Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Hands-On: Extremely Iterative, but the Ultra Is Nicer to Hold

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: Refined, but is an Upgrade Necessary?

Samsung's Galaxy S25 series arrives with incremental improvements. While the hardware remains excellent, the compelling reasons to upgrade are limited unless you prioritize enhanced AI features. I've had hands-on time with all three models, and here are my initial thoughts.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra: Notable Design Changes

The S25 Ultra, a powerhouse phablet, retains its large size but boasts a significant upgrade: a lighter weight and flatter edges. Compared to its predecessor, it's 15 grams lighter (now 218g), making it considerably more comfortable to hold. The flat sides, mirroring the design of its smaller siblings, create a more compact feel despite the 6.9-inch QHD Dynamic AMOLED display. The boxy design, softened by rounded corners, is both stylish and ergonomic.

Camera improvements include a new 50MP ultrawide sensor (up from 12MP on the S24 Ultra), promising enhanced wide shots and macro photography. The other cameras (200MP main, 10MP 3X telephoto, and 50MP 5X telephoto) remain unchanged. Powering this flagship is the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor with 12GB of RAM, customized by Samsung for optimal AI performance.

A minor disappointment is the lack of native Qi2 support. Instead, Samsung offers a magnetic case for MagSafe compatibility, mirroring OnePlus' approach. While this enables MagSafe accessories, it's inconvenient for users preferring a case-free experience. This omission is surprising given Apple's successful MagSafe integration since 2020.

The S25 Ultra is available for pre-order starting at $1,299.99 (256GB), with 512GB and 1TB options also available. Color choices include Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, and Samsung-exclusive options. Shipping begins February 7, 2025.

Galaxy S25 and S25 : Minimal Upgrades

The S25 and S25 offer minimal visual changes compared to their predecessors. Beyond slight dimensional and weight differences, they're virtually identical. Both feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and 12GB of RAM, ensuring top-tier performance.

The hardware is undeniably premium and delivers a solid user experience. However, the lack of significant year-over-year improvements makes upgrading from the S24 series less compelling, especially considering the unchanged camera sensors. Software enhancements will be present, but the hardware remains largely the same.

Pre-orders begin today, with shipping on February 7, 2025. The S25 starts at $799.99 (128GB), while the S25 begins at $999.99 (256GB). Color options vary across retailers.

AI Features: A Promising Addition

Samsung’s focus on AI is a welcome change. The Now Brief and Now Bar offer personalized information based on user habits. A new Gemini interface, accessible via a long press of the power button, enables multi-step, multi-modal AI requests. AI Select, within the Edge Panel, offers contextual suggestions for creating GIFs or editing photos. Conversation search in Settings and the Gallery app simplifies finding specific settings and information.

The rollout of these AI features to older devices remains unclear, likely prioritizing the S25 series initially.

Conclusion

The Galaxy S25 series represents refinement rather than revolution. The AI features are the most significant upgrade, making the S25 series a compelling option for those seeking enhanced personalization and convenience. However, for users with recent Galaxy flagships, the incremental improvements might not justify an upgrade. Stay tuned for our full reviews in the coming weeks.

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