The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is set to launch in January 2025, with the official announcement expected around January 22 or 23. The series will include the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra models, with rumors suggesting a minimal slim version could also be introduced later. This new series will bring a few notable improvements over the Galaxy S24 lineup.
Performance
The S25 Ultra is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which should offer faster and more efficient performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra. The S25 Ultra might also come with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 12GB in the S24 Ultra. The standard S25 and S25 Plus could also feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite instead of Samsung’s own Exynos chips, as Exynos 2500 chips may not be ready in time for launch due to production delays.
Display
Both the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra are expected to feature a 6.8inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness. So, there may not be major differences in display specs between the two generations. However, the S25 series may feature slimmer bezels and possibly a slightly improved M13 OLED technology for better efficiency.
Camera
The S24 Ultra has a 200MP primary sensor and 12MP ultrawide, but the S25 Ultra is expected to upgrade the ultrawide camera to 50MP (up from 12MP in the S24 Ultra). The 200MP main sensor and 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom are likely to stay the same. The S25 Ultra might also improve the telephoto lens with variable focal lengths, offering more flexibility in zooming, though the S24 Ultra already has impressive zoom capabilities with its 3x and 5x optical zoom lenses.
Design
The S25 Ultra is rumored to have a slimmer profile with curved edges to improve handling, addressing complaints about the bulkier, abstract design of the S24 Ultra. While the overall design will remain similar, with the titanium frame and quad-camera setup, the S25 Ultra might feel sleeker and more ergonomic. The S25 and S25 Plus could have rounded corners, while the Ultra might go for a boxier design for a more premium look.
Battery
The S25 Ultra will likely keep the same 5,000mAh battery as the S24 Ultra, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and additional RAM in the S25 Ultra could offer better power efficiency, potentially resulting in longer battery life despite no increase in battery capacity.
Software
The S25 series will run on Android 15 with OneUI 7, bringing new AIdriven features and a smoother experience compared to the Android 14based OneUI 6 on the S24 series. These changes should improve user experience and device responsiveness.
New Model (Slim)
There are rumors that Samsung might introduce a slim version of the S25 series to compete with Apple’s slimmer iPhone 17. If this model is introduced, it will likely be thinner and lighter than the standard S25 models, with possible compromises in performance (slower processor), camera specs, and battery life.
Conclusion
While the Galaxy S25 Ultra won’t majorly differ from the S24 Ultra in terms of display or main camera specs, it will feature important upgrades, such as:
- A new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for better performance and efficiency.
- An increase in RAM from 12GB to 16GB for better multitasking.
- A 50MP ultrawide camera replacing the 12MP sensor.
- A slimmer design with curved edges for better handling.
The S25 and S25 Plus will also benefit from these improvements, with all models potentially using Qualcomm chips this year instead of Exynos, due to supply issues. Overall, the S25 series will offer a more refined experience over the S24 series, with better performance, battery life, and camera features, making it a solid upgrade for those looking for the latest Samsung flagship.
