Galaxy S25 / S25 Ultra stands out as the superior choice for many users. That said, iPhones do have strong arguments too, which makes this debate far from settled. Beyond the hardware specs, one crucial factor stands out: your preference for iOS or Android. This is often the decisive element that will ultimately sway your choice between the two options. As Samsung officially launched pre-orders for its new Galaxy S25 series (with some great benefits for those purchasing directly from its official website, like $900 in trade-ins, $150 instant credits, exclusive colors, double the storage, cashback, etc.), here are the key highlights of this newest generation of smartphones. The new Galaxy S25 Series excels in photography and solidifies Samsung's reputation for producing some of the best camera phones available on the market. The Galaxy S25 boasts a triple-camera setup which features a 50MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Samsung has further improved the photography capabilities of the Galaxy S25 Ultra: While the main sensor still boasts an impressive 200 MP, the ultra-wide camera has been upgraded to 50 MP (up from 12 MP on the former S24 Ultra), complemented by a 10 MP telephoto lens. Samsung's advanced image processing algorithms and AI-enhanced features further elevate the Galaxy S25's photography skills. The device can capture stunning low-light photos, produce natural-looking portraits (with great bokeh effects), and offer pro-grade manual controls makes it a top choice for photography enthusiasts. The Galaxy S25's camera system will probably surpass the results achievable with the iPhone 16 (especially in dark environments). Another compelling reason to choose the Galaxy S25 over the iPhone 16 is its impressive battery life: Samsung has made major strides in power efficiency with the latest Galaxy S series. The Galaxy S25 is equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery (and 5,000 mAh for the Galaxy S25 Ultra) which outperforms many competitors in terms of longevity. This will translate to all-day battery life for most users, even with heavy usage. One important thing is that the Galaxy S25's battery performance extends beyond just capacity: The device's adaptive refresh rate technology (ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz) intelligently adjusts based on the content being displayed for improved power efficiency. Combined with the latest optimized Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, this will allow for smooth performance without sacrificing battery life. In contrast, the iPhone 16 is still maintaining a 60Hz fixed refresh rate. Samsung has taken a major leap forward with Galaxy AI and transformed the Galaxy S25 into the most intelligent and user-friendly smartphone on the market. In a bold move, the company has replaced Bixby with Google's Gemini AI, starting a new era of smartphone interaction. With a simple long press of the power button, you can now access Gemini and Gemini Live, which an advanced AI system that goes far beyond traditional assistants. The real game-changer is Samsung's new Cross-App Actions which is a multimodal AI feature that allows seamless interaction between different applications. Imagine asking your phone to find a kid-friendly vegan restaurant in L.A. and then automatically sending an invitation to one of your contact - all through a single voice command. Samsung has set an industry standard by committing to provide seven years of software updates for the Galaxy S25 (such a policy was first introduced with the Galaxy S24 Series) which surpasses Apple's typical support cycle. This huge seven-year update promise, which included both Android upgrades and security updates, ensures long-term device performance, security, and feature enhancements. Moreover, Android offers a level of customization and flexibility that iOS simply cannot match (but ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference). Users have the freedom to personalize their home screens, choose default apps for various functions and even install alternative app stores if desired. Samsung's One UI enhances the Android experience with great features and optimizations tailored specifically for Galaxy devices. Currently, Samsung is making its Galaxy S25 pre-orders incredibly attractive with some great offers available exclusively on its official website: Trade in your old device for up to $900 in credits, enjoy up to $150 in instant Samsung credits for accessories (like scoring free Buds3 Pro with your Galaxy S25 Ultra purchase), get double the storage at no extra cost, and access exclusive colors only available on the official website.

EPIC Battery Test! iPhone 16 Pro Max vs S25 Ultra - You WON'T Believe This...

In the world of flagship smartphones, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra stand as shining examples of innovative mobile technology. These devices are designed to push the boundaries of what's possible in terms of performance, battery life, and user experience. However, when it comes to making a decision between the two, it's essential to dive into the details and understand how they compare in critical areas. The video below from Matt Talks Tech compares the two flagship smartphones. When it comes to performance, both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra have their unique strengths. The iPhone, powered by Apple's A18 Pro chip, excels in single-core performance. This means that it's particularly well-suited for tasks that require quick responsiveness, such as launching apps, browsing the web, and handling light productivity work. If you're someone who values snappy performance and a smooth, lag-free experience, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is a strong contender. On the other hand, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite processor, shines in multi-core performance. This makes it an ideal choice for power users who frequently run demanding applications, such as video editing software, 3D rendering tools, or complex data analysis programs. The Galaxy's ability to handle heavy multitasking and intensive workloads sets it apart from the competition. In the realm of AI-driven tasks and gaming, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a clear advantage. Its advanced AI engine, coupled with the Snapdragon Elite processor, allows it to outperform the iPhone in areas like real-time language translation, photo enhancement, and object recognition. If you frequently use AI-powered apps or rely on your smartphone for tasks that involve machine learning, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the way to go. Similarly, when it comes to gaming, the Galaxy S25 Ultra's superior graphics performance gives it an edge. In both standard gaming tests and innovative ray-tracing benchmarks, the Galaxy consistently achieves higher frame rates and smoother gameplay than the iPhone. This makes it the ideal choice for mobile gamers who demand the best possible visuals and performance. When it comes to battery life, both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra perform admirably. In rigorous battery drain tests, where the devices are subjected to continuous use until they run out of power, the Galaxy S25 Ultra held a slight advantage. It managed to retain 1% more battery than the iPhone after extended use, showcasing Samsung's dedication to optimizing battery efficiency. While a 1% difference in battery life may seem minimal, it's important to consider the context. In real-world use, that extra 1% could translate to several minutes of additional screen time, which can be crucial when you're trying to finish an important task or make a critical phone call. Charging speeds are another area where the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a slight edge. In tests that measured the time taken to charge the devices from 20% to 40%, the Galaxy reached the mark in just 10 minutes and 25 seconds, while the iPhone took 11 minutes and 11 seconds. Again, the difference may seem small, but it highlights Samsung's advancements in fast-charging technology. For users who frequently find themselves in need of a quick top-up, those extra seconds could make a meaningful difference. Storage speed is a crucial factor for users who frequently handle large files or run demanding applications. In this area, the Galaxy S25 Ultra demonstrates faster read and write speeds compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This translates to quicker app launches, smoother file transfers, and an overall snappier experience when managing data-intensive tasks. If you're a professional who regularly works with high-resolution media files or complex datasets, the Galaxy's storage speed advantage could significantly improve your workflow. Thermal management is another area where the Galaxy S25 Ultra shines. Its advanced vapor chamber cooling system helps keep the device cool under heavy stress, ensuring consistent performance during intensive tasks like gaming or video editing. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max tends to run slightly warmer under similar conditions. While this may not be a dealbreaker for most users, it's worth considering if you frequently push your device to its limits. Beyond technical specifications, the choice between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra often comes down to personal preference and ecosystem compatibility. The iPhone offers a streamlined, user-friendly iOS interface that's renowned for its simplicity and seamless integration with other Apple devices. If you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, with products like MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches, the iPhone 16 Pro Max will likely provide a more cohesive and familiar experience. On the other hand, the Galaxy S25 Ultra runs on Android with Samsung's One UI 7 overlay. This combination provides a high degree of customization and flexibility, allowing you to tailor the interface to your specific needs and preferences. If you value having control over every aspect of your device's functionality and appearance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may be the better choice. As we consider the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra, it's important to think about what their advancements mean for the future of smartphone technology. The Snapdragon Elite processor in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with its exceptional AI and graphics performance, sets a new standard for mobile computing. This raises questions about how Apple's A-series chips will evolve to keep pace in the coming years. The Galaxy's advancements suggest a forward-looking approach that could shape the next generation of smartphones. As AI becomes increasingly integral to our daily lives, devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with their powerful AI engines and advanced cooling systems, may become the norm rather than the exception. In the end, choosing between the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra comes down to your individual needs and priorities. Both devices represent the pinnacle of modern smartphone technology, but they cater to different user preferences. If you're a power user who demands the best possible performance, particularly in areas like gaming, AI, and multitasking, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the clear choice. Its Snapdragon Elite processor, advanced cooling system, and superior graphics capabilities make it an unbeatable option for those who push their devices to the limit. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth, responsive user experience and seamless integration with other Apple devices, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is hard to beat. Its A18 Pro chip delivers exceptional single-core performance, while the streamlined iOS interface offers a familiar and user-friendly environment. Ultimately, both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra are exceptional devices that showcase the best of what modern smartphones have to offer. By understanding their unique strengths and weaknesses, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs and preferences.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. iPhone 16: I compared the base models that most people should buy

The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 and the iPhone 16 feature some of the best technology from their respective brands. Here's how to decide which one is best for you. Samsung just launched its new lineup of flagship Galaxy smartphones at its Unpacked event, and they're packed with AI features, additional integrations, and a powerful, energy-efficient processor. This year's Galaxy S25 base model comes with a 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, 12GB of memory, and a 50MP main camera, all of which go head-to-head with the other big smartphone on the market right now: the iPhone 16. Also: Best Samsung Galaxy S25 deals: $200 gift cards and free offers at T-Mobile and Verizon Both devices have their own set of pros and cons, so if you can't decide which way you want to go, we don't blame you. We've broken down some of the standout feature sets from both phones to compare how they differ, highlighting the specs and use cases so you can choose the right device for your needs. If neither of these phones does it for you, Samsung also released an S25+ and S25 Ultra version, which feature bigger displays, better cameras, more battery power, and of course, more storage. But let's start by comparing the S25 with Apple's base model iPhone 16. The iPhone 16's Apple A18 processor is undoubtedly fast, but the Galaxy S25's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is one of the fastest on the market. In fact, Samsung says the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip is the most powerful processor ever placed in a Galaxy phone, with a 40% performance increase to the NPU, 37% increase to the CPU, and 30% to the GPU compared to the Galaxy S24. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip was designed specifically for the Galaxy S25. It has two primary cores and six performance cores, providing a higher baseline performance while also being more energy efficient. The jump-up in performance also applies to mobile gaming, with improved ray tracing and a 40% larger vapor chamber to keep things running cool. Also: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polished All in all, this chip allows for more efficient multitasking, while the customized architecture brings more power to the camera, the visuals, and processing speeds, especially for AI tasks. Paired with the 12GB of RAM compared to the iPhone 16's 8GB should result in a blazing-fast user experience. Samsung didn't want to just throw an AI assistant in with the S25's app selection, it wanted to make the phone a true AI companion with a contextual understanding of users' needs. Even better: Galaxy S25 buyers receive a six-month subscription to Gemini Advanced for free, a service that is normally $20/month. The S25's multimodal AI agents can interpret speech, video, and images for natural, context-aware interactions without the need to prompt or tee it up. The multimodal AI automatically recognizes what's on the screen, be it phone numbers, emails, or website URLs. Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more Also, the Now Brief feature utilizes AI to provide a summary of your day based on data found in the calendar, Samsung Health, and a host of other apps. For example, if your health app recorded poor sleep the night before, it might suggest you take it easy or postpone a tough planned workout for the following day. The AI takes it a step further by attempting to predict user behavior, for example, automatically switching to the corresponding app when you share a GIF or opening the calendar if you save time and date details. Pressing and holding the side button activates Gemini, which is streamlined across your Google and Samsung devices and even the third-party apps that they're associated. By contrast, the Apple Intelligence features loaded on the iPhone 16 have received lukewarm reviews with many of the features still in development or not fully rolled out to their final versions. Integration between other devices in Samsung's ecosystem remains one of the company's foremost goals, and the Galaxy S25 comes with some new features to further improve seamless integration between devices. You can make the argument that Samsung took a page or two out of Apple's book for this but with improved functionality. Also: The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge was sneakily the best announcement at Unpacked 2025 The Now Bar is a new feature on the Galaxy S25 and is Samsung's take on Live Activities. The Now Bar aims to be more intuitive, however, displaying different apps or devices as stacked cards on the lock screen that can be swiped through and paused/played in real-time. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Book laptop, you can remote into your phone and vice versa with Samsung Flow to share files, images, and videos seamlessly, while multi-control lets you share Bluetooth devices like keyboards and mice between different Galaxy devices. Essentially, Samsung's goal here is to make all of your Galaxy devices work and deliver a single streamlined experience. This is a no-brainer. Apple has gone to great lengths to create the seamless ecosystem that exists across its products, and its something that Samsung is only now coming to replicate. If you have other Apple devices such as a MacBook, iMac, or iPad, you have established ways of working between these devices, and switching to an Android-based Galaxy S25 now could be a big process. Apple's "walled garden" has, for better or for worse, become a comfortable, familiar place for millions of users, and there's something to be said about sticking with the device that you know how to use. If you know the iPhone 16 will be compatible with your AirPods, Apple Watch, and the myriad of apps that those products are tied to, you might be forced to stick with the iPhone. Also: Forget the Ray-Ban Metas: Samsung's upcoming smart glasses are the wearables I've been waiting for Being fully immersed in the Apple ecosystem means you'd have to actively want to uproot yourself in order to switch to a Samsung device. You'll have to re-learn to navigate the Android OS, potentially transfer over huge amounts of files or photos, and swap all your apps to an Android format. If you are getting anxious just reading this, you might be better off sticking with your Apple device for now. Apple Intelligence may have taken a bit longer to get up and running, but some of the AI features that rolled out recently for the iPhone 16 may have been worth the wait. Take the new Genmoji feature, which went live with iOS update 18.2, and allows users to generate their emojis using text prompts. The emojis can then be sent as stickers, used inline with text messages, or even added to Tapback reactions, sprucing up Apple's messaging ecosystem with more customizability. With additional text effects also going live (usable by additional iPhone models), if you're a texter who's glued to iMessage for all your communication, Apple still does it the best.

Samsung Galaxy S25+ vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro: Duking it out on the AI battlefield

Samsung has just unveiled this year's Galaxy S25 lineup. While it's the same S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra flagship trio, the smartphone maker has upped its game with more powerful silicon, enhanced camera capabilities, and an even more AI-forward approach to its software platform. There's little doubt that the Galaxy S25 phones will place among the best Android phones of 2025, but this year's lineup also brings some of the best of Google's AI features into the mix, including direct support for Gemini Live, while also embracing new computational photography capabilities. That's enough to blur the lines with Google's Pixel 9 lineup, a set of flagships with an AI photography pedigree that ushered in the Gemini era several months ago. So, how does the Galaxy S25+ compare with Google's Pixel 9 Pro? Let's find out. Samsung's Sweet Spot Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung's Galaxy S25+ continues to be the ideal middle ground in the lineup, with power to spare for folks who want a larger Samsung flagship but don't need the bleeding-edge features of the pricier Ultra. This year's model gains a wealth of new AI features, and promises greater photographic prowess and longer battery life. Pros & Cons Excellent 6.7-inch screen with even slimmer bezels Cutting-edge performance Advanced AI capabilities, including Gemini Live Design is getting a bit bland Not all AI features are useful $1000 at Samsung Google's Goldilocks Google Pixel 9 Pro $849 $999 Save $150 Google's Pixel 9 Pro is a pocketable powerhouse that provides all the capabilities from Google's larger Pixel flagships in a 6.3-inch form factor. This includes the powerful AI-focused Tensor G4 chip and Google's excellent camera system that can always be counted on to take consistently great photos. Pros & Cons Excellent performance for everyday tasks Refined design that's more pocketable than ever Oustanding camera system Some AI features are still of dubious value Slower charging speeds Still lags behind other flagships in gaming performance $849 at Amazon Price, availability, and specs The Galaxy S25+ will be released on February 7, although it's already up for preorder directly from Samsung. Once it hits stores, you should be able to pick one up at all the usual online and brick-and-mortar retailers or from your carrier. The Galaxy S25+ starts at $1,000 for 256GB of storage, with a 512GB model available for $1,120, although you can knock those prices down quite a bit if you're willing to trade in an older phone. This year's standard colors are navy, mint, Icy Blue, and Silver Shadow, with exclusive Blueblack, Corralred, and Pinkgold finishes available if you order an unlocked model directly from Samsung.com. Google's Pixel 9 Pro can be purchased directly from Google, at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, or through most carriers. The base 128GB model sells for $999, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions available for $1,099, $1,219, and $1,449, respectively. It's available in up to four colors -- Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz, and Obsidian -- but not all storage configurations come in all colors. You'll have to settle for Obsidian if you want a 1TB model, and Rose Quartz fans can only purchase the 256GB version. Read our ranking Best Android phones in 2025 Top-tier smartphones with distinct capabilities Posts Samsung Galaxy S25+Google Pixel 9 ProSoCQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for GalaxyGoogle Tensor G4Display type120Hz AMOLEDLTPO OLED, 1-120HzDisplay dimensions6.7 inches6.3"Display resolution3120 x 14401280 x 2856RAM12GB16GBStorage256GB/512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TBBattery4,900mAh4,700mAhCharge speed45W wired, 15W wireless27W wired, 21W wirelessCharge optionsWired, wireless, wireless powershareUSB-C wired, Qi wirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-COperating SystemAndroid 15, One UI 7Android 14Front camera12MP f/2.242MP, f/2.2Rear camera50MP, f/1.8 OIS main; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 10MP, f/2.4 telephoto (3× zoom)50MP, f/1.7, OIS main; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide; 48MP, f/2.8, 5x telephotoWi-Fi connectivityWi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7BluetoothBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.3Dimensions158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm152.8 x 72 x 8.5mmWeight190g199gIP RatingIP68IP68ColorsSilver Shadow, Navy, Ice Blue, MintObsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose QuartzPrice$1,000From $999 Read our review Review: The Pixel 9 Pro is Google's Goldilocks flagship Not too big, not too small; just right Posts 10 Design Similar but different You'll have a hard time telling this year's Galaxy S25+ apart from its 2024 predecessor, as Samsung hasn't made any really meaningful design changes. That's not surprising, as last year's Galaxy S24 models changed things up noticeably by adopting iPhone-like flat edges and screens. It stands to reason that Samsung would stick with that design for at least a year or two. Nevertheless, even last year's changes maintained the classic S-series aesthetic, and there's no mistake that the S25+ is a Samsung phone, from the three distinct lenses on the back that make up the camera array to the curve of the corners. As usual, the colors really set each year's models apart visually, and this time, Samsung is offering the S25+ in navy, mint, Icy Blue, and Silver Shadow. Of these, only navy has any real deep saturation; the others are more pastel-like. For a more vibrant color, you'll need to order from Samsung to get the exclusive Coralred. There's also Blueblack for those who prefer a darker neutral than the Silver Shadow, plus a unique Pinkgold (and yes, these are the names; Samsung has omitted the spaces, presumably to make them feel more on-brand). As usual, the Galaxy S25+ is the larger of Samsung's two standard models, with a 6.7-inch display. By comparison, Google has shrunk things with its Pixel 9 Pro this year, moving down to a 6.3-inch display; you'll have to opt for the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL if you want the full-sized model. The Pixel 9 Pro is a bigger departure from its predecessor, with Google following in Samsung's (and Apple's) footsteps in adopting a completely flat screen and squared-off edges. In the process, Google has also gone for a more no-nonsense camera bar that protrudes from the back of the phone rather than going all the way across and blending into the edges. It's a starker and more serious look for the Pixel, but we like it. While the smaller Pixel 9 Pro may seem a more pocketable phone than Samsung's Galaxy S25+, it's actually thicker and heavier: 8.5mm and 199 grams versus Samsung's slimmer 7.3mm and 190-gram weight. These are subtle differences, to be sure, but they could be enough to tilt the scales, especially if you plan on adding a rugged case. That said, neither phone strictly needs extreme protection unless you're regularly taking it on outdoor adventures. The Galaxy S25+ and Pixel 9 Pro both use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the front display and sport IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, which translates to solid drop protection and the ability to survive immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Display Neck in neck The larger Galaxy S25+ naturally boasts a bigger 6.7-inch screen, but it hasn't seen any significant upgrades from its predecessor. However, it also doesn't need any. The display on last year's Galaxy S24+ was fantastic, so the S25+ only needs to continue that tradition. Specifically, you're getting a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels, which works out to 514 pixels per inch (ppi). While some suggested we might see a higher peak brightness on the Galaxy S25+, this year's model remains the same at 2,600 nits, which is already more than enough to see the phone outside on a sunny day. Google also continues its own trend, with the Pixel 9 Pro using its own 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED LTPO display. As it's a smaller screen, this naturally has a lower resolution at 2,856 x 1,280 pixels. However, it also ends up with a slightly lower pixel density, at 496 PPI. On the flip side, it can get brighter, with peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits. However, neither of these differences is something that most folks will notice with the naked eye. With Samsung and Google embracing flatness, the front-facing designs are so similar that you'll have difficulty telling them apart. Both have a single hole for the front-facing camera, and both displays are equally crisp and vibrant. The Galaxy S25+ has noticeably narrower bezels and corners that are slightly less curved, but the real difference between the two phones here comes down to the size of the screens rather than their quality. Software It's all about AI The Galaxy S25+ ships with Android 15 and Samsung's well-known One UI layer on top. As usual, the new flagships mark the debut of One UI 7, but that's been in beta for a few weeks, so we already knew what to expect. This year's One UI 7 release brings interesting surprises, including significant changes in user interaction. We think they're mostly for the better, but they'll take some getting used to for Samsung fans. Animations are also smoother, multitasking is better, and the Galaxy phones get an app drawer. However, what really sets One UI 7 apart is Samsung's expanded collection of AI tools. Bixby is gone in favor of Google's Gemini Live, a Now Bar offers iPhone-like Live Activities, and a Now Brief gives you a surprisingly useful roundup of everything you need to know at any given time, from notifications to weather, news, and your health metrics. Samsung may be catching up fast, but Google has a big head start in the AI game. Since Gemini Live is Google's baby, it already came to the Pixel 9 Pro last year to replace Google Assistant. Google's Pixel phones have long supported other "AI" tools from the days when they were more commonly referred to as "machine learning" (ML) features, and those are all still very much present and accounted for. This includes the classic Call Screen and Magic Eraser features, the latter of which is joined by a more powerful Magic Editor on the latest Pixel phones. Other new creative features like Add Me and Video Boost are impressive, but there are also some tools of dubious value, like Pixel Studio. Samsung and Google both promise seven years of Android updates, but it's important to remember that the Pixel 9 Pro already received its first of these, as it shipped with Android 14. That means Samsung gets one more update, but it's fair to say that many people will be shopping for a new phone when Android 22 comes along in 2031. Performance Gaming power or powerful AI? The Galaxy S25+ has one significant thing going for it that could make it a viable platform for Android 23 someday: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. This is Samsung's bespoke edition of Qualcomm's latest silicon, and it packs so much power to spare that you'd be hard-pressed to use it all. Most folks probably won't notice a significant increase over last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as we've reached the point of diminishing returns in raw performance. However, that extra power is available for advanced AI features, and it's good to know that it will be there to handle anything that Google and Samsung cook up in the future Android and One UI releases. If you're a gamer, you're likely to notice the Snapdragon 8 Elite's power the most, as frame rates should be smoother, and the Galaxy S25+ should run even cooler and with greater power efficiency. These areas are where it gets an edge over Google's custom Tensor G4 used in the Pixel 9 Pro. The Tensor G4 is a very respectable chip, and it's a very solid upgrade over prior generations, which tended to run hot and cause a serious hit on battery life when placed under load. However, it's still built with a stronger focus on AI performance. This gives the Pixel 9 Pro better support for computational photography and Gemini features, but don't expect it to be a gaming powerhouse. Then again, if you're not a gamer, this isn't something you're likely to care much about. Neither the Galaxy S25+ nor the Pixel 9 Pro will have any problems keeping up with you for everyday tasks, although it's worth mentioning that the Pixel could be a slightly better multitasker. Samsung gave the Galaxy S25+ a healthy boost to 12GB this year over the 8GB in the S24+, but that still falls short of the 16GB that comes standard on the Pixel 9 Pro. Battery life Power efficiency is where it's at The Galaxy S25+ packs in a 4,900mAh battery. That's the same capacity used in last year's model, which delivered great battery life. Running the S24+ dry in a day was virtually impossible unless you were trying hard. We expect the Galaxy S25+ will do even better, thanks to the improved power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. We've already seen what that chip can do on other phones, such as the OnePlus 13, so we wouldn't be surprised if the Galaxy S25+ turns out to be a two-day smartphone. As a smaller phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro has a smaller battery at only 4,700mAh, but the Tensor G4 has been optimized enough to ensure that you can still count on all-day battery life. In our testing, we easily hit five hours of screen time even while pushing it with background tasks like music, and six hours seems achievable with more moderate use. However, charging speeds are another matter. The Pixel 9 Pro still falls behind most other smartphones by offering only 27W charging. The Galaxy S25+ maintains the 45W speeds of its predecessor, which means you should be able to top it up much faster. Neither phone supports Qi2 wireless charging directly, although, with support for 15W Qi charging, you can get the same effect by adding a magnetic case. You can get 21W wireless charging if you pair the Pixel 9 Pro with a Google Pixel Stand, but those are hard to come by these days. Camera The magic is in the software Samsung has always put its best cameras on the Galaxy Ultra, and this year is no exception. However, this doesn't mean the Galaxy S25+ is a slouch in the photography department. It still includes a very capable camera array, including a 50-megapixel (MP) primary wide camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. Those are the same specs as last year's Galaxy S24+ cameras. However, Samsung and Qualcomm have a few tricks up their sleeve that will hopefully address some of the earlier model's shortcomings. The Galaxy S24+ struggled to take good pictures in challenging lighting conditions. The Galaxy S25+ could do a lot better thanks to a new "ProVIsual Engine" that uses the neural processing engine (NPU) an AI-powered image processing to enhance quality and details and reduce noise. Samsung has also seemingly taken a page out of Apple's iPhone 16 playbook with new AI-powered noise reduction algorithms, "Nightography" for low-light recording, and support for the professional Log video format. We'll have to wait and see how well this translates to actual results, but if Samsung delivers what it's promising here, the Galaxy S25+ may be a whole new ballgame for photography and videography. Google's Pixel 9 Pro is much more of a known quaintly, as Google led the way into the era of computational photography with its first Pixel phones years ago. The cameras are the same 50MP(ish) sensors as before -- a 50MP main shooter joined by 48MP 5x telephoto and ultra-wide cameras. Google's custom Tensor chips and software and hardware image processing pipeline have always made the Pixels some of the best camera phones on the market. While the Pixel 9 Pro may no longer enjoy the same huge lead over rivals that its predecessors once did, it still produces the most consistent results we've gotten from any of the phones we've tested. That's something Samsung's phones have struggled with. We're hoping the Galaxy S25+ changes that, but it's still too early to tell. Which is right for you? It's a close race between these two powerhouses, but the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has an edge here. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip delivers incredible performance and power efficiency while also bringing Samsung's latest flagships all the way into the realm of computational photography -- a landscape once dominated by Google. The Galaxy S25+ also comes in at a lower price since the $1,000 base model offers 256GB of storage. It also offers faster charging, a larger screen, a whole slate of advanced AI features, and one more year of Android updates. Best overall Samsung Galaxy S25+ The Galaxy S25+ delivers incredible performance, efficiency, and advanced AI tools thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. While the design and camera specs haven't changed much, new AI algorithms promise better photo and video results. $1000 at Samsung Still, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a solid phone that won't disappoint. It's one of the most pocketable powerhouses out there, thanks to its 6.3-inch screen, while also delivering a 5x optical zoom and a camera system with a proven track record. A close second Google Pixel 9 Pro 9 / 10 $849 $999 Save $150 The Pixel 9 Pro is a surprisingly premium flagship for its diminutive size, giving you all the power of Google's traditionally larger Pixel Pro models in something much more pocketable. The Tensor G4 chip has performance to spare with all-day battery life, and the camera system consistently takes great photos. $849 at Amazon $849 at Best Buy $849 at Google Store

Galaxy S25 poised to bring more personalized AI to your smartphone -- but can it deliver?

If you've been skeptical about the role artificial intelligence has to play on your smartphone -- and there's plenty of reason to feel that way, believe me -- the Galaxy S25 series could be where the rubber meets the road. As part of the Galaxy AI updates for its new phones, Samsung is introducing several capabilities that should prove whether all the hype around AI has any substance to it. Up until, many of the early AI features added to phones have felt kind of gimmicky. Yes, there are some gems in there like Circle to Search or the mail summaries that are part of Apple Intelligence on the iPhone. But a lot of additions are the sort where you try them once, mutter "that's cool, I guess," and then never go back to them again. And that's not even diving into the outright disasters like writing tools that are nothing more than a souped-up thesaurus or news summary features that are so inaccurate they have to be turned off. The Galaxy S25's set of AI-powered features sound like they're taking a different approach. There are some additions like summarized phone recording transcripts and -- sigh -- writing tools -- that you'll find on other phones. But other additions stand out because they're trying to deliver a more personalized experience that extend what your phone is capable of -- at least if they work as advertised. Potentially, it's a big step for AI in general and Samsung's flagship phones in particular. To date, AI features on phones have been speedy, but not particularly smart. At their best, they've managed to zero in on repetitive, time-consuming tasks like formatting your notes or performing basic image edits and take the grunt work off your hands. What Samsung wants to do is make the AI models on your phone smart enough to bring you relevant information and suggestions, sometimes before you even know you need it. It will take some hands-on time and a lot of learning on the Galaxy S25's part before we'll know if Samsung's on the right track here. In our own Galaxy S25 hands-on, for example, we haven't had enough time to really see some of these features at their best. But it's definitely an effort you'll want to pay attention to. Among the many Galaxy AI and One UI 7 additions that come with the Galaxy S25 series, a few standout for their attempts to offer bring more smarts to the mix. The Now Brief screen that's part of the One UI 7 software is designed to observe what you do during the day to give you a report that includes helpful data and useful suggestions at the start of each morning and in the evening time. Initially, that Now Brief is going to have an out-of-the-box feel. Expect a weather forecast, a list of upcoming appointments and maybe some headlines when you first fire up Now Brief in the morning. Over time, though, the S25 is supposed to learn your routines. Do you have a playlist that you use to get fired up ahead of work? There will be a suggestion to play those songs. Are there particular stops you make along the way when you commute? Maps with traffic data will come into play. The Cross Apps Actions now supported on the Galaxy S25 are less about personalizing your experience and more about letting you get more done in one fell swoop. Using the Google Gemini assistant that's on Samsung's phones, you can rattle off multi-step commands across several different apps -- looking up when the Oscars are, sending a text to invite a friend over and blocking out the time on your calendar -- and the assistant should be smart enough to take care of all of that. In addition to Samsung and Google apps, you're also able to include Spotify and Whatsapp in these requests; presumably, more third-party apps will be added over time. These two AI features do have something in common -- if they work as designed, you'll spend less time jumping between apps to get stuff done or access the information you need. Now Brief will put it all in front of you, while Cross App Actions save you from having to give your assistant one to-do after another -- or worse, make you go into each app to take care of something yourself. The Galaxy AI improvements launching with the Galaxy S25 release bring some other potentially welcome improvements. Samsung promises support for natural language search requests, which should have you doing less stumbling around for just the right phrases to find what you want. That, too, is part of the larger goal of having an assistant who's more attuned to how you use your phone. Samsung isn't the only phone maker trying to crack the code of creating a smart assistant that's actually smart. As part of its ongoing Apple Intelligence launch, Apple has also outlined plans to make its Siri assistant more aware of context and able to act on the information it detects on your phone screen. I take that to mean that Siri will be able to do a lot of the things Samsung is promising with its Galaxy S25 release, especially the ability to interact with different apps. As anyone who's used Apple Intelligence knows, though, that capability isn't there yet. It's supposedly coming, presumably with iOS 18.4, but with iOS 18.3 still only in beta, we have a little bit of waiting to do before we see what Apple has in mind with its plans to smarten up Siri. Even then, people with iPhones capable of supporting Apple Intelligence are going to find themselves in the same boat as Galaxy S25 upgraders -- even when these features ship, there's going to be a learning curve as your digital assistant learns more about you so that its suggestions reflect what you're actually looking for. That's going to take time, fine-tuning and -- on the part of users -- a lot of patience for these features to find their feet. It would be overly dramatic to call the arrival of more context-aware assistants a make-or-break moment for AI on the smartphone. But I don't think it's overstating things to say that there's a lot at stake with how well these features ultimately perform. Tech companies -- and by extension, the people who write about them -- are easily smitten with new features. It's in our nature to be excited by what's possible and what it could mean in terms of new ways to use our devices. But when I talk to people outside of the tech industry, be it on social media or in regular face-to-face conversations, the attitude toward AI on the phone is decidedly different. The people I've heard from aren't asking for these features, and they're kind of underwhelmed by what they've seen so far. That's the audience these new and hopefully improved digital assistants have to impress. If they can deliver the personalized experience that Samsung and others are promising, then that's going to overcome a lot of skepticism about AI's place on the phone. And if not, well, the next big improvement is going to have an even harder time breaking through.

iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 - Entry-level options compared

Samsung's latest smartphone launch, the Galaxy S25, is the South Korean tech company's latest attempt to win the mobile AI war. Here's how the entry-level model compares against Apple's iPhone 16. On January 22, Samsung launched an update to its flagship smartphone line. The Samsung Galaxy S25, along with the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 Ultra, are set to become the biggest smartphones on Android, and possibly in AI. During the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung promoted its smartphones as a way for anyone to quickly use AI while on the move. Promises were made of natural context-aware mobile experiences, an intuitive interface, and high performance. With Apple Intelligence being Cupertino's big push, the Galaxy S25 represents the iPhone 16's biggest rival. Checking out the specifications lists of each, it should be a close fight. The 2024 iPhone 16 launched in a fairly familiar form to consumers, measuring 5.81 inches long and 2.82 inches wide. Unusually for Apple, it's a different size to the Pro counterpart, with the standard version being a bit shorter but wider. The Galaxy S25's base model is not that far off the iPhone's dimensions, with it being slightly smaller overall. It's 5.78 inches long, 2.78 inches wide. When it comes to thickness, the iPhone loses out to the Samsung, at 0.31 inches to 0.28 inches. Both smartphones have a broadly similar exterior appearance, with an edge-to-edge display, flat sides, and rounded corners on an aluminum frame. At the front, the key difference is at the top, with the Galaxy S25 using a punch-hole camera at the top, while Apple uses the Dynamic Island to hide its TrueDepth camera. On the sides, Apple has more visible buttons, including volume controls, one to wake the iPhone, the Action Button, and the latest addition, Camera Control. Samsung has gone for a more relaxed selection, with one side having volume controls and a side button while the other side is bare. Around the back is a more obvious difference. Apple has two rear cameras in a corner bump, while Samsung includes three separate lens protrusions. When it comes to the display, it's expected that Samsung should have a considerable advantage over the iPhone, simply because it's involved in the supply chain. It certainly plays to that advantage here. The iPhone sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, an all-screen OLED panel capable of displaying HDR content. It has a resolution of 2,556 by 1,179, giving it a pixel density of 460 pixels per inch. The Galaxy S29 has a larger 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which has a resolution of 2,340 by 1,080 pixels, marginally lower than the iPhone. This drags the pixel density down to 416ppi, which is still perfectly acceptable for a smartphone. Apple's display has TrueTone support, and covers the Wide Color (P3) gamut. Samsung offers what it refers to as an "Adaptive Color Tone." What Samsung does win at is refresh rate, with the Galaxy S25 having a SuperSmooth 120Hz refresh rate that can go down to just 1Hz. While this is comparable to ProMotion in the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 16 is limited to just 60Hz. In terms of contrast, the iPhone 16 has a contrast ratio of 2 million to one. Brightness maximums vary between 1,000 nits for typical content, 1,600 nits at a peak for HDR content, and 2,000 nits for peak brightness when used outdoors. Samsung hasn't revealed the contrast ratio for the Galaxy S25, but it can manage a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits at peak. This is considerably brighter for outdoor use than the iPhone, though it's questionable as to whether that's enough of an advantage versus resolution. One area Samsung has a considerable advantage with the Galaxy S25 are the cameras. That all starts with quantity, with Samsung simply putting more on its device. The rear of the Galaxy S25 has three cameras, starting off with a 50-megapixel Wide camera, with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS. It also has a 10-megapixel Telephoto camera, an f/2.4 shooter with a 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12MP F/2.2 Ultra-Wide camera with a 120-degree field of view. Apple's counter to this pairing is its 48MP Fusion camera with an f/1.6 aperture and a sensor-shift optical image stabilization system. It also has a 12MP Ultra Wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. While Apple has fewer physical cameras on the back, it does attempt to compete with a virtual 12MP Telephoto camera. In reality, it's a crop of the 48MP Fusion camera that results in a 2x magnification, which Apple can claim is technically an optical zoom, not digital. Around the front of the Galaxy S25 is a 12-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture and an 80-degree field of view. Apple's answer to this is the 12MP TrueDepth array with an f/1.9 aperture. When it comes to video, Apple offers users 4K Dolby Vision recording at 60fps, 1080p Slo-Mo at 240fps, a 6x digital zoom, Spatial video recording at 1080p, and various cinematic recording options. Computational photography is still a big thing, improving the image of not just photos but video too. Samsung's counter is to simply record more pixels. The rear camera, capable of HDR10+ video, supplements its 4K60 recording with 8K30 video. Slo-Mo at 1080p is also offered at 240fps. With the exception of the better video, a lot of deciding which camera system is the best will be subjective, with computational adjustments also playing a major part. When it comes to how the smartphones work, a lot of it will come down to the chipset driving the experience. In one corner, Apple's self-designed A18 chip is extremely capable, thanks to its six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. There's also a 5-core GPU of Apple's own design, and the Neural Engine for handling machine learning-based tasks. In the Galaxy S25, Samsung has gone for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy. As the name implies, it's a version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, tweaked and customized for Samsung. It's an octa-core CPU using two high-performance cores and six other lower-speed cores. It's supported by the Hexagon NPU for handling AI workloads, and the Adreno GPU capable of ray tracing and with Vulkan Engine support. Samsung's also using vapor chamber cooling on its system-on-chip. It's a thermal management technique that Apple has been rumored to be looking into, with the potential to keep chips running for longer without throttling. While we won't know exactly how fast Samsung's chipset will be, we can at least compare the Snapdragon 8 Elite used in other devices with Apple's A18. We could use the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro as an example here. Searches for Geekbench results for the Asus smartphone indicate it can reach single-core scores of around 2,000, and multi-core scores around 8,030. The current iPhone 16 Geekbench score for the iPhone 16 lists the single-core test at 3,309 and the multi-core at 8,137. We could reasonably assume Samsung's Galaxy S25 will be in the same ballpark, chipset tweaks aside. Theoretically, this means the iPhone should still win out when it comes to single-core tasks, as used for everyday app usage, while things level out for multi-core apps. Speaking of performance, Samsung did a lot to play up the Galaxy S25's AI capabilities. This chiefly is a Google Gemini affair, providing everything from text interpretation, context-aware suggestions, and "Circle to Search" to writing and drawing assistance and the "Personal Data Engine" for personalized AI features using on-device data analysis. Samsung even breaks out the impressive-sounding "post-quantum cryptography," which Apple has experience with too. While Apple does have Apple Intelligence, it's a bit hard to compete against Google Gemini at this time. Apple is slowly rolling out its various elements of Apple Intelligence, with Siri yet to be made much smarter, aside from handing some queries over to ChatGPT. For the moment, Apple is catching up when it comes to AI, and that's a problem. When it comes to connectivity, it's safe to say that it's a level playing field. It's in the minor points where there are differences. Both smartphones have 5G connectivity over mmWave and sub-6GHz bands, with LTE as a backup. Wi-Fi 7 support is also equal, though Samsung does pull ahead with Bluetooth 5.4 versus 5.3. NFC and USB-C connectivity is also offered by both, but again Samsung's physical connection is the faster USB 3.2 versus the sluggish USB 2 speed on the iPhone. Apple does pull ahead with the extra connectivity options, though. This includes Thread support for smart homes, second-gen Ultra Wideband, and services like Emergency SOS via Satellite. Officially, Apple doesn't reveal the capacity of the battery inside the iPhone 16 as a quantifiable figure, but instead by what you can do with it. This includes up to 22 hours of video playback, up to 18 hours if streamed, and up to 80 hours of audio playback. Samsung instead says its battery is 4,000mAh. Based on detailed teardowns and analysis, we know it's got a bigger capacity than the iPhone 16's 3,561mAh volume. It's safe to believe the Galaxy S25 will offer all-day battery life. As for what exactly that translates to in real-world usage, it's too early to tell. When it comes to charging, both iPhone and Galaxy have fast-charging capabilities, getting 50% of battery life from a 30-minute USB-C charge. Wireless charging is offered on both, with the iPhone using MagSafe at up to 25W. Samsung also does wireless charging at a slower 15W under Qi2. However, its Wireless PowerShare feature means the Galaxy S5 can be used to wirelessly charge another device, something the iPhone doesn't offer. When it comes to biometric security, Apple relies on Face ID, the 3D depth-mapping system that can scan the user's face. Samsung also offers facial recognition, but it largely relies on an under-display fingerprint reader. Both devices are rated to IP68 levels of dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16 is available in a choice of five colors: Black, White, Teal, Pink, and Ultramarine. It starts from $799 for 128GB of storage, with 256GB and 512GB options available for $899 and $1,099 respectively. Samsung offers the Galaxy S25 in four main colors: Navy, Icy Blue, Silver Shadow, and Mint. Other colors are available in certain exclusive sale cases, including Blue Black, Coral Red, and Pink Gold. Pricing starts from $799.99 with 128GB of storage, with the 256GB option at $859.99, and a 512GB capacity also available outside the United States. Samsung's latest effort, arriving months after Apple's most-recent iPhone launch, follows the rest of the industry in focusing heavily on AI. It's a very hot topic, and it makes sense for Samsung to do so. It also has the major advantage of leaning on Google Gemini for the heavy lifting. That, and Google's relative lead over Apple Intelligence that has a glacial roll-out schedule. If we put aside the whole AI-promotion thing and look at just the specifications, it becomes a considerably closer match overall. Yes, Samsung has a customized Qualcomm chipset, but it seems like it'll be in the same ballpark as the iPhone 16 when it comes to multi-core performance. Samsung also has three cameras on the rear, which is more than Apple's two. This is an advantage, but considering Apple's crop-based "telephoto camera" is similar in spec to the separate sensor of the S25's telephoto, it's not as big as you would think. The displays are also pretty close, spec-wise. Apple's is higher resolution and more pixel-dense, but either would be acceptable for end users. What we ultimately have here are two very comparable smartphones from two bitter rivals, that offer consumers pretty much the same thing. Broadly speaking, of course. To the average user, the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S25 are great entry-level smartphones in their generations. But, for the moment at least, Apple's going to find it hard to compete against Samsung's AI bluster. The Samsung S25 can be ordered at Samsung directly, along with Best Buy and Amazon, with incentives at press time delivering competitive trade-in values and device discounts. Apple's iPhone 16 is also eligible for incentives at wireless carriers, with bill credits of up to $1,000 off, using today's best iPhone deals.