The Samsung Galaxy S24 series made waves earlier this year with its upgraded features, including a brighter screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, Galaxy AI, and even a titanium frame for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
As 2024 winds down, tech enthusiasts are already turning their attention to the next big thing: the Galaxy S25 series. So, what can we expect from the S25 lineup? And will it be worth the wait?
Release Date: Will Samsung Keep Up the Trend of Earlier Launches?
Samsung has yet to confirm an official release date for the Galaxy S25 series, but we can take a look at past patterns for some clues. Here's when the S Series has dropped over the last few years:
- Galaxy S22: Launched on February 9, 2022, and released on February 25.
- Galaxy S23: Launched on February 1, 2023, and released on February 17.
- Galaxy S24: Launched on January 17, 2024, and released on January 31.
It's clear that Samsung has been moving towards earlier launches, and while we expect the S25 to follow suit, it's unlikely that it will beat the S24's January 31 release. According to a report, the Galaxy Unpacked event for the S25 could take place as early as January 23, making that time frame a strong possibility.
Design and Display: Subtle Tweaks with Major Impact?
Titanium Framework Continues, and Thinner Bezels Expected
While the standard S24 and S24 Plus still used aluminum, the S24 Ultra's adoption of a titanium frame was one of its most talked-about features in 2024.
For the S25, it's almost certain that the Ultra version will continue with titanium for its durability and premium feel, but materials for the standard S25 and S25 Plus are still unclear now.
Tipster Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) shared an image of the S25 series models on X (formerly Twitter), hinting at a more refined design, with thinner bezels possibly coming to the S25 lineup.
In terms of display size, here's what we're expecting:
- S25: 6.36" (up from 6.2" on the S24)
- S25 Plus: Likely the same 6.7" display as the S24
- S25 Ultra: 6.86" (up from 6.79" on the S24 Ultra)
On top of that, the S24 series boasted a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Leaked specs suggest that the S25 series could push this further, potentially reaching up to 3,000 nits for an even brighter and more vibrant display.
Camera: Minor Adjustments Again?
The S24 series did not see any dramatic changes to the camera setup compared to the S23 series (except for the 50MP telephoto upgrade on the S24 Ultra).
As for the S25 series, leaks suggest that the Ultra model will see a slight bump with a new 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, while the main, telephoto, and front cameras might remain largely the same. Based on these early reports, we expect the S25 and S25 Plus to keep the same camera configuration as their predecessors.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite, No More Exynos?
The S24 series featured a mix of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in markets like the U.S., Canada, and China) and Exynos 2400 (in regions like Europe and South Korea).
However, Ice Universe has posted that the entire Galaxy S25 lineup will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite, making it a global standard across all regions. This shift would mark a major move away from Samsung's Exynos chipsets, which have faced mixed reviews over the years.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to bring significant performance improvements, particularly in areas like gaming, AI processing, and overall power efficiency. We'll have to wait for official benchmarks, but this could be a major selling point for the S25 series.
Battery Capacity: Status Quo or New Developments?
Battery capacity is a key concern for many smartphone users. Here's a quick comparison of battery capacities across the previous generations:
Galaxy S23 Series:
- S23: 3900mAh
- S23Plus: 4700mAh
- S23 Ultra: 5000mAh
Galaxy S24 Series:
- S24: 4000mAh
- S24 Plus: 4900mAh
- S24 Ultra: 5000mAh
As you can see, the S24 saw a slight increase in battery capacity for the base and Plus models, but the Ultra model remained at 5000mAh. According to SamMobile, the S25 series will not see any major changes in battery capacity compared to the S24. So, expect similar capacities:
- S25: 4000mAh
- S25 Plus: 4900mAh
- S25 Ultra: 5000mAh
While this may be disappointing to some users who were hoping for a larger battery or longer life, there's still a silver lining. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset powering the S25 series could offer better power efficiency compared to its predecessors.
Storage and RAM: Bigger Options on the Horizon?
When it comes to storage, the Galaxy S25 series is likely to stick with the tried-and-true configurations from the previous generation, with a few enhancements. Here's a quick recap of the storage options available in the S24 series:
Galaxy S24 Series:
- S24: 8GB RAM, 128GB, 256GB storage
- S24 Plus: 12GB RAM, 256GB, 512GB storage
- S24 Ultra: 12GB RAM, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage
For the Galaxy S25 series, SamMobile reports that the base model and S25+ will come with 12GB RAM as the standard, with the S25 Ultra offering both 12GB and 16GB RAM variants.
- S25: 12GB RAM, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage
- S25 Plus: 12GB RAM, 256GB, 512GB storage
- S25 Ultra: 12GB RAM 256GB storage, 16GB RAM 512GB storage, 16GB RAM 1TB storage
Pricing: No Major Changes Expected
Over the past three years, the pricing for the Galaxy S series has remained relatively consistent:
- Galaxy S22: $799.99 (standard), $999.99 (Plus), $1199.99 (Ultra)
- Galaxy S23: $799.99 (standard), $999.99 (Plus), $1199.99 (Ultra)
- Galaxy S24: $799.99 (standard), $999.99 (Plus), $1299.99 (Ultra)
Based on historical trends and rumored specs, the S25 lineup will likely stay within this range, though there might be slight increases depending on the new features.
Galaxy S25 Slim: A New Model?
In a surprising turn of events, rumors suggest that the S25 series will introduce a new model called the S25 Slim, which may be released in the second quarter of 2025. This model is said to be a response to Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air, focusing on a thinner design with a 6.7-inch display.
The new model is also expected to come in two variants: one for the U.S. (SM-S937U) and one for regions that support dual SIM (SM-S937B/DS). We've got some specs of its rear cameras which might include a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom.
Conclusion: Should You Wait for the S25 Series?
The biggest draws of the upcoming S25 lineup are likely to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, brighter display, and the 50MP ultra-wide camera sensor in the Ultra model.
However, the lack of major camera overhauls or battery capacity increases might make it a less compelling upgrade for those with the S24 or earlier models.
If you're an early adopter or simply want the latest and greatest in smartphone technology, the S25 series could be worth the wait. But if you already own an S24, the changes might feel more like an evolution than a revolution. It might be worth waiting for the next big leap in technology, which could come later in the year.
