Samsung introduced its latest Galaxy S25 series on January 22, 2025. With the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra models, the manufacturer is once again bringing exciting innovations to the market. Particularly interesting: Samsung has also teased the Galaxy S25 Edge, a completely new device that is said to feature a particularly slim design. In this article, you will find out what new features there really are and why refurbished Galaxy devices like the S24 or S23 are still a worthwhile option.
Design and display: What’s new?
The basic design of the Galaxy S25 series remains largely unchanged compared to the previous series. The biggest innovations are in the materials and display technology.
-
screen protector: The Galaxy S25 Ultra now uses Gorilla Glass Armor 2, which is more durable than the Victus 2 of its predecessors. This is the most important innovation in terms of materials.
-
display technology: All models continue to use Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X displays with 120 Hz. However, this technology was already available in the S24 series.
-
haptics and optics: Samsung has slightly redesigned the casing of the S25 models so that it is even more ergonomic to hold. This is particularly noticeable in the larger models.
assessment: Important innovations concern the durability provided by the new protective glass and minor adjustments in the design, while the display itself hardly changes.
Camera: An upgrade only for the Ultra model
The cameras of the Galaxy S25 models offer hardly any visible changes, except for the S25 Ultra:
-
Galaxy S25 and S25+: No innovations. The main camera remains at 50 MP, supplemented by the 12 MP ultra-wide angle and 10 MP telephoto camera (3x zoom).
-
Galaxy S25 Ultra: The 200MP main camera remains the same, but the periscope telephoto camera has been upgraded to 50MP (up from 10MP), which provides better detail in zoom shots.
-
software updates: All models benefit from improved image processing through AI, which ensures visibly better results, especially for night shots.
assessment: Only the S25 Ultra offers a significant camera upgrade, while the standard models benefit from software improvements.
Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite
All models use the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxyprocessor. This brings:
-
efficiency improvement: Lower energy consumption with the same performance.
-
Improved AI features: The new Gemini AI assistant works faster.
-
gaming performance: Thanks to the optimized GPU, the processor offers even better performance in graphics-intensive games.
Storage options remain unchanged, as does the RAM size of 12 GB for all models. Additionally, the new processor enables improved heat reduction, making longer gaming sessions more comfortable.
assessment: The Snapdragon 8 Elite is the central hardware innovation of the S25 series and promises better efficiency, gaming and AI performance.
Battery and charging: Unchanged, but more efficient
The battery capacities remain identical compared to the S24 series:
-
Galaxy S25: 4,000 mAh
-
Galaxy S25+: 4,900 mAh.
-
Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5,000 mAh
The charging speed - both wired (up to 45 W) and wireless (15 W) - has not changed either. What is new, however, is the optimized battery usage thanks to the more efficient processor, which ensures longer running times, especially in everyday life.
assessment: No hardware changes, but the improved efficiency brings practical benefits.
Software: Android 15 with One UI 7
Here the S25 series shows its modern side. The biggest innovations:
-
Gemini AI assistant: The new AI assistant helps organize appointments, emails, and more. It is significantly faster and more efficient than its predecessor.
-
Personalized lock screen feature: The new “Now Bar” shows important information such as weather, appointments or notifications at a glance.
-
Advanced Widgets: One UI 7 allows you to configure widgets in even more detail and display them directly on the home screen.
-
Improved security features: New privacy options give you more control over your personal data.
assessment: The software brings some useful innovations that particularly benefit from the integration of the new Snapdragon processor. For users who value smart functions, this is a clear plus point.
Galaxy S25 Edge: What we know so far
The Galaxy S25 Edge was briefly teased and could be released in fall 2025. Possible innovations:
-
design: Particularly thin (6.4 mm) and light, with curved edges.
-
Performance: A more efficient Snapdragon chip could be used.
-
display: Initial leaks indicate a 6.1-inch display that is optimized for energy efficiency.
-
focus: The Edge model could be aimed specifically at users who are looking for a compact and lightweight smartphone with a high-quality design.
assessment: The S25 Edge should be an interesting addition to the series, especially for minimalists and design lovers who value the aesthetics of a smartphone more than performance.
Why the Galaxy S24 or S23 are still top
The new features in the Galaxy S25 series are of particular interest to power users. However, for many users, the Galaxy S24 still offers excellent features, as little has changed on the hardware side.
-
Galaxy S24: It offers the same display technology (Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X with 120 Hz) and the same robust Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection as the S25. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor also still ensures top performance. More about the Samsung Galaxy S24 in our buying guide.
-
Galaxy S23: For an even smaller budget, the Galaxy S23 remains an attractive option. It combines a compact design with a strong 50MP camera and good battery life. You can find out more about the Samsung Galaxy S23 in our buying guide.
Both devices are still an excellent choice for users looking for top technology at a lower price. Devices like the S24 already offer Dynamic AMOLED displays, powerful cameras and Snapdragon chips - ideal for anyone looking for the latest technology at a better price. This remains an attractive alternative, especially for price-conscious users.
Conclusion: What is really new?
The Galaxy S25 series brings the following key innovations:
-
New protective glass (Gorilla Glass Armor 2) for the S25 Ultra.
-
Periscope camera upgrade (Ultra model).
-
Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with more efficient and powerful AI features.
-
New software features such as the Gemini Assistant, the Now Bar and advanced widgets.
However, most of the improvements are aimed at power users, while the standard models offer only minimal changes.
Refurbished devices like the Galaxy S24 therefore remain a strong alternative - cheaper, sustainable and with similar technology. They continue to offer top performance and are immediately available.
