“It’s time for hardware and software excellence to merge.” Samsung’s speech is well rehearsed and the manufacturer’s keynote announcing this January 23 the new Galaxy S25, S25 + and S25 Ultra had nothing to envy of those of Apple for its iPhone. As expected, the three new smartphones (many photos and specifications of which had already leaked on the networks) were revealed.
The design: a bit thinner
On the design side, Samsung praises the homogeneity between its three references S25, S25 + and S25 Ultra. Or smartphones of respectively 6.2” (Full HD +), 6.7” (QHD +) and 6.9” (QHD +), all in 120 Hz, with rounded edges, but with flat edges . They lose 0.4 mm in thickness compared to the previous generation.
Countless colors are available*, some of which are exclusive to the Samsung website. Well… the Galaxy S25s are beautiful, but beautiful like smartphones whose aesthetic hardly changes. Which also makes up their identity. Note, however, that the S25 Ultra has its screen very slightly enlarged: 6.9 inches, compared to 6.8 inches for the S24 Ultra.
Security: peace of mind for 7 years!
The Galaxy S25s all meet the IP68 standard, the highest level of resistance to dust and water (immersion to more than one meter, for one hour). The front and back of the smartphones are protected by the latest generation glass: Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the S25 and S25 +; Titanium and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 for the S25 Ultra.
And Samsung announces for its latest flagships seven years of Android updates and seven years of security updates. No one apart from Google on its Pixel 8 and 9 offers as much (but it makes sense for the parent company of Android!). Result: the Galaxy S25s have a repairability index of 8.5/10.
Photo and video: only Ultra sees the bigger picture
The Galaxy S25 and S25 + are equipped with 50, 12 and 10 megapixel rear sensors with x2 and x3 optical zooms. The Galaxy S25 Ultra displays 200, 50, 10 and 50 megapixel sensors, with x2, x3, x5 and x10 optical zooms. No notable change compared to the Galaxy S24 a year ago?
No, except for the S25 Ultra which claims to be able to display four times more detail in macro and benefit from 34% more light thanks to its 50 megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor. The premium smartphone also boasts the ability to film in LOG mode (which is a bit to video what the RAW format is to photos). The result is images that can be worked on in post-production, more fluid, with a real cinematic texture.
The engine: not yet Space X, but almost!
The S25s are powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite “for Galaxy” processor, backed by 12 GB of Ram. That’s quite considerable firepower, with a CPU more efficient by + 37%, graphics power (GPU) increased by 32%, and a capacity to run AI (NPU) increased by 43%. Unveiled in November 2024, this ultra-powerful chip should equip most high-end smartphones in 2025 and compete with Apple’s supercharged A18 Pro chip.
AI: present at all levels
Samsung’s message is clear: make these S25s “a friend to whom you can talk in a natural way, with a fluid exchange”. Understandably: the on-board artificial intelligence now works in voice mode, and no longer only in writing: the user asks by voice, the AI also responds by voice.
-Those who have tested Google’s Gemini Live application on an Android smartphone or an iPhone can have a fairly clear idea of what is coming with the S25s. And it’s quite impressive. For the rest, Samsung’s smartphones combine countless AI functions, both for productivity (translation, summary, etc.) and for entertainment, editing, etc. functions that we will detail in a future article.
The capacities and autonomy: nothing short of heavy!
The Galaxy S25 is offered in 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB (the latter capacity being new compared to the S24). The S25 + comes in 256 and 512 GB. As for the S25 Ultra, it comes in 256 and 512 GB, but also 1 TB.
In terms of autonomy, the S25, S25 + and S25 Ultra integrate batteries of respectively 4,000 mAh/25W; 4,900 mAh: 45W and 5,000 mAh/45W, equivalent, according to Samsung, to 31 hours of continuous video playback.
The three terminals are obviously 5G, Bluetooth 5.4 and Wifi 7.
Updates: S24s will wait
20 Minutes asked Samsung about future updates for the Galaxy S24, in order to allow them to benefit from the innovations of the S25. They are indeed planned, but it remains to be seen when…
Prices: we don’t touch anything!
They have not changed compared to those of the Galaxy S24 a year ago. That is, for the S25: 899 euros (128 GB), 959 euros (256 GB) and 1,079 euros (512 GB, new capacity). For the S25 +: 1,169 euros (256 GB); 1,289 euros (512 GB). For the S25 Ultra: 1,469 euros (256 GB); 1,589 euros (512 GB); 1,829 euros (1 TB).
Please note during pre-order offers, until February 6, 2025 at midnight, Samsung doubles the capacity of each terminal for the same price.
* The Galaxy S25 and S25 + are available in midnight blue, light blue, gray, sea green and in absolute black, rose gold, coral on the Samsung website. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in Titanium Blue, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silver and in Titanium Absolute Black, Titanium Rose Gold, Titanium Green on the Samsung website.
