Samsung Galaxy S25 Long-Term Review: Lightweight Flagship with Big Features

It’s a beautiful day to dive into a review. If you’re thinking about buying a compact, comfortable flagship phone today, a few options stand out. First up, the Pixel 9. Google really nailed it this year with the Pixel series, especially when it comes to how the phone feels in hand. The build quality is top-notch, the cameras are fantastic, and the software comes packed with useful AI features. However, there’s a slight catch: the processor. The Pixel 9 uses the Tensor G4, which doesn’t quite match the Snapdragon 8 Elite or even Apple’s A18 in raw performance. Google is still fairly new at making processors for their phones, but with time, they’ll get there.

Then there’s the iPhone 16. An awesome smartphone by Apple with outstanding cameras, especially for video recording. The performance is simply amazing thanks to the A18 chipset, and the software experience is great too, with many Apple Intelligence features now available. Even the battery life is decent. But there’s a catch here as well—the display. While the quality is great, the iPhone 16 still ships with a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels outdated in 2025. Despite this, the iPhone 16 remains a solid choice, and in fact, I personally use the iPhone 16 Plus daily, which is just the larger version of the 16. But there’s a better phone in the mix.

Alongside my iPhone 16 Plus, there’s one phone I’ve been using that’s been truly incredible: the Samsung Galaxy S25. I bought this phone on launch day, initially expecting to create a video criticizing Samsung for making only minor upgrades over the S24. And yes, I was right—it is a minor upgrade. But the key is, the S24 was already an excellent phone, and the S25 improves on it in all the right ways.

The S25 has become my go-to smartphone despite testing many others. It’s small by 2025 standards with a 6.1-inch display—perfectly sized, neither too big nor too small. Weighing just 162 grams, it’s incredibly lightweight, and that’s exactly why I haven’t used a cover most of the time—I don’t want to add any bulk. One-hand usage is effortless. I can easily reach all four corners and navigate smoothly through the UI.

Samsung has delivered excellent build quality here. This isn’t a budget device—it’s a true flagship with premium materials and IP68 water and dust resistance. The buttons are also fantastic—super clicky and tactile. I must thank the Samsung store salesman who recommended the blue-black color; it looks stunning.

The display? Simply brilliant. A high-quality AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel buttery smooth, whether it’s scrolling, swiping, or watching content. Instagram reels, Netflix shows—everything looks vibrant and crisp. Samsung’s expertise with displays really shines with the S25. Slim bezels give an immersive experience, and I love that it’s a flat screen—no unnecessary curves.

Beneath that beautiful display is a fast ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. I did face some issues when changing my tempered glass. Each time I swap screen protectors, I have to re-register my fingerprints. Even the installer knew about this common complaint among S24 and S25 users. Still, once re-registered, the fingerprint sensor works reliably.

The S25’s performance is outstanding, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy—an overclocked Snapdragon 8. Thankfully, no Exynos variants in India this year, which means no compromises. Whether for day-to-day apps or gaming, this processor handles everything with ease. This phone is truly future-proof.

In terms of storage, the S25 comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. I strongly recommend going for the 256GB version. The price difference from the 128GB model isn’t huge—about 5,000 to 6,000 rupees—and you’ll appreciate the extra space in the long run.

Software-wise, the S25 runs One UI 7, Samsung’s latest and greatest. It’s fast, customizable, feature-rich, and incredibly fun to use. One feature I love is Samsung Wallet. I’ve stored my Aadhaar card, PAN card, credit cards—all in one place. I simply tap my phone on a payment terminal, and it works seamlessly. I wish Apple would introduce tap-to-pay with iPhones in India too.

One UI 7 also brings Galaxy AI features, making the experience even smarter. In short, One UI 7 is simply awesome.

Now let’s talk about cameras. The S25 sports three rear cameras: a 50MP primary, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto. Photos from the S25 are excellent, with well-balanced HDR that doesn’t look over-processed. Contrast levels are even better compared to the iPhone 16, and the colors have Samsung’s signature punch—perfect for social media. Personally, I still edit every photo before uploading, but even straight out of the camera, the results are impressive.

The dedicated 3x telephoto lens adds versatility. I find myself using it more often than the ultra-wide lens, whether for portraits, food shots, or landscapes. Photos and videos come out great across various lighting conditions.

Speaking of video, the S25 can shoot up to 8K at 30fps. I mostly stick to 4K 30fps, and the results are excellent. Android phones have finally caught up to the iPhone in video recording quality. Plus, Samsung does a good job optimizing apps like Instagram and Snapchat, so the quality remains high even inside those apps.

If I have one complaint, it’s that Samsung could improve the telephoto sensor quality further. But overall, for the size, form factor, and price, the camera setup is fantastic.

Battery life is another story. The S25 packs a 4,000mAh battery, which is just enough for a full day of normal use. I’ve even done a dedicated “day in the life” video showcasing real-world battery performance. For light to moderate usage, it’s fine. But heavy tasks like shooting 4K videos or extended gaming sessions will drain it faster.

That said, for what it is—a compact, lightweight, flagship phone—the S25 absolutely nails it. Lightweight design, incredible display, strong performance, solid cameras, and useful software features. Samsung has refined the formula, and the Galaxy S25 stands out as one of the best compact flagship phones of 2025.