Samsung recently unveiled its latest flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. But how do these new devices stack up against last year's Galaxy S24 lineup? Let's delve into the key features to determine if the upgrade is worth it.
OneUI 7 and Galaxy AI: Software Innovations
Perhaps the most notable changes aren't in the hardware but in the software. The entire Galaxy S25 series is equipped with the new OneUI 7, sporting a more streamlined design.
- "My Day" feature centralizes daily information.
- The camera app offers a LOG shooting mode for enhanced detail and lighting data.
- A visually enhanced "Nearby Devices" interface streamlines device pairing by dragging icons.
Beyond aesthetics, OneUI 7 also integrates the Galaxy AI, leveraging Google's Gemini assistant. Users can convert sketches into images, modify photos into stickers, and even receive instant translations across different apps. However, the availability of Gemini in some regions may be limited.
While these software upgrades are impressive, it's important to note that many of these features are likely to roll out to older Samsung phones, so they aren't an exclusive reason to buy the S25 series.
Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy: A Performance Boost?
The Galaxy S25 lineup transitions to the Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy chipset, with all models forgoing Samsung's own Exynos processors. This special Snapdragon chip is designed with higher clock speeds than the standard 8 Elite.
While this promises enhanced performance, the practical impact for most users might be subtle. Both the S24 and S25 series are capable of handling intensive games and applications with ease, meaning this upgrade might only be noticeable in benchmark scores rather than daily usage.
However, it does ensure the S25 series remains powerful and future-proof for several years of demanding use.
Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera: The Wide-Angle Lens Gets an Update
While the standard Galaxy S25 and S25+ models feature the same cameras as their predecessors, the S25 Ultra does introduce a noteworthy upgrade: a new 50MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.9 aperture. This should improve image quality in low-light conditions and for macro photography. However, the practical difference may not be dramatic, especially when compared to offerings from other brands.
Still, this is a welcome improvement for mobile photographers.
S Pen Downgrade: No Bluetooth Support
One potentially significant change in the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the removal of Bluetooth support from the S Pen stylus. While the basic drawing and writing functionalities remain, using the S Pen as a remote for the camera or media is no longer an option.
This is a clear downgrade in convenience for some users.
Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series represents a fairly minor upgrade compared to the S24. The S25 and S25+ see minimal changes, with the S25 Ultra offering a slightly better wide-angle camera but sacrificing the Bluetooth-enabled S Pen.
Owners of the Galaxy S24 or even S23 might not find enough compelling reasons to upgrade. However, for users with older devices, like the S22 or earlier models, or those new to high-end smartphones, the Galaxy S25 series offers a worthwhile experience.
