After receiving my first early samples of Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely instances, I am extra stoked for Samsung’s 2025 cellphone releases than ever. The Galaxy S25 Extremely appears to be getting the lion’s share of the eye this time round, much like what we noticed earlier this 12 months, however that does not imply the remainder of the pack is any much less thrilling.
Fairly the opposite, really. It is really been troublesome narrowing it right down to the three issues I am trying ahead to essentially the most, however I believe I will be assured that the next listing represents one of the best of what we’re anticipating to see from Samsung in January.
Spherical, but sq.
The Galaxy S Extremely collection has had a little bit of a controversial design over the previous few years. The Galaxy S22 Extremely took many design cues from the Galaxy Be aware 20 Extremely, carrying on the Be aware line in every thing however the identify. Largely, this design meant sharp, sq. corners and rounded edges.
I’ve by no means been a fan of this design and apparently another person hasn’t both, as Samsung could also be switching issues up this time arounf, fairly actually flipping the squared and rounded edges in accordance with all of the rumors and leaks we have seen to this point. Meaning the Galaxy S25 Extremely might have spherical corners and flat sides simply as we noticed Samsung do with the Galaxy S24 earlier this 12 months.
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I simply obtained the primary samples of Galaxy S25 Extremely instances from Fiberborne, the brand new identify for the Thinborne aramid fiber instances we have usually topped because the greatest Galaxy S24 instances.
These new Fiberborne instances aren’t on sale fairly but, however they do reveal what could be the new design of the Galaxy S25 Extremely, and I am largely loving it. I am not the most important fan of telephones with utterly flat sides — I mentioned as a lot in my Google Pixel 9 Professional assessment — however the rounded corners will definitely go a protracted strategy to making this cellphone extra comfy than the final three years of Galaxy S extremely fashions with their overly sharp corners.
Laptop computer-grade processor
Cell processors have been fairly boring for the previous few years now. Whereas we have seen efficiency features 12 months over 12 months, most of these enhancements find yourself being misplaced to extra warmth when taking part in video games for greater than 20 or half-hour. Lots of emphasis has been positioned on AI processing due to it, however the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite processors considerably enhance all facets of cell processing with out breaking a sweat.
Early outcomes from benchmark firm Antutu paint the image we had been hoping to see. Not solely does the Snapdragon 8 Elite run considerably sooner than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 within the Galaxy S24 collection, nevertheless it runs a number of levels Celsius cooler, too.
In accordance with Geekbench outcomes from the Xiaomi 15, one of many first telephones to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the brand new processor runs about 40% sooner than the one which launched earlier this 12 months. That is an enormous enchancment!
This degree of velocity has been achieved as a result of Qualcomm was in a position to pack its model new customized Oryon processing cores into the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the identical actual cores it makes use of within the Snapdragon X Elite that powers many widespread Home windows laptops in 2024.
One UI 7
One UI 7 will not be a Galaxy S25 unique however Samsung is utilizing its subsequent telephones to launch its newest OS replace. Constructed on Android 15, One UI 7 guarantees to be the most important overhaul to Samsung’s storied Android pores and skin for the reason that introduction of One UI precisely 6 years in the past on November 7, 2018.
Apart from the doubtless thrilling visible refresh — which incorporates not solely a recent coat of paint but additionally some snazzy new animations — Samsung seems to be together with improbable new AI options that may make your on a regular basis smartphone expertise all the higher.
I am not speaking about a greater spell checker or some area of interest AI characteristic you in all probability will not use greater than as soon as, although. I am speaking about sensible notification upgrades that summarize what’s occurring so you aren’t getting overwhelmed and miss issues.
I have a tendency to depart my cellphone in my pocket or on a desk for a very long time earlier than selecting it up, solely to see 100 notifications that rapidly develop into an excessive amount of to take care of. What occurs then? I normally simply hit clear all and determine it out later.
This new notification abstract characteristic will assist ship fast, concise summaries of teams of notifications so I can keep within the know with out feeling overwhelmed. That is the true AI improve I have been ready for, and the cellphone’s {hardware} will likely be completely geared up to deal with these new AI options, particularly with the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
Why not wait?
My three favourite issues concerning the Galaxy S25 actually sound compelling, however they allegedly include a worth hike that nobody desires to pay. That is the place Galaxy S24 Black Friday offers are available in. It doesn’t matter what Samsung will likely be promoting the Galaxy S25 for, it is unattainable for the corporate to supply its telephones at any higher worth than the Galaxy S24 is promoting nowadays.
In just some weeks, we’ll be within the midst of Black Friday and all of the loopy gross sales. Because the Galaxy S24 debuted 10 months in the past, you realize you may be getting one of the best worth attainable on Samsung’s 2024 telephones in order that they’ll make room for the 2025 fashions.
If worth is an enormous concern within the coming months, it is in all probability greatest to stay with what’s at the moment out there, particularly since Samsung provides seven years of software program upgrades for its Galaxy S24 line. Meaning One UI 7 is the primary of seven complete OS updates that’ll debut on the telephones till assist formally ends.
Getting a cellphone at a lowered worth and getting seven years of assured updates is a surefire approach to make sure that you are getting the perfect deal this 12 months with no compromises.
High of the road
The Galaxy S24 Extremely is likely one of the greatest telephones to return out of 2024, and you will not be upset by its efficiency, digital camera high quality, or assortment of enjoyable and helpful AI options. Even with the Galaxy S25 on the horizon, 7 years of updates means you may be supported for a very long time with most of the newest options.
