Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: Sleek, Durable & Worth Every Penny

Samsung Galaxy S25 was launched on February 7, 2025 under the Samsung Galaxy S25 series which has three models—Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series came with enhanced AI capabilities, improved performance, and a refined design. Our friends at Samsung Mobile Kenya provided us with the Galaxy S25, the base model, for review, and we love the experience already. We will explore its features and performance below. This is the third week with the device, and we like what it offers. We know you will too.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy S25 has a sleek design with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and an aluminum 7000 series frame, giving it enhanced durability plus a premium aluminum feel. The hardware gives the phone the additional structural integrity needed to reduce breakages, bending or damage. The phone comes in several colors, including Navy, Silver Shadow, Icy Blue, and Mint and is a very lightweight device weighing just 162g.

It is 7.2mm thick and very comfortable in the hand and pocket. It’s grip makes it the perfect phone for modern user both for work and entertainment. It fits in one hand perfectly and it smoothness makes one it hard for one to put it down. The IP68 rating gives it high dust and water friendly phone. It can be immersed in water immersion up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Base Edition comes equipped with a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels with HDR10+ certification making it great for both media consumption and productivity. It’s safe on the eyes with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits and a 10-bit color depth, offering true-to-life color reproduction and clarity under direct sunlight. The LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz, optimizing battery life while ensuring smooth visuals. W

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform (or Exynos 2500 in select regions), built on a 3nm architecture for superior power efficiency. The chipset features an octa-core CPU with one Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.36GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 3.15GHz, and four Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 2.2GHz. The Adreno 830 GPU delivers a significant leap in graphical performance, supporting hardware-accelerated ray tracing for enhanced gaming experiences. Coupled with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants, the device ensures blazing-fast read and write speeds. However, it lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

Battery Life and Charging

The Galaxy S25 houses a 4,000mAh battery with improved energy efficiency thanks to the 3nm processor. The device supports 25W wired fast charging via USB-C PD 3.0, 15W Qi wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for accessories. The adaptive power-saving mode dynamically adjusts background processes to extend battery longevity.

Camera

The triple-camera setup on the Galaxy S25 consists of:

• 50MP Primary Sensor (f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel AF) – Captures intricate details with enhanced low-light performance.
• 12MP Ultra-Wide Sensor (f/2.2, 123° field of view) – Expands the scene with edge distortion correction.
• 10MP Telephoto Sensor (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS) – Offers optical zoom for distant subjects with digital enhancements.

AI-powered computational photography improves dynamic range and texture mapping, ensuring sharper details in low-light conditions. The device supports 8K@30fps and 4K@60fps video recording with improved HDR processing and AI-based stabilization.

Software

Running on Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 introduces Gemini AI, a proprietary assistant that provides real-time contextual suggestions and AI-powered automation. One UI 7 also features:

• Edge Panel for quick access to apps and tools
• Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience
• Samsung Knox for enhanced security, including a dedicated Secure Folder
• AI-driven optimizations for adaptive battery management and camera enhancements

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Galaxy S25 is equipped with the latest connectivity features, including:

• 5G SA/NSA support with improved mmWave and sub-6GHz compatibility
• Wi-Fi 7 support for faster wireless networking speeds
• Bluetooth 5.4 for high-efficiency audio streaming
• Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for precise device tracking
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 for faster data transfers,NFC

Pricing and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is available for purchase starting at $800 for the base model with 128GB of storage. Pricing varies by region and configuration, with carrier-locked and unlocked options available globally through online and offline retailers. Locally, the Recommended Retail Price for the the Galaxy S25 Base is Ksh 116,200 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage version and Ksh 108,300 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB version.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy S25 refines the flagship experience with a balance of cutting-edge hardware and software optimizations. While it does not introduce radical design changes from its predecessor, its AI enhancements, superior performance, and refined camera system make it a compelling choice. For tech enthusiasts and professionals alike, the Galaxy S25 delivers a top-tier smartphone experience that is both future-proof and practical.

Pros & Cons

Pros: Stunning LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate Flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Elite / Exynos 2500 performance AI-enhanced photography with improved night mode and video stabilization One UI 7 with Android 15 and Gemini AI integration Wi-Fi 7, UWB, and 5G connectivity IP68 rating for water and dust resistance

Cons: No major design overhaul from the S24 series Lack of expandable storage (no microSD card slot) Limited 25W fast charging compared to competitors offering 45W+ speeds

Final Rating: (4.8/5)

For those seeking a reliable, high-performance smartphone that pushes the envelope in AI innovation and efficiency, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a top-tier contender. Whether for gaming, photography, or professional productivity, this device is built to excel.

Comparison of the S25, S25+ and the S25 Ultra