Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25? A Balanced Look
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has arrived, promising a powerful, compact flagship experience. Priced competitively, it boasts impressive features and a long software support lifespan. However, before you jump in, let’s weigh the pros and cons. This review considers feedback from multiple tech sources to offer a comprehensive perspective.
Reasons to Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S25 offers several compelling reasons to consider it your next phone.
Premium, Compact Design
Samsung has refined the S25’s design, retaining the popular flat-edge aesthetic while incorporating subtle yet impactful changes. It’s noticeably slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, making it incredibly comfortable to hold and use, especially for those who prefer smaller phones. The compact form factor sets it apart from many other flagship devices that have embraced larger displays. The phone also features durable construction with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an armored aluminum frame, and comes in a range of attractive colors, minimizing the visibility of fingerprints. This thoughtful mix of style and durability is a key selling point. The IP68 rating ensures protection against water and dust.
Reliable and Improved Camera System
The S25’s triple-camera system builds upon its predecessor’s success. Featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, it’s a capable setup for diverse shooting scenarios. Samsung has focussed on enhancing image processing, resulting in significantly improved detail, color accuracy, and responsiveness. Images exhibit better detail retention, preventing oversaturation, a common issue with smartphone cameras. Low-light performance is also notably improved, reducing noise and preventing light blooms, leading to more natural-looking images even in challenging conditions. The front-facing 12MP camera also delivers high-quality selfies.
Enhanced AI Integration
The S25 introduces several AI-powered features designed to streamline your daily experience. "Now Brief" provides concise daily summaries, while "Now Bar" gives you real-time updates at a glance. While some features, such as generative AI tools for text and image creation, require an internet connection, many work offline for enhanced privacy and convenience. The AI integration extends to improved customization settings, enhanced image editing capabilities, and superior noise reduction in photos and videos. The improved "Circle to Search" feature expands its capabilities to include song identification. The integration with various Samsung and Google apps enhances workflow and boosts overall efficiency.
Excellent Performance
Powered by an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Galaxy S25 delivers outstanding performance. Benchmark tests show it among the fastest smartphones currently available. This raw power translates to a seamless user experience, enabling effortless multitasking, smooth gaming performance, and efficient handling of computationally intensive AI tasks. The combination of 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage ensures plenty of space for apps and data, though storage expansion isn’t possible.
Reasons to Skip the Samsung Galaxy S25
While the S25 offers a lot, there are a couple of areas where it falls short of expectations.
Relatively Slow Charging Speeds
Despite improvements in other areas, the S25’s charging speed remains a point of concern. It supports 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging – which is slower than some competing flagship devices. While 25W wired charging is decent, achieving a full charge takes approximately an hour. The absence of a charger in the box adds extra cost for users who don’t already own a compatible adapter. Wireless charging, though convenient, is relatively slow at 15W, increasing the charging time.
Average Battery Life
The S25 features a 4000mAh battery, which provides acceptable but not outstanding battery life. Benchmarks show performance comparable to its predecessor, but this still falls below the battery life offered by several rival smartphones. While casual users should get through a full day on a single charge, heavy users may need to recharge during the day. Gaming and video streaming have a significant impact on battery drain, highlighting the need for mindful usage or carrying a portable charger.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a powerful and well-designed compact flagship. Its improvements in camera technology, AI features, and performance are significant. The premium design and long-term software support are also noteworthy advantages. However, the relatively slow charging and average battery life might be dealbreakers for some users. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy the S25 comes down to your priorities and tolerance for these shortcomings. If you prioritize a compact, high-performing phone with excellent cameras and a great design, the Galaxy S25 is definitely worth considering. But if long battery life and rapid charging are non-negotiable, you might want to explore other options.
