Samsung has launched the Galaxy S25 series, featuring the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for improved performance. Key enhancements include a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera on the S25 Ultra and lighter designs. While the series maintains a similar aesthetic to the S24 models, it promises seven years of Android updates. New AI features, such as ‘AI Agents’ and ‘AI Select,’ aim to enhance user experience, though the overall hardware improvements may not be substantial enough to entice current Galaxy users to upgrade.
Introducing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series
Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra during the highly anticipated ‘Galaxy Unpacked’ event on January 22. As anticipated from earlier leaks, these three premium smartphones don’t present many external changes compared to their predecessors.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, all three models boast enhanced performance capabilities over the S24 series, known for its impressive speed. The latest Galaxies are expected to outperform previous ‘Elite’ models, such as the Honor Magic 7 Pro, providing an even better experience for gaming and faster rendering times in media editing.
Key Features and Improvements
The ‘for Galaxy’ version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite slightly overclocks the cores, which is likely to enhance performance, especially for AI tasks such as image generation and speech recognition.
Another significant upgrade is found in the ultra-wide-angle camera of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which now features an impressive 50-megapixel resolution, up from 12. This enhancement promises sharper images for group photos and four times more detail in macro shots, as stated by Samsung.
While the physical design of the Galaxy S25 series remains largely unchanged, with the S25 and S25 Plus featuring 6.2 and 6.7-inch OLED displays respectively, the S25 Ultra’s display has slightly increased to 6.9 inches due to thinner bezels. The new series is also lighter than the S24 models, with weight reductions ranging from six to 15 grams, making them feel more comfortable in hand thanks to their rounded corners.
Samsung has retained the pricing and update promises for 2024, with the S25 series starting at 899 euros and set to receive Android updates for an impressive seven years. The official release date for the Galaxy S25 models is February 7, 2025.
Initial impressions from tests conducted at the CHIP test center indicate that while the S25 series performs well, it lacks a substantial generational leap from its predecessors. The cameras, aside from the ultra-wide feature, provide quality images similar to those of the S24 series, and the OLED displays maintain their vibrant colors but fall short of the peak brightness seen in competitors like the Google Pixel 9 Pro.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers commendable performance, yet the ‘for Galaxy’ overclocking may lead to overheating issues during intensive tasks, causing performance throttling of over 50% in benchmarks.
Exploring Galaxy AI Features
Our upcoming detailed review will delve deeper into the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, particularly focusing on its innovative ‘Galaxy AI’ capabilities. The introduction of ‘AI Agents’ marks a significant step forward, allowing users to execute cross-app commands seamlessly with the help of Google Gemini.
For instance, users can easily inquire about FC Bayern Munich’s next game, schedule a calendar entry, and check availability with a WhatsApp contact—all in one command. This streamlined approach simplifies navigation across different applications, making the Galaxy S25 more user-friendly. The ability to search for specific photos or settings using natural language is also a notable enhancement.
Another exciting feature, ‘AI Select,’ streamlines actions based on screen content. For example, when watching a YouTube video, ‘AI Select’ can instantly identify the clip and even create a screenshot or GIF if required.
Additionally, users can access personalized briefings throughout the day, covering essential information like weather forecasts and upcoming appointments. The ‘Now Bar’ on the lock screen functions similarly to live widgets, displaying real-time updates on sports scores, order statuses, or navigation guidance.
While the S24 series introduced various AI functionalities, such as the ‘magic eraser’ for photo editing, the new Galaxy S25 is expected to enhance these features significantly. The AI is designed to offer more precise selections, reducing the occurrence of artifacts in edited images, and improving overall performance.
The ‘Best Face’ function allows users to choose the best facial expressions from a series of photos, ensuring optimal group shots. Moreover, the ‘Audio Eraser’ feature aims to filter out background noise in videos, enhancing the clarity of spoken voices, though there is still room for improvement in audio quality.
In conclusion, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphones may not introduce groundbreaking hardware advancements, the revamped ‘Galaxy AI’ offers intriguing functionalities that could enhance daily life. However, for current owners of previous Galaxy S models, there may not be a compelling reason to upgrade, especially as many AI features may eventually be available on older devices. Our comprehensive test will determine whether Samsung can reclaim its spot at the top of smartphone rankings.