Samsung Galaxy S25
Ninth for good durability but slightly older than the S26 Ultra, still reliable.
Consolidated from 108 cited sources across 76 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 3 enthusiastic sources
- 41 positive sources
- 34 neutral sources
- 22 unconvinced sources
2 of 4 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.
Lacks durability and limited software support compared to newer models.
Flagged 25 July 2026
We may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Pros & cons
- ✓ Good durability
- ✓ Reliable performance
- ✓ Strong performance across apps and games
- ✓ Solid camera system
- ✓ Better value due to lower price
- ✗ Limited durability
- ✗ Shorter software support
- ✗ Outdated hardware
- ✗ Higher price than newer rivals
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
3 enthusiastic sources
This 6.9-inch behemoth of a phone also offers that S Pen stylus and more rugged design vs the S25 and Plus. All three boast a glorious Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that's pleasingly bright and poppy, although only the Ultra has that Armor 2 anti-reflection glass. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus sports the same QHD+ resolution, while all three are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite.Read T
Galaxy S25 Edge is the kind of phone you pick up and immediately understand. S25 Edge is simple, but not plain. Slim, but not fragile. Light, but not flimsy. In a market where many phones feel interchangeable, this one stands out.Read T
In both battery life and long-term software support, the Galaxy S25 FE won’t let you down, making it an easy option to recommend on the mid-range market.Read
41 positive sources
The combination of a sleek 5.8mm titanium frame and the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor allows the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge to achieve high resale marks. Buyback stores identify the device's superior build quality and premium materials through its advanced dual camera system that includes a 200MP main sensor and premium LTPO AMOLED 2X display technology.Read M
And good news for this person, it does actually seem to be a pretty good phone for as thin as it is if you're into that.Watch N
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE packs a slightly bigger 4,900mAh battery compared to the Galaxy S24 FE. On paper, the handset should deliver more hours of usage, but you should wait for our detailed battery benchmarks and tests which will be part of our review. It supports the same 45W wired and 15W Qi2 wireless fast charging as its predecessor.Read T
I think the Chotu Samsung S25 is Trustworthy!Watch B
✨Even with the Galaxy S26 out, the Galaxy S25 series remains a solid, reliable, and value-packed lineup. While it may not offer the latest AI tools, it still offers practical day-to-day AI features. It also comes with crisp, dependable cameras and strong performance capable of handling both everyday tasks and more demanding workloads.Read D
But when I step back for a second, the most impressive thing to me about the S25 Edge is the technical and just engineering complexity that's required to be able to pull this thing off, to be able to shrink components small enough to be able to fit it into a frame of this thickness in one generation. It's actually really impressive. So, uh, up here in Canada, we get two colors.Watch C
It’s these software features that are the main reason to pick up the Galaxy S25 FE, because otherwise the phone has noticeable trade-offs that place it a clear step below the more expensive flagship. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing because the S25 FE provides an experience that’s similar to buying 2024’s Galaxy S24.Read V
making this phone surprisingly a very interesting deal.Watch H
Inside, the S25 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy — a custom overclocked version just for Samsung. It’s paired with 12GB of RAM. In daily use, this phone is absolutely smooth. Apps open instantly, multitasking is effortless, and I never experienced lag or stuttering during the 3 months I used it.Read G
The Galaxy S25 seems like a well-rounded compact device, probably one of the thinnest and lightest in its class. At the same time, on paper, the updates this year seem few and far between. But perhaps there's more than meets the eye.Watch G
Samsung Galaxy S25 ticks all the right boxes for what a premium smartphone should offer under Rs. 1 lakh. It packs a solid design, an IP68 rating, the fastest SoC you will find in phones this year, and the best seven years of software promise from Samsung, the current industry benchmark.Read G
The Galaxy S25 gets a boost with a fresh chipset, lighter build, while the Pixel 9 keeps things simple with clean software and dependable camera results at a slightly lower cost.Watch A
After a few months of use, I couldn't have picked a better phone than the Galaxy S25 as my secondary device. Its reliability has made it my daily driver, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has been relegated to the secondary phone that I carry solely for its impressive cameras.Read H
And to be honest, I still think this is easily in my top three phones that you should get for 2025. Now, I've gone through a ridiculous number of phones this year, but the S25 Ultra really still manages to stand out in a bunch of ways. Starting with the hardware, this thing is really tough.Watch W
Nestled between the more affordable Galaxy S25 and the feature-packed Galaxy S25 Ultra , the Galaxy S25 Plus offers a compelling proposition for those seeking flagship performance without the premium of Samsung 's top-tier device or the commitment to the S Pen stylus.Read G
In short, your binge watching experience is sorted on the S25 fan edition. Also, you're getting an underd display fingerprint sensor, which is fast, conveniently placed, and even recognizes wet fingers easily. So, that's an advantage. Other than the display, the speakers are also fairly loud and crisp. Vocals are clear even at full volume, so they're decent enough for your casual scrolling.Watch R
The S25 Ultra is Samsung's technological masterpiece, but let's be real – it's huge. I've dropped mine trying to use it one-handed more times than I care to admit. If you have small hands or tight pockets, this might not be your friend.Read C
And yeah, the battery is notably smaller at only 3900 milliamp hours versus around 5,000 milliamp hours in the S25 Plus and Ultra, but the Edge's battery life actually isn't that bad, especially if you're mostly just doing lighter tasks like watching videos or just scrolling on social media.Watch A
While some of Samsung's hardware choices on this phone remain questionable, there's no denying the overall experience is one of the best you can buy, especially given how incredible One UI has become.Read S
Now, this phone is still completely worth buying. It just came out, so there's not really going to be too many issues with this type of device right now. That's kind of one of the big things to keep in mind here.Watch P
Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE provides many flagship features, such as a durable build, dependable cameras, and smart AI, at a lower price than any other phone in the lineup.Read S
The Galaxy S25 is AMAZING // SIX Months Later!Watch T
By far one of the best options out there if you’re looking for an older capable flagship, it’s become even more of a steal now that the price has dropped.Read G
I kind of like very simple. It's the same song that I know for the longest time. Corning gora glass victus plus protection side aluminum frames and a gorilla glass.Watch B
In most cases, yes. Since it is a premium flagship smartphone, repair is often more cost-effective than replacement.Read T
you can easily find the better phones, the flagship S25s, for a discounted price or at an even cheaper price than this brWatch F Facebook Anonymous participant · owner
I have the S25 Ultra and I love it! No complaints on my end.Read J
This review goes over the key features of the Galaxy s25 and why the Galaxy S25 might be better than most people think.Watch A
Here’s why I’d pick the Galaxy S25 over the Galaxy S25 FE .Read I
Yeah, there's a good chance I'm going to switch back to this one before the launch of the S26 Ultra because, I still love this one. That's why I still have it.Watch T
It is a minor upgrade over S24. But the thing is that S24 was already a great smartphone and S25 is just better. I've been using it for the past couple of months on and off. In between I do test other smartphones as well. every single time I come back to the S25.Watch T
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is lighter, thinner, and more powerful than ever with upgrades across the device in power, battery, camera, and more!Watch T
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the best small flagship phone that you can get! BUY S25 HERE!Watch T
The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is a great phone and offers most of the same features as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but with a smaller form factor and cheaper price tag, but it doesn't have the S Pen or 200 megapixel camera, which may not be a deal breaker for many people!Watch N
Surprisingly, this small phone got a huge improvement in efficiency, having its battery life lasting as long as the Galaxy S25+ in 1080p mode. We have no idea how Samsung did this - but it's just incredible. Yet the gaming performance is also great!Watch M
I think it's time I talk about the Samsung Galaxy S25 7 months later because it's held up really well. And I've been saying this throughout all of my videos of the Galaxy S25. If you want 85% of the Ultra, then you go with the Galaxy S25. Now, here's the thing.Watch M
It remains, I think, one of the biggest strengths with the Galaxy S25. It's kind of one of the few, quote-unquote, true small flagship phones left.Watch E
I think Samsung did a great job with this device and anyone who is using an older device like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Pixel 8 Pro, or OnePlus 12, or something older, who is feeling the urge to upgrade, this phone should definitely be at the top of your lists. As always, I purchased this device with my own money. No company owns my opinion. These are my honest thoughts.Watch E
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has been one of my most used phones of 2025, and even after 9 months, I still think it’s a serious contender for phone of the year for a lot of people — even if it’s not flawless. This thing is incredible.Watch E
Samsung really nailed a lot with this device, and if you’re coming from something like an iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro XL, OnePlus 13, or anything older — and you’re itching for an upgrade — this phone absolutely deserves to be at the top of your list.Watch T
Samsung Galaxy S25 was a great compact flagship phone,Watch
34 neutral sources
When it comes to battery life, in my experience so far, the Pixel has slightly edged out the S25 Ultra in my day-to-day use. However, my S25 Ultra by now has gone through many more charge cycles than my Pixel, which could be the reason for that. Just keep that in mind, and why I’m not really assigning points to either phone for battery life and being the winner there.Read M
Okay, so the obvious take is nobody asked for this. Like these ultra thin phones look cool or whatever. They make for a snazzy commercial, but what we really want is thicker phones that have less camera bump but way more battery. The universal thing that everyone wants is more battery, not thinner phones. Facts. This is true.Watch R r/GalaxyS25 u/No-Syllabub-1539 · owner
The S25 looks and feels amazing in the hand, very comfortable. Software is great, battery life is very very good. Overall the phone is superb except for camera - this phone just can't take a good picture. Comparing it to an iPhone 14 pro and pixel 10 pro. The S25 just sucks at camera capabilities. I have tried everything - camera assist, expert raw . Just terrible.Read A
It’s not perfect — there are a few things I still wish Samsung had nailed — but even in 2026, the Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a phone that’s absolutely worth considering.Watch P
Measuring 6.35 by 3.02 by 0.29 inches (HWD) and weighing 6.70 ounces, the S25 FE feels light for its size. For comparison, last year's Galaxy S24 FE is larger (6.38 by 3.04 by 0.31 inches) and significantly heavier (7.51 ounces). The Pixel 9a is more compact, but thicker and lighter than both (6.09 by 2.89 by 0.35 inches, 6.56 ounces).Read G
Headlining the new series, the Galaxy S25 Ultra brings a few design, performance, camera, and AI updates, but there are also some downgrades. Check out our video review to learn ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about the phone's top features, build and screen quality, battery life, performance, and camera image quality.Watch W
While it's not best-in-class, it takes great photos in most situations. The latest Apple and Google devices tend to be a little more reliable when it comes to taking consistently sharp photos of moving subjects, for example, but Galaxy S25 Edge doesn't do a bad job by any measure.Read G
There are some downgrades that had to happen to slim this phone down, though. For example, its battery is smaller and it doesn't have a telephoto cam. Still, it aims to deliver the same user experience that you'd expect from a Samsung flagship while being able to slip into your pocket much more easily.Watch S
In reality, though, it wasn’t quite up to par, needing just under 90 minutes for a complete refuel versus 70 on the higher-end phone. This is pretty pedestrian by Chinese phone standards, but a 50% top-up in half an hour is still usefully quick.Read T
But I probably wouldn't buy one, at least not for full price.Watch C
It does fall short in thermal management and leaves you craving for better battery life, but we still like the overall package and believe that current learnings will help iron out the shortcomings in future generations.Read T
So while the Samsung Galaxy S25 can capture great looking pics most times of the day, the ultra-wide and zoom sensors struggle at night time. Same goes for that selfie shooter, especially when recording video.Watch T
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is here, and if you look just at the specs there doesn't seem to be a ton of differences versus the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But dig a little deeper and there's actually a lot of upgrades.Read T
The main upgrade for the Samsung S25 is that Snapdragon 8 Elite performance. Gaming is now a significantly smoother experience, while battery life also seems to have improved for this 2025 Galaxy phone. Meanwhile you also have that AI-dense OneUI 7.1 experience on board the Samsung Galaxy S25. Great news if you like to translate stuff, or can't be bothered to read an entire webpage.Watch A
The Galaxy S25 Edge isn’t a perfect phone , per se. It does make compromises. But those compromises matter a lot less when you’re paying less.Read T
Still, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a decent enough everyday smartphone, the OnePlus 13r and Poco F7 Ultra offer better value for money. And even the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is a Fan Edition alternative worth considering, at a far cheaper price.Watch I Instagram Article
There’s nothing wrong with the Galaxy S25 FE, but savvy shoppers have so many value-filled options that might be a better fit for less money.Read T
The Samsung S25 Plus camera experience isn't as impressive as many other flagship phones in 2025. I saw way too much noise and murk in my night photos, although the cameras do work well for video, with a lovely smooth zoom feature.Watch I
At first glance, it’s excellent. The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen has a resolution of 1,080 x 2,340 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz.Read M
So the new Galaxy S25 lineup is impressive, but now more than any previous generation, Samsung blurred the lines between the premium Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25 Plus and the S25 regular making it a lot more difficult to decide which is actually the best one to get.Watch P
Both are excellent devices. Both also have recurring issues that keep showing up in our stores and across online forums.Read S
But it's also far from perfect. And so given that it's been an entire year since this phone was released, and given that the launch of the S26 series is no doubt right around the corner, I felt like it was as good a time as ever to do one final video unpacking all of my thoughts, both good and bad, about the S25 Ultra.Watch Z
Unfortunately for Samsung, that one drawback is enough to convince any user to look elsewhere. Let me explain.Read J
I recently upgraded my phone to Samsung's S25 Plus. I've had it for a bit over a month, and today I thought I'd hop on and just tell you about it. Look, we clearly review laptops here, not phones, at least at this stage. So, this is not going to be a review where I go through mountains of tests. There are already other channels that do that pretty well.Watch K
Design Camera stabilization Performance | Short battery lifeRead N
And that's kind of the problem because almost a year later, the S25 doesn't feel exciting anymore. It feels safe. And in 2025 going into 2026, safe might be the worst thing that a phone can be. See, while Samsung was perfecting this very polished, very balanced experience, the OnePlus 15 and honestly, a lot of other Android phones in that same price range started doing more.Watch R r/Smartphones u/goldenknight5103 · owner
If you don't need a decent camera , forget upgradationRead U
And definitely, yeah, if you are considering these two phones, if you are okay with the slightly smaller size on the S25, then definitely this is much much better buy even though it's a year older phone.Watch D
Camera is down on specs compared to competitors.Read C
From the surprisingly smooth One UI 7 experience to the upgraded 12GB RAM and impressive AI features, the S25 might just be one of the most balanced compact phones Samsung has ever made. But it’s not perfect—the slow charging, outdated display protection, and minimal camera upgrades are real concerns.Watch T
If you're someone who consumes a lot of content on the mobile phone, like watching YouTube videos, movies, etc., or if you mostly work in the mobile phone most of the day, the S25 Plus is the better option for you. Let me explain you why. Let's talk about the screen sizes. S25 comes with a 6.2 in screen. S25 Plus comes with a 6.7 in screen.Watch T
The first problem I noticed is whenever I hold this phone in my hand, especially like this, the third camera, as you can see here, see the third camera on the back is getting touched accidentally nine out of 10 times. This is not a big issue, but a lot of fingerprint smudges end up on the lenses. So that's why it's creating I need to clean up the lenses every time before clicking the photos.Watch A
From its lightweight design, gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display, and still-beastly Snapdragon 8 Elite performance to improved cameras, mature Galaxy AI features, and long-term software support, I break down what’s aged well—and what hasn’t, like battery life and charging speeds.Watch T
I go over the ups, the downs, the good, the ugly, and the disappointing aspects of this device. I definitely learned a lot about the phone when it was the only phone I had in my pocket for so many consecutive days. Should you buy this phone in 2026? Let's 🌮 Bout it!Watch
22 unconvinced sources
Samsung advertises a one-year warranty, but based on this experience, the warranty feels like nothing more than a promise designed to discourage customers until they simply give up. What should have been a simple warranty replacement turned into an exhausting and ridiculous battle. Samsung, you have lost a 20-year customer over something that should have been incredibly easy to fix.Read M
Nothing dramatically new about the S25s. So welcome to your first look at the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra, plus my take on what's going on with Samsung right now. So right off rip, very familiar on the outside, right? With the standard phones, without the new colors, I honestly don't think I could tell the difference between this and last year.Watch F Facebook Judd Silver · owner
My S25+ crapped out 1 week before the 1 year warrantee ran out. Samsung agree to replace it but I haven't received it yet. I don't have good luck with Samsung phones as this was the 3rd one (after the A70 and then S21) to stop working after less than a year.Read M
They just took last year's award-winning flagship phone and did the bare minimum, a spec bump. And here's the thing, Samsung in the US has risen to this point where that's kind of all we realistically expect from them anymore.Watch F Facebook Article
Before you buy a new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, see why a used S24 Ultra offers you nearly identical performance, software and cameras for half the price. We compare specs to help you decide if the latest flagship is actually worth the upgrade.Read T
Now, even 12 months on, after the launch of many mega bastards like the Poco F8 Ultra and the Pixel 10 Pro XL, the S25 Ultra is still one of the biggest, heftiest buggers of the year. It's a new knackers shy of 7 in and weighs a good chunk over 200 g. So, one thing's for sure, you'll certainly know when the Galaxy S25 Ultra is wged in your pants.Watch I Instagram Article
🔥 A troubling report out of the US claims a Galaxy S25+ exploded while charging overnight using official Samsung accessories, burning part of a home and exposing the family to lithium-ion fumes.Read T
Unfortunately if you are a more demanding user, you should look elsewhere. The S25 Edge can cope with gaming on Wuthering Waves for shorter bursts, but soon heats up to worrying levels. Same goes if shooting a lot of video with the camera, or hotspotting.Watch P
Samsung's July 2026 security patch is designed to deliver fixes for its phones, but if you’re experiencing reduced battery life, overheating, or slower charging speeds, you’re not alone.Read V
But with this fifth iteration, it feels like Samsung might have forgotten what a fan edition is all about. We've also got the standard Galaxy S25 here, and we'll take a deep dive into the design, display, performance, cameras, and battery of these two phones to see if the S25 FE is still a great value or just pointless. Hey, I'm Olive, your host here at.com.Watch T The brand has yet to acknowledge any issues, but... Article
The brand has yet to acknowledge any issues, but complaints from Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra owners are piling up on Samsung's forums and Reddit.Read G
There were upgrades every year looking at the hardware but somehow somewhere it became uninterestingly good because some of these areas were stopped innovating.Watch F Facebook Article
I think Samsung might be in serious trouble this time. What do you think? Full video on YouTube. It's a good one. DON'T MISS IT!Read T
The first thing that bothered me is the price of this mobile phone. Seriously, for 81,000 rupees, this piece of tech doesn't satisfy me. If you ask me, the price of this mobile phone would perfectly fit in between 40,000 to 50,000 rupees, which is the same we are observing for the previous models right now like the S24. Next thing, the battery.Watch S
Bottom line? Venture not to purchase the new Samsung Galaxy S25 phone —especially not from Spectrum Mobile .Read T
The first thing that bothered me is the price of this mobile phone. Seriously, for 81,000 rupees, this piece of tech doesn't satisfy me. If you ask me, the price of this mobile phone would perfectly fit in between 40,000 to 50,000 rupees, which is the same we are observing for the previous models right now like the S24. Next thing, the battery.Watch M
Skip the S25 Ultra. Here’s Why I’d Buy Its “ Outdated ” Predecessor Right Now.Read B
S25 ultra is a fantastic phone. The on ui 7 software is excellent but as a daily driver, I've been concerned by a lot of its hardware capabilities!Watch P
Bloatware took over this Galaxy S25 overnight. Here's the culprit and the fix.Read T
So, stick around because buying the wrong one of these two phones is an easy way to overpay for a phone that ages worse than it should. Why this comparison even exists? Here's the problem Samsung created for itself in 2026. Their mid-range A series got so good that it started stepping on the toes of their own flagships.Watch Q Quora Article
The Galaxy S24 Ultra might be the better phone for 90% of the people.Read X
Samsung is a disappointment. I repeat: Samsung is a disappointment.Read
8 stance not read sources
The S25 Ultra won’t replace my camera, that's for sure. But as a secondary or a powerful scouting tool, it’s the first phone I’ve actually considered 'pro-capable.' I'd choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra over the S26 Ultra because it makes more sense for me who prefer a rigid, premium Titanium frame (rather than aluminium), a more blocky "Note-like" design, and a standard display without the polaRead M
Hands on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge including testing its camera!Watch W
You can score a good deal, especially on the used market, and frankly, the Galaxy S25 series (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is shockingly similar to the latest Galaxy S26 devices.Read F
I said, "You already know about the Galaxy S25 Plus. You ever seen the Edge?" He said, "I heard about it, but let me check it out." I put both of these phones in his hands. Same thing. Immediately, he was like, "Oh, I need this one right here. I like this one better.Watch T
If the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus isn't quite what you need, there are more big savings on other Android phones ahead of Black Friday, all of which are worth checking out.Read S
But what I have right here is the real meat of the order, a one penny Samsung S25 Ultra. Let's open it up and see what exactly Timu was trying to pull here. A better life with smartphones. What does that mean? Hold on. The side just says smartphones. Okay, taking the phone out. We got a SIM card removal tool. just hanging out in the box. Yo, we got headphones with this. Let's go.Watch N
It's a truly great phone that still balances quality with value.Watch U
And if you look closely, you can actually pick up basically these days S25 for maybe only a bit over 500, maybe 600. So, depending on where you purchase.Watch
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #13 (D tier) on our consolidated smartphones board, drawn from 108 cited sources across 76 outlets.
Limited durability. Shorter software support. Outdated hardware. Higher price than newer rivals.
Ranked nearby in Smartphones
S tier #1 iPhone 17 Pro Max
A tier #2 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
A tier #3 iPhone 17
B tier #4 Samsung Galaxy S26
C tier #8 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Xiaomi 17 Ultra
C tier #9 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Google Pixel 9a
D tier #11 2 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
D tier #12 2 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Motorola Moto G04
F tier #14 3 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.