Samsung’s Galaxy S series has been the standard for flagship Android smartphones for many years, and the upcoming Galaxy S25 series looks like it will continue this trend. Although the launch is still a few weeks away, a lot of information has already been leaked, despite Samsung's attempts to prevent this by letting go of several employees.
Hardware and Software Enhancements
There will be improvements in hardware, including a new chipset, upgraded camera sensors, and more. The software is also set for significant upgrades, likely the most substantial in recent times. As we await the official announcement, let’s explore what we know about the Galaxy S25 series so far.
Launch Event Details
A leaked banner for the Galaxy Unpacked event hints that it might happen on January 22nd, where the eagerly awaited Galaxy S25 series will be revealed. The event will also showcase One UI 7, which will come preloaded on the latest Galaxy devices.
Design Features
Samsung has kept a consistent design language for the Galaxy S series, and the S25 series will be no different. There won't be any major design shifts. Trusted sources confirm that there will be some improvements to enhance both appearance and comfort.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to have rounded corners instead of the sharp edges found on the S24 Ultra. While the S24 Ultra's sharp edges look stylish, they can be uncomfortable to hold for longer periods. The S25 Ultra's rounded design promises a more comfortable grip while still looking refined. Additionally, the Ultra model will feature a titanium back, whereas the other models will likely have an aluminum frame. An S Pen slot is anticipated for the Ultra, similar to previous models.
Display Upgrades
The Galaxy S25 series, particularly the Ultra version, will see upgrades in the display. According to reliable source Ice Universe, the S25 Ultra’s screen will measure 6.86 inches, which is slightly larger than the S24 Ultra’s 6.8 inches.
Interestingly, the new model will be 77.6mm wide (narrower than the S24 Ultra’s 79mm), and Samsung has managed to reduce the bezels to 2.3mm, leading to a larger display. This means the S25 Ultra will have an improved screen-to-body ratio, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The base Galaxy S25 may also come with a slightly larger 6.36-inch display, comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro.
Powerful Chipset
In a surprising move, all S25 models, including the standard and Plus versions, are said to come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip across all markets, including India. While Samsung hasn't confirmed this yet, reports from South Korean media suggest that production issues with the Exynos 2500 chip have led Samsung to choose Snapdragon instead.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is a strong chip with impressive CPU and GPU performance, surpassing Apple’s A18 Pro Bionic in benchmark tests and narrowing the performance gap between Android and iPhones. It seems Samsung will also remove the 8GB RAM variant from the S25 series, with all models expected to come with 12GB of RAM, marking a significant upgrade from the Galaxy S24.
Camera Improvements
Cameras on the Galaxy S25 series are expected to be better, as anticipated. A recent leak suggests that the S25 Ultra will retain the same 200MP sensor. The 12MP (with 3x optical zoom) and 50MP (5x optical zoom) sensors are also unchanged from the S24 Ultra.
The most notable camera upgrade is the new 50MP ultrawide sensor, which is an enhancement from the 12MP sensor found in the S24 Ultra. The sensor size is likely larger, allowing more light to enter, resulting in improved image quality. There’s less info available about the S25 and S25+ cameras, but if the leaks are accurate, they won’t see major upgrades.
Battery and Charging Features
Reports indicate that there will be no changes to the battery capacity or charging speeds for the S25 series, including the Ultra model. We can expect to see the same 4000mAh battery with 25W charging on the S25, a 4900mAh battery with 45W charging on the S25+, and a 5000mAh battery with 45W charging on the S25 Ultra.
However, there is a significant change: the Galaxy S25 models will support the new Qi2 wireless charging standard, which the S24 series lacks. Tipster @chunvn888 noted that these phones will support the EPP Qi2 (without magnet) profile with wireless charging speeds of up to 25W, a notable improvement over the 15W limit of the S24 series. Samsung is also reportedly developing a new Battery AI feature to extend battery life by limiting the processor and the 5G modem.
Potential Slim Model
Samsung might introduce four Galaxy S25 models at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. The fourth model is rumored to be the Galaxy S25 Slim, not the expected S25 FE. While we await official confirmation, industry insiders suggest that the Galaxy S25 Slim could be on the way to compete with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air.
If you examine the leaked Galaxy Unpacked banner closely, it shows four Galaxy smartphones, reinforcing the belief that a Slim model may also be part of the lineup.
Anticipated Launch and Pricing
Samsung hasn't officially announced the launch date for the Galaxy S25 series yet. However, a recently leaked banner points to the Galaxy Unpacked event likely occurring on January 22nd. This is when the new Galaxy flagships may be unveiled, potentially hitting stores starting February 7th.
While specific pricing details are still unclear, some reports indicate a possible price increase due to Qualcomm charging as much as $190 for each Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
