Samsung Galaxy S25: what’s wrong with the new flagship (and why I won’t be switching)

Heard of the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra? It's hard to miss. Samsung, like every year, proudly struts its stuff with its new toys, and we couldn't resist poking our noses in to see what they've really got up their sleeves, to find out whether or not we'd fall for them. Hang on, we'll tell you all about it. But be warned: we're putting this here without a filter…

The Galaxy S25, a well-honed formula… but too static

You know that feeling you get when you open a present and realize it's an improved version of something you already had? That's the vibe of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra. Samsung seems to have put its faith in security, and it shows. On the surface, these smartphones look a lot like their predecessors, the Galaxy S24. And that's not necessarily entirely a bad thing (make no mistake, Samsung is clearly a beast in the smartphone industry).

But here's the rub: no revolution on the horizon. We'd have loved a bit of madness, something out of the box that would make us say “wow, they've done it!”. But no, we're stuck with the classic. Their design, while still elegant, brings nothing new under the sun. If you've already had your hands on an S24 or even an S23, you're likely to feel that hint of déjà-vu.

And let's talk about the screen. Yes, it's still extraordinary, with AMOLED technology worthy of trapping your pupils for hours on end. Brightness? A slap in the face. But beyond that, no surprises, no technological breakthroughs. Once again, Samsung plays it safe and seems to be treading water. A stagnation which, for an innovative brand like this, may frustrate the most demanding. Because let's be honest, we love it when Samsung shakes things up. But here? Nada.

A smartphone doped with AI

Samsung introduced numerous AI features on the S24 series. And this is indeed one of the features that is being highlighted for the S25, well ahead of everything else. But Samsung's strategy raises crucial questions about its sustainability: it relies heavily on Google Gemini. This dependence exposes Samsung to a major strategic vulnerability: the day Google deploys these features on its own Pixels, or makes them available to other manufacturers, Samsung's competitive advantage is likely to disappear altogether. As a result, opting for the S25 for its AI is not really an argument. The S24 was already equipped with AI, and other smartphones are increasingly welcoming this type of functionality, either natively or via the installation of mobile applications such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.

What's more, the tiny line in the conditions may raise questions about the future of these features:

Galaxy AI features are provided free of charge on compatible Samsung Galaxy devices, at least until the end of 2025. The availability of AI features provided by third parties is subject to change.

Autonomy: an irritating little false note

The sinews of smartphone warfare. Autonomy is a bit like morning coffee: you really need it to get through the day. And let's face it, the Galaxy S25 isn't exactly a fiesta when it comes to battery life, especially for the base model.

The classic S25, with its 4000 mAh battery, doesn't work miracles. If you're the kind of person who scrolls frantically on TikTok, spams e-mails, watches YouTube videos and occasionally plays Genshin Impact, be prepared to look for your charger before the day is out. Even with software optimizations (cuckoo One UI and Android 15), it's still a bit limited.

The S25+ and S25 Ultra models fare better in this respect, thanks to slightly increased battery capacities. But let's be honest: who hasn't dreamed of a smartphone capable of guaranteeing two full days of autonomy, and finally stop watching its gauge like a hawk?

What's more, here too we can regret the lack of evolution in the recharging system. This Samsung Galaxy S25 series introduces a particular approach to wireless charging with the Qi 2.1 standard. Unlike the standard Qi2 standard, which requires integrated magnets (to make an equivalent of Apple's MagSafe), Samsung has opted for a “Qi2 Ready” solution that requires the use of a specific magnetic shell to benefit from aligned wireless charging. This decision, while allowing a degree of flexibility, has a few drawbacks, notably a possible conflict between the position of the induction coil and the photo lenses. Above all, charging speeds remain identical to the previous generation: 15W wireless.

Wired charging is hardly more impressive at 25W for the standard model and 45W for the top-of-the-range versions, especially when compared with Chinese smartphones that regularly reach and exceed 100W. This difference in fast-charging performance puts Samsung behind the Asian competition.

Samsung, why are you doing this? Debating chip management

Another subject that raises eyebrows: the processor. The big news is that Samsung is abandoning its own Exynos chips and relying entirely on Qualcomm, with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Great news, isn't it? Yes… and no. The choice of Qualcomm is strategic, but some users are already regretting the days of Exynos, which, despite their shortcomings, gave Samsung a homegrown feel, with a real hardware identity.

Especially since… the raw power of this Snapdragon clearly crushes benchmarking tests, but in real use? You'll rarely notice any major difference from the Galaxy S24's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. So, if you were hoping for a smartphone that would transform your gaming sessions or video editing into divine experiences, keep your expectations at a realistic level. Yes, it's great! But it's not a revolution.

And seriously, we would have loved better thermal management. The heating aspect of the Snapdragon is still there (albeit slightly reduced). By pushing the technological envelope in an ultra-slim mini-case, you end up frying your fingers (okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea).

The real nuggets: photography and One UI

All is not doom and gloom, however. The Galaxy S25 still shines in certain areas. Photography, for example. Samsung seems to have perfected its art, especially on the Ultra model which, let's face it, is a beast of mobile photography. Day or night, the S25 Ultra's sensors deliver impressive sharpness and spectacular colors. Whether you're taking a shot on a mountaintop or in a dark alley, the results are stunning.

Samsung has even improved its hybrid zoom (photos of the Moon are still possible!), and it's truly impressive for a little gadget in your pocket. If capturing memories is your priority, the S25 Ultra is worth a look… and maybe even its price (which stings, but we already knew that).

And what about the One UI 7 interface, which brings a few welcome changes. Samsung has spent so many years fine-tuning its software that you can almost say it bends over backwards for its users. It's fluid, it's beautiful, and it's ultra-customizable. You'll feel at home in seconds. But then again, if you already own an S24, you'll just have to wait a little longer for the One UI 7 update to arrive very soon…

So, in or out?

In short, the Galaxy S25 is like a grandma's recipe revisited: good old habits with a pinch of novelty. No gnashing of teeth, no big surprises. Hardcore Samsung fans will love the familiar. But if you're looking for a smartphone to show off the latest bold technologies, you might want to wait for the next models (or look at other brands that are shaking things up a little more).

The choice is simple: if you've got a Galaxy S24 or even an S23, there's no need to throw yourself at it. On the other hand, if you've got an older model, we're all for it! Samsung remains the crème de la crème, even when it plays the security card. So, yes, there are flaws, but let's face it: these are still smartphones that rock.

And now, tell me, what's your next phone? For my part, the decision's made: I'm sticking with my Samsung S24 Ultra, which I introduced to you a few months ago. The little difference the S25 makes doesn't justify such an investment for me. What's more, as a big fan of the stylus for professional use, it's worth noting that it loses its Bluetooth functionality :/ Admittedly, according to the statistics, only 1% of users used these functions (including me!). But enough for some to launch a petition for its return by the S26…

With the release of the S25, the S24's price cut could be a great opportunity to equip yourself with an excellent smartphone at a bargain price.