Tag: Galaxy S25+

February 1, 2025

Most Galaxy AI Features May Stay Free Forever, But There’s a Catch

Most of the updates in the Galaxy S25 lineup are focused on Galaxy AI. There were rumors that Samsung might start charging for Galaxy AI features in 2026. However, tipster PandaFlash X suggests that key features like Photo Assist, AI Instant Slow-mo, and Writing Tools will likely remain free.

Free Features for Now

Initially, it was stated that these features would be “free until 2025,” but the new information does not specify a time limit, implying that they could be free indefinitely. This seems logical when you look at the improvements: Galaxy AI along with only minor hardware changes.

Pricing and Subscription Details

We are uncertain about how much Samsung will charge for Galaxy AI or how its plans will be structured. However, we do know that the Gemini Advanced subscription, which is complimentary for the first six months for Galaxy S25 series users, costs $20 per month. The tipster also noted that features within Gemini Advanced will require payment.

There has been no clarity on which specific features will rely on the Gemini Advanced subscription.

What’s Next After Six Months?

What will you have to pay for or lose after the six-month free trial? Samsung has been just as vague about this as it was regarding the Galaxy S25 Edge. They highlighted the AI functionalities and the improvements in user experience that the S25 series offers, but did not detail which functions will need the Gemini Advanced subscription.

The VP of ‘Google Gemini Experiences’ mentioned at the Galaxy Unpacked event, “Gemini Advanced comes with our most capable AI models and priority access to the newest features. It will also include ‘Screen Sharing’ and ‘live video viewing’ in the future.”

Most of the AI features, like summarization, leverage the latest model available. Even if you don’t subscribe, these features will still work but with somewhat lower quality results.

According to the Google Store, Gemini Advanced is particularly good at solving complex issues due to its improved reasoning skills. Some of the more challenging queries may not perform as effectively after the first six months, or they might cease to work entirely. It’s unfortunate that Samsung left so many questions open for speculation on the internet instead of clarifying them at the launch.

Tags: Galaxy AI, Galaxy S25+, Gemini Advanced
January 29, 2025

New Leaks Reveal Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7 Details

Samsung has just unveiled its Galaxy S25 lineup, which includes the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra, currently priced at $1,299.99 on Amazon. Despite this recent launch, the focus is shifting towards the upcoming foldable phones, expected to be revealed this summer.

Anticipated Devices

It’s still uncertain how many new devices Samsung plans to unveil at its annual foldable event. According to the latest speculation, the lineup may feature the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, along with a more budget-friendly Galaxy Z Flip FE, plus the innovative Galaxy Z tri-fold.

Pricing Insights

Currently, it seems like the pricing for the standard Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip will remain the same. This means that the Galaxy Z Fold7 is expected to launch with a starting price of $1,899.99 in the US and €1,999 in Europe. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip7 should start at around $1,099 and €1,999, likely including 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

Design Expectations

This time, design alterations are likely, especially for the larger Galaxy Z Fold. Reports suggest that Samsung may utilize the design from last year’s Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which was released in China as the Samsung W25. However, it appears that neither the Galaxy Z Fold7 nor the Galaxy Z Flip7 will feature titanium frames, keeping that characteristic exclusive to the Galaxy S Ultra for at least one more generation.

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Tags: Galaxy S25+, Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy Z Fold7
January 25, 2025

Samsung Accused of Copying iPhone Features in Galaxy S25 Series

It’s normal for companies to imitate one another. Recently, Macworld pointed out that with the unveiling of the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung has rolled out several One UI 7 features that closely resemble those seen on the latest iPhone models.

Third-Party Chatbot Integration

One notable feature mentioned by Macworld is the addition of third-party chatbot integration into Galaxy AI. This is quite akin to the ChatGPT integration found in Apple Intelligence. Additionally, Apple’s AI platform is set to support Google Gemini. The article also draws attention to the Gemini trigger animation on the Galaxy S25 series, which looks a lot like the colorful glowing border animation seen with Siri on the iPhone.

New Features in the Phone App

Samsung has added new functionalities that allow users to record, summarize, and transcribe calls directly within the Phone app of the Galaxy S25 series. These features are already present in iOS 18. Another new addition is the battery information section in the Settings app, which, similar to iOS, provides details on battery cycle count, health, and other relevant information.

More iPhone-Like Features

These aren’t the sole ‘copied’ features in the Samsung Galaxy S25 series (you can pre-order the S25 on Amazon). Macworld also mentions several other features, such as the Now Bar, which seems to be inspired by iOS’ Live Activities, the capability to record log videos, and various other UI elements reminiscent of the iPhone.

Of course, Apple has also taken cues from Samsung. For example, it has introduced features that allow users to customize app icon colors, quick settings toggles, and lock screen personalization. Galaxy users have been enjoying these options for quite some time. However, this isn’t necessarily a negative aspect; ultimately, users gain when companies strive to enhance the best version of a new concept.

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Tags: Galaxy S25+, iphone, One UI 7
January 25, 2025

Exynos 2500 Specs for Galaxy Z Flip 7 Show Major Upgrades

Samsung has recently unveiled its Galaxy S25 series worldwide, showcasing the robust Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. In the previous year, the firm encountered major difficulties in keeping a smooth chipset production flow. Problems within its organizational framework and manufacturing prompted doubts about whether Samsung would completely close its leading chipset division.

Recovery and Future Prospects

Despite the hurdles, the company was able to bounce back. Speculations surrounding the forthcoming Exynos 2500 chipset have been making the rounds since last year. At first, there were claims that Samsung planned to integrate this chipset into the S25 series, but issues with production yields held it back.

Exynos 2500 Chipset Insights

Subsequent leaks indicated that Samsung aims to introduce the Exynos 2500 with the next Galaxy Z Flip 7. This was further confirmed by a series of leaks from December 2024. Recently, a tipster known as Jukanlosreve shared more insights on X (previously Twitter), detailing the architecture and critical features of the chipset.

As per the leak, the Exynos 2500 will come equipped with a 10-core CPU, akin to the Exynos 2400, but it adopts a new 1+2+5+2 setup. This CPU will consist of one Cortex-X925 core running at 3.3GHz for top-tier performance, two Cortex-A725 cores clocked at 2.75GHz for heavy tasks, five Cortex-A725 cores at 2.36GHz for balanced efficiency, and two Cortex-A520 cores at 1.8GHz to enhance power savings.

Advanced Graphics and Memory Solutions

The chipset will also incorporate Samsung’s innovative Xclipse 950 GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA3.5 architecture. This GPU boasts eight custom Work Group Processors operating at 1.3GHz, promising notable advancements in graphics and computing capabilities.

Samsung is complementing this chipset with high-speed memory and storage options, featuring 9.6Gbps quad-channel LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.x storage for rapid data retrieval. The Exynos 2500 will also include an NPU capable of 56 TOPS, support for a 320MP ISP, and the capacity to capture 8K videos at 60fps. Nevertheless, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is not expected to include such high-resolution camera technology.

Looking Ahead

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is anticipated to debut in late 2025 and is set to be a flagship testing platform for Samsung’s 3nm GAA manufacturing process. With a limited production run of only 3 million units, this foldable device will act as a testing ground for the advanced capabilities of Samsung Foundry’s new node technology. If this venture proves successful, the Exynos 2500 may signify a noteworthy comeback for Samsung in the high-end chipset arena. Whether it can stand up against the Dimensity 9400 or Snapdragon 8 Elite is still uncertain.

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Tags: Exynos 2500, Galaxy S25+, Snapdragon 8 Elite
January 24, 2025

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Cases for Galaxy S25 & S25 Ultra with Qi2 Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra are some of the first phones to receive the “Qi2 Ready” certification. This means they can be charged at 15 watts when using Qi2 chargers. However, these models do not include magnets, which would help with proper alignment on charging pads and allow for the use of magnetic attachments.

New Case Offerings

In response to this, Spigen has launched a line of “Ultra Hybrid” cases that come with the necessary magnets. The “Neo One” and “Zero One” cases from the Teardown collection are particularly noteworthy. The design of these cases is meant to reveal the phone’s internal components, but Spigen has chosen to simplify this design, omitting details like the heat sink or camera module. The Neo One case features a partially transparent back.

Protection and Functionality

Both cases are described as thin and lightweight, providing protection against drops thanks to small air cushions in the corners. The Spigen Slim Armor case includes a foldable stand, while the Slim Armor CS case has a built-in wallet for cards. The Tough Armor case is designed with AI technology to handle various types of shocks. Additionally, Spigen has magnetic wallets that can be used alongside these protective cases.

Pricing and Availability

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid Qi2 protective cases for the Galaxy S25 series are priced between $34.99 and $54.99, depending on which model you choose.

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Tags: Galaxy S25+, Qi2 Charging, Spigen Ultra Hybrid
January 23, 2025

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy: Early CPU & GPU Benchmarks

Samsung has officially announced its latest flagship smartphones, and they are ready for global pre-order. During the Galaxy Unpacked event held yesterday, the company showcased the Galaxy S25 Edge. However, for now, only the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra (currently priced at $1,299.99 on Amazon) are available for pre-order.

Details on the Chipset

Although Samsung provided numerous details regarding its new flagship devices, there was limited information about the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset that powers all three models. The company chose to reveal the differences of the new ‘for Galaxy’ chipset, known as ‘SM8750-AC’, from the existing Snapdragon 8 Elite and its less powerful variant after the event.

Mishaal Rahman reports that Samsung states the SM8750-AC is ‘totally custom’, which sets it apart from previous ‘for Galaxy’ chipsets. It is said that this new chipset works more seamlessly with Samsung’s camera hardware, though the specifics of this integration remain unclear. Additionally, Samsung has mentioned that the SM8750-AC includes an overclocked Neural Processing Unit (NPU); however, neither Samsung nor Qualcomm has provided detailed information on this aspect.

Performance Benchmarks

On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy features Prime CPU cores that are 150 MHz faster than those found in the SM8750-AB and SM8750-3-AB variants. Qualcomm has also allowed the Adreno 830 GPU to operate at speeds up to 9% faster in the SM8750-AC compared to the SM8750-AB or SM8750-3-AB, due to a 100 MHz increase to 1,200 MHz.

Early benchmark results do not show significant evidence of this CPU overclock. In fact, only one benchmark managed to surpass the highest single-core score achieved with a standard Snapdragon 8 Elite by a mere 2%. Conversely, the 100 MHz clock boost to 1,200 MHz for the new Adreno 830 GPU has helped it to achieve a lead of over 6% in Geekbench 6.3 Vulkan tests. Samsung will start shipping Galaxy S25 pre-orders in early February, which is also when we anticipate independent reviews that may highlight any performance advantages to be published online.

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Tags: Galaxy S25+, Samsung, Snapdragon 8 Elite
January 23, 2025

Samsung Unveils Galaxy XR Headset: Project Moohan at Unpacked 2025

Samsung has made an official announcement regarding the Galaxy S25 series during the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in San Jose, California. This new series includes the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, all featuring the advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite chip along with other high-end specifications. In addition to these flagship smartphones, Samsung introduced its first extended reality (XR) headset, named ‘Project Moohan.’ This signifies Samsung’s entry into the XR and wearable technology market.

The XR Headset: Project Moohan

The ‘Project Moohan’ XR headset was first revealed in December 2024 and aims to change the way users engage with both physical and digital worlds. This headset runs on the new Android XR operating system, which has been developed with the help of Google and Qualcomm. It is expected to have multiple input methods, such as eye tracking, hand gestures, and voice commands, allowing users to control apps and interact smoothly.

Features and Expectations

The headset is anticipated to come with ultra-high-resolution OLEDoS displays and low-latency passthrough functions, all powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip. Users can look forward to features supported by Google’s Gemini AI assistant, like Circle to Search, live text translation, and improved browsing capabilities in Google Chrome. Although Samsung has not provided a specific release date for the device, it is believed it will be available later this year, with a price tag likely above $2,000.

Smart Glasses on the Horizon

In addition to the XR headset, Samsung has also hinted at the upcoming AI-based smart glasses. These glasses may utilize the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip and Google’s Gemini platform, which would enable voice and vision-based commands. Samsung’s CEO TM Roh indicated that the company aims to launch smart glasses “as soon as possible,” showing their ambition to lead in the next wave of wearable gadgets.

Tags: Galaxy S25+, Project Moohan, Samsung smart glasses
January 23, 2025

Galaxy S25 and S25+ Launch with Snapdragon 8 Elite and AI Features

Samsung has unveiled its flagship series for 2025, which includes the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. The main highlight of the event, and what they are promoting the most about these devices, is their impressive Galaxy AI features. Additionally, Samsung has refreshed some design elements, specifications, and color choices to warrant the new model numbers on the retail packaging this year.

A Look at Hardware

I have previously discussed the AI enhancements, particularly focusing on the top-tier model, which you can find linked here. In this piece, I will shift my attention to the hardware aspects of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus.

Design and Specs Overview

To start, both the standard and Plus variants maintain a similar appearance to last year’s models. The primary distinction is the new color palette: Navy, Mint, Icy Blue, and Silver Shadow.

In terms of specifications, the Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch display, while the S25+ offers a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen—unchanged from the previous year. The base version comes with an FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, whereas the Plus variant boasts a QHD+ display.

Enhanced Performance

Performance sees a boost with the introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Along with the enhanced CPU and GPU, the 40% more efficient NPU significantly speeds up AI tasks for the S25 lineup. While the Ultra model benefits from a larger VC cooling system for improved sustained performance, Samsung has not provided details about this feature for the other two models.

The camera system is also enhanced due to the new chip’s upgraded ISP and Samsung’s advancements in image processing. They mentioned their new “Object-aware Engine,” which can identify subjects within images, assess the lighting conditions, and adjust skin tones for a more natural appearance. However, it is important to note that the image sensors themselves have not changed.

Battery and Charging Specs

Similar to other specifications, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ are equipped with batteries of 4000mAh and 4900mAh, respectively, and they support wired charging at 25W and 45W.

Pricing Details

The Galaxy S25 features 12GB of RAM and is available in two storage capacities, starting at $799 in the US:
– 128GB: $799
– 256GB: $809

The Plus model also has the same RAM but offers larger storage options:
– 256GB: $999
– 512GB: $1019

These devices will be available starting February 7th, but interested buyers can begin pre-ordering today.

Tags: Galaxy S25+, Samsung Galaxy S25, Snapdragon 8 Elite
January 23, 2025

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus: Snapdragon 8 Elite, One UI 7 Launch

Samsung has reveal the Galaxy S25 series during the first Unpacked event of 2025. Among the trio of new devices, there’s the Galaxy S25+, which, similar to its non-Plus counterpart, doesn’t feature many hardware improvements compared to the previous model. The main upgrade worth noting is the introduction of the custom Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

This new chip, known as Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, has not been fully explained by Samsung regarding its differences from the standard version of the SoC. However, it is anticipated to be an overclocked version. This change is expected to improve performance during heavy usage, with Samsung highlighting enhancements in ray tracing capabilities and the Vulkan Engine that should boost gaming performance.

Camera Specifications

When it comes to the camera, the setup remains unchanged from the Galaxy S24 Plus. The rear continues to feature a 50MP main sensor along with a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto lens. On the front, there’s a 12MP camera for selfies. Samsung asserts that all devices in the Galaxy S25 series, including the S25+, are designed to perform better than their predecessors in low-light photography and videography.

The overall photography capabilities are also said to have improved thanks to software updates. Additionally, the Galaxy S25 Plus, like the rest of the new lineup, includes various “personalized AI features” powered by the Personal Data Engine, which are aimed at providing a more customized user experience.

Additional Features and Pricing

Other notable features of the Galaxy S25 Plus are a 4,900mAh battery that supports QC 2.0 and Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, a 6.7-inch QHD+ display, 12GB of RAM, and storage options of up to 512GB. It runs on One UI 7 and has a slightly lighter weight compared to the previous model. In the European market, the launch price starts at €1,149, the same as the S24+.

Tags: Galaxy S25+, Samsung Galaxy S24, Snapdragon 8 Elite
January 22, 2025

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Unveiled: Hands-On Footage & Packaging

The release of Samsung’s upcoming flagship smartphones is just about to happen. Currently, the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra are the leading models for the company. However, soon these will be replaced by the Galaxy S25 series, which has already been showcased by a user on Reddit.

Expected Color Options

While three color choices are visible, it’s anticipated that Samsung will reveal four colors for each model when the trio is officially presented later today. According to earlier leaks, the colors displayed include Silver Shadow, Moon Night Blue, and Titanium Blue. Notably, Titanium Blue will be exclusive to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while Silver Shadow and Moon Night Blue will be available for the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus.

Special Online Exclusives

Samsung is reportedly launching a range of ‘Online Exclusives’, similar to previous Galaxy S and Galaxy Z releases. However, these special color options will only be offered through Samsung’s online store. In contrast, the three colors shown above and below should be available directly from Samsung and through various third-party retailers.

New Retail Packaging

Today’s leak also showcases the retail packaging for the Galaxy S25 series for the first time, which is different from that of the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra (currently priced at $856.99 on Amazon). In fact, the retail packaging for the Galaxy S25 series resembles a simplified version of the Galaxy Z Fold6 box, which Samsung used for last year’s Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition release.

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Tags: Galaxy S25+, Samsung, Smartphone Colors