Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: A Deep Dive into Performance

This report examines the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra, focusing on how their processing power compares in real-world scenarios. All three phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, promising top-tier performance. However, we investigate whether the smaller S25 can match the performance of its larger counterparts, particularly concerning heat management.

Benchmarking the Galaxy S25 Trio

We employed standard benchmark tests to evaluate the performance of each phone. The results reveal some interesting differences, particularly in single-core performance.

CPU Performance: GeekBench 6 Results

Using GeekBench 6, a widely used benchmarking tool, we assessed both single-core and multi-core CPU performance. The results showed some variation across the models:

• Single-Core: The standard Galaxy S25 performed approximately 9% slower than the S25 Plus and 12% slower than the S25 Ultra. This difference is likely due to thermal throttling – the phone’s processor automatically reduces its clock speed to avoid overheating. While GeekBench 6 is a relatively short test, this suggests the S25 might be more susceptible to performance drops under sustained load.

• Multi-Core: The disparity in multi-core performance was significantly smaller. Only a 2% difference was observed between the smallest and largest models. This suggests that in real-world applications involving multiple processing cores, the performance difference will be negligible across all three phones.

(Insert Image 1: GeekBench 6 Results Chart Here)

CPU Performance: PCMark Work 3.0 Results

We further evaluated the phones using PCMark Work 3.0, a benchmark that simulates real-world tasks. This test confirmed the earlier findings: All three phones delivered practically identical results, differing by only a percentage point or two. This suggests that for typical daily usage, all three phones offer excellent performance.

(Insert Image 2: PCMark Work 3.0 Results Chart Here)

The findings from both GeekBench 6 and PCMark Work 3.0 indicate that while the standard S25 shows slightly lower single-core CPU scores, the real-world performance difference compared to the S25 Plus and Ultra is minimal in daily tasks.

GPU Performance and Thermal Throttling: Under Pressure

To further analyze performance, we subjected the three phones to rigorous GPU stress tests. This revealed a more pronounced difference in performance, largely affected by varying thermal management capabilities.

GPU Stress Tests: Temperature and Performance

Our stress tests, using 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme and Solar Bay benchmarks, highlighted a clear trend:

• Temperature: The Galaxy S25 Ultra remained the coolest, peaking at 42.3°C. The S25 and S25 Plus reached higher temperatures of 44.8°C and 46.2°C, respectively. The Ultra also maintained significantly lower idle temperatures. This is consistent with last year’s models (S24 and S24 Plus) exhibiting higher temperatures than the Ultra.

• Performance: The S25 Ultra consistently showed a roughly 6% higher peak score in both 3DMark tests compared to the standard S25. Again, the S25 Plus fell between the two. While this might not significantly impact frame rates in most games, it implies better sustained performance at high settings and longer gaming sessions.

(Insert Image 3: Wild Life Extreme Stress Test Results Chart Here)
(Insert Image 4: Solar Bay Stress Test Results Chart Here)

The Ultra’s superior cooling, attributable to its 40% larger vapor chamber compared to its predecessor, allows it to maintain higher performance levels even under intense GPU load. This makes it the better option for gamers or users who engage in extended, graphically demanding applications.

However, it is important to note that sustained performance across all three models during the stress tests wasn’t exceptionally high, indicating potential thermal limitations even in the Ultra.

Which Galaxy S25 is Right for You?

Choosing between the Galaxy S25 models hinges on several factors beyond raw performance.

Performance Considerations

From a purely performance-based perspective, the pricing reflects the performance hierarchy: The Ultra boasts the best cooling and performance, followed by the Plus and then the standard S25. The latter exhibits slightly slower CPU and GPU performance but is still a powerful device that’s not a significant slouch.

While benchmark tests reveal differences, it’s important to consider that the average user will rarely push their phone to the limits of stress testing. In daily usage, the performance differences are minimal across the entire S25 series.

Beyond Performance: Other Factors

Remember, aspects beyond performance influence your purchase decision:

• Price: The S25 is the most affordable, offering a considerable performance boost compared to its predecessors at a lower price.

• Size and Features: The S25 Ultra stands out with larger size, extensive zoom capabilities (100x), and a significantly bigger battery. The S25 Plus sits in between the other two in terms of size and features.

• Software Support: All three models offer seven years of software updates, a significant advantage providing long-term software security.

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Finally, while the performance differences between the Galaxy S25 models are somewhat nuanced, the entire series represents a significant leap forward compared to the previous generation. Thermal management differences are noticeable under sustained high-load conditions, but likely won’t affect most users. Therefore, the choice depends largely on budget, preferred size, and specific feature requirements.