Back to Snapdragon: Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions

Back to Snapdragon: Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions

Initial verdict: While they look similar to their predecessor, we welcome Samsung’s decision to go all-out Snapdragon with the Galaxy S25 and S25+, along with the base model getting more RAM and storage.

Pros

  • Snapdragon across the entire line
  • Base S25 gets 12GB RAM by default

Cons

  • Not any different from the Galaxy S24 series

If the upgrades on the Galaxy S25 Ultra are subtle, the upgrades on the Galaxy S25 and S25+ are even less noticeable. Aside from improved Galaxy AI features, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ returns to team Snapdragon.

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions Philippines: Design

If you put the Galaxy S24 and S25 side-by-side, you’ll barely notice any difference save for different color options. While some may call out Samsung for being boring with their design language, others like the more minimalist approach especially with the camera modules.

Since the overall design is the same, you also get the same aluminum frame and glass back, along with an IP68 rating.

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions Philippines: Display

Just like with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, both the S25 and S25+ have slimmer bezels to fit in more screen estate: 6.2-inches for the Galaxy S25, and 6.7-inches for the Galaxy S25+. Other than the slimmer bezels, both have AMOLED panels with a 120hz refresh rate, along with Full HD+ resolution on the Galaxy S25 and WQHD+ resolution on the Galaxy S25+.

 

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions Philippines: Cameras

There are no changes with the cameras on both phones, and they are the same set of shooters that Samsung has used since the Galaxy S22. We wished for some camera upgrade like what the Galaxy S25 Ultra got for its ultrawide camera, but Samsung is a believer of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”.

Again, we don’t have camera samples yet since we handled engineering units, but expect to see them when we get our hands on a retail unit.

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions Philippines: Internals, Software

There’s a bit of good news on both phones, as they are also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy like the S25 Ultra. The base S25 finally gets 12GB RAM and 256GB storage as the lowest option–Samsung finally drops the 128GB variant, realizing that’s not enough for most users in 2025.

Galaxy AI is once again the main highlight, and some of the new features Samsung demonstrated are practical for day-to-day use.

While we appreciate those subtle upgrades, the same can’t be said for the battery, as the Galaxy S25 and S25+ retain the same 4000mAh and 4900mAh cells respectively, along with the same charging speeds at 45w wired (25w for the S25) and 15w wireless.

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions Philippines: Wrap-up and Initial Verdict

While not much has changed on the Galaxy S25 and S25+, we appreciate Samsung for finally putting that 8GB/128GB variant to rest on the Galaxy S25, along with a shift to Snapdragon chips. When it comes to pricing, the Galaxy S25 looks enticing especially if you consider that it now has a base 12GB/256GB configuration.

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ First Impressions Philippines: Price

The Galaxy S25 starts at Php 51,990 for the 12GB/256GB variant, while the Galaxy S25+ starts at Php 67,990 for the same variant.

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