Samsung Galaxy S25 & S25 Plus Review: An Iterative Upgrade

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus have arrived, bringing subtle refinements rather than groundbreaking changes. Samsung has focused on minor design tweaks, AI-powered enhancements, and efficiency improvements rather than a complete overhaul.

While the devices maintain the same sleek aesthetic as their predecessors, the addition of a titanium frame and improved display brightness enhances their premium appeal. The performance upgrade, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Exynos 2500 chipsets, ensures smoother operation, but the difference is marginal compared to the S24 series. Similarly, camera improvements rely on AI rather than new hardware, delivering better low-light photography and portrait enhancements.

With a modest boost in battery life and AI-driven features, the S25 series feels more like an evolution rather than a revolution. Is this enough to justify an upgrade? Let’s explore the details.

Build Quality & Durability

Samsung has introduced a titanium frame on the S25 series, making it more robust and premium. This material is lighter yet stronger than aluminum, ensuring better durability. The back panel retains a matte-textured finish, reducing fingerprint smudges and improving grip. The devices are still IP68 water and dust resistant, providing protection against accidental spills and dust exposure.

Drop & Scratch Resistance

Titanium frame: More durable than aluminum used in previous models
Gorilla Glass Armor: Improved scratch and impact resistance
IP68 Rating: Water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes

Samsung continues to refine its build quality, but users expecting a radical redesign may find the S25 series too familiar.

Design and Display: Familiar Yet Polished

Samsung has maintained the same sleek and minimalist design from the S24 series, with only minor refinements to improve durability and aesthetics.

Key Design Features:

Flat-Edge Design for a modern look
Titanium Frame for improved durability
Matte Textured Back for a premium, smudge-resistant feel
New Color Options, including pastel and earthy tones

Display Improvements:

Model	Screen Size	Panel Type	Refresh Rate	Peak Brightness
Galaxy S25	6.1-inch	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	120Hz	2600 nits
Galaxy S25 Plus	6.7-inch	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	120Hz	2600 nits

The bump in peak brightness (2600 nits) ensures better outdoor visibility, but resolution and refresh rate remain unchanged.

Verdict on Design & Display:

While the design remains attractive and refined, those expecting significant visual changes might find the S25 series too iterative. The brighter display is a nice touch, but nothing groundbreaking.

Performance: An Incremental Boost

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are powered by:

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (USA & select markets)
Exynos 2500 (Europe & Asia)

Performance Enhancements:

10-12% CPU Performance Boost (compared to S24)
15% Faster GPU for gaming and graphics rendering
Improved AI Processing for better efficiency and real-time processing

Gaming Performance:

Better thermal management with Exynos 2500
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers better sustained performance

While both chips offer solid gaming experiences, those looking for peak performance should opt for Snapdragon variants.

Verdict on Performance:

The S25 series delivers a minor performance upgrade, but it won’t feel significantly different unless you’re coming from an older model like the S22 or S21 series.

Battery & Charging: No Major Upgrades

Battery life sees a slight improvement, thanks to efficiency gains from the new chipset. However, Samsung still limits charging speeds to 45W, lagging behind competitors offering 80W or more.

Model	Battery Capacity	Charging Speed
Galaxy S25	4000mAh	45W Wired / 15W Wireless
Galaxy S25 Plus	4900mAh	45W Wired / 15W Wireless

Battery Life Expectations:

Slightly Better Standby Time due to efficiency gains
No Upgrade in Charging Speeds, disappointing for power users

Verdict on Battery:

While battery efficiency has improved, lack of faster charging makes Samsung fall behind its competitors in this aspect.

Cameras: AI Takes Over, But No Major Hardware Changes

The camera hardware remains mostly unchanged, with the biggest improvements coming from Samsung’s AI-powered image processing.

Camera Specs:

Camera	S25	S25 Plus	Upgrade Over S24?
Main Camera	50MP, f/1.8	50MP, f/1.8	No Change
Ultra-wide	12MP, f/2.2	12MP, f/2.2	No Change
Telephoto	10MP, 3x optical	10MP, 3x optical	No Change

AI-Powered Camera Features:

Better Night Mode Processing for clearer low-light shots
Advanced Portrait Mode with improved edge detection
Pro Video Mode Enhancements for filmmakers

Verdict on Cameras:

If you were hoping for a hardware upgrade, you might be disappointed. However, AI-powered enhancements slightly improve photography, especially in low-light conditions.

Software & AI Features

Samsung has integrated several AI-powered tools in the S25 series, many of which will also be available on older models.

New AI Features:

Live Call Translations for real-time language conversion
Generative Image Editing powered by Galaxy AI
Samsung Notes AI for automatic summarization and formatting

Verdict on AI Features:

Samsung’s AI-powered software improvements are useful, but they are not exclusive to the S25 series, making it less of a compelling reason to upgrade.

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are refined but not revolutionary. While they offer minor improvements in battery efficiency, AI features, and durability, they lack significant hardware changes to justify upgrading from an S24 or even an S23.

If you own an S21 or earlier, the upgrade might be worth considering for its improved performance and camera AI enhancements. However, those with more recent Samsung devices will find the changes too incremental.

Samsung has taken an iterative approach this year, focusing on refinement rather than innovation. While this ensures stability and reliability, a more ambitious upgrade will be necessary to maintain excitement in the premium smartphone market.