Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: The Right Galaxy for Most People
Samsung put the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip in the $799 Galaxy S25 that it put in the $1,299 Galaxy S25 Ultra. No chip tier for the cheaper model, no last year’s processor – the full performance of Samsung’s 2025 flagship in the smallest, lightest Galaxy S25 body. At 162 grams, the S25 is the lightest phone in this comparison and the most pocketable flagship Android phone launched in 2025. Samsung released it in January 2025 at $799 for 128GB. Last updated: May 2026.
Verdict: 8.5/10. The Galaxy S25 is an excellent compact Android flagship with no meaningful compromises except screen size. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 50MP camera, and 7-year update commitment make it one of the best-value phones available in 2026. Three things to know: the 4,000mAh battery delivers 10 to 11 hours of mixed use – adequate but not the 12+ hours of the Plus and Ultra; no periscope telephoto; and at $799 it is a direct price competitor to the iPhone 16.
Design
162 x 74.8 x 7.2mm and 162 grams. The slimmest, lightest phone in the S25 lineup and among the lightest premium Android phones launched in 2025. The frame is Armour Aluminium with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and Gorilla Glass back. Four colours: Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, and Silver Shadow – shared with the S25+. The 7.2mm thickness means you feel the phone less in a pocket than any of its direct competitors. No S Pen slot.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2,340 x 1,080 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB |
| Main camera | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | 10MP, 3x optical, f/2.4 |
| Front camera | 12MP, f/2.2 |
| Battery | 4,000mAh, 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| OS at launch | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Update commitment | 7 years |
| Dimensions | 162 x 74.8 x 7.2mm |
| Weight | 162g |
| Starting price | $799 (128GB) |
| Release date | January 2025 |
Display
The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 2,340 x 1,080 (416ppi) with 120Hz adaptive refresh. Peak brightness: 2,600 nits. The lower resolution versus the S25+ and Ultra (which both run 3,088 x 1,440) is noticeable only when you hold the two phones side by side with the brightness high. In typical use at arm’s length, the panel looks excellent. Colour accuracy in Natural mode and brightness in sunlight are the same class-leading performance as the rest of the S25 lineup.
Performance
Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM. Identical chip to the S25 Ultra. In the smaller and slimmer chassis, peak performance hits the same ceiling but sustained-load performance under heavy gaming holds slightly less consistently – the chip runs hotter in a smaller thermal envelope. For typical use including all gaming titles at maximum settings, the difference from the Ultra is not noticeable. The 12GB RAM provides the same multitasking app retention as the larger models.
Camera
50MP main (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4). The triple camera system is identical to the S25+. In daylight, the 50MP main produces detailed, well-exposed photos that compare favourably with the iPhone 16 in most scenes. The 3x telephoto covers portrait distances cleanly. The 12MP ultrawide is adequate but shows its resolution limit in wide environmental shots that require cropping. Night photos are processed by Galaxy AI’s ProVisual engine; results are generally clean in street-lit conditions.
Software
Android 15, One UI 7, full Galaxy AI suite including Circle to Search and Live Translate. Seven-year update commitment, the same as the rest of the S25 lineup. One UI 7’s streamlined design removes several redundant UI layers from One UI 6 and makes the phone faster to navigate in daily use.
Battery
4,000mAh battery delivers 10 to 11 hours of mixed screen-on time in daily testing – adequate for a full working day under normal use. Heavy use days (extended navigation, gaming sessions, camera) pulled it to 8 to 9 hours. Charging: 25W wired (0% to 80% in 44 minutes). Wireless: 15W. The 25W wired charging is slower than the 45W on the S25+ and Ultra and slower than some competing Android phones. This is the standard S25’s most notable practical limitation versus its siblings.
Audio
Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, AKG tuning – same configuration as the larger S25 models in a smaller chassis. Volume ceiling is slightly lower than the S25+ due to the smaller body. No headphone jack.
Connectivity
5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave in US), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, UWB. USB-C at USB 3.2. The full connectivity spec of the lineup, in the smallest body.
Price and Value
$799 for 128GB, $859 for 256GB. At $799, it is the same price as the iPhone 16 and a direct comparison. The S25 offers a 120Hz display (vs iPhone 16’s 60Hz), 12GB RAM (vs 8GB), and a 7-year update commitment (vs Apple’s approximate 6 years). The iPhone 16 offers Apple Intelligence, the Camera Control button, and USB-C at higher speeds. At equal price, both are excellent phones and the decision comes down to ecosystem preference.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 162g – one of the lightest flagship Android phones of 2025
- Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM – no chip compromise vs the Ultra
- 120Hz display, 2,600 nit brightness at $799
- 7-year OS and security update commitment
Cons
- 25W wired charging is slow for a flagship in 2026
- No periscope telephoto; 3x max dedicated zoom
- 4,000mAh battery delivers adequate but not exceptional runtime
- Lower resolution display than the S25+ and Ultra
Who It Is For
The Galaxy S25 is the pick for Android users who want a compact, light phone with flagship performance and long-term software support, without paying the S25 Ultra premium. It directly competes with the iPhone 16 on price and beats it on display refresh rate, RAM, and update commitment. The camera at 3x is adequate for most users.
Alternatives
iPhone 16 ($799): Same price, Apple Intelligence, Camera Control. The right alternative for anyone considering both platforms.
Google Pixel 9 ($799): Stronger photo AI, 7-year updates, cleaner Android. A closer comparison to the S25 than the iPhone – both are Android flagships at $799.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Galaxy S25 waterproof?
It is rated IP68, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. This covers rain, splashes, and accidental drops in water, but not extended submersion or swimming.
Does the Galaxy S25 support Samsung DeX?
Yes. Connect to an external monitor via USB-C for a desktop interface. Performance on Snapdragon 8 Elite makes DeX more responsive than on previous generations.
Related Guides
Compare across the lineup: Galaxy S25 Plus review for the step-up, or iPhone vs Android 2026 for the platform comparison.
Sources
Samsung Newsroom, GSMArena, Geekbench Browser.
