This review mainly refers to more "knowledgeable" users who are looking for a new device, but also to people who, without knowing much, can understand the differences of this device from others!
Before I mention the positive and negative aspects, since there has been a lot of chaos on the internet regarding the differences with the previous model, the S25U as a device is amazing. Those who have the S24U, as I did, had no reason to upgrade from the start since the S24U is a beast on its own. I will not evaluate the S25U as a continuation of the 24 but as a device that was released in 2025, like all other companies do. Not everyone has the money to buy a new phone every year, but those who do and want to upgrade every year can decide if the new model is a worthwhile upgrade to get.
Let's start
Regarding the positive aspects:
1. The Snapdragon Elite that the S25U uses is perhaps the biggest upgrade in processor technology in the market for many years. It is the first to have the specifications for the new AI models that many brands will start to fill their phones with while being quite power efficient for what it delivers.
2. The DISPLAY!!! Although I am a big fan of the characteristic square display of the ultra models, after a week of using the round display, I can say that it is indeed much more convenient. The colors are just right, bright, and above all, with Samsung's patent on reflections, the phone looks perfect and crystal clear in all everyday situations.
3. The speakers. It was not mentioned much in the reviews or at the event, but the sound this year is noticeably better than other flagships. It may just be a software issue (better settings of OUI 7) or better drivers; anyway, the experience is very good.
4. The camera. Perhaps the most refined camera version we have seen from Samsung in years. The only change is an additional 50mm lens, which brings significant changes in photo quality but even greater differences in video. The colors are finally spot on with minor differences from what we see in reality, and the tweaks made by AI are not so much additions as they are refinements, making the photos look realistic and pleasing to the eye.
5. Battery. As much as I want to complain about its size and charging speed, the truth is that I have never needed the features I had on older phones (OnePlus 10-11-12). It easily lasts close to 2 days of use based on someone not minding seeing their battery around 30-20% with normal use (average 5 hours screen on per day with several calls and media). It does its job; most of the negatives are minor.
7. Cooling. The 8 elite has greatly improved the heat output compared to Gen 2. Combined with its cooling system, which did an amazing job last year, you won't feel the phone getting hot except under excessive and heavy gaming use (and even then, you will just feel it warm).
8. Samsung's ecosystem is starting to rise and adds devices and accessories for all budgets (for some, this may be good, but for others, it may be bad as it becomes like other companies), providing one of the best experiences in ecosystems that a consumer can have.
9. AI. Like it or not, the future is heading that way, and it was expected that its use would become more intensive in the world of smartphones. I am happy to see two titans in the technology field (Google and Samsung) collaborating, and I believe that over time, there will be things that in the future we will wonder how we lived without them.
10. WIFI 7e. Just overkill, most router-modems are wifi 4-5-6 based on the fact that we now have good internet speeds. In short, with wifi 7, your mobile will keep you covered for many years.
11. 12 Ram in all versions. I am glad to see Samsung not exaggerating and instead prioritizing the ease of manufacturing the device. 12GB of ram is more than enough for everyone.
12. S-PEN. There may only be one time you need it, but at that moment, you will understand how valuable it is to have it.
13. Samsung DeX: It's like having a very small computer with you. As the years go by, it has become more useful to me. I never carry a tablet or laptop for work (at least for my jobs), and when I need a more desktop-like environment, I just connect Dex wirelessly and I'm ready.
14. Software. Here I believe there has been the most significant upgrade as the OUI 7 is simply amazing. From customizing animations to the new camera app, to the removal of unnecessary apps, it is exactly what many of us have been asking from Samsung for years, and they finally delivered. I consider this a positive as many people do not realize how important software development is and how optimized it is. I look forward to seeing how the previous phones of the company will perform with this change, as well as the mid-range phones, since the software aspect may influence the choice of phone even if there are others with better specs at the same price.
15. Design. Many say it lost the characteristic that made it stand out, while others say it is a correct change. Personally, I believe it is a correct change. Better titanium, noticeably more comfortable, and maintaining the reduction of reflection while moving away from the "matte" display that has its own issues, is a good change. All sensors and antennas are in better positions, and the SIM pin is in a spot that you don't confuse for a microphone. All these small changes are appreciated, and I am glad to see them.
As for the negatives:
1. The price. Unfortunately, the whole issue goes to the market and not the phone. Based on the fact that the phone costs in Greece as much as in other countries that have the launch price (1250), then the price issue would be a positive and even more people would buy it (the selling price for the smallest model starts at 1500).
2. The lack of a microSD slot, after so many years, I believe it is mentioned for no reason.
3. Like many companies, Samsung also intends to put various features behind some subscription in the future. It is a shame to buy a product and then have to pay later to use it to the fullest.
4. Here a positive change brings a negative change as well. The screen coating, no matter how much it makes a difference, becomes useless when we put a screen protector on the phone, thus making premium solutions a necessity to somehow maintain this new addition (one of the options is the Whitestone Dome, which is currently priced at 40+ euros).
5. The changes to the S-Pen. This is also the reason there has been so much fuss about the phone since it was released. The removal of Bluetooth from the S-Pen, in my opinion, is a bad move with a poor justification. It is not an expense for such a company the 1 euro that the spen battery can make, nor is it a software issue. I accept that we can now have magsafe accessories without affecting usage, but personally, I had no issue from the beginning, not even with the s24u. I hope to see it again in the next devices.
6. Battery. As mentioned in the positives, the battery is sufficient for 99% of users in terms of capacity as well as speed. Of course, with the changes happening in other brands and the proof that faster charging does not affect battery health, I believe that Samsung needs to step up in the battery department with its next phones.
Overall, the S25U is a fantastic device that will satisfy every kind of demand from its user. I would recommend this device without a second thought to anyone interested in a truly complete package. Those who comment on the phone in comparison to the previous one are, in my opinion, mistaken. Each device is its own product and should not be compared to the differences in generations but with the products. I prefer the perfection of a recipe that already works as it should rather than innovations that may not serve us anything without enough time for testing. It has nothing to envy from other flagships in its category. At this moment, compared to phones in its category, it is one of the best choices someone can make.
Thank you for reading the review!