Galaxy S25 Extremely Overview: Stellar, however extraordinarily boring

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely will possible be among the finest smartphones of 2025.

It seems to be nice because of its minimized bezels and extra rounded design, feels strong, and snaps glorious pictures that rival the Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro— it is the entire bundle. Then again, the cellphone is sort of an identical to the Galaxy S24 Extremely and embodies the quickly plateauing high-end smartphone completely.

Any method you take a look at it, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a boring handset know-how lovers like myself do not have many causes to get enthusiastic about. There’s no flashy new feature this year like a questionably helpful devoted digicam button, and whereas the design upgrades are welcome, they’re undeniably refined. Oh, and people new AI options Samsung is pushing? They are not nice.

However what? That is okay to some extent. When you’re transferring from a Galaxy S24 Extremely to the S25 Extremely, there is not loads to get enthusiastic about right here. However should you’re a Galaxy S20 Extremely, S21 Extremely, S22 Extremely, and even S23 Extremely person, you may actually really feel the upgrades right here. And in right now’s market the place individuals are hanging onto their smartphones for a number of years earlier than upgrading, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a top-tier bundle.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely

The very best-end variant of Samsung’s flagship smartphone lineup for 2025, the S25 Extremely ships with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, an enormous 6.9-inch show, and a quad digicam setup.

Execs & Cons

• Beautiful design
• Snaps nice pictures
• Minimized bezels look nice

• Similar to the Galaxy S24 Extremely
• Now Temporary is not nice
• Most Galaxy AI options aren’t helpful

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Value, availability, and specs

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely begins at $1,300 and is out there from a number of retailers, together with Samsung, in silverblue, grey, black, whitesilver. This yr’s Samsung Retailer unique colours embody jetblack, jadegreen, and pinkgold.

The S25 Extremely contains a model of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chip particularly designed for smartphones. Samsung says this chip affords a 40 p.c AI enhance, a 37 p.c effectivity enchancment, and a 30 p.c visible efficiency soar over the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (try my very own Geekbench 6 benchmarks under). The cellphone’s AMOLED show measures 6.9 inches and has a 3120 x 1440 Pixel decision. Lastly, the gadget additionally contains a 5,000 mAh battery that is an identical to the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s.

Concerning its cameras, the Galaxy S25 Extremely options the identical array because the S24 Extremely, together with an f/1.7 200-megapixel (large) predominant shooter, an f/2.4 10-megapixel 3x (telephoto), and an f/3.4 50-megapixel 5x (telephoto). New for this yr is the ultra-wide digicam being kicked as much as f/1.9 50-megapixel.

Galaxy S25 Extremely construct and design

It is nonetheless a familiar-looking Notice with one other title

This yr, Samsung made minimal modifications to the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s design. In truth, at first look, it is tough to search out any variations between the S24 Extremely and the S25 Extremely. Let’s begin with the again first — the identical rear digicam array returns, and fortunately, there nonetheless is not a large bump below the lenses like with the iPhone 16 Professional and different smartphones, with every lens sitting independently. As a substitute, Samsung has added a subtly lined black rim round every lens, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Am I keen on this transformation? Probably not, but it surely’s so minor I do not actually care, and I wager most individuals will really feel the identical method.

The perimeters of the Galaxy S25 Extremely are additionally barely extra rounded, giving the cellphone a friendlier, extra iPhone-like look that matches the remainder of the Galaxy S25 sequence and the Galaxy S24 line. It additionally struck me as odd that final yr’s Extremely was a bit extra squared-off than the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, however now, that is not the case. I like this new look, however once more, like loads of issues with the S25 Extremely, it is a minor shift some individuals won’t even discover.

The S Pen is again once more and has a handy slot contained in the Galaxy S25 Extremely, just like the now-dead Note line. Nevertheless, this yr, Samsung has ditched Bluetooth from the stylus, which implies it not works with “Air Gestures,” together with utilizing the stylus as a distant shutter for snapping pictures. This can be a disappointing and perplexing downgrade to what’s purported to be Samsung’s top-tier smartphone. Realistically, most customers will not discover that change since Air Gestures aren’t that fashionable, but it surely does not make it any much less of an odd cost-cutting choice on Samsung’s half.

It is price stating that the Galaxy S25 Extremely is barely “Qi2 Prepared,” which, in the identical vein as ditching Bluetooth from the S Pen, feels very bizarre. Whereas the cellphone helps the brand new wi-fi charging customary, together with quicker wi-fi charging speeds, you want a Qi2-compatible case. Meaning if you need iPhone-like MagSafe-style magnetic charging, equipment, and quicker wi-fi charging speeds, you may want a Qi2 case with a built-in magnet. This looks like an adjunct money seize on Samsung’s half, although there are already third-party instances accessible (try the expensive however strong Casetify case under). Can we simply carry Qi2 to each Android gadget already, please?

And that is it — significantly. So far as design modifications go, there actually is not something new in regards to the S25 Extremely while you pit it immediately in opposition to the S24 Extremely. I do know we’re firmly within the period of iterative smartphone updates, however how related each units look is wild.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely show

The minimized bezels and larger display screen are its greatest new options

The display screen is my favourite Galaxy S25 Extremely improve over its predecessor and earlier variations of Samsung’s Extremely-tier smartphone. Due to its practically non-existent bezels, the cellphone’s 3120 x 1440 pixel decision, 6.9-inch AMOLED show seems to be extremely trendy, particularly sitting beside the Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 16 Professional, its two key opponents within the US market.

Like in years previous, Samsung’s display screen prowess is on show right here. This show seems to be completely improbable. Every little thing from its shiny, vibrant colours to its 2,600 nits of peak brightness and even its dynamic 1Hz – 120Hz refresh price (which is not new, to be clear) is flawless. That is an costly smartphone, however you get what you pay for within the display screen division, with the show surpassing the Pixel 9 Professional/9 Professional XL and iPhone 16 Professional/16 Professional Max by way of sheer high quality. It is actually the perfect smartphone show I’ve ever seen.

It is price mentioning that the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s smaller bezels have sometimes brought about me to by accident press the show with my palm once I’m holding it. It does not occur usually, however it may well get annoying, so it is price noting.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely digicam

The brand new ultra-wide digicam is spectacular

I have been fairly outspoken about my dislike for Samsung’s out-there pictures and video post-processing. I am simply not a fan of blown-out highlights and vibrant colours that seem like they have been shot on one other planet, however I perceive why some individuals are — the pictures can generally look very cool, in spite of everything. This aesthetic is toned down with the Galaxy S25 Extremely, however I nonetheless miss the iPhone 16 Professional’s extremely customizable Images Types and the Pixel 9 Professional sequence’ extra grounded tackle pictures and movies. I am hoping Samsung ultimately brings a equally intuitive characteristic to the Galaxy sequence that means that you can tweak pictures precisely the way you need earlier than you shoot them.

On the {hardware} entrance, the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s lenses are an identical to the S24 Extremely’s, together with the f/1.7 200-megapixel (large) and f/2.4 10-megapixel telephoto, with optical zoom maxing out at 5x (I nonetheless miss the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s 10x optical zoom). The identical f/2.2 12-megapixel digicam can be again. New for this yr is the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s f/1.9 50-megapixel ultra-wide digicam, a step above final yr’s f/2.2 12-megapixel shooter. I do not shoot ultra-wide pictures usually, however the pictures shot with the Galaxy S25 Extremely look nice, providing extra definition and improved low-light efficiency over the Galaxy S24 Extremely.

Typically, should you like Samsung’s pictures and video model, you may benefit from the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s cameras. Personally, I like Google’s and Apple’s extra grounded tackle smartphone pictures, but it surely all is dependent upon your choice. Any method you take a look at it, the Galaxy S25 snaps nice pictures and may even get clear photographs when there’s ample movement within the scene, a difficulty I’ve encountered with previous Galaxy S sequence units.

There are additionally just a few extra pro-focused additions this yr, together with Log video help. This characteristic offers you a flat video profile whereas retaining data associated to highlights and shadows, making it simpler to tweak the footage exactly the way you need. This characteristic is aimed extra at filmmakers and creators than the common person, so it is unlikely most Galaxy S25 Extremely customers will reap the benefits of it.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely efficiency

All-day (after which some) battery is again

Excessive-end telephones (and most telephones, for that matter) have featured energy overkill for roughly half a decade or extra, and the Galaxy S25 Extremely is not any exception. This yr, Samsung’s top-tier smartphone contains a customized model of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip alongside 12GB of RAM. Would I’ve most well-liked the gadget to supply 16GB of RAM given its “Extremely” moniker? You wager — however total, the S25 Extremely is lots highly effective. Whether or not you are working questionably helpful Galaxy AI options, enjoying high-end video games, or simply watching the world finish on social media, the expertise is silky easy.

For those who care about benchmarks, the Galaxy S25 Extremely hits a powerful 3,104 for single-core and 9,831 for multicore on Geekbench 6. I’ve additionally been impressed with the smartphone’s battery life. With common use, together with a cellphone name or two, some digicam testing, and scrolling social media, the S25 Extremely’s 5,000 mAh battery holds up like a champ, lasting nicely into the night with 20-30% leftover on most days.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely software program

The brand new Now Temporary disappoints

Look, I get it. AI is a development space for tech giants and is pegged as the following large factor. This business strikes in large cycles and AI is simply the factor proper now. I am additionally conscious that each one of this know-how may be very a lot a piece in progress. With that out of the way in which, Galaxy AI nonetheless feels half-baked in comparison with Google’s and even Apple’s AI choices.

This yr’s marquee characteristic is the “Now Bar,” which exhibits up on the cellphone’s lockscreen, and the “Now Temporary,” an AI-powered widget that lives on the house display screen. The idea is that it pulls information out of your cellphone, together with your calendar, electronic mail, pictures, and extra, and delivers a snapshot of knowledge you care about, all pulled from a number of apps.

After a few weeks and making a concerted effort to combine Google’s app suite into Now Temporary, it solely exhibits me the climate, assumes I am consistently touring, and hasn’t even began pulling in information tales I care about. No different data has appeared within the widget, which may be very disappointing. The concept of Now Temporary is spectacular, and I genuinely suppose it might be the primary instance of smartphone-powered AI that matches into my life, however in its present state, it feels fairly ineffective. Hopefully, Now Temporary will enhance the extra the cellphone is used. I am additionally curious if this Galaxy S25 series-exclusive characteristic will make its strategy to earlier S sequence units within the coming months.

Sticking with this theme, whereas the S25 Extremely’s cross-app performance powered by each Gemini and Bixby is spectacular (you are able to do loads of this with different Android telephones with simply Gemini and Google, to be clear), it does not at all times work reliably. For instance, I requested Gemini to make a Google Calendar itemizing for an upcoming work occasion with my work electronic mail, and could not differentiate between the 2 accounts I had signed in on the gadget. There’s potential right here if Samsung can iron out the problems and make its AI brokers extra succesful, however because it stands at present, it is simpler and much more dependable to carry out duties like this your self.

On a extra constructive notice, OneUI 7 seems to be nice — it is simplistic, stripped again, and contains a revamped, easier-to-use digicam app. It additionally form of seems to be like iOS (sorry, Samsung followers), which, so far as I am involved, is an efficient factor. I’ve loads of points with Apple’s smartphones, however the clear structure of iOS 18 is not one in all them.

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Do you have to purchase the Galaxy S25 Extremely?

It is dependent upon what cellphone you at present personal

One of many largest questions surrounding the Galaxy S25 Extremely is why you’d go for it over the Galaxy S25 or 25+. Except you are actually into the S Pen and snap loads of telephoto photographs, you would in all probability go for one in all Samsung’s very succesful Galaxy S25 units, relying in your show measurement choice. This yr, the hole between Samsung’s different units and the Extremely is tiny, just like the Pixel 9/9 Professional and the iPhone 16/iPhone 16 Professional.

Whether or not the Galaxy S25 Extremely is really price it for you’ll depend upon what Samsung gadget you are at present utilizing. These rocking a Galaxy S24 Extremely will not discover a lot right here, and the identical will be mentioned for Galaxy S23 Extremely house owners to some extent. Nevertheless, should you’re utilizing an earlier Galaxy Extremely cellphone, just like the S20, S21, or S22, you may get loads out of the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Regardless of the minimal upgrades, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is among the most strong all-around smartphones Samsung has launched in years.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

This gadget was supplied to Pocket-lint by Samsung.