AI-powered camera and system enhancements
Seven years of Android and security updates
Samsung Knox for secure local storage
Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with IP68 water and dust resistance
45W wired charging plus wireless and reverse wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S25 | Full Review
19/12/25
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a compact, well balanced flagship that refines the S24 formula. It delivers a vibrant display, capable cameras, smooth daily performance, and a pocketable design. While battery life and charging speeds are modest, the S25 is reliable, polished, and practical for everyday use.
Pros
- Compact and comfortable 6.2-inch display
- Vibrant Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
- Versatile triple-camera system
- Smooth performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
Cons
- 4,000 mAh battery may require an evening top-up
- No microSD expansion for extra storage
Galaxy S25 – Overview
The Galaxy S25 continues Samsung’s approach of refining proven features. It is smaller and lighter than the S24, making it ideal for one handed use, but it still packs capable hardware. Its display, cameras, and processor provide a premium experience without pushing the Ultra level specs, resulting in a reliable and polished flagship for everyday users.
Galaxy S25 – Design
Samsung retains its sleek, modern aesthetic. The aluminium frame and flat Gorilla Glass back feel premium but understated. The phone is compact, easy to handle, and comfortable for one handed use. The IP68 water and dust rating adds durability, while the lighter weight improves day to day comfort compared with previous models.
Galaxy S25 – Display
The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel delivers punchy colors, deep contrast, and smooth motion thanks to the adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rate. Media, social apps, and gaming are all enjoyable, though peak brightness can struggle in direct sunlight compared to larger Ultra models. Overall, it is a strong display for a compact flagship.
Galaxy S25 – Camera & Video
The S25 features a triple camera system: a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultra wide, and 10MP telephoto lens with 3× optical zoom. Image processing improvements deliver sharper detail, more accurate colors, and better low light performance than the S24. Video recording supports 10-bit HDR and provides solid stabilisation for casual content creation.
Galaxy S25 – Spec Options
Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB RAM, the S25 handles multitasking, media, and AI tasks efficiently. Apps launch quickly, switching is seamless, and thermal management keeps the device cool. While not matching the Ultra models in heavy gaming or 3D workloads, the phone feels responsive and polished for everyday use.
Galaxy S25 – Build Quality
The Galaxy S25 is well built, with a slim aluminium frame and glass on both the front and back. It feels solid in the hand, with no flex, and the overall finish is clean and consistent. The flat edges give it a modern look while also making it easy to grip.
Despite its relatively compact size, the phone feels sturdy and well balanced. Buttons are firm and responsive, and the materials hold up well to everyday use, giving the S25 a durable, premium feel without being bulky.
Galaxy S25 – Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy S25 delivers fast, reliable performance across everyday tasks. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and moving between apps feels effortless. The phone stays stable during extended use, with heat kept well under control.
While it doesn’t quite match the Ultra models in sustained heavy gaming or demanding 3D workloads, the S25 remains responsive and consistent, making it well suited to daily use, media consumption, and general productivity.
Galaxy S25 – Life and Charge Time
Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Battery Life – 8h 54m (video playback)
- Charge Time – 68% in ~30 minutes (wired), full in ~1h 9m
Galaxy S25
- Battery Life – 8h 1m (video playback)
- Charge Time – 54% in ~30 minutes (wired), full in ~1h 22m
Galaxy S24
- Battery Life – 8 h 20 m (video playback)
- Charge Time – 56 % in ~30 minutes (wired), full in ~1 h 12 m
The Galaxy S25 delivers strong performance, handling apps, multitasking, AI features, and casual gaming smoothly without overheating. Compared with the S24, it feels a bit snappier, while the S25 Ultra offers the highest power and extra features.
Battery life sits in the middle, lasting just over eight hours of video playback. The S24 is similar at around 8 h 20 m, while the S25 Ultra stretches closer to nine hours. Charging is competitive, with the S25 reaching about 54 percent in thirty minutes and a full charge in roughly one hour and twenty two minutes. Overall, the S25 balances performance, battery, and charging well, making it a solid all round choice.
Galaxy S25 – Operating System
Geekbench results
CPU single-core scores:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Score = 2,534
- Samsung Galaxy S25 – Score = 1,112
- Samsung Galaxy S24 – Score = 2,059
CPU multi-core scores:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – Score = 10,389
- Samsung Galaxy S25 – Score = 2,428
- Samsung Galaxy S24 – Score = 6,455
The Samsung Galaxy S25 delivers a strong upper mid range to level performance. In practical terms, this means the S25 handles daily apps, multitasking, AI features, and casual gaming smoothly without overheating or noticeable slowdowns. Thermal management and software optimisation ensure performance remains consistent even under longer sessions, making it a reliable daily driver.
These scores illustrate that while the S25 is not the absolute top end Ultra model, it comfortably bridges the gap between upper mid range and flagship performance, giving users a responsive, polished experience across everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Galaxy S25 – Additional Features
Galaxy S25 – Problems with Older Phones / Issues to Look Out For
Upgrading to the S25 from older Galaxy devices comes with a few adjustments. Storage and RAM options are higher, and there is no microSD slot, so expandable storage is not an option. Battery management has improved, but users coming from older phones may need to adapt to faster charging and power optimisation features. Software and UI changes mean some menus and settings may feel different, and advanced AI tools may take a short period to get used to. Overall, these are minor adjustments, but being aware of them helps make the transition smoother.
Galaxy S25 – Verdict
The Galaxy S25 balances a compact design with strong display quality, versatile cameras, and reliable performance. It does not drastically outperform the S24, but software refinements, improved AI processing, and its pocketable form factor make it practical and enjoyable to use. Battery life and charging are modest, yet the phone remains a polished and dependable daily driver, the S25 is a strong all round option.