- The Samsung Galaxy S25 is expected to be released in early 2025, possibly around January.
- It might feature a next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor for faster performance and improved battery life, along with upgraded cameras with Sony sensors.
- There are rumors that the S25 might see a price increase due to the upgraded components.
It's still early days, but the rumor mill is already churning out information about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Here's a dive into what we might expect from Samsung's next flagship phone lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Rumored Release Date
Samsung phones, especially Galaxy S series phones, are often released early in the year. In the past, Samsung usually brings out its top phones early in the year, often in January or February. The Galaxy S24 was shown off at Galaxy Unpacked on January 17, 2024, and it came out on January 31, 2024. So, based on this, we think the Galaxy S25 will probably be announced and released around the same time in 2025.
Samsung surprised everyone by announcing the Galaxy S24 a week earlier than the Galaxy S23. It's intriguing to see if they'll do the same for the Galaxy S25. If they do, it might coincide with their other announcements at CES 2025, creating some competition within their own lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: Rumored Prices
We don't think the Galaxy S25 will cost much different. Samsung introduced the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra for $799, $999, and $1,299 respectively. Only the S24 Ultra got pricier compared to last year. We expect the Galaxy S25 to have similar prices, but if Apple increases prices for its iPhone 16 in the fall, that could change things.
Rumored Specs
- Processor: The S25 is likely to be powered by the next-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. Rumors suggest this chip will reach a blazing-fast clock speed of 4GHz, thanks to a shift to a 3-nanometer manufacturing process. This could translate to smoother performance and better battery efficiency.
- Camera: Upgraded cameras are also on the horizon, possibly featuring improved Sony sensors for even better photo and video quality.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Design and Display
Samsung could change things up with the design of the Galaxy S25 by making its display slightly larger. A known leaker, Yeux1122, suggests that the Galaxy S25's screen might increase from the 6.2 inches of the Galaxy S24 to around 6.36 inches, which would match the rumored size of the iPhone 16 Pro's display. This would likely mean the phone would be a bit bigger to accommodate the larger screen, especially since Samsung reduced the bezels on the S24 compared to the S23.
Apart from the possibility of a larger display on the Galaxy S25, the overall design should remain familiar. The S25 and S25 Plus are expected to have the same armor aluminum frame, while the titanium frame should still be exclusive to the S25 Ultra. However, things could change as new leaks emerge.
Regarding their displays, Samsung emphasized that all versions of the Galaxy S24 offer 2,600-nit displays. However, in our own testing, they didn't come close to meeting those claims. Nevertheless, Samsung is likely to work on improving this feature with the Galaxy S25.
Most importantly, Samsung can't afford another display issue like the Mura effect seen on the Galaxy S24, which causes a clouding effect at low brightness settings. We confirmed this issue ourselves with the Galaxy S25 Plus and S25 Ultra, finding that both phones exhibited the Mura effect.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Performance
One of the earliest leaks regarding the Galaxy S25 suggests a significant speed boost, thanks to Qualcomm's upcoming chipset. It's expected that the Galaxy S25 will run on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, rumored to achieve a clocked speed of 4GHz, marking new territory and potentially giving the Galaxy S25 a competitive advantage. This is mainly because Qualcomm is reportedly transitioning to a 3-nanometer manufacturing process for its next-generation chip.
This development is quite exciting, especially considering the impressive processing power demonstrated by the Galaxy S24's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which reaches a clocked speed of 3.3GHz. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, we can anticipate even more robust performance and likely improved power efficiency. This is significant because the Galaxy S24 series didn't just show a marginal improvement in battery life but rather a substantial leap forward.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Cameras
Samsung has long been a leader in smartphone camera technology, as evidenced by the Galaxy S23 Ultra's dominance in our best camera phones list throughout 2023. However, things took a turn with the release of the Galaxy S24, notably due to the controversial decision to downgrade to a 5x optical zoom camera in the S24 Ultra.
Our zoom test revealed a noticeable difference between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Consequently, Samsung has its work cut out in redeeming itself with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Early rumors paint an appealing picture, suggesting upgrades such as an improved main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide angle camera (up from 12MP on the S24 Ultra), and a new telephoto camera with "variable capabilities."
Although the latter was initially rumored for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the S25 Ultra appears to be the more fitting candidate. This variable telephoto camera could potentially offer different zoom levels, akin to the recent Xiaomi 14 Ultra's variable aperture feature. Zoom functionality has always been a hallmark of the Ultra series, so we're hopeful that Samsung will deliver in this aspect to regain its standing.
Meanwhile, there are fewer rumors about the cameras in the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. However, one hint suggests Samsung might switch to a Sony camera sensor instead of the ISOCELL sensor used previously. Regardless of what materializes, Samsung cannot afford to fall short against the current top contender in our best camera phones list — the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Samsung Galaxy S25: Galaxy AI Features
Following the introduction of several Galaxy AI features with the S24, Samsung will need to innovate further for the Galaxy S25. We've extensively tested various Galaxy AI features like Instant Slow-mo, Generative Edit, and Voice Recorder Summaries, demonstrating their practical utility. While some of these features have proven to be genuinely useful, others teeter on the edge of novelty.
There haven't been any leaks regarding new Galaxy AI features expected to debut with the Galaxy S25. Nevertheless, the burning question on everyone's mind is how long these features will remain exclusive to the Galaxy S25 before potentially being rolled out to older models. This uncertainty arises because many Galaxy AI features once exclusive to the Galaxy S24 are now being made available to older Samsung phones through software updates.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy S series has a history of innovation, and the S25 looks set to continue that tradition. With a rumored next-gen processor and upgraded cameras, the S25 could be a significant leap forward. However, the potential price hike might give some buyers pause.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to wait for the S25 depends on your individual needs and budget. If you can't wait for the latest and greatest, the S24 is still a fantastic phone. But if you're a tech enthusiast who craves the newest features, keeping an eye out for the S25's official reveal in early 2025 is a wise move.
Important Disclaimer:
It's important to remember that these are all just rumors at this point. Samsung has yet to officially announce anything about the Galaxy S25 series. Specs and features could change, and the release date is not confirmed. We'll have to wait for Samsung's official announcement to know for sure what the Galaxy S25 series holds. Keep an eye out for news around January 2025 for the official unveiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will the Samsung Galaxy S25 be released?
We can't say for certain yet, but based on past releases, the Galaxy S25 is expected to be unveiled in early 2025, possibly around January.
2. What will the Samsung Galaxy S25 cost?
There are rumors that the upgraded components in the S25 might lead to a price increase. The current S24 series starts at $799, so the S25 might inch closer to the $800 mark or even surpass it.
3. What are the rumored specs of the Samsung Galaxy S25?
The S25 is expected to boast the next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor for blazing-fast performance and improved battery life. Upgraded cameras with improved Sony sensors are also a possibility.
4. Will the Samsung Galaxy S25 have the same design as the S24?
There have been some whispers about a bigger display for the base S25 model, but otherwise, details about the design are scarce. We'll have to wait for official leaks or announcements to know for sure.
5. Is it worth waiting for the Samsung Galaxy S25?
If you're looking for the absolute cutting edge in smartphone technology, waiting for the S25 with its next-gen processor and potentially improved cameras might be a good idea. However, if you need a new phone now and are happy with the S24's features, there's no need to hold off.
