Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: The Last Great Compact Android Flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the smallest and most affordable model in the new Galaxy S25 lineup, priced at £799 (€919/$800/A$1,399). It features a 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and shares the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with the S25 Ultra. The phone offers decent battery life, lasting around 37 hours under regular use. Key software upgrades include the new Google Gemini assistant, which can perform tasks via voice commands, although it occasionally misinterprets requests. The camera system consists of a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto lens, delivering high-quality photos.

Despite its unchanged design from previous models, the S25 remains a strong contender for those seeking a compact flagship Android phone. It supports seven years of software updates and features a practical “Now” bar for quick access to tools. Overall, the S25 offers excellent performance and advanced AI features, making it a top choice in the small smartphone category.

CONTENTS:

• AI Enhancements and Software Features
• Camera Performance
• Pricing and Comparison
• Conclusion
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: Refinement Continues

Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: The Last Great Compact Android Flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S25 stands out as the smallest and most affordable option in the new Galaxy S25 lineup, delivering impressive performance and cutting-edge AI features without the premium price tag. Priced at £799 (€919/$800/A$1,399), it shares the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor as the larger S25 Ultra, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-end Android device in a compact form factor.

The S25 maintains a familiar design, featuring a 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a triple-camera system, and a sleek build with flat aluminum sides and glass front and back. Weighing just 162g, it is significantly lighter than its larger counterpart, positioning it as a competitor to the iPhone in terms of size, while other brands like Google have opted for larger models.

Battery life is decent, providing around 37 hours of usage despite its smaller battery. Users can expect to recharge every other day with regular use, though intensive gaming can deplete the battery more quickly.

AI Enhancements and Software Features

The S25’s standout features are its AI and software improvements. It runs on One UI 7 (Android 15) and introduces the new Google Gemini assistant, replacing Bixby and Google Assistant. Gemini can perform tasks based on voice commands, such as adding events to your calendar directly from received messages, and it can interpret content on your screen to provide relevant information. While the assistant shows promise, it occasionally misinterprets commands and can generate incorrect information.

The new “Now” bar on the lock screen is a practical addition, allowing users to access widgets and controls easily. Samsung’s commitment to providing software and security updates for seven years aligns with the industry’s best practices.

Camera Performance

The S25 features a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. While the camera system remains unchanged from the previous model, it still delivers high-quality photos and videos. The main camera excels in good lighting but may struggle with overexposure in bright conditions. Although the 3x zoom offers decent detail, it lacks the reach of competitors with 5x zoom capabilities.

Pricing and Comparison

Starting at £799 (€919/$799.99/A$1,399), the Galaxy S25 is positioned against the S25 Ultra (£1,249), the S25+ (£999), the Google Pixel 9 (£649), the OnePlus 13 (£899), and the iPhone 16 (£799).

Conclusion

The Galaxy S25 is a refreshing choice for those seeking a compact flagship Android phone, as most competitors have moved towards larger designs. Despite its iterative design, the S25 offers significant performance gains thanks to its new processor and enhanced software capabilities. While the advanced AI features can be hit or miss, they are a glimpse into the future of mobile technology. Overall, if you’re looking for a top-tier small Android phone, the S25 is a standout option.

Pros: Compact size, excellent display, solid camera, robust software support, top-tier performance, access to latest AI features, best value in Samsung’s flagship range.

Cons: Iterative design, no 5x zoom option.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: Refinement Continues

Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 smartphone last month, featuring the same 6.2-inch 120Hz LTPO display, similar camera setup, and a 4000mAh battery as its predecessor, the S24. However, it is upgraded with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, more RAM, and a sleeker design, raising the question of whether it is a worthwhile upgrade.

Box Contents
The Galaxy S25 comes with the following in the box:

• 12GB RAM, 256GB storage model in Silver Shadow color
• USB Type-C to C cable
• SIM ejector tool
• Quick start guide and warranty information

Display, Hardware, and Design
The phone boasts a 6.2-inch Full HD+ Infinity-O Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080×2340 pixels and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth animations and scrolling. The design is compact and lightweight, measuring 7.2mm thick and weighing 167 grams, with minimal bezels and a matte Armor Aluminum frame. It is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.

Camera
The S25 features a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens, along with a 12MP front camera. While the sensors remain unchanged from the S24, the camera UI has improved, allowing for 50MP shooting and better low-light performance. It offers various shooting modes, including 8K video recording at 30 fps and HDR10+ video support.

Software, UI, and Apps
Running on Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7, the S25 promises seven years of OS and security updates. It introduces new features like multimodal AI capabilities, enhanced search functions, and an updated Gallery app. The RAM has been upgraded to 12GB, with an additional RAM Plus feature available.

Fingerprint Sensor and Face Unlock
Equipped with Qualcomm’s in-display fingerprint sensor, the S25 supports easy fingerprint registration and face recognition, though performance may vary in low-light conditions.

Music Player and Multimedia
The default music player is YouTube Music, which supports Dolby Atmos and various audio enhancements. The device also supports HD content streaming with Widevine L1 certification.

Dual SIM and Connectivity
The Galaxy S25 supports 5G and several network bands, with additional connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. It lacks UWB support, found in the higher-end S25+ and S25 Ultra models.

Performance and Benchmarks
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, the S25 promises substantial performance improvements over its predecessor. It handles graphic-intensive games well but experiences some thermal throttling during extended play.

Battery Life
The phone retains the same 4000mAh battery as the S24, offering a full day of use and around 5.5 hours of screen time. However, it continues to use 25W charging, which lags behind competitors.

Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S25 represents a minor upgrade with improvements primarily in the chipset and RAM. Despite its sleek design and dependable performance, the lack of UWB support and slow charging speed are notable drawbacks. The S25 is priced at Rs. 80,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model and Rs. 92,999 for the 512GB variant, available through various online and offline stores.

Pros

• Excellent 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display
• Compact, lightweight design
• Smooth performance
• 7 years of OS and security updates
• Reliable camera system
• Impressive battery life

Cons

• No UltraWideBand (UWB) support
• Limited to 25W charging