Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Buyer Guide: Should You Upgrade to The Next Galaxy?

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Samsungโ€™s newest flagship series, the Galaxy S25, has finally been announced. This year, the new Galaxy S25 series focuses a lot on the One UI 7 update and the AI features that will help users perform various tasks more easily. One of the good things that Samsung has done this year is bring its Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC to all the S25 devices worldwide.

Because the Exynos chip is no longer on any of the new Galaxy S25 devices, a lot of people have been considering switching to the new Galaxy S25 series. So, if you were wondering whether you should pick up the new Galaxy S25 series, you have come to the right place.

In our buyer’s guide for the Galaxy S25 series, we will examine the specs, costs, and who should upgrade to the particular device.

Samsung Galaxy S25 – What’s Inside?

The Galaxy S25 is the first device of the Galaxy S25 series. This is the base variant of the Galaxy S25 and a perfect option for those who want a Samsung smartphone with the latest Snapdragon chip in a pocket-friendly compact size. Here’s what the Galaxy S25 has to offer for you.

Samsung Galaxy S25 buyers guide
  • Official Name: Samsung Galaxy S25
  • Model Number:ย SM-S931-B/DS/U/W//N/0/E
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
  • Storage Options: 128GB / 256GB
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Screen Size: 6.2 inches (ca. 16 cm)
  • Screen Type: Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2K
  • Refresh Rate: 120 Hertz
  • Brightness: 2600 nits peak brightness
  • Weight: 162g
  • Dimensions: 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm
  • Battery Capacity: 4000 mAh
  • Charging Speeds Wired: 25W
  • Charging Speeds: Wireless: 15W
  • Reverse Charging Speeds: 4.5W
  • Selfie Camera: 12MP @f/2.2
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP @f/1.8, 10 MP @f/2.4, 12 MP@f/2.2
  • Color Options: Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold, Coral Red, Blue Black
  • IP Rating: IP68
  • Wireless Connections: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC
  • Android Version: Android 15 with One UI 7 out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy S25: How Much Does It Cost?

The Galaxy S25 will cost you $799 for the 128GB variant and $859 for the 256GB variant. While the pricing might seem a bit steep, this is similar to the price tag of 2024โ€™s Galaxy S24 during its launch period.

You can expect discounts and offers for this device during the middle portion of the year, especially during festivals and big holidays. However, if you plan to get the device now, you can buy the 256GB variant of the Galaxy S25 at the price of the 256GB model.

Samsung Galaxy S25: Who Is This Phone For?

This is a good buy for those who want a flagship Samsung device that is compact at 6.2 inches (ca. 16 cm). The Galaxy S25 is also perfect for those who want a Samsung device below the $1000 price tag.

This is also perfect for those who have several other Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Smartwatch, Galaxy Fit, or even the Galaxy Book, and do not want to spend too much on a new smartphone.

List of Galaxy S25 AI Features

If you have the Galaxy S24 or even the 2023 Galaxy S23, it would be best to skip the Galaxy S25, as it is not much of an upgrade when you compare these devices side by side.

Also, a lot of the AI tools and features are already available and will be coming to the Galaxy S23 and S24 with the One UI 7 update. But, if you have an older Samsung device or any other Android smartphone that is older than 3 years, the base Galaxy S25 is the perfect upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy S25+: The Bigger Plus

Samsung Galaxy S25 buyers guide
  • Official Name: Samsung Galaxy S25+
  • Model Number: SM-S936B/DS/U/U1/W//N/0/E
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
  • Storage Options: 256GB and 512GB
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Screen Size: 6.7 inches (ca. 17 cm)
  • Screen Type: Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2K
  • Refresh Rate: 120 hertz
  • Brightness: 2600 nits peak brightness
  • Weight: 190g
  • Dimensions: 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
  • Battery Capacity: 4900 mAh
  • Charging Speeds Wired: 45W
  • Charging Speeds: Wireless: 15W
  • Reverse Charging Speeds: 4.5W
  • Selfie Camera: 12MP @f/2.2
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP @f/1.8, 10 MP @f/2.4, 12 MP@f/2.2
  • Color options: Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold, Coral Red, Blue Black
  • IP Rating: IP68
  • Wireless Connections: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC
  • Android Version: Android 15 with One UI 7 out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy S25+: How Much Does It Cost?

This is the middle device from the Galaxy S25 series. The only difference between the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S25+ is the screen size and the price tag. If you have a maximum budget of $1000, then the Galaxy S25+ is a good device.

The 4900 mAh battery capacity of the Galaxy S25+ is also one of the reasons why a lot of people prefer the Plus models of the Galaxy S and Tab series.

You can buy the Galaxy S25+ at $999 and $1199.ย  The pre-booking offer from Samsung will let you purchase the 512GB variant of the Galaxy S25+ at exactly $1000. So pick this up if you don’t intend to spend more than $1000 on a new smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S25+: Who Is This Phone For?

The Galaxy S25+ is a good device for anyone who likes large-sized phones. Also, if you are someone who is upgrading from an older iPhone and want to try out the Android experience, the Galaxy S25+ is your best bet. Thanks to One UI 7, previous iPhone users can easily navigate and have no problem using the Galaxy S25+ as a daily driver/primary device.

Just like the Galaxy S25, if you have the Galaxy S24+ or the Galaxy S23+ skip the Galaxy S25+. However, if you have an older base variant of the Galaxy S series or even one of the Galaxy FE devices and don’t mind spending $1000 on a new smartphone, the Galaxy S25+ is the device you need.

There is not much of a difference between the Galaxy S23, S24, and the S25 plus models, it becomes difficult to recommend the flashy new Galaxy S25 series.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25 buyers guide
  • Official Name: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • Model Number: SM-S938B//DS//U1//W/N/0/E
  • SoC: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
  • Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (1TB variant in select markets only)
  • RAM: 12GB / 16GB
  • Screen Size: 6.9 inches (ca. 18 cm)
  • Screen Type: Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2K
  • Refresh Rate: 120 Hertz
  • Brightness: 2600 nits peak brightness
  • Weight: 218g
  • Dimensions: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
  • Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh
  • Charging Speeds Wired: 45W
  • Charging Speeds: Wireless: 15W
  • Reverse Charging Speeds: 4.5W
  • Selfie Camera: 12MP @f/2.2
  • Rear Cameras: 200 MP @f/1.7, 10 MP @f/2.4 with 3x optical zoom, 50 MP @f/3.4 with 5x optical zoom and 50 MP @f/1.9 ultra-wide at 120 degrees
  • Color options: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Black, Titanium While Silver, Titanium Gray, Titanium Jade Green, Titanium Jet Black, Titanium Pink Gold
  • IP Rating: IP68
  • Wireless Connections: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC
  • Android Version: Android 15 with One UI 7 out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: How Much Does It Cost?

This is Samsungโ€™s top-of-the-line device from the Galaxy S25 series. The Galaxy S25 ultra will cost you $1299 for the 256GB variant, $1419 for the 512GB variant, and $1699 for the 1TB variant. Yes, the Ultra is pretty expensive but if you take advantage of Samsungโ€™s pre-booking offers, you can take advantage of the storage upgrade option.

This means you can buy the 512GB variant of the Galaxy S25 ultra at the $1299 price tag and similarly the 1TB variant for the price tag for the 512GB variant.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Who Is This Phone For?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the phone for those who like large screens, want the best of cameras, and also like the fun things that you can do with the Galaxy S Pen. If you have been a former Galaxy Note series user, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the device to go for.

However, if you still rock the Galaxy S23 or the Galaxy S24 Ultra, there is no need to upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Apart from the new 50 MP ultra-wide camera and a more rounded corner on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the previous 2 generations are simply perfect.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Display Review

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the perfect upgrade for anyone moving from the top variants of the iPhone, or also for someone who might still be holding on to the Galaxy S22 Ultra and older models. You can upgrade to the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you are someone who takes a lot of pictures with the Ultra Wide lens, as the 50 MP lens will give you better ultra-wide pictures.


Galaxy S25 Series: How Many Updates Does It Get?

All three models of the Galaxy S25 series come with One UI 7 based on Android 15 out of the box. Samsung has promised to deliver seven years of major Android updates. The last Android version for the Galaxy S25 series will be Android 22.

Galaxy S25 Series – Whatโ€™s In The Box?

When you purchase your brand-new Galaxy S25 device, in the box you will get the usual paperwork, the Galaxy S25 smartphone, a Type C to Type C cable, and a SIM ejector tool. You will have to purchase a 45W power adaptor separately, either from Samsung itself or from any reputed brand on Amazon.

Galaxy S25 Series – When Does The Device Officially Go On Sale?

If you don’t want to pre-order, the official general sale for the Galaxy S25 series will begin on the 7th of February 2025. However, if you do not want to wait, you can pre-book the Galaxy S25 series right now via the official Samsung website.

Galaxy S25 Series: What Pre-Booking Offers Are Available?

If you plan to pre-book the Galaxy S25 series, you will get Samsung store credit as well as the option to buy the higher storage variant of the device at a lower price. Additionally, if you have an older iPhone or Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you can take advantage of the great exchange offers.

Galaxy S25 Series: What Cellular Networks Do They Work On?

All three Galaxy S25 devices have support for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and even US Cellular.  All three devices have support for 5G all 5G bands along with support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling.

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AUTHOR.

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Joshua D'souza

Enjoy games, 90's hip-hop, and tech. Loves exploring the infinite world of laptops and food. Every ready to provide assistance in anything that rocks his boat. Will gladly enjoy capturing memories through various lenses. Worked previously at PiunikaWeb as an author and researcher.

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