Samsung Galaxy S25 long term review – Perfect for people looking for a compact smartphone

Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 series in January 2025, with 3 devices. The mighty S25 Ultra, the S25+, and the youngest brother of the lot – the S25. A compact smartphone, the regular S25 is what I call big surprise in a small package. Essentially because it is powered by the same SoC that powers Ultra. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. But what works in it’s favor is the form factor. In a world where compact smartphones are a rare species, the S25 adds a breath of fresh air into the system. But there are more things that make it special, along with certain speed bumps. I tell you that in my long-term review.

Price & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes in two variants: 12GB RAM + 256GB storage priced at Rs 80,999, and 12GB RAM + 512GB storage available for Rs 92,999.

Design & Display

Samsung Galaxy S25’s biggest USP for me is the form factor which it delivers blazing-fast performance. I can compare it to a rally car which is overpowered for its size. Yes, there are certain drawbacks that I talk about in the performance section, but the fun quotient remains high. It is compact, takes less real estate in your pocket, and feels solid in the hand.

The device comes with an IP68 dust & water-resistant rating, which means it can take punishment. For the sake of testing I had put the device under a running tap yet, it worked seamlessly. The armor aluminum 2 frame also adds to the experience of using the device. It’s lightweight but makes the presence felt. The variant with me is in the icyblue color, which is a lighter shade of blue. I found it a decent colorway that can be acceptable for both funky and simple folks. But if you want a more subtle color then I suggest going for the white or black variant.

Now coming to the display – it comes with a 6.1-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, with a max refresh rate of 120Hz. Samsung is a master of making the best displays on this planet, irrespective of it’s size.

The Samsung Galaxy S25’s display is smooth and responsive, making everyday use feel effortless. With a peak brightness of 2600 nits, it stays clear even in bright outdoor conditions. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ helps protect against minor scratches, adding some durability. However, the compact size might make typing a bit tricky for those with larger hands. While watching content is generally more enjoyable on bigger screens, the smaller form factor makes it easy to carry around, whether for a quick scroll or a run.There is also under display finger print sensor which is an ultrasonic unit. Super quick to register and even faster to unlock.

Software & Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S25 runs on Android 15 out of the box with One UI 7, introducing a range of Galaxy AI features that enhance everyday tasks. Live Translate makes real-time conversations smoother by instantly translating phone calls and messages, breaking down language barriers effortlessly. Circle to Search is a handy tool that lets you look up anything on your screen by simply circling it—whether it’s an object, text, or even a product you’re curious about. The built-in transcription feature also works well, converting speech to text with impressive accuracy, making it useful for meetings, interviews, or quick note-taking.

The most impressive addition, though, is Gemini Live, which takes multitasking to the next level. It works across different applications, letting you fetch information from the internet and instantly share it via another app—all with just voice commands. Need to send an address to a friend? Just ask Gemini to find it and share it on WhatsApp. Want to schedule an event? It can pull details and add them to your calendar without you lifting a finger. This level of cross-app integration makes the AI assistant genuinely useful rather than just a gimmick.

Another major advantage of the Galaxy S25 is its long-term software support. With seven years of OS and security updates, Samsung is making this device a solid long-term investment, ensuring it stays up to date with new features and security improvements for years to come.

The Galaxy S25 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the same chipset found in the S25 Ultra. It’s incredibly powerful and breezes through daily tasks without breaking a sweat. More impressively, it handles demanding games like COD: Mobile, Genshin Impact, and BGMI with ease, maintaining smooth frame rates throughout.

However, I found the device to be a bit overpowered for its size. After about 30 minutes of gaming, the phone gets noticeably warm—not enough to disrupt gameplay, but enough to be felt. While heat management is something you can work around, the real concern with the S25 is battery performance, particularly charging speeds.

The 4,000mAh battery offers a daily screen-on time of over five hours, which is respectable. But the charging speeds lag behind the competition. The phone supports 25W wired charging and 15W Qi 2 wireless charging, taking around 1 hour and 10 minutes to go from 0-100%. This isn’t ideal, especially when competitors are pushing 45W or higher. I raised the same issue in my S25 Ultra review, and I hope Samsung improves in this area in future models.

The variant with me packs in 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage which is sufficient. However it is available in 512GB storage variant as well, if you are a fan of on device storage, then I suggest going for this one.

Camera Review – Samsung Galaxy S25

The Samsung Galaxy S25 offers a versatile camera setup, featuring a 50MP primary sensor (f/1.8, OIS), a 10MP telephoto lens (3x optical zoom, OIS, f/2.4), and a 12MP ultrawide camera (f/2.2, 120° FOV). On the front, the 12MP selfie camera (f/2.2) ensures sharp and well-balanced shots.

In outdoor conditions, the camera delivers vibrant colors, sharp details, and strong dynamic range, effectively handling bright sunlight without overexposing highlights. The 3x optical zoom adds flexibility for capturing distant subjects while maintaining image clarity. Indoors, the S25 performs well under artificial lighting, preserving natural colors with minimal noise. Low-light photography benefits from OIS and Samsung’s AI-powered Night Mode, which helps brighten images and retain detail, though extreme low-light shots may introduce some grain.

When it comes to video performance, the Galaxy S25 can record up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, delivering crisp and detailed footage. Super Steady mode ensures smooth handheld videos, making it ideal for vlogging or casual shooting. In daylight, videos are sharp with vibrant colors, while low-light footage remains decent, though some noise can appear in darker settings. The 12MP front camera supports 4K recording, producing detailed and natural-looking selfie videos, making it a strong option for content creators who need high-quality front-camera footage.

The Galaxy AI features further enhance the camera experience. Drawing Assist helps refine sketches and edits, while AI Eraser allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos effortlessly. For videos, Audio Eraser can clean up background noise, making recordings clearer. With these smart tools, the Galaxy S25 becomes an even more efficient option for those who create content on the go.

Verdict-

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a great choice for those seeking a compact smartphone with long-term software support. It offers powerful performance, the latest OS, and a versatile camera setup, making it a well-rounded device. While the charging speed is slower than some competitors, it’s not a dealbreaker, especially given the phone’s overall efficiency.

If you prefer a larger display and a bigger battery, the Galaxy S25+ is worth considering. It delivers the same core experience as the S25 but with improved battery life and a more immersive screen.