What can the S25 and S25+ do? The most important features at a glance
| feature | details |
| display | S25: 6.2 inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED S25+: 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED |
| processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| camera | 50 MP wide angle, 10 MP (3x optical zoom), 12 MP ultra wide angle and 12 MP front camera |
| water and dust protection | IP68 (1.5 meters for 30 minutes) |
| connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB-C 3.2 |
| Other Features | Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Samsung DeX, 7 years of software updates |
What inspires us and what is missing
👍 Powerful hardware: The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures top performance in all models.
👍 Long software support: Samsung offers 7 years of Android and security updates, which ensures longevity.
👍 High-quality display: All models have LTPO AMOLED panels with 120 Hz and high brightness for a brilliant picture.
👎 Slow loading speed: Compared to the competition, the 25W (S25) and 45W (S25+) remain rather conservative.
👎 Hardly any real innovations: Compared to its predecessor, the changes are minimal.
👎 Camera without progress: No upgrade to the S24 series, while other manufacturers offer better sensors.
How long will the S25 series receive updates?
Samsung guarantees seven years of Android and security updates for the Galaxy S25 series. This means that the devices will be provided with new features, security patches and improvements until at least 2032.
This is flagship level and ensures a long service life. Even after years, your device remains secure and up to date - which not only ensures a good user experience, but also increases the resale value.
➡ Samsung is committed to long-term support and ensures that the Galaxy S25 series remains up to date for years to come.
Power check: What can the Snapdragon 8 Elite do?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite brings the Galaxy S25 series to the top level. Apps start lightning fast, multitasking runs smoothly, and even graphics-intensive games or video editing are no problem. Thanks to the improved Adreno GPU, there are smooth frame rates, and AI features optimize the camera, voice input and battery life.
➡ The Snapdragon 8 Elite ensures that the Galaxy S25 models remain fast, efficient and powerful in the coming years.
How good is the camera on the Galaxy S25?
The Galaxy S25 relies on tried and tested camera technology – but is that enough? GSMArena has put the camera through its paces:
📸 main camera: Detailed, colorful photos with a wide dynamic range. But the competition now delivers more sharpness.
🔍 zoom: 3x telephoto lens with solid image quality during the day, but weak in dark environments – lots of noise, few details.
🌍 ultra-wide angle: Good colors and dynamics, but the fixed focus can lead to blurring.
🤳 selfies: Autofocus ensures sharp, realistic images with natural skin tones.
🎥 video: 4K@60 fps on all cameras, 8K with the main camera – smooth clips, but the low-light quality lags behind the competition.
➡ The Galaxy S25's camera takes good photos and videos, but Samsung isn't breaking new ground. Those hoping for innovation should consider alternatives like the Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16.
GSM Arena: “The Galaxy S25 is good – but hardly an upgrade”
Tech reviewer Will from GSM Arena has tested the Samsung Galaxy S25 and comes to a clear conclusion: a solid flagship with strong performance - but hardly any improvements over its predecessor. His review refers to the compact S25, but apart from the display size and the more handy design, his assessments also apply to the S25 Plus.
What convinces:
✔ Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers performance: Fast performance and improved efficiency, no more Exynos version
✔ 6.2-inch LTPO-OLED display: Sharp, high-contrast and with adjustable refresh rate up to 120 Hz
✔ Long software support: 7 years of updates guarantee future security
Where it is weak:
❌ Little progress on the S24 series: Design, display and camera are almost unchanged
❌ Slow loading speed: 25W cable and 15W wireless charging are no longer up to date
❌ Camera lags behind the competition: Sharpness and low-light performance lag behind other flagships
➡ The Galaxy S25 (and S25 Plus) are fast, solid flagships, but not a significant upgrade. If you own a Galaxy S24, there is little reason to switch. Alternatives like the Google Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 offer better cameras and often more for the money.
Our conclusion: Is the Galaxy S25 or S25+ worth it?
The compact Samsung Galaxy S25 and the larger Galaxy S25+ offer strong performance, high-quality displays and long software support, but real innovations are lacking. The changes compared to the S24 series are minimal - the Snapdragon 8 Elite brings more efficiency, but the camera, charging speed and design remain almost unchanged.
If you are looking for a reliable Samsung flagship with a compact design (S25) or a larger battery (S25+), you can't go wrong here. However, owners of an S24 or S23 have little reason to upgrade.
➡ For a real camera upgrade or faster charging, alternatives like the Google Pixel 9 , the Google Pixel 9 Pro or even that iPhone 16 worth a look. If you don't want to spend so much money but still want a similar performance, the previous models Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S24 worth considering.
