
Samsung launches the new S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 smartphones. What’s new and do you need a smartphone from this new Galaxy S25 series? In Rob about read the preview of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.
Samsung proudly announces their new Galaxy S25 series, consisting of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 smartphones. I already had this in my hands last week during a session with Samsung. More than ever, Samsung is emphasizing AI: “Thanks to the introduction of multimodal AI agents, the Galaxy S25 series is the first step in Samsung’s vision to transform the way users interact with their phones – and with their world – to deal with, to change. A customized Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy delivers more on-device computing power for Galaxy AI and excellent camera range and greater control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine.” So a lot of attention is paid to AI and all the software that comes with it, which often also runs on the device itself (on device) and therefore not in the cloud. The hardware must of course be able to ‘run’ those programs properly, so there is also something to say about the hardware (processor and working memory). But first I will discuss AI, what does that mouthful actually mean?
Faster and easier with One UI 7
One UI 7 is the software (shell) that Samsung ‘lays’ on top of Android 15 and you should AI companion (or become a supervisor). The software will help you by making all kinds of actions you normally do faster and easier. Or as Samsung says: it learns to recognize your needs and preferences and offers personalized AI experiences, while always protecting your privacy.
For example, upgrades to Google Circle to Search make searching on a phone screen easier, faster and more contextual. Circle to Search now quickly recognizes phone numbers, emails and URLs on the screen, so you can call, email or visit a website with one tap. You can also use a few questions (show photos Thailand holiday 2024) to find specific photos in the Gallery or adjust the size of the font in the Settings. Furthermore, the Galaxy S25 can smoothly switch between apps for quick follow-ups, such as sharing a GIF or saving event details. For example, if you receive a message with an invitation to a party, tap AI Select to add this action notification to the Calendar.
To activate Gemini, all you have to do is press and hold the side button to interact with apps from Samsung and Google, or certain third-party apps like Spotify. For example, find the season schedule of your favorite sports team and add it to your own calendar with a single voice command.
The following (extensive) tools from Galaxy AI also help you: Galaxy S25 keeps conversations clear with Call Transcript and a summary. Writing Assist functions such as summarizing content or automatically formatting notes can be enabled when you select texts, without switching between applications. Finally, Drawing Assist offers new ideas through combinations of sketches, text or images.
Privacy
In the age of AI, personalization goes hand in hand with privacy, according to Samsung. On Galaxy S25, the Personal Data Engine powers personalized AI features by securely analyzing your data to deliver customized experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights provide a customized experience, such as searching for an old photo in the Gallery using natural speech, or guiding you through the day using Now Brief, a feature that provides time-based suggestions accessible through the Now Bar on the lock screen. All personal information is kept private and secured by Knox Vault. Together with the improved integrated processing capabilities, this ensures a protected AI experience.
Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography, which protects personal data against new threats that may increase as quantum computing evolves. Because privacy cannot be guaranteed without holistic security, One UI 7 provides an additional, enhanced layer of device security. Additional updates include additional Maximum Restrictions settings, improved theft protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor the security status of a connected device’s ecosystem.
Hardware: new processor, standard 12 GB RAM
The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the most powerful processor in the Galaxy S series. It provides a performance boost of up to 40% in terms of NPU, 37% in terms of CPU and 30% in terms of GPU compared to the S24 series. therefore, the Galaxy S25 series can handle more integrated AI experiences without compromise, including previously cloud-based AI tasks such as Generative Edit.
Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies have teamed up to customize the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. As such, the Galaxy S25 series features advanced, efficient AI image processing with ProScaler to achieve up to a 40% improvement in image scaling quality. Also, the integration of custom technology with Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded in the processor using Galaxy IP enables greater energy efficiency of the display.
Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy also features Vulkan Engine and enhanced Ray Tracing for a smooth and realistic mobile gaming experience.
Intensive device use and AI processing run smoothly thanks to modified heat dissipation with a 40% larger vapor chamber and custom thermal interface material (TIM) that further improves thermal efficiency.
It is also striking that each device from the Galaxy S25 series is equipped with 12 GB of RAM or working memory.
Cameras
Of course, Samsung ensures that you can take beautiful photos and videos with the devices from the Galaxy S25 series, because taking photos is one of the most important things you do with your smartphone. A quick look at the photos taken during the half hour I had the S25 in my hands yielded some nicely detailed photos thanks to the high-resolution sensors and ProVisual Engine. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor, which has been upgraded from the previous 12MP, offers striking clarity and vibrancy.
10-bit HDR recording is now standard and offers four times as rich color expression as 8-bit. This allows the Galaxy S25 to capture details in challenging lighting conditions. Low-light videos through Samsung Galaxy are clearer than ever with the Galaxy S25. Based on a powerful processor, the Galaxy S25 analyzes motion and time to reduce noise more effectively. This integration allows moving and static objects to be detected with greater precision, delivering sharper, clearer images.
Tools for the cameras
The Galaxy S25 also introduces a range of tools that previously required specialized software, making advanced operations accessible to everyone. Audio Eraser makes it easier to remove unwanted noise from all your videos. By isolating categories of sounds – including voices, music, wind, nature, crowds and noise – you can decide what to turn down or remove altogether.
The Galaxy S25 also introduces depth of field control with Virtual Aperture, which has been integrated into the popular Expert RAW mode. The Galaxy S25 also increases cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, which enables precise color grading options for more professional video productions.
Furthermore, Portrait Studio has also been improved, allowing users to create personal avatars with more lifelike facial expressions. Finally, Filters introduces new analog-style filters, which give photos and videos a film-like aesthetic.
Design and sustainable
The smartphones from the Galaxy S25 series again have rounded edges, nice to see. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is made of titanium and the new Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which is more resistant than glass. It combines Corning’s glass-ceramic with a patented anti-reflective surface treatment, contributing to advanced drop protection, in addition to an anti-reflective surface treatment and scratch resistance. The metal frame contains recycled aluminum armor for the first time.
Every device in the Galaxy S25 series uses at least 50% recycled cobalt for the battery. The Galaxy S25 is the first Galaxy smartphone with batteries made from recycled cobalt from old Galaxy devices or batteries that were discarded during the production process. Samsung goes through several stages with like-minded partners, from extracting cobalt from used batteries to reusing the recycled cobalt for the batteries of the Galaxy S25.
Software and updates
Fortunately, Samsung offers seven generations of upgrades to the Android operating system and seven years of security updates, neat.
Conclusion
With the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, Samsung once again shows that it is at the top of the list of providers of Android smartphones. If you have a Samsung device that is older than the S24 series, a switch is definitely worthwhile. Then of course you have to have the money for it. If you have a smartphone from the S24 series, One UI 7 will also be available for the better devices later this year.
Price and availability
The Galaxy S25 series can now be ordered. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray for a suggested retail price of € 1,449. Exclusively online in Titanium Pinkgold, Titanium Jetblack and Titanium Jadegreen. The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ are available in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint for a suggested retail price of €899 and €1,149 respectively. And exclusively online in Blueblack, Coralred and Pinkgold.
An exclusive promotion applies between January 22 and February 16 where you will receive a device with a larger memory capacity.
Since the beginning of January 2025, Rob Coenraads, editor-in-chief PC-Active, has discussed every Wednesday in Rob… a topic that concerns him, interests him or what he is experiencing. Read more about Rob here about…