Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Extremely at its annual occasion, and AI dominated the presentation. There’s agentic AI, a characteristic akin to Google Now known as Now Transient, and higher integration with Gemini out of the field amongst many others Samsung highlighted, however what you do not get this yr is way in the best way of upgraded {hardware}.
Hardwired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into all issues {hardware}, together with telephones, audio merchandise, storage servers, and networking gear.
This is not new both; final yr’s Galaxy S24 Extremely wasn’t markedly completely different to its predecessor, and I did not use the system that a lot because of this. I used to be holding out for Samsung to make appreciable modifications with this era, however that is not the case, and the S25 Extremely misses out on improvements that are actually normal on its rivals.
The important thing omission is silicon-carbide battery tech. The Vivo X200 Professional, Discover X8 Professional, OnePlus 13, and Honor Magic 7 Professional all make the most of silicon batteries to ship higher density, so that you get a lot greater batteries with none distinction in measurement; the OnePlus 13 is definitely thinner and lighter than the OnePlus 12 whereas providing a battery that is 500mAh bigger than final yr.
Silicon batteries additionally maintain up higher in excessive chilly climate, and include higher sturdiness. The power to fit in a much bigger battery with elevated sturdiness is a game-changer, and most different producers are taking full benefit of the tech — Xiaomi even affords it on the mid-range Redmi Notice 14 Professional+. However the S25 Extremely misses out on the characteristic, with the system that includes the identical 5000mAh battery as final yr.
Then there’s the charging state of affairs. The S25 Extremely nonetheless makes use of the identical 45W normal, and we do not get any upgrades this time. I began utilizing Qi2 chargers just lately, and I figured they is likely to be a very good different with Samsung’s newest telephones, however the S25 Extremely is simply Qi2 prepared, and would not have the magnets within the chassis itself — you will want to purchase a case to have the ability to use the characteristic.
Samsung switched out the wide-angle lens on the system, and there is now a 50MP module that ought to take higher images. However the principle and telephoto cameras are unchanged, and I can not assist however really feel that Samsung will lose much more floor on this space in opposition to units just like the X200 Professional and Discover X8 Professional.
Chinese language producers are doing unimaginable issues with telephone cameras, rolling out large sensors and delivering generational upgrades on a constant foundation. The X200 Professional will get a 200MP telephoto digital camera that takes phenomenal portraits at 3x, and Samsung simply would not have a solution to that.
Even the principle digital camera on most Chinese language telephones is markedly higher than what I used final yr, and whereas the S25 Extremely ought to take higher images due to the modifications to the ISP, I am undecided it would dethrone Vivo, OPPO, and Honor anytime quickly — I will be placing that to the check as soon as I get my fingers on the system.
Just like final yr, many of the new options on the system focus on AI. Each different telephone producer is getting on the AI bandwagon, and all telephones I used within the final 18 months had some model of an AI utility. In every of those circumstances, I received the sense that the manufacturers are shoehorning doubtful AI options onto their units simply because it’s the buzzword de jour. Samsung, nonetheless, is positioning Galaxy AI because the cornerstone of the S25 Extremely, and I am undecided that is a successful technique.
Do not get me mistaken; I just like the design modifications Samsung launched this yr. The S25 Extremely has flatter sides with rounded edges, and it’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor, which is nice to see. Samsung additionally shrunk the bezels, accommodating a much bigger 6.9-inch AMOLED panel with out growing the peak. Consequently, the S25 Extremely is less complicated to carry and use, and due to Gorilla Armor 2 safety at the back and front, it ought to have a lot better resistance in opposition to tumbles.
With the swap to Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Elite, the telephone must be quicker as effectively. Samsung as soon as once more labored intently with Qualcomm to customise the platform, and the overclocked chipset has first rate good points over final yr. But it surely wasn’t just like the S24 Extremely was quick on energy anyway, and whether or not you get any noticeable distinction is one thing I will want to attend and see till I get the telephone.
Look, I am not saying that the S25 Extremely is a nasty telephone — removed from it. It is simply disappointing that Samsung performed it secure but once more, and the S25 Extremely is not the most effective model of the telephone it might make if it actually needed to take action. Samsung would not have any significant rivalry in North America, so it might probably get away with out providing tangible upgrades to the digital camera or battery life.
Whereas the OnePlus 13 is a a lot better exhibiting this yr, it would not have wherever near the identical degree of provider backing because the S25 Extremely, making it a nonstarter within the area. Mix that with Samsung’s beneficiant trade-in incentives, and the S25 Extremely inevitably finally ends up being the default choice if you would like a high-end Android telephone.
