Samsung has simply unveiled its flagship telephones for 2025, and I used to be fortunate sufficient to take the brand-new Galaxy S25 Extremely for a fast spin forward of the Unpacked launch to carry you some hands-on impressions.
The model’s high cellphone has a variety of new options, however probably the most instantly apparent change is the brand new form. So let’s begin there.
Pre-order the Galaxy S25 Extremely from Samsung
Galaxy S25 Extremely design adjustments
The sharp squared-off corners are gone, they usually’ve been changed with gentle curves which can be rather more pleasant to your palms. I’m in two minds about this transfer. I perceive the choice, loads of individuals have moaned concerning the S24 Extremely’s uncomfortable form.
The sharp boxy form of the S24 Extremely gave it some character, nonetheless, and I can’t assist however really feel the S25 Extremely appears just a little extra generic.
I used to be pleasantly stunned to see that it’s nonetheless extra boxy than its extra inexpensive siblings, at the least. So even when it’s not as iconic because it as soon as was, it does nonetheless stand out from the lineup.
Received your eye on the Galaxy S25 sequence? Right here’s which mannequin to decide on
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Across the again, the cameras are actually outlined by chunky black bezels, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The facet rails are nonetheless infused with titanium and there’s nonetheless an S-Pen nestled inside. The cellphone has been on a weight-reduction plan and it’s now round 15g lighter than its predecessor, with a barely slimmer physique, too, at 8.2mm.
It’s accessible in 4 colors as commonplace: Silverblue, Whitesilver, Gray and Black. To be trustworthy, other than the black one, all of them look very comparable. All of them have a matt end and are principally simply barely completely different hues of silvery-grey. That mentioned, they do all look very good.
When you purchase from Samsung’s web site, there are three additional colors, Jadegreen, Pinkgold and Jetblack. These are just a little extra vigorous than the usual color choices, apart from Jetblack, which is simply very black – as you might have guessed.
Galaxy S25 Extremely {hardware} upgrades
So, what’s new? Properly, we get the compulsory improve to the newest Qualcomm chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and as normal, it’s a customized “for Galaxy” model with an overclock utilized.
This 12 months, the entire lineup is working on the identical chip, there aren’t any Exynos variants to be discovered. To maintain it working easily, the vapour chamber has been super-sized, and it’s now 40% bigger than the one within the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
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There’s additionally a brand-new ultrawide digital camera, with a 50Mp decision and macro focusing capabilities. It ought to show to be a giant improve over the 12Mp unit of its predecessor, however at this stage, I haven’t absolutely explored its capabilities.
5 options which can be unique to the Galaxy S25 Extremely
I snapped a couple of photos at Samsung’s Kings Cross retailer, and for now, I can affirm that it focuses extraordinarily shut and appears respectable. I’ll must strive it in some completely different lighting circumstances to get an actual really feel for it.
In any other case, the {hardware} is generally unchanged from the final technology. The display screen is a teeny bit greater at 6.9-inch, with 15% slimmer bezels, and it has a more moderen model of its anti-reflective Gorilla Armor glass.
The opposite show specs stay unchanged, and the remainder of the cameras are all the identical. You continue to get a 5000mAh battery, and it nonetheless solely prices at 45W with a wire and 15W wirelessly. It’s fairly sluggish in comparison with the competitors.
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Samsung is now providing MagSafe / Qi2 suitable charging, however the cellphone itself doesn’t have these magnets. So, if you wish to become involved in some Apple-style magnetic accessorising, you now have the choice, however provided that you shell out for one of many official circumstances.
Galaxy S25 Extremely software program options
As you’ve in all probability gathered, Samsung hasn’t actually pushed the boat out with the {hardware}. As an alternative, it closely depends on software program options to drum up curiosity. We noticed the model go all-in on Galaxy AI options with the Galaxy S24 sequence, and Samsung is doubling down for the S25 sequence.
AI options are woven into nearly each a part of the working system, and there are such a lot of that it’s nearly not possible to say all of them. The largest change is what the AI can do in your machine.
Somewhat than simply answering questions like digital assistants we’re already used to, the AI will truly be capable to carry out actions in your cellphone throughout completely different apps. Samsung is looking it a “human-like AI agent.”
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For example, there’s a general-purpose search bar on the cellphone, the sort you’d usually use to rapidly discover an app or search the net. You possibly can ask something on this search bar, and the AI agent will attempt to assist.
Samsung Galaxy AI: 5 brand-new options that I can’t wait to strive
Utilizing regular conversational language, you possibly can ask issues like “Present me seashore photos from once I was final in Spain” and it’ll magically do it. You can even regulate system settings utilizing pure language. So, when you say “I can’t learn the textual content, are you able to make it greater?” the AI agent can regulate the font dimension system-wide.
The AI can carry out these actions throughout a number of apps, too. In principle, it ought to be capable to textual content a buddy with a plan for a meetup, discover restaurant data and add it to your calendar, multi functional motion.
It has the potential to be extraordinarily highly effective and handy, the one drawback is, for the reason that cellphone I attempted wasn’t absolutely arrange, I haven’t seen this in full motion but so keep tuned for a ultimate evaluation quickly.
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When you opt-in, the S25 Extremely’s AI assistant may even generate Morning, Noon and Night Briefs. These are robotically delivered to your lock display screen and can present related data at a look.
You possibly can count on issues like calendar occasions, visitors, climate data and extra. It additionally works for particular Occasions, like a vacation or work journey, and also you’ll get a quick with issues like boarding passes, terminal data, visitors updates, and reminders. Fairly helpful!
The choose device has been turbo-charged with AI, too. It may well nonetheless seize screenshots, movies and GIFs prefer it at all times has, nevertheless it’ll now recommend actions primarily based on the context. So, if you choose an deal with, it’ll recommend opening Maps, and if you choose a cellphone quantity, it’ll recommend Telephone or WhatsApp.
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One factor I discovered barely odd is that there’s quite a lot of overlap with Google’s Circle to Search, I can think about customers being confused about which device to make use of, however regardless, they’re each extraordinarily handy. Circle to Search debuted on the S24 sequence, and it’s arriving with enhanced options on the S25 sequence. It now works with on-screen movies and music, so that you aren’t simply restricted to pictures and textual content. It’ll even discover you a track when you hum the tune.
Except for all of the AI stuff, Samsung has a really welcome addition for eager video shooters. There’s now a correct Log profile accessible within the digital camera app, so that you’ll be capable to match your colors with skilled video cameras extra simply, or simply give your footage a extra cinematic look.
For photographers, ExpertRAW now has a digital aperture management device, so you possibly can add some synthetic depth to your RAW photos, too.
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Galaxy S25 Extremely early verdict
I’ll want to spend so much extra time with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely earlier than reaching any agency conclusions. There’s so much to discover right here, and if all of it works as marketed, it has the potential to vary how we work together with our telephones every day with its new layers of AI software program.
As a tech fanatic, I’m positively disenchanted by the shortage of {hardware} upgrades, and with Samsung so dedicated to software program assist, I wouldn’t be stunned to see quite a lot of the brand new AI options land on the S24 sequence, and earlier telephones too.
Which means the principle issues this cellphone has to supply are a speedier processor, a brand new ultrawide digital camera and a smoother design with curved corners. Is that sufficient to warrant an improve? I’m not completely satisfied when you’re utilizing an S24 Extremely, however I’m wanting ahead to discovering out.
Our full evaluation is coming quickly so cling tight although you possibly can pre-order now when you’re assured. Within the meantime, try what we rank as one of the best telephones cash can purchase.