Galaxy S25 Extremely Overview: Stellar, however extraordinarily boring

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Extremely will probably be the most effective smartphones of 2025.

It appears nice due to its minimized bezels and extra rounded design, feels strong, and snaps wonderful photographs that rival the Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro— it is the entire package deal. However, the cellphone is sort of equivalent to the Galaxy S24 Extremely and embodies the quickly plateauing high-end smartphone completely.

Any manner you have a look at it, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a boring handset expertise lovers like myself haven’t got many causes to get enthusiastic about. There’s no flashy new feature this year like a questionably helpful devoted digital camera button, and whereas the design upgrades are welcome, they’re undeniably refined. Oh, and people new AI options Samsung is pushing? They don’t seem to be nice.

However you already know what? That is okay to some extent. If you happen to’re transferring from a Galaxy S24 Extremely to the S25 Extremely, there is not lots to get enthusiastic about right here. However should you’re a Galaxy S20 Extremely, S21 Extremely, S22 Extremely, and even S23 Extremely person, you will actually really feel the upgrades right here. And in immediately’s market the place persons are hanging onto their smartphones for a number of years earlier than upgrading, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a top-tier package deal.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely

The 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 digital camera setup.

Professionals & Cons

• Gorgeous design
• Snaps nice photographs
• Minimized bezels look nice

• Similar to the Galaxy S24 Extremely
• Now Transient 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 accessible from a number of retailers, together with Samsung, in silverblue, grey, black, whitesilver. This 12 months’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 increase, 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 (take a look at my very own Geekbench 6 benchmarks beneath). 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 equivalent 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 (vast) most important shooter, an f/2.4 10-megapixel 3x (telephoto), and an f/3.4 50-megapixel 5x (telephoto). New for this 12 months is the ultra-wide digital camera being kicked as much as f/1.9 50-megapixel.

Galaxy S25 Extremely construct and design

It is nonetheless a familiar-looking Be aware with one other title

This 12 months, Samsung made minimal modifications to the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s design. In truth, at first look, it is tough to seek out any variations between the S24 Extremely and the S25 Extremely. Let’s begin with the again first — the identical rear digital camera array returns, and fortunately, there nonetheless is not a large bump underneath 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, identical to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Am I keen on this alteration? Probably not, nevertheless it’s so minor I do not actually care, and I guess most individuals will really feel the identical manner.

The sides 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 12 months’s Extremely was a little bit extra squared-off than the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, however now, that is now not the case. I like this new look, however once more, like a whole lot of issues with the S25 Extremely, it is a minor shift some folks may not 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 12 months, Samsung has ditched Bluetooth from the stylus, which suggests it now not works with “Air Gestures,” together with utilizing the stylus as a distant shutter for snapping photographs. It is a disappointing and perplexing downgrade to what’s presupposed to be Samsung’s top-tier smartphone. Realistically, most customers will not discover that change since Air Gestures aren’t that standard, nevertheless it does not make it any much less of an odd cost-cutting choice on Samsung’s half.

It is price mentioning that the Galaxy S25 Extremely is just “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 sooner wi-fi charging speeds, you want a Qi2-compatible case. Which means in order for you iPhone-like MagSafe-style magnetic charging, equipment, and sooner wi-fi charging speeds, you will want a Qi2 case with a built-in magnet. This appears like an adjunct money seize on Samsung’s half, although there are already third-party circumstances accessible (take a look at the dear however strong Casetify case beneath). 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 whenever you pit it immediately towards the S24 Extremely. I do know we’re firmly within the period of iterative smartphone updates, however how comparable each gadgets look is wild.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely show

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

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

Like in years previous, Samsung’s display screen prowess is on show right here. This show appears completely improbable. All the things 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 very best smartphone show I’ve ever seen.

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

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Galaxy S25 Extremely digital camera

The brand new ultra-wide digital camera 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 appear to be they have been shot on one other planet, however I perceive why some persons are — the photographs 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 Pictures Types and the Pixel 9 Professional sequence’ extra grounded tackle photographs and movies. I am hoping Samsung ultimately brings a equally intuitive function to the Galaxy sequence that permits you to tweak photographs precisely the way you need earlier than you shoot them.

On the {hardware} entrance, the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s lenses are equivalent to the S24 Extremely’s, together with the f/1.7 200-megapixel (vast) 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 digital camera can also be again. New for this 12 months is the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s f/1.9 50-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera, a step above final 12 months’s f/2.2 12-megapixel shooter. I do not shoot ultra-wide photographs usually, however the photographs 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 will benefit from the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s cameras. Personally, I like Google’s and Apple’s extra grounded tackle smartphone pictures, nevertheless it all is determined by your desire. Any manner you have a look at it, the Galaxy S25 snaps nice photographs and may even get clear photographs when there’s ample movement within the scene, a difficulty I’ve encountered with previous Galaxy S sequence gadgets.

There are additionally just a few extra pro-focused additions this 12 months, together with Log video assist. This function 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 function is aimed extra at filmmakers and creators than the typical person, so it is unlikely most Galaxy S25 Extremely customers will benefit from 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 12 months, 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 guess — however general, the S25 Extremely is loads highly effective. Whether or not you are operating 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 formidable 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 digital camera testing, and scrolling social media, the S25 Extremely’s 5,000 mAh battery holds up like a champ, lasting properly into the night with 20-30% leftover on most days.

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Galaxy S25 Extremely software program

The brand new Now Transient disappoints

Look, I get it. AI is a progress space for tech giants and is pegged as the subsequent massive factor. This business strikes in huge cycles and AI is simply the factor proper now. I am additionally conscious that every one of this expertise 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 12 months’s marquee function is the “Now Bar,” which exhibits up on the cellphone’s lockscreen, and the “Now Transient,” an AI-powered widget that lives on the house display screen. The idea is that it pulls knowledge out of your cellphone, together with your calendar, electronic mail, photographs, 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 Transient, 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 thought of Now Transient is spectacular, and I genuinely suppose it may very well be the primary instance of smartphone-powered AI that matches into my life, however in its present state, it feels fairly ineffective. Hopefully, Now Transient will enhance the extra the cellphone is used. I am additionally curious if this Galaxy S25 series-exclusive function will make its technique to earlier S sequence gadgets 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 a whole lot of this with different Android telephones with simply Gemini and Google, to be clear), it does not all the time 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 presently, it is simpler and way more dependable to carry out duties like this your self.

On a extra optimistic notice, OneUI 7 appears nice — it is simplistic, stripped again, and contains a revamped, easier-to-use digital camera app. It additionally sort of appears like iOS (sorry, Samsung followers), which, so far as I am involved, is an effective factor. I’ve a whole lot of points with Apple’s smartphones, however the clear format of iOS 18 is not one among them.

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Must you purchase the Galaxy S25 Extremely?

It is determined by what cellphone you presently 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 a whole lot of telephoto photographs, you can in all probability go for one among Samsung’s very succesful Galaxy S25 gadgets, relying in your show measurement desire. This 12 months, the hole between Samsung’s different gadgets 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 presently utilizing. These rocking a Galaxy S24 Extremely will not discover a lot right here, and the identical could be stated 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 will get lots out of the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

Regardless of the minimal upgrades, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is likely one of 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.