The Galaxy S25 is here, and it looks almost exactly like the S24, with nearly the same hardware. Display, battery, cameras, and storage have hardly changed. Samsung is focusing on AI with this new generation, with uncertain results.
The Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra emphasize software. Samsung has integrated its Galaxy AI with Google Gemini. These AI Agents can execute and process complex requests across multiple apps. Samsung aims to improve general communication with AI. For example, if you type “tired eyes” into the settings search field, the smartphone interprets this and suggests enabling the eye-comfort mode. The main goal is to move away from using individual apps with precise commands to using natural language, making everyday use more comfortable.
However, the question remains: Is this enough? These new software features might be available for previous generations through updates. It might take some time, and perhaps not everything will run as smoothly as on the S25, but these features are not a strong selling point in my eyes. Furthermore, many of these features don’t seem exclusive to Samsung, as Google mentions providing them “among others for the Galaxy S25 series” in a blog post. This further reduces the appeal of Galaxy smartphones.
Additionally, customers need to accept this new way of interaction that Samsung is aiming for. Many people, not just older ones, still jot down notes on a piece of paper attached to the back of their phone. The AI Agents must offer real advantages and work reliably. If these functions don’t perform as promised, users will quickly revert to tapping app icons one by one to accomplish tasks as before.
When it comes to hardware, the changes are minimal. The devices are slightly lighter, a bit thinner, and the Ultra model has more megapixels for its ultra-wide-angle camera, along with a 0.1-inch increase in screen size. Such a small upgrade would have been considered an interim generation in the past, and even the transition from the S23 to the S24 was minor. Not much is happening in this area currently.
This doesn’t mean the hardware is bad; on the contrary, Samsung’s displays are stunning, there’s ample storage, and the cameras will continue to capture great photos. However, they could have taken a step forward with the battery by using silicon-carbon anodes, as some Chinese manufacturers have started doing. But since the Galaxy Note 7 incident, Samsung has been cautious in this area, which is understandable.
Few users are likely to switch from the S24 or S23 to the new generation solely because of the hardware, despite the naturally improved processor. The slim Galaxy S25 Edge probably won’t change that. Although it looks appealing, is a particularly thin and delicate smartphone really what customers want? Despite its fascinating appearance, the Edge seems to miss the mark for the broader market. The AI Agents will need to prove their worth, and not just at Samsung will people be hoping for their success.