Execs
- Greatest display screen on any cellphone
- Versatile cameras
- Strongest cellphone I’ve examined
- Good battery life
Cons
- $1,300 worth
- Design is nearly too minimal
- AI options are hit-or-miss
- S25/S25 Plus have related options and value much less
With the brand new Galaxy S25 Extremely in my hand, I stand within the foyer of the LinkedIn constructing in San Francisco, which occurs to be a POPOS: a privately owned public open area. It is a attractive corridor, with lengthy operating panels of blonde wooden on the ceiling and again wall. I take advantage of Samsung’s new ultrawide digicam to seize a dramatic photograph of the foyer, and I am happy with the way it seems. The ultrawide’s lens makes the area’s lengthy strains seem like they go on for eternity, and I may even make out particulars within the wooden grain. To maintain the constructive vibes flowing, I resolve so as to add the photograph to the S25 Extremely’s new Gemini AI assistant, and check the “Speak Dwell about this” characteristic. That is when issues go sideways.
With the boldness of a 6-year-old telling a lie, Gemini explains that my photograph is of the Miner Auditorium on the de Younger Museum. Enjoyable truth: The de Younger Museum does not have a Miner Auditorium. Much more enjoyable truth: There is a Miner Auditorium at SFJazz, however my photograph was taken in LinkedIn’s foyer. To cite Charlie Brown, “Good grief!”
That is our AI future.
Here is an ultrawide picture I took with the Galaxy S25 Extremely indoors in a public area within the LinkedIn constructing in San Francisco.
At a time when firms push AI as the principle attraction of their merchandise, Samsung launches the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Extremely and touts the hell out of its AI options, the most effective of that are attention-grabbing and the worst of which, effectively, see above. Fortunately, Samsung will get a number of different issues proper on the S25 Extremely, which has a brand new processor, high-resolution ultrawide digicam, and a few candy professional video instruments that rival the iPhone 16 Professional. Samsung properly saved all the most effective elements of final 12 months’s Galaxy S24 Extremely (mainly the complete cellphone) however a few of its worst elements, too, just like the $1,300 price ticket.
Notably, the S25 Extremely marks one other step away from the Galaxy Be aware influenced design that Samsung has embraced because the S22 Extremely. Samsung’s refinements to the Galaxy S25 Extremely really feel a bit like Pete Davidson getting all his tattoos eliminated: I miss these chaotic, wild days from them each a couple of years in the past. The place’s the Samsung that really printed “Area Zoom 100x” on the S20 Extremely’s digicam bump? Or the Samsung that made an almost three-minute video explaining how black the Phantom Black Galaxy S21 Extremely was?
The result’s that the S25 Extremely is lighter and extra comfy to carry, but additionally about as thrilling to have a look at as somebody carrying a pair of Dockers and a polo shirt. The Galaxy S25 Extremely is undoubtedly a beautiful cellphone — its efficiency is jaw-dropping and it provides essentially the most versatile cellphone digicam you’ll find immediately. However before you purchase one, take into account why you’d wish to.
Galaxy S25 Extremely: Must you purchase it?
If you wish to get the S25 Extremely for its AI options, do not. Whereas Samsung and Google’s AI does give you squint-your-eyes glimpses at what may very well be, they don’t seem to be the explanation you purchase an Extremely – a minimum of this 12 months.
The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s attraction is muddied by its $1,300, £1,249 and AU$2,149 worth. The common Galaxy S25 has the identical performance, energy and longevity, and it prices $500 much less. Need a greater display screen? Think about the Galaxy S25 Plus. For almost all of individuals, the common Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus will probably be a greater match.
The explanation to get the Extremely over its S25 siblings is its display screen, which is actually the most effective I’ve seen on any cellphone, and the cameras, that are a step above what the S25 and S25 Plus have. Added video options like capability to document in Log format will get the Extremely as shut because it’s ever been to the iPhone when it comes to skilled video seize.
However $1,300 is quite a bit, and this cellphone does not even fold in half.
If in case you have a Galaxy S22 Extremely or older, the S25 Extremely will seem to be a major improve. It is more durable to make that case for S23 Extremely homeowners, who, until their cellphone’s battery is ailing or they’ll rating an unimaginable low cost, ought to in any other case sit this one out. And for you S24 Extremely homeowners, you do not want this cellphone. Save your cash and deal with your self to a pleasant steak dinner and a film.
S25 Extremely software program and Galaxy AI
After I wake the cellphone, I am greeted with the brand new Now Bar on the backside of the lock display screen. I just like the carousel interface, which exhibits a shortcut to my Now Temporary and knowledge from different background apps like instructions from Google Maps or the stay rating of an NBA sport. However not like the iPhone and its Dwell Actions, the Now Bar is restricted and might’t monitor a rideshare.
Now Temporary is a brand new interface/widget that lives on the house display screen and is all about you. It makes use of information out of your cellphone together with your calendar, e-mail and photographs, in addition to related gadgets like a Galaxy Watch, to provide you a snapshot initially of your day or as your day progresses. In concept, it ought to get to know you higher over time, however after two weeks of testing, it largely simply exhibits me the climate, my calendar, photographs I took and a random information story which most of the time is tied to politics. I do not wish to examine Mike Lindell after I first get up – or ever, actually.
However it’s the Extremely’s cross-app performance by way of Gemini that has essentially the most potential. I can ask Gemini in a single immediate to seek for upcoming Air Jordan 1 sneaker drops and add them to a be aware, and it really works. I had Gemini search my e-mail for a listing of upcoming soccer practices and add every follow to my calendar. Once more, no problemo.
All three Galaxy S25 fashions have the identical AI options. That is one space the place Samsung may have helped the Extremely stand out from its siblings by having a novel AI characteristic that the others do not. Facet be aware: You are able to do a number of this on different Android telephones by simply utilizing Gemini and Google apps. However the problem, like with a number of AI, is when issues go haywire.
I requested Gemini to discover a GIF of Homer Simpson strolling backward into bushes and ship it to a buddy. It discovered a hyperlink to the GIF on-line and despatched it to my buddy, however it forgot to incorporate the precise hyperlink. So my buddy acquired a message that learn, “Here’s a hyperlink to a GIF on-line of Homer Simpson strolling again into bushes.”
Past reliability, one other impediment to this hybrid on-line/on-device assistant is us. We’re used to the one-step-at-a-time actuality that our telephones have had for almost 20 years. So having a digital assistant that is able to extra complicated queries goes to take some rewiring in our brains earlier than we will absolutely make the most of it.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely design
The S Pen is again, however with out Bluetooth connectivity.
The S25 Extremely now has flat sides, which makes me really feel extra assured that it will not slip out of my hand. Samsung lowered the general mass in comparison with earlier variations, too. The cellphone is 15 grams lighter than the S24 Extremely, which makes the S25 Extremely appear much less like I am carrying a tech-infused brick round with me.
Samsung elevated the display screen actual property an additional tenth of an inch to six.9 inches, due to thinner bezels. This, together with an antireflective coating, make the S25 Extremely’s display screen my favourite on any cellphone. Content material appears immersive even with one thing as mundane as a information or social feed. Utilizing it open air to take an image is implausible as a result of it is vivid, and the dearth of glare does not intervene with seeing what the photographs I am taking are going to seem like, even in direct daylight.
The S Pen not has Bluetooth connectivity, and as a consequence does not have the Air Actions discovered on earlier S Pens for the Extremely and Be aware collection. If you do not know what Air Actions are, you are not alone, as apparently lower than 1% of Extremely homeowners ever used them. The shortage of Bluetooth signifies that the S Pen can’t be used as a distant digicam shutter both.
Galaxy S25 Extremely: New ultrawide digicam, who dis?
The Galaxy S25 Extremely has 4 lenses on the again: a large, an ultrawide, a 3X telephoto and a 5X telephoto. On the entrance is a 12-megapixel selfie digicam. The entire cameras, besides the ultrawide, are the identical as what the S24 Extremely has and take simply as wonderful photographs.
I wish to concentrate on what’s new, and on the high of that record is the S25 Extremely’s 50-megapixel ultrawide digicam. It is merely wonderful for a cellphone. The lens hits that candy spot between distorting issues in-frame sufficient to look dramatic with out giving photographs that warped-edge fisheye look. The upper decision sensor captures a number of element. The dynamic vary is nice, however nonetheless a step down from the 200-megapixel predominant digicam.
Listed here are a couple of of my favourite ultrawide snaps:
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I took this on the tail finish of blue hour, and am impressed how the ultrawide digicam dealt with the shadows on this dim scene (you’ll be able to distinguish the tree from the darkish constructing on the left).
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It is a tough scene for any cellphone digicam to deal with. However the S25 Extremely does job balancing the publicity, folks shifting and shifting and the assorted textures inside this cafe.
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As a result of the ultrawide digicam will get the next decision sensor, macro photographs, like of this succulent plant, have much more element and textures.
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This photograph was taken with the S25 Extremely’s ultrawide digicam.
Check out the photograph under of Peebles the cat that I took with the ultrawide. Regardless of Peebles dashing to his window mattress, the cellphone caught a ton of element in his fur and whiskers. This picture has some difficult lighting, with sunshine pouring by way of the window on the left into an in any other case darkish room. Discover the picture noise within the shadows on the proper aspect. Good? No, however the element and lens dramatic distortion make up for it.
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The S25 Extremely’s ultrawide offers Peebles the cat a dramatic look as he strikes to see out the window.
Under is a picture I took with the ultrawide of a water sculpture early within the morning. The flowing water appears like glass contrasted in opposition to the stone. This picture is over-sharpened, however I like how the solar flare appears within the high proper nook.
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Whereas the ultrawide digicam is not clinically excellent (and continues to be a step down in comparison with the principle digicam) it may well produce gorgeous pictures like this of water flowing down the stone steps.
The S25 Extremely’s ultrawide doubles as a macro lens, permitting it to get near a topic whereas retaining issues in focus – it even crops the picture’s body to match that of the principle digicam. Within the photograph under of a Godzilla toy on a window sill, the monster’s plastic texture exhibits up effectively. Additionally the S25 Extremely balanced exposing the picture of Godzilla with out blowing out the highlights of the sky and cityscape within the window.
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Macro pictures will get a pleasant increase, due to that new 50-megapixel sensor.
Galaxy S25 Extremely video recording, Log assist
On the left is the S25 Extremely and its new zoom controls for video. On the proper is the S24 Extremely and its outdated zoom dial for video recording.
Samsung nailed the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s video options. There is a new zoom slider constructed for video recording, which makes doing a protracted regular zoom really feel extra managed than the earlier zoom dial.
There’s the Audio Eraser instrument that helps you decrease background noise, like music or wind, and makes your topic’s voice stand out extra. I attempted this instrument at a number of totally different locations and was impressed with the outcomes each time. However do not get me incorrect, this would possibly not take away all background noises. I imply, it may well, however that often ends in the topic’s voice sounding odd and digitized.
Samsung improved night time time video seize on the S25 Extremely, and it is noticeable, particularly in comparison with the S24 Extremely. Although cellphone video recorded in low-light on any cellphone continues to be OK at greatest.
The S25 Extremely can document video in Log format – that is aimed toward filmmakers and inventive sorts, and most of the people will doubtless skip attempting it out. Log video appears flat and desaturated however it retains extra picture info for highlights and shadows, permitting for higher flexibility to edit colours and retain dynamic vary after recording.
S25 Extremely battery and efficiency
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely in a magnetic charging stand with a Galaxy Watch Extremely.
On the coronary heart of the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a customized model of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM. In on a regular basis use, animations look easy, video video games look unimaginable and AI runs rapidly. Samsung really made enhancements to its photograph AI instruments by having them run on-device, as an alternative of within the cloud and the elevated velocity is certainly noticeable.
However when it comes to absolute energy, the S25 Extremely, its customized chip and its bigger cooling system result in some completely wild efficiency. Within the Geekbench 6 benchmark check for the CPU, the S25 Extremely scored increased than any cellphone we have ever examined, together with the OnePlus 13 and iPhone 16 Professional. The identical is true with regards to the 3DMark Wild Life Excessive benchmark check for graphics.
Geekbench v.6.0
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely 3,053 9,707Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely 2,202 6,721OnePlus 13 3,091 9,362Apple iPhone 16 Professional 3,507 8,750
3DMark Wild Life Excessive
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely 6,950Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely 4,415OnePlus 13 6,762Apple iPhone 16 Professional 4,672
3DMark Wild Life Excessive — body charge
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely 41.62Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely 26.4OnePlus 13 40.5Apple iPhone 16 Professional 28
Remember, you will not make the most of all of this energy proper now. However as extra AI options roll out or as new variations of OneUI/Android are launched, this cellphone ought to have the ability to deal with something you’ll be able to throw at it for years.
So with an even bigger display screen, extra AI and a quicker processor, you may marvel how the Extremely’s 5,000-mAh battery holds up. Over the 2 weeks I had the cellphone, it reliably made it by way of a full day on a single cost – typically with 30% of its cost left. There have been even a couple of days the place the cellphone lasted effectively right into a second day earlier than needing to be topped off. I’m nonetheless operating CNET’s battery exams and can replace this overview with the outcomes.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely within a magnetic case, with a pockets accent connected.
When it comes to charging, the Galaxy S25 Extremely helps 45W wired charging (wall plug not included within the field) and 15W wi-fi charging, the identical because the Qi2 commonplace. However the cellphone lacks Qi2’s built-in magnetic profile required to make use of a slew of magnetic equipment — form of.
Samsung is promoting instances for the Extremely which have magnets constructed into them. So you’ll be able to add a magnetic pockets to the again. Or have the Extremely charging on a magnetic energy stand (if solely the Extremely had the iPhone’s Standby Mode).
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely: Last ideas
The Extremely within the cellphone’s identify signifies that the S25 Extremely is meant to be extremely at the whole lot when it comes to specs: Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 12GB of RAM, 5,000-mAh battery, two telephoto cameras, a stylus and, the true star of the cellphone, that display screen. However the identical will be mentioned of final 12 months’s S24 Extremely, and a number of what I simply listed will be discovered on the common S25 and S25 Plus.
If you would like the most effective display screen you’ll find on any cellphone, get the S25 Extremely. If you would like essentially the most versatile cellphone cameras, get the S25 Extremely. If you would like a stylus, get the S25 Extremely. But when your wants reduce on any of these fronts, the extra reasonably priced S25 choices, and even final 12 months’s S24 Extremely, could also be price contemplating.
All that to say, ensure you want an Extremely before you purchase one, as a result of Samsung has made its different telephones simply pretty much as good because the S25 Extremely in just about each different means.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9 Professional XL, OnePlus 13
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely | Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S25 | Google Pixel 9 Professional XL | OnePlus 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show dimension, tech, decision, refresh charge | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh charge | 6.7-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh charge | 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh charge | 6.8-inch LTPO OLED; 2,992×1,344 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh charge | 6.82-inch AMOLED; 3,168×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh charge |
| Pixel density | 501 ppi | 509 ppi | 416 ppi | 486 ppi | 510 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 in. | 6.24 x 2.98 x 0.29 in. | 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 in. | 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 in. | 6.41×3.01×0.33 in. (arctic daybreak/black eclipse); 6.41×3.01×0.35 in. (midnight ocean) |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm | 162.9×76.5×8.5mm (arctic daybreak/black eclipse); 162.9×76.5×8.9mm (midnight ocean) |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 218 g (7.69 oz.) | 190 g (6.70 oz.) | 162 g (5.71 oz.) | 221 g (7.8 oz.) | 213g (7.51 oz.) — arctic daybreak/black eclipse; 210g (7.4 oz.) — midnight ocean |
| Cell software program | Android 15 | Android 15 | Android 15 | Android 14 | Android 15 |
| Digicam | 200-megapixel (vast), 50-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto) | 50-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) | 50-megapixel (vast), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) | 50-megapixel (vast), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto) | 50 megapixel (vast), 50 megapixel (3x telephoto), 50 megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Entrance-facing digicam | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 42-megapixel | 32 megapixel |
| Video seize | 8K | 8K | 8K | 4K | 8K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Google Tensor G4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM + storage | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB | 16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 12GB + 256GB; 16GB + 512GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | None | None | No |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 4,900 mAh | 4,000 mAh | 5,060 mAh | 6,000 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Underneath show | Underneath show | Underneath show | Underneath show | Underneath show |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None | None |
| Particular options | Titanium body, 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; built-in S Pen; UWB for locating different gadgets; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Armor cowl glass; ultrawideband | 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; ultrawideband | 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7 | Satellite tv for pc SOS; 7 years of OS, safety and Pixel characteristic drops; IP68 mud and water resistance; Video Enhance with 8K Upscaling; Macro Concentrate on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 45W quick charging (charger not included); 15W wi-fi charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wi-fi Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Greatest Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor | 80W SuperVooc wired charging, 50W AirVooc wi-fi charging, alert slider, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IP68 and IP69 licensed, Ceramic Guard, Aqua Contact 2.0, 4 years of software program updates, 6 years of safety updates, LTPO 4.1 show |
| US worth begins at | $1,300 (256GB) | $1,000 (256GB) | $800 (128GB) | $1,099 (128GB) | $900 (12GB + 256GB); $1,000 (16GB + 512GB) |
| UK worth begins at | £1,249 (256GB) | £999 (256GB) | £799 (128GB) | £1,099 (128GB) | £899 (12GB + 256GB); £999 (16GB + 512GB) |
| Australia worth begins at | AU$2,149 (256GB) | AU$1,699 (256GB) | AU$1,399 (256GB) | AU$1,699 (128GB) | N/A |
How we check telephones
Each cellphone examined by CNET’s critiques workforce was really utilized in the true world. We check a cellphone’s options, play video games and take photographs. We study the show to see if it is vivid, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and enjoying graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.
All of the cameras are examined in quite a lot of circumstances from vivid daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like night time mode and portrait mode and evaluate our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally try the battery life through the use of it each day in addition to operating a collection of battery drain exams.
We bear in mind further options like assist for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus assist, quick charging speeds and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. We stability all of this in opposition to the worth to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter worth it’s, really represents good worth. Whereas these exams could not at all times be mirrored in CNET’s preliminary overview, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.
