I've used Samsung's Galaxy S25 for weeks – it's a near-perfect small phone

While many of the most popular phones are the biggest ones out there, there's still a significant market for the best compact phones too – which is exactly where the Samsung Galaxy S25 fits in. After reviewing the larger S25 Ultra model I've been using the base S25 to show that the little guy is still a big deal too.

While last year's entry-level Galaxy S24 model did receive some significant upgrades – a bigger battery and less bezel around the screen being the most prominent – for 2025 the base Galaxy S25 model is an echo of its predecessor. But it's what's inside that counts, with the latest top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) features.

If small is your all and you're seeking one of the best Android phones that also happens to be pocketable, then the Galaxy S25 absolutely fits the bill. That said, with the previous model now bearing some serious discounts, the latest Galaxy is a small upgrade that I suspect you'll only see as a big deal if you're upgrading from two generations or more ago.

How much does the Galaxy S25 cost?

Samsung hasn't increased the Galaxy S25's pricing compared to its predecessor's at-launch asking price, so year on year it remains the same – which it had to, really, given the subtle differences between them.

That sees the 128GB model priced at £799 / $799 / AU$1,399 – but you can get decent trade-in offers to cut that down further. There are 256GB and 512GB models also available, at inevitably raised prices.

Galaxy S25 vs S24: What's new?

• Moves to Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite platform
• 12GB RAM as base standard this generation
• One UI 7 brings personalised AI
• 15% larger cooling chamber

Visually the Samsung Galaxy S25 looks identical to the Galaxy S24. There are the tiniest of physical changes, however, with the device now a scalpel's width slimmer (yes, only 0.4mm) – not that I can in any way notice this in person.

That also sees it weigh 6g less (now at 162g) – again, not that you'll feel that in person. It does show that Samsung isn't just cookie-cutting old design hardware, though, and that extra consideration has gone into this latest model – including enlarging the cooling chamber inside to enhance performance.

The bigger changes continue inside, as the previous S24 opted for Samsung's own Exynos chipset. That's not the case for the Galaxy S25 – or, indeed, the S25 Plus or S25 Ultra models also in the series – with Samsung harnessing its Qualcomm partnership to bring the current most powerful hardware on board.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is here in its overclocked 'for Galaxy' version – complete with 12GB RAM (a 50% increase over the 8GB of previous). With AI processes baked in, it's better with battery management too – and, as I'll get to, I've found it good for all-day use, better than the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro performs, for example.

That's about all, however, aside from some new colour options (hence the rather Pink 'Coral Red' finish in the picture above, which I took at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event). The biggest change, just like with the S25 Ultra model, is dependent on the new software look and feel courtesy of One UI 7.

This promises Personalised AI, with a Personal Data Engine that will learn your habits through contextual patterns and preferences. It doesn't have access to everything, though, so it's not exactly revelatory – because of privacy and permissions limitations per app.

How small is the Galaxy S25?

• Colour options: Navy / Icy Blue / Mint / Silver Shadow
• Samsung only: Blue Black / Coral Red / Pink Gold
• Flat 6.2-inch AMOLED panel
  • 2600 nits maximum brightness
  • 1080 x 2340 resolution
  • 1-120Hz refresh rate
• IP68 water/dust resistance

Just because the S25 is the smallest in the flagship Galaxy range doesn't mean it steps down in specification compared to the Ultra model, which is a key takeaway. I've found using a smaller phone to be really refreshing, especially when I'm so used to the biggest and baddest phones out there.

The S25's screen, for example, has the same brightness potential as the Ultra (2600 nits peak) – which, just like its S24 predecessor, certainly cuts a good look whether in bright daylight or wanting eye-searing visuals in the dark. I've already overdone it on my eyes in the mornings a few times though.

There's no step down in other key areas either: you'll get the same dynamic refresh rate (from 1-120Hz), and a resolution that scale-to-scale is just as pixel-dense. New this year is what Samsung is calling 'ProScaler technology' to upscale content – meaning you can use a lower resolution output as default to save battery life. This works in the background and, frankly, I've not even thought about it.

I still think the Galaxy S25 looks superb, despite it only receiving a surgeon's nip and tuck adjustment in a physical sense. The aesthetic has become a classic of sorts, and I'm glad that the colourways – such as the Navy finish of my hands-on photographs; I've got Icy Blue for review – have some real depth and pop about them.

Does the Galaxy S25 last a day?

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12GB RAM
• 4,000mAh battery, 25W wired charging

Being a smaller phone, the Galaxy S25 doesn't have the biggest of battery capacities on board. That was my main concern going into using the device, but I've honestly found its 4,000mAh cell to cruise through a day – without me adjusting my usage habits.

That was a surprise, frankly, but shows the hardware combination here is most capable. Sure, charging is still slow compared to some key competition, at 25W, but it's hardly so slow that it's a burden. I do think it needs to advance, but it's serviceable as is.

While there had been ongoing rumours regarding Samsung opting for its in-house Exynos silicon, it's great to see Qualcomm inside every model (in every on-sale region) for the S25. Plus 12GB RAM as standard, to further push the flagship story.

I wasn't as enamoured by Exynos in the S24, so the inclusion of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in the S25 has helped with that longevity and overall performance. Which, I must say, is unquestionable. Everything runs smoothly, from the interface, to games, and all manner of apps.

It's actually the overclocked 'for Galaxy' version of Qualcomm's chip, so that means it's even more powerful than the stock off-the-shelf version you'll find elsewhere. I wouldn't say you'll notice this day to day, mind, but it's an upsell in Samsung's camp nonetheless.

As mentioned up top, a big part of the experience that Samsung wants to push is around the integrated AI experiences. My feeling around this is just an echo of my S25 Ultra review, though, i.e. that it's the start of something but a long way from full potential right now.

There are the staples here, such as Google's Circle to Search and AI Select – both of which have been improved, just as conversational search with Gemini integrated has been too. If you're not a fan of Gemini, however, then you're not forced to use it.

Two of the biggest new arrivals are the Now Brief and Now Bar features. The former gives you a brief about your day – at various times, from morning to night, as you engage with it – to summarise what's forthcoming and make suggestions. The latter is a quick-glance 'bar' on the lock screen.

Thing is, I just don't engage with Now Brief as there's rarely much need. It can only dig into key Samsung apps, not my full and wider app use, so doesn't tell me as much as a true AI system would need for me to find it truly compelling.

It's going to take time for all this to come together. To get third-party app support, for those privacy sign-offs, that's not an overnight thing. Samsung is putting in the work to establish the first steps, though, and in the future I can see what the outcome could be.

Are the S25's cameras any good?

• Main (24mm): 50-megapixel, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilisation (OIS)
• Zoom (3x, 70mm): 10MP, f/2.4, OIS
• Wide (13mm): 12MP, f/2.2

I remember two years ago that I was disappointed the then Galaxy S23 flagship disappointingly lacked hardware upgrades in the cameras department – a comment which echoed into the S24 model too.

Well, what's even more disappointing is that the Galaxy S25 features the very same camera setup once again. That means no hardware upgrades, no 200-megapixel main and 50MP wide-angle like the S25 Ultra, and no improved zoom.

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Given the strength of the competition right now, that clearly puts Samsung on the back foot here. I mean, Oppo just revealed the Reno 13 Pro, which includes a 3.5x zoom and will cost less than the base Galaxy S25. That's going to raise questions for prospective buyers, I'm sure.

Having said that, just as before, the Galaxy S25 remains an excellent camera phone, just as its predecessor established (and the one before that). The Camera app and interface are easy to use, the optical stabilisation is really effective in use, and even mixed lighting conditions are no trouble in delivering strong results.

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Selecting between zoom options is nice and simple too. That's the beauty of the Galaxy range: it makes the act of taking photos just so easy. High dynamic range kicks in automatically, colours look generally balanced across all lenses, and detail is sufficient – it's all handled for you.

What should have happened is for the S25 to receive a semi-overhaul, though, upping the resolution and clarity of the wide-angle and zoom lenses. That'd see its flagship position more established. But, as it stands, the offering here is fine – just not as class-leading as it once was.

Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Verdict

While the Samsung Galaxy S25 is a small upgrade over its S24 predecessor, it's a big deal for those seeking a smaller-scale Android flagship.

This generation upgrades the onboard power, relying on AI for some of the heavy lifting – but that's moderate rather than world-changing in its features' abilities at this stage. And the cameras are certainly overdue an upgrade, despite still being capable.

Even so, there's no denying that the Galaxy S25 is a great-looking, well-designed and powerful phone. Overall, though, it's the small size that will be its biggest upsell – I've found that revelatory in my own daily use.

Also consider

It's hard to ignore that the earlier Galaxy S24 is now much cheaper – and a very similar handset indeed. For the price difference, it's certainly one to consider, if you can cope with the Exynos processor and battery life that's not quite as extensive as a result.

Otherwise, the Nothing Phone (2) is perhaps the strongest of Samsung's even cheaper rivals, featuring a great core setup and additional Glyph lighting features. It's a different take, but it's a slice of fun. There might be a Phone (3) out before 2025 is up though.