The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a paradox. It’s both the most powerful compact Android flagship and, at the same time, a device that feels frustratingly iterative. While Samsung has made some meaningful under-the-hood improvements
The "Invisible" Upgrade: A New Era of Longevity
Samsung’s biggest flex with the Galaxy S25 isn’t something you’ll notice on day one—it’s the seven years of software support. This is a direct challenge to Apple’s iOS longevity and sets a new precedent for Android devices【8】. Pair that with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which has an almost ridiculous 70 tokens per second AI processing speed, and this phone is built not just for today, but for years to come.
AI: The Gimmick That’s Not Quite There Yet
Samsung has gone all-in on AI with features like Circle to Search and Audio Eraser, but most of these tools feel more like party tricks than game-changers【9】. Google’s Gemini AI assistant replaces Bixby, but strangely, Bixby still lingers as an option, making the experience feel a bit messy.
Cameras: Samsung’s Stubbornness Shows
The S25's camera setup is, in a word, safe. Samsung stuck with the same 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto (3x zoom) from last year. While the S25 Ultra got a new 50MP ultrawide, the base S25 is still using hardware that’s starting to feel outdated compared to the 48MP ultrawides on the Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 Pro. Night photography, while good, isn’t breaking new ground, and Samsung still lags behind Google when it comes to computational photography.
The Design Trick No One Is Talking About
The S25 is actually thinner and lighter than its predecessor, which makes a huge difference in hand. It’s 0.4mm thinner and 5g lighter than the S24, making it one of the most comfortable flagships for one-handed use.
Charging: Still Stuck in 2022
While competitors are pushing 80W or even 100W fast charging, the S25 is still stuck at 25W wired and 15W wireless. That means it takes roughly 30 minutes to reach 50%—far from impressive in 2025. If you were hoping for a charger in the box, forget it. You’ll need to buy your own USB-PD adapter
Final Verdict: A Compact King with a Stale Crown
The Galaxy S25 is a fantastic phone on paper, but it lacks that one killer feature that makes it truly exciting. If you’re upgrading from a Galaxy S21 or older, you’ll love it. But if you already have a Galaxy S24 or even an S23, the S25 doesn’t bring enough to the table .
