Welcome to 2025, and what’s a new year without a new device announcement, so as we all know, the first high end smartphone range of each year is the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. With the official unveiling scheduled for January 22nd at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the whole tech community is abuzz with expectations for the Galaxy S25, S25+, and the flagship S25 Ultra, my favourite.

Design and Build

Samsung is reported to refine its design language with the S25 series, and I can’t say I’m happy or not about it. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to feature more rounded corners, so take that you brick phone haters, and on a serious note, this will offer a more comfortable grip. This design shift will also align with the aesthetic of the standard S25 and S25+, creating a unified look across the line up. The Ultra model is also expected to retain its robust titanium frame, and there’s a possibility that the standard models will continue with aluminium frames, probably to balance strength and weight, or just because they’re cheaper.

Display Enhancements

Display quality has always been a cornerstone of Samsung’s flagship line-up, and the S25 series is set to uphold this tradition. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to have a 6.86-inch LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1440p resolution. It’s also anticipated to have a peak brightness of 3,000, ensuring exceptional visibility even under direct sunlight, and since it’s a Galaxy Ultra, it will have anti-reflective properties that will reduce glare on their own. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Armor Glass will also enhance durability and reduce glare as well.

Performance and Hardware

Now onto my favourite part, the Galaxy S25 series is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor across all the models, shifting from the previous Exynos variants. This chipset promises significant performance improvements, narrowing the gap between these devices and their competitors. Accompanying this is a standard 12GB RAM across the line-up, enhancing multitasking capabilities. Storage options are probably going to start at 128GB for the base model, with higher minimum configurations available for the Plus and Ultra variants.

Camera

Photography enthusiasts can look forward to notable camera upgrades. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to retain its 200MP main sensor but will have a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, enhancing the versatility and quality of wide-angle shots. It’s telephoto capabilities are also expected to be improved, with a 50MP sensor offering 5x optical zoom for high-quality zoom photography. The standard S25 and S25+ models are also anticipated to feature a 50MP primary sensor, maintaining high imaging standards across the series.

Battery and Charging

Battery capacities are expected to be consistent with the previous generation, with the S25 Ultra housing a 5,000mAh battery, the S25+ a 4,900mAh, and the base S25 a 4,000mAh unit. Charging speeds are probably going to be 45W for the Ultra and Plus models and 25W for the standard model. Another significant addition is the support for Qi2 wireless charging across this line-up, utilizing magnetic cases to ensure optimal alignment and efficient charging.

Software and AI Integration

The Galaxy S25 series will come with One UI 7, based on Android 15, introducing a new UI with improved system animations and redesigned app icons, and from what I’ve seen, One UI 7 is lit. Samsung is also expected to enhance its AI capabilities, potentially offering features like crash detection, similar to those found in “competitor” devices. Additionally, there are rumours of a complimentary trial of Google Gemini Advanced AI services for Galaxy S25 users, with the duration varying by model, and if that’s true, that’s a big move by Google, considering they’re also doing the same with their Pixel Devices.

Additional Leaks

Samsung is also reported to be exploring the introduction of a “Galaxy S25 Slim” model, which will focus on a thinner design without compromising essential features. However, this model is speculated to launch later in the year, catering to users seeking a more streamlined device.

Conclusion

As usual, Samsung did not disappoint, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 series is shaping up to be a compelling line-up, having a refined design, enhanced performance, and innovative features. With the launch just around the corner, we have much to look forward to.

Smartphones