Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+: A Conservative Approach That Prioritizes AI and the Snapdragon 8 Elite

On Wednesday, Samsung unveiled its refreshed flagship devices. The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25+, along with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, debuted at the South Korean company’s annual Galaxy Unpacked event.

Both the Galaxy S25 and the S25+ take a conservative approach, conveying a clear message: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The phones differ from last year’s models, but perhaps not as much as expected. The most significant change is the addition of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, which emphasizes the manufacturer’s strong focus on AI capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy S25+ and S25 Specs

Almost No Changes in the Design, Cameras, and Hardware

There are only a few changes in the design of the new devices, which closely resemble their predecessors. The dimensions are almost identical, with only minor adjustments, particularly in thickness. The Galaxy S25 is slimmer at 7.2 mm, while the S25+ measures 7.3 mm thick. In comparison, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ were 7.6 mm and 7.7 mm thick, respectively.

This reduction in thickness also affects the weight, which is slightly decreased. The S25 weights 162 grams compared to the S24’s 167 grams, while the S25+ weights 190 grams compared to the S24+’s 196 grams. Overall, the new devices will be quite difficult to distinguish from their predecessors, although Samsung claims they feature a slightly more rounded design for improved grip.

The phones’ rear designs are virtually identical. Additionally, the camera module has remained the same as last year’s models. The specs are also the same, including a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens. The front camera also retains the 12 MP sensor.

It’s particularly noteworthy that Samsung hasn’t modified any of the sensors. Although they performed exceptionally well last year, this usually serves as an important factor for consumers when considering new devices. However, this time, it seems less compelling.

Samsung has changed the phones’ SoC, which now features the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. The chip promises significant performance improvements: a 40% increase in NPU performance, a 37% boost in CPU performance, and a 30% enhancement in GPU performance compared to the previous version.

This remarkable power is crucial for enabling the AI features that Samsung aims to highlight in these devices. Additionally, the entire range now has 12 GB of RAM, up from 8 GB in the Galaxy S24 entry model last year.

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Showing Off One UI 7 and the AI Features

The new Galaxy S25 and S25+ will run on Android 15 and One UI 7. Samsung’s new skin version introduces several visual changes to the interface, including updates to icons, notifications, and animations. Additionally, the new phones will support exciting new features that emphasize a strong commitment to AI functionalities.

One notable addition is the App Lock feature, which enhances privacy. On the S24, the Secure Folder option created a duplicate of an app accessible only from within that folder. However, App Lock completely secures an app, making it ideal for protecting sensitive apps like banking or dating apps.

One UI 7’s AI capabilities are a major highlight. For instance, an updated version of Circle to Search is now integrated into Google Search. This will allow the device to recognize phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs displayed on the screen quickly.

Additionally, Samsung has improved the phones’ understanding of natural language. According to the company, users will be able to easily find specific photos in the Gallery or adjust font sizes in Settings just by asking.

A physical button on the side of the device activates Gemini, the AI model that interacts seamlessly with Google and Samsung apps. Gemini can also interact with third-party apps like Spotify. The Now Brief feature provides daily suggestions and relevant information based on the user’s context.

The phones use the same AI model to enhance photography and videography. The Audio Eraser feature allows users to easily remove unwanted background noises from videos, isolating sounds such as wind, music, and ambient noise.

Moreover, the Galaxy S25 models offer depth-of-field control through a feature called Virtual Aperture. It allows users to achieve cinematic quality when recording videos with the Galaxy Log format.

Galaxy S25 and S25+ Models and Pricing

The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will be available in four standard colors: Silver Shadow, Navy, Icy Blue, and Mint. Additionally, Samsung’s official website will feature three web-only colors: Pink Gold, Blue Black, and Coral Red.

The new high-end devices are currently available for pre-order and will be released on Feb. 7.

Here’s a breakdown of their official prices:

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (12 GB + 128 GB): $799.99
• Samsung Galaxy S25 (12 GB + 256 GB): $859.99
• Samsung Galaxy S25+ (12 GB + 256 GB): $999.99
• Samsung Galaxy S25+ (12 GB + 512 GB): $1,119.99

Image | Xataka | Samsung

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