Samsung Galaxy S25 review: More powerful, but more of the same

Samsung's Galaxy S25 offers AI enhancements and great battery life, but hardware changes are minor.

: The Samsung Galaxy S25 introduces enhanced AI features and outstanding battery life, maintaining the same hardware design as the previous model. The phone has a 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen and retains the same camera sensors as the S24, though improvements are seen in computational photography performance. Priced at $799, the S25 delivers powerful performance, aided by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Despite impressive features and consistency, some consumers may find value in older models due to its unchanged price.

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 provides notable enhancements in AI capabilities and impressive battery life, consistent with previous models. While it features a powerful new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, improvements in hardware are minimal, sporting the same display and camera sensors as the Galaxy S24, which can be somewhat disappointing.

Despite similarities in design, the phone stands out with a 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen and a solid build quality. The software adjustments, like the Now Bar and the personalized AI experience, elevate user interactions, yet they seem more like rebranded features. Computational photography upgrades improve the standard of pictures and videos, specifically in HDR and dynamic range.

Even with its advances, the Galaxy S25 faces stiff competition from cheaper alternatives, such as the Pixel 8a, or even older Galaxy S models, due to its unchanged $799 price point. The device remains a powerhouse with an incredible battery life, though prospective buyers might reconsider the purchase when weighing cost against performance enhancements.