Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: A Compact Flagship with AI Features

Image credits: Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the smallest and most affordable model in the new Galaxy S25 line, offering top performance and the latest AI features for less. With a compact design and a great 6.2in screen, this phone is perfect for those who want a high-end Android device without the bulk. The S25 has the same top-flight chip as the larger and more expensive Ultramodel, providing a lot of performance while costing £799. The rest of the S25 hasn’t changed much since last year, with a triple camera setup on the back, flat aluminium sides, and glass front and back.

The big changes for the S25 are all software and AI-based, with the phone running the latest version of One UI 7 (Android 15) and featuring various new AI tools. These tools expand on writing, summarisation, and drawing tools introduced last year and are designed to anticipate what you want to do and perform multiple complex tasks on your phone via text or voice commands. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip makes the S25 one of the fastest phones available, great for games, but playing them significantly dents the battery life. The phone also features a Now bar at the bottom of the lock screen, which is a useful place where timely information widgets, timers, media-playing controls, and other handy bits appear.

The S25 has a good camera system, with a triple camera setup on the back, including a 50-megapixel main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto. The camera shoots generally very good photos across the three cameras, although it has a tendency to over-brighten some scenes. The phone also shoots equally good video, excellent portraits, and has plenty of modes, with one exception: no macro photography mode. The Samsung Galaxy S25 costs from £799, making it a great option for those who want a compact and affordable flagship Android phone.

In comparison to other models, the Galaxy S25 Ultra costs £1,249, the S25+ costs £999, the Google Pixel 9 costs £649, the OnePlus 13 costs £899, and the iPhone 16 costs £799. The Galaxy S25 is the last really good small Android phone standing, with a compact size, good 6.2in screen, decent camera, good software with seven years’ support, top Android chip, and access to the latest AI features. However, the phone has some drawbacks, including an iterative design, no 5x zoom, and battery life that is short of larger models.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a great option for those who want a compact and affordable flagship Android phone with top-tier performance and AI features. With its compact design, great screen, and good camera system, this phone is perfect for those who want a high-end Android device without the bulk. The phone's AI capabilities are also a major selling point, with the ability to anticipate what you want to do and perform multiple complex tasks on your phone via text or voice commands. Whether you're looking for a new phone or just want to upgrade your current device, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is definitely worth considering.