SUVs. 65-inch TVs in the lounge. King dimension beds.
Life is filled with examples the place greater is supposedly higher and the smartphone is one other instance of this.
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Positive, you get an even bigger battery and extra highly effective cameras amongst different issues – however do we actually want all that when know-how is so good as of late?
As The Solar’s resident tech knowledgeable and major smartphone reviewer, I lately examined the Galaxy S25 Extremely and it is probably the greatest Android units round proper now.
However ranging from £1249, it does not comes low cost in any respect.
As an alternative, it can save you a whole lot and get loads of the identical nice options in the primary Galaxy S25.
Discover out why it is price a shot beneath.
PROS AND CONS AT A GLANCE
Execs:
Lighter and excellent to carry in a single handSame efficiency and options because the UltraGreat battery
Cons:
Digicam zoom shouldn’t be as goodSome of the AI options are gimmickyNot rather a lot has modified from final yr’s S24
Samsung Galaxy S25: Feel and look
The factor I really like most in regards to the Galaxy S25 is it’s so a lot lighter at 162g.
That is rather a lot lower than the S25 Extremely that is available in at 218g (which, by the best way, is already a discount in comparison with final yr’s Extremely mannequin).
However the base S25 can be 9g lower than the primary iPhone 15.
Then there’s the precise dimension of the S25.
The show is 6.2-inches measured diagonally becoming fantastically in all hand sizes, so you may simply use it with one hand.
Samsung makes use of an aluminium body that helps to maintain issues gentle however it feels sturdy all the identical.
By comparability, the S25 Extremely has a extra premium titanium body – you’d be pressed to inform the distinction on the floor however the latter can be extra resilient to drops and scratches.
The identical goes for the Dynamic AMOLED show, which seems to be nice on the S25 regardless of being much less mighty than the Extremely.
We’re attempting the mint mannequin which seems to be completely stunning.
Here is the complete listing of colors for the S25:
BlueblackCoaralredPinkgoldNavyIcyblueSilvershadowMint
Samsung Galaxy S25: Efficiency and software program
The Galaxy S25 runs on Samsung’s personal model of Android, One UI.
Whether or not you are operating One UI on a brand new telephone right here or an older Samsung gadget, it will at all times be a constant, clear and straightforward look.
All of the S25 units run on Android 15, One UI 7, which is the very newest model of each, straight out of the field.
One nice spotlight about Samsung’s Galaxy S units 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 might final you fairly someday – and due to this fact prevent cash on upgrades.
Who affords free updates longest?
The longer you obtain updates, the longer you may safely proceed utilizing your smartphone – with the newest options thrown in too without cost.
SamsungFor the Galaxy S25 sequence, Samsung mentioned it could present at the least seven generations of OS updates and 7 years of safety updates.
OnePlusAt the launch of the OnePlus 13, OnePlus dedicated to at the least 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of safety updates.
XiaomiXiaomi affords 4 years off Android updates and 5 years safety updates.
GoogleFor the Pixel 9 sequence, Google mentioned that units would obtain at the least seven years of assist.
In the meantime, the bottom S25’s chipset is identical because the S25 Extremely too, with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy that retains every thing operating mega easy and speedy.
That is a change from final yr, when the S24 sequence confusingly had completely different chips in some nations, together with the UK – now all of them have the identical.
The tip result’s no annoying lag as you run a number of apps, even demanding ones like video games.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Options
One other space all three variations of the S25 are the identical on is options.
And the massive focus as soon as once more is on AI instruments.
Samsung has moved nearer to Google this yr and its Gemini digital assistant.
The bottom S25 nonetheless has all the identical great options, with the added bonus of being extra pleasant in your pocket and in your hand
I’ve used it to do useful issues like establish meals in my fridge by way of the digicam on the telephone and give you an honest recipe.
Samsung’s different star new function is Now Transient, an AI companion that acts as a central hub for every thing happening in your day.
This retains you in examine with not solely your calendar and climate however learns about your habits so will warn you about issues resembling site visitors.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Battery
Battery is one space the place, on paper, the bottom S25 and S25 Extremely differ.
Put merely, the Extremely is larger so has a bigger battery inside.
With different use – resembling searching, watching movies, gentle gaming and messaging – I bought an excellent day’s battery out of the S25, whereas the Extremely marches a lot stronger into the second day.
Nonetheless, the truth is most individuals cost their telephone at night time so the larger battery does not actually matter.
Comfortably getting you thru a day with out getting too near zero does matter, and the bottom S25 gadget does simply that.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Digicam
And that brings us to the ultimate large distinction, cameras.
The Extremely has extra lens than the opposite fashions – however once more, for most individuals, it does not actually matter as you continue to get stunning pictures, as you may see from the examples I took beneath.
They each look simply as gorgeous, solely when zooming in from fairly a distance will you actually discover a distinction.
However severely, how usually do you really want to zoom in massively?
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Samsung Galaxy S25: Verdict
Remaining ideas by Jamie Harris, Assistant Expertise and Science Editor at The Solar
The Samsung Galaxy S25 proves that greater shouldn’t be essentially higher.
Positive, the Extremely – and different high-end flagships – are inclined to have greater batteries and higher digicam lenses.
However for most individuals, these issues do not make a differnce.
The bottom S25 nonetheless has all the identical great options, with the added bonus of being extra pleasant in your pocket and in your hand.
And it is friendlier in your pockets too, beginning at £799 as a substitute of paying £1249 for the Extremely.
Remember, it can save you much more cash in case you commerce in an older gadget too.
Score: 4.5/5
All costs on this article have been appropriate on the time of writing, however might have since modified.
All the time do your personal analysis earlier than making any buy.
