ALL cellphone makers are making noise about AI for the time being and chances are high a variety of it would not actually curiosity you.
However what if it may prevent cash on procuring?
Samsung is positioning its new AI options on the Galaxy S25 as a “companion” that is there to make abnormal life actions that little bit simpler.
As The Solar’s foremost Android smartphone reviewer, I get hands-on with an array of gadgets on a regular basis – and the Galaxy S sequence is up there among the many finest.
The evolutionary bounce from S24 to S25 is, like most smartphones today, small however there is definitely some thrilling additions to shout about.
I have been utilizing the Galaxy S25 Extremely for simply over every week now, testing all the pieces from AI options, to battery, efficiency and the digicam.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Feel and appear
Having examined final yr’s S24 Extremely, the very first thing I’ve observed this time round is how a lot lighter it’s – actually, a lot lighter.
The truth is, it is 15g than the predecessor, coming in at 218g. By comparability, the iPhone 15 Professional Max is 221g.
Furthermore, the S25 Extremely is slimmer too and Samsung has managed to squeeze barely extra show on it (6.9-inches in whole diagonally) by decreasing the bezel so the general handset dimension would not have to extend in your palm.
So, it sits fairly comfortably in your pocket with out pulling you down.
Seems-wise, it follows a constant design to earlier than aside from one huge change – the S25 Extremely has rounded corners so it matches in with your complete household now.
I feel it is a optimistic resolution, easing the harshness from the S24 Extremely’s sharper nook strategy.
Nevertheless, other than dimension the show is mainly the identical as final yr, delivering vivid, crisp, punchy visuals.
By way of the colors, you could have a alternative of:
Titanium BlackTitanium GrayTitanium SilverblueTitanium WhitesilverTitanium JadegreenTitanium JetblackTitanium Pinkgold
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Efficiency and software program
Samsung’s personal model of Android, One UI, has at all times been amongst my favorite takes on the working system.
It is constant, clear and simple to navigate – although the Samsung fashion app icons nonetheless bug me with their cartoon-like design.
The S25 gadgets run on Android 15, One UI 7, which is the very newest model of each.
One nice spotlight about Samsung’s Galaxy S gadgets is that you simply get a whooping seven years of safety and software program updates, so in case you take care of the handset it may final you fairly someday – and subsequently prevent cash on upgrades.
Who gives free updates longest?
The longer you obtain updates, the longer you’ll be able to safely proceed utilizing your smartphone – with the most recent options thrown in too free of charge.
SamsungFor the Galaxy S25 sequence, Samsung mentioned it could present a minimum of seven generations of OS updates and 7 years of safety updates.
OnePlusAt the launch of the OnePlus 13, OnePlus dedicated to a minimum of 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of safety updates.
XiaomiXiaomi gives 4 years off Android updates and 5 years safety updates.
GoogleFor the Pixel 9 sequence, Google mentioned that gadgets would obtain a minimum of seven years of help.
As for the efficiency, the Galaxy S25 Extremely runs superbly with the market-leading Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip maintaining all the pieces within the quick lane.
This implies you will not discover any annoying lag as you run a number of apps, even demanding ones like video games.
There’s additionally Snapdragon Satellite tv for pc, so you’ll be able to ship and obtain messages through satellite tv for pc – however help for it will rely in your community supplier.
There are three storage choices: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Options
Samsung has been actually main the cost on AI and with it comes numerous options, although some are extra helpful than others.
The agency has collaborated intently with Google right here, which supplies you the most effective of each worlds and, crucially, better alternative.
Samsung’s place on AI this yr appears to be about merely making life simpler.
First up, there is a seamless expertise throughout a number of apps so that they important “discuss” to one another.
AI is probably not what everyone seems to be asking for proper now however the instruments have gotten extra helpful
For instance, utilizing Google’s Gemini AI I used to be in a position to present it inside my fridge with the digicam.
It accurately detected most objects (even half eaten hen leftovers in a storage bag) and prompt what I may make with the elements on present.
I then requested it so as to add the recipes to my notes app, which it did, much less of me faffing round copying and pasting, extra of me getting on with my day, excellent.
That is additionally an ideal instance of a function that may allow you to get monetary savings, utilizing up these elements earlier than they go off.
One other addition is Now Temporary, an AI companion that acts as a central hub for all the pieces happening in your day.
Now, Samsung has supplied numerous fantastic examples about the way it can assist with life, akin to warning you that visitors is unhealthy so that you may need to depart to gather the children, primarily based off of data out of your calendar and figuring out your commute.
Sadly (or, maybe not) throughout the brief period of time I’ve needed to take a look at the Galaxy S25 Extremely, I have not had any main points like these in my life to place it to the take a look at like that, so this trick requires extra time to develop.
Nevertheless, I did see one other potential cash saving profit for a traditional mistake I make – forgetting my coupons.
All I’ve to do is take a photograph of my procuring vouchers, add to the Pockets app and the Now Temporary warns me that it is expiring quickly.
It is these little issues that may be an enormous assist for saving considering area and time.
I nonetheless suppose there is a strategy to go to make AI extra proactive however this can be a good start line.
And I am extra fussed about these than options like drawing help to generate AI pictures which serve little use to me.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Battery
The battery on the S25 Extremely is similar as final yr however the newer chip and upgraded tech gives some efficiencies to assist the battery last more.
With reasonable use – by my commonplace that is net shopping, watching movies, mild gaming and a few WhatsApp – I used to be ready to make use of the S25 Extremely effectively into the second day.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Digicam
The S25 Extremely has the identical 200-megapixel digicam as final yr however the huge change is its upgraded ultra-wide digicam, which now is available in at 50-megapixels.
This implies you will get in a lot nearer for macro pictures with better focus than earlier than.
Samsung’s cameras at all times ship nice outcomes with popping colors, element and sharpness.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Verdict
Remaining ideas by Jamie Harris, Assistant Expertise and Science Editor at The Solar
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely is an undeniably stunning machine inside and outside.
AI is probably not what everyone seems to be asking for proper now however the instruments have gotten extra helpful.
You possibly can’t go mistaken for battery, digicam or efficiency right here, all of them excel.
However it comes at a hefty value, beginning at £1,249 / $1,299 – fortuitously there are some good trade-in charges to contemplate that may deliver the associated fee down.
The upgrades on the S25 aren’t that vast in comparison with final yr so these with the S24 may need to keep put for now – however anybody with an older mannequin stand to realize numerous nice additions.
Score: 4.5/5
All costs on this article have been appropriate on the time of writing, however could have since modified.
At all times do your individual analysis earlier than making any buy.