To my level, in comparison with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, the Galaxy S24 comes with a smaller, lower-res main digital camera, no periscope zoom, and no macro mode, which isn’t nice, but additionally isn’t precisely shocking given the whopping $500 worth hole between the 2. Some would possibly say that’s as a result of the Extremely mannequin is overpriced. And by “some” I imply me.
Different apparent omissions on the vanilla Galaxy S24 are the smaller show and battery, which is a deliberate design choice – nonetheless the key phrase right here is “choice”. Nobody stated the vanilla flagship ought to all the time be smaller than the premium mannequin.
Samsung has been enjoying low-cost (Apple-style) methods with its smaller flagship telephones for too lengthy now
The Galaxy S24 was purposefully made worse than the bigger, dearer telephones within the lineup.
Within the age of AI, RAM issues greater than ever, as Synthetic Intelligence is beginning to occupy huge quantities of reminiscence on our telephones, which may lead to telephones with much less RAM getting much less AI options, worse efficiency… or each.
Nonetheless, if you happen to dig a bit of deeper, you’ll discover out that Samsung has managed to one-up Apple by selecting to go together with a slower storage chip within the vanilla Galaxy S24 in comparison with the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Extremely – UFS 3.1 vs UFS 4.0. It’s one other “small element”, which finally can have an effect on efficiency.
And naturally, how can I overlook the truth that solely the Galaxy S24 Extremely comes solely geared up with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, whereas the vanilla fashions get a mixture of Qualcomm and Exynos chips – relying on the place you reside.
The entire above has lengthy been thought of a “unhealthy look” by fanatics like me, which is why I keep away from recommending the vanilla Galaxy S24 to individuals who desire a small cellphone, but additionally the most effective Samsung has to supply.
However that’s the place the Galaxy S25 is available in!
Lengthy overdue: Samsung’s compact Galaxy S25 flagship will lastly be price it (if you happen to’re OK with the smaller battery / shorter battery life)
Leaked Galaxy S24 renders present equivalent design to that of the Galaxy S24, however you possibly can anticipate a number of upgrades that make an actual distinction.
Fortunately, as I already talked about, loads of the above-mentioned cost-cutting methods are about to go away with next-year’s Galaxy S25 mannequin, which is now roughly month away from changing into official.
The result’s (hopefully) going to be a noticeably higher compact Samsung flagship in comparison with the Galaxy S24, and particularly in comparison with the bigger Galaxy S25+.
Right here’s a transparent breakdown of the upgrades that may make this occur:
- Quick UFS 4.0 storage (or newer) – lastly (!) coming to the vanilla Galaxy flagship, quicker storage can and can make opening apps quicker; gaming will probably be smoother; file switch will probably be swifter; smoother video playback (like 4K/8K); and even quicker software program updates
- 12GB of RAM – as we’ve realized all through the years, an Android cellphone can by no means have an excessive amount of RAM, and the Galaxy S25 will lastly get what appears like a good quantity of RAM that’s in a position to assist future-proof the cellphone; RAM massively impacts efficiency when doing issues like opening/reopening apps, modifying pictures/movies, gaming, and rather more
- Auto-focus within the UWA digital camera for macro pictures – though it’d appear to be small factor (no pun supposed), having the ability to seize tiny objects/topics together with your cellphone could be tremendous helpful at instances – for instance, I’ve used the macro give attention to my cellphone to get photos of bedbugs at a lodge, which is sweet proof to have earlier than happening at reception
- “MagSafe” is now anticipated to come back to Galaxy for the primary time by way of the Qi2 wi-fi charging customary (at the least in keeping with current leaks), which ought to make the Galaxy S25 extra sensible on the subject of utilizing equipment like magnetic energy banks, wallets, and extra
- A category-leading chip with unbelievable efficiency, the Snapdragon 8 Elite ought to make the Galaxy S25 fairly a bit quicker, but additionally rather more environment friendly, which suggests higher battery life – at the least if you happen to’re fortunate to get the Snapdragon variant of the cellphone (Exynos just isn’t going away)
- Lastly, a pleasant rumor to listen to is that costs are anticipated to remain in keeping with final gen Samsung flagships, which suggests the vanilla Galaxy S25 ought to begin at $800 within the US, or “solely” €900 in Europe
Total, given how gradual Samsung has grow to be on the subject of main upgrades (aside from the realm of AI), I’d say this checklist of enhancements can be a serious win for the 6.2-inch Galaxy S25 mannequin and people who like smaller telephones.
I occur to fall into that very same class of customers who hate carrying a brick of their pockets, which is why this long-overdue appreciation for the smallest Galaxy flagship is far appreciated by me.
Nonetheless, the compact Galaxy S25 gained’t be a the mini “Extremely” Galaxy flagship you may be dreaming of
Leaked dummy fashions of the Galaxy S25 Extremely.
This contains the digital camera system, which is predicted to remain nearly the identical – at the least by way of {hardware}, which is a little bit of a disgrace contemplating all three of the cameras on the again of the Galaxy S24 may do with an improve. Particularly given the competitors from the iPhone 16, Pixel 9, and naturally, the extra revolutionary Chinese language flagships from Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.
The Si/C battery tech has allowed phone-makers like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo to pack 6,000 and even 7,000 mAh batteries into their telephones with out having to make them thicker or heavier.
Mixed with the noticeably extra environment friendly Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, this has confirmed to make a dramatic distinction in battery life, as some Android flagships now match/surpass the iPhone 16 Professional Max in that regard.
Selecting to depart this improve out and (presumably) wait till subsequent yr to incorporate it within the Galaxy S26 collection, may be probably the most “Apple” factor Samsung will do with the Galaxy S25 collection. However… It’s what it’s.
I suppose the excellent news is that aside from the digital camera system and the comparatively small battery capability, the Galaxy S25 would possibly excel in all different areas, whereas nonetheless having an incredible (if not the most effective) digital camera, and (I’d guess) improved battery life due to the extra environment friendly chip. Even 20% further juice on the finish of the day can be a win for my part – given the conservative batteries.
The Galaxy S25 won’t be the most effective compact flagship of 2025, but it surely’s going to be the most effective compact Galaxy cellphone by far
The Xiaomi 15 collection have been a serious battery improve due to utilizing Si/C batteries – one thing we can’t see on the Galaxy S25 collection.
Whereas a few of the upgrades the Galaxy S25 is reportedly getting may be coming due to Samsung’s generosity, just like the macro-capable ultra-wide-angle digital camera, and the unchanged $800 beginning worth (which, nowadays, looks as if an improve), others appear a bit extra compelled by the circumstances.
These can be the reported 12GB of RAM, which (I’d wager) would’ve been 8GB if Samsung didn’t need/must push Galaxy AI even additional – particularly now that Apple can also be competing on this space.
The quicker storage speeds expedited to lastly hit the Galaxy S25 additionally appear to be one thing Samsung had so as to add with a purpose to keep aggressive relatively than due to generosity.
Nonetheless, the underside line is that it actually doesn’t matter – upgrades are upgrades, and even when they’re reluctantly added or lengthy overdue, they’ll make the Galaxy S25 a much better small flagship cellphone than the Galaxy S24, and rather more just like the Galaxy S25+.
Given the historical past of lesser vanilla Samsung flagships in comparison with their bigger counterparts, this could be a change to rejoice.
Now’s the Galaxy S25 going to be “the most effective compact cellphone” of 2025? I doubt it. Even when it’s a stellar improve in isolation, manufacturers like Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi are doing far more to draw those that need compact telephones. An excellent instance is the Xiaomi 15, which has a class-leading digital camera system, a whopping 5,400 battery, and 90W fast-charging – all in a 6.3-inch physique.
I suppose I’m wanting ahead to the second Samsung can pull that off.
