On January 22, 2025, Samsung Electronics held its highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event, proudly presenting the latest innovations in mobile technology with the launch of the Galaxy S25 series. This series consists of four flagship devices: the Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, and the new S25 Slim. These smartphones, aimed at elevATING user experience through advanced features, signal Samsung’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with user-centric design.
Each model showcases stunning flat Dynamic AMOLED 2x displays, available in various sizes: 6.2 inches for the S25, 6.7 inches for the S25+, and 6.9 inches for the Ultra. Samsung’s CEO highlighted during the presentation, "The new lineup sets the stage for the future of smartphone technology with AI integration at its core," emphasizing the company’s focus on merging hardware capabilities with sophisticated software.
A defining feature of the Galaxy S25 series is its collaboration with Google, introducing Gemini AI—a partnership intended to deliver smarter interactions than ever before. Unlike Samsung's previous AI assistant, Galaxy AI, Gemini AI promises to offer comprehensive functionalities, such as setting alarms, managing emails, and providing personalized summaries, all seamlessly integrated within Samsung’s ecosystem. This shift reflects Samsung's strategic pivot away from its own AI assistant, noted by commentators as both necessary and timely.
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 series relies on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, significantly upgraded exclusively for Samsung devices. Tests indicated solid performance, with Geekbench scores reaching 3019 for single-core and 9838 for multi-core operations, placing these smartphones at the forefront of the market. Comparatively, the iPhone 16 Pro Max achieves scores of 3358 and 8167, respectively. While on paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra appears to outpace its competitors, practical performance under stress revealed notable throttling issues, leading to concerns about potential overheating during intensive use.
From the camera perspective, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ are equipped with the same camera setups: a 50-megapixel main camera, 10-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x zoom, and 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. Meanwhile, the S25 Ultra enhances capabilities with additional features, boasting a staggering 200-megapixel main camera alongside refined zoom capabilities—though the computational advancements come with the caveat of maintaining package sizes to avoid excessive bulge from camera modules.
Pricing for the various models is competitive, starting at approximately 100,000 rubles for the basic Galaxy S25 (12GB/128GB configuration) and peaking at around 210,000 rubles for the S25 Ultra with 1TB of memory. Samsung plans to kick off pre-orders immediately following the Unpacked event, incentivizing early adoption with free Wireless Buds and protective cases. Delivery is slated for February 21, making the excitement palpable among fans.
Samsung also addressed concerns about AI functionalities, particularly noting, “Gemini AI is not officially supported in Russia, posing challenges for local users,” which could limit the new technology’s impact among potential buyers within the region. Observers anticipate this could affect initial market reception.
Given its notable improvements over the prior generation, the Galaxy S25 series is well-positioned to attract tech enthusiasts. While the integration of Qualcomm's powerful processors and innovative AI capabilities is likely to resonate with consumers, some analysts suggest potential buyers might weigh their options against upcoming competitors, especially with rumors surrounding the Galaxy S26, rumored to feature even greater enhancements. Yet, as the saying goes, "Better a bird in the hand than two flying away," so for those ready to upgrade, the S25 series presents compelling options.
The Galaxy S25 series sets ambitious expectations for Samsung as it navigates the competitive smartphone market. With its new lineup, the company aims to redefine user experiences and leverage AI technologies to secure its position as the leader of mobile innovation.