Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus Evaluation: Potentially Offering an Extraordinary Experience
The Samsung Galaxy S25+, while not as impressive as its Ultra sibling, is a solid buy at a hefty $1,000 price tag. Despite its high cost, it falls short in certain areas, such as its camera capabilities and RAM stack, which could be upgraded to match the Ultra at its price point. However, it provides seven years of software support and a slightly lighter chassis compared to its predecessor.
Design-wise, the Galaxy S25+ retains the classic Samsung style with a triple-array camera layout on the back and a power button in the right thumb position. The device weight has been reduced, and the bezels are thinner compared to its predecessor, but there isn't a significant design change in this third-generation model.
The Galaxy S25+'s internal specs have received a slight bump compared to last year's device, featuring 12GB of RAM and a slightly upgraded processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. Both Galaxy S25 variants now have slightly larger screens, with the Galaxy S25 sporting a 6.2-inch display and the Galaxy S25+ offering a 6.7-inch display. The larger device features a QHD+ resolution with more sharpness compared to the FHD+ resolution of the smaller Galaxy S25.
The Galaxy S25+'s camera system remains the same as the previous model, featuring a 50-MP Wide primary camera with OIS, a 12-MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10-MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital Space zoom. The selfie camera, a 12-MP component located on the top of the device, remains unchanged from the previous model. Samsung's algorithms are commendable, and the larger device has consistent camera performance, though it may not perform as well in low-light situations compared to competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro and the Google Pixel 9 Pro, which both start at the same price point with 5x optical zoom.
Software-wise, the Galaxy S25+ ships with One UI 7, which runs on Android 15, and comes with AI enhancements like song recognition in Circle to Search. Samsung offers its AI capabilities, such as the Now Brief and generative imaging, which can sometimes feel redundant or unnecessary.
The Galaxy S25+ is a decent device, but it doesn't offer a revolutionary upgrade from its predecessor. The high price tag may deter some potential buyers, especially considering similar features and better camera performance are available in the iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro at the same price point. However, the device is a good choice for those upgrading from three- to four-year-old Android devices, providing excellent battery life, a sharp display, and lightning-fast charging speeds. Just remember, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ might be a good buy if you're not too pleased with the iPhone 16 Pro or Google Pixel 9 Pro or if you're looking for a lighter, mid-range device with good performance.
- Many tech enthusiasts have expressed their views on the Samsung Galaxy S25+ in various online reviews, with some praising its seven-year software support, while others critique its camera capabilities and high price tag compared to competitors.
- In the future, Samsung might consider integrating more advanced technology in the Galaxy series, such as a pedantic viewfinder for improved photographic accuracy, to justify the high cost and stand out in a competitive market.
- Despite its minor improvements, the Galaxy S25+ still struggles to match the camera performance of the iPhone 16 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro, especially in low-light situations, as pointed out in multiple technology reviews.
- For those who are curious about the Galaxy S25+'s camera system, it retains the same triple-array setup as its predecessor, consisting of a 50-MP Wide primary camera, a 12-MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10-MP telephoto camera, but lacks the 5x optical zoom that its competitors boast.
