Samsung Galaxy S25 release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
What we know so far
Early next year, Samsung will treat us to the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S25 Plus, the more affordable of the upcoming flagship series, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the crown jewel. While it is too early to have any super-credible leaks and rumors coming our way, we know surprisingly much about the next-gen Samsung flagships.
Just like most previous Galaxy flagships, the Galaxy S25 models might use Qualcomm's 3nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip in the USA, but Samsung's own line of Exynos chips on most other international markets. However, some reports also claim Samsung could resort to Mediatek Dimensity chips due to rising costs for the Snapdragon lineup.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is looking like a serious powerhouse, possibly outdoing the iPhone 16. This would be a big win for any on-device Galaxy AI features. Plus, the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are rumored to come with significantly faster storage, which could really enhance overall performance and take Galaxy AI to the next level.
These two phones will boast the same design language, which has been the case with most pairs from previous years. New here could be a potential design refresh that will reportedly aim to make the phones feel "fresh". Another rumor relates to the design and claims that the Galaxy S25 might grow from 6.2 to 6.3 inches, potentially following the footsteps of the iPhone 16.
On the camera front, there is a rumor that Samsung might ditch its ISOCELL sensors and switch to Sony’s. If true, this could mean a significant boost in image quality.
The battery capacity is likely to remain the same as the previous model, but there’s hope that the slow wired charging speeds will improve. Currently, they max out at 25W, which is behind many other Android flagships.
Price-wise, it is too early to have any particular expectations, but we wouldn't expect a significant price increase. The two devices will possibly be announced in January, with a subsequent release in late January or early February.
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Galaxy S25 release date
The Galaxy S25 series will most probably be announced in January or February 2025. Unveiling its flagship phones so early has slowly become a tradition for Samsung, so we are pretty certain the next Samsung flagships will be announced then.
After a Galaxy flagship lineup is announced, there is usually around ten days to two weeks until it hits the market. What this means for the Galaxy S25? The phone will possibly be released in late January/early February, falling in line with previous Galaxy launches.
| Device lineup | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 | January 2025* | January/February 2025* |
| Galaxy S24 | January 17, 2024 | January 31, 2024 |
| Galaxy S23 | February 1, 2023 | February 17, 2023 |
| Galaxy S22 | February 7, 2022 | February 25, 2023 |
| Galaxy S21 | January 14, 2021 | January 29, 2021 |
| Galaxy S20 | February 11, 2020 | March 6, 2020 |
* - probable dates
Galaxy S25 price and deals
It is still too early for any pricing rumors to be taken seriously.
While there is not much info on the Galaxy S25's price yet, it is unlikely that Samsung will make its next flagship models significantly more expensive (or cheaper) than its current lineup. So, it is a safe bet that the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus will be priced similarly to their predecessors.
We haven't had any serious price corrections on Samsung's Galaxy lineup lately, so there is a chance that the Galaxy S25 range could get pricier.
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 Plus | $999 (256 GB), $1119 (512GB)* |
| Galaxy S25 | $799 (128 GB), $859 (256GB)* |
| Galaxy S24 Plus | $999 (256 GB), $1119 (512GB) |
| Galaxy S24 | $799 (128 GB), $859 (256GB) |
| Galaxy S23 Plus | $999 (256 GB), $1119 (512GB) |
| Galaxy S23 | $799 (128 GB), $859 (256GB) |
* - anticipated prices
What kind of deals can we expect for the Galaxy S25 from Samsung and the major carriers? Based on Galaxy S24 offers and pricing, we can likely expect Samsung, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile to roll out deals and promotions similar to those seen in early 2024.
- Samsung: The company itself usually offers some of the best deals on Galaxy phones. For example, you can trade in your old device and get up to $600 in credit. And if you don’t have a device to trade in, no worries – Samsung often has other discounts, too. For example, right now, you can get $80 off the Galaxy S24 without a trade-in. Plus, there are various payment plans available if you prefer not to go for a one-time payment option.
- Verizon: The Galaxy S24 was – and still is – available for $0 upfront if you qualify. Monthly payments vary depending on the initial down payment and the plan you choose. With Verizon, the Galaxy S24 was also available with a trade-in option, letting you save up to $800. In fact, you could get $800 off with any Samsung smartphone trade-in – any model, any condition – as long as you add a new line on select Unlimited plans.
- T-mobile: T-Mobile’s offers are pretty similar. You have several ways to save on the current model, including trade-in options that can give you up to $800 off your purchase. If you qualify for the full amount, that means you can get the new device free – or almost free – since you’ll need to choose a two-year plan like Go5G Plus or Go5G Next. Alternatively, you can save up to $200 on any available plan.
- AT&T: The carrier offers even more in trade-in credit, with up to $1,000 off for the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. The minimum trade-in value is $95. AT&T also has great deals if you buy through a qualifying installment plan with an eligible AT&T Unlimited plan, including getting the phone for as low as $10.99 a month.
Galaxy S25 camera
As it's simply too early to know anything credible about the Galaxy S25 models, most of what we know about the lineup is mostly based on rumors, some of which should be taken with more salt than usual.
At this point, we don't expect neither the Galaxy S25 Plus nor the Galaxy S25 to change their rear camera setups. Thus, we expect a wide-camera, a ultra-wide, and a telephoto with 3X optical zoom to make the rounds.
Rumor has it Samsung might ditch its ISOCELL sensors and employ Sony camera sensors for the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 models. This tidbit of info is courtesy of leakster Revegnus, who has a decent track record of rumors that have materialized. The sensors in question are Sony's fresh new LYTIA ones, which utilize dual-stacked technology for improved light sensitivity and color rendition.
As is tradition, Galaxy flagship releases usually introduce a ton of software and image-processing upgrades that are equal part responsible for any improved image quality enhancements. It's a certainty that such improvements wouldn't miss the Galaxy S25 Plus or Galaxy S25 models.
Galaxy S25 storage
The Galaxy S25 range might become the pioneer in incorporating Samsung's latest UFS 4.04-lane storage chip, potentially capable of supporting speeds of nearly 8GB/sec. This marks a significant leap from the current UFS 4.0 standard, which typically offers around 4GB/s, effectively doubling the data transfer rate. Faster storage would be great for on-device AI, but would also improve the overall perceived performance and user experience.
We don't expect any changes in storage capacity in comparison with the previous models.
Galaxy S25 Plus storage capacity:
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
Galaxy S25 storage capacity:
- 128GB
- 256 GB
Galaxy S25 design
There are whispers that Samsung is planning to shake up the design of the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. According to tipster Revegnus, the leader of Samsung's design team has been tasked with giving the Galaxy S25 lineup a "fresh" feel. This could either mean a complete overhaul or just a subtle update to give the devices a new vibe.
However, recently, a new leak gave us a glimpse of renders for the Galaxy S25, suggesting that Samsung might be leaning toward a more subtle touch-up. The renders show a design that feels familiar yet has some eye-catching enhancements. The cameras now feature sleek rings, reminiscent of the Z Fold 6, and the bezels around the display look even slimmer.
However, recently, a new leak gave us a glimpse of renders for the Galaxy S25, suggesting that Samsung might be leaning toward a more subtle touch-up. The renders show a design that feels familiar yet has some eye-catching enhancements. The cameras now feature sleek rings, reminiscent of the Z Fold 6, and the bezels around the display look even slimmer.
Renders showing how Galaxy S25 might look like.
Rumor has it the small Galaxy S25 could be slated for a slight display increase, from 6.2 to 6.3 inches. Overall, the flat, iPhone-like design that debuted in 2024 will continue with the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus next year and recently leaked renders of the Plus model back this up.
Newly leaked renders of Galaxy S25 Plus show how the smartphone might look like.
Another possible upgrade for the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus could be the new Gorilla Glass Armor that eliminates most display reflections and boosts display legibility. This design quirk is currently making the rounds on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, so there is a chance that it could trickle down to the Galaxy S25/Galaxy S25 Plus.
Galaxy S25 display
As per the redesign rumors, the Galaxy S25 display could grow to 6.3 inches, a 0.1-inch bump in comparison with the current Galaxy flagship. No such change is currently expected for the Galaxy S25 Plus, so it could remain at 6.7 inches.
Aside from size, the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy S25 will certainly come with Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays. Both phones will offer super-smooth user experience, dynamically switching between 1 and 120Hz. The Galaxy S25 Plus will retain its QHD+ resolution, while the Galaxy S25 could remain a FHD+ phone. We suppose we might see higher maximum brightness on both devices.
Aside from size, the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy S25 will certainly come with Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays. Both phones will offer super-smooth user experience, dynamically switching between 1 and 120Hz. The Galaxy S25 Plus will retain its QHD+ resolution, while the Galaxy S25 could remain a FHD+ phone. We suppose we might see higher maximum brightness on both devices.
Galaxy S25 battery
Battery capacities are usually among the last details to leak out about a phone. However, a recent report has brought some disappointing news: the Galaxy S25 Plus is expected to have the same battery as its predecessor.
We doubt that the battery of the Galaxy S25 would be larger than the current one inside the Galaxy S24. As a refresher, the smaller current model has a 4,000mAh battery, while the Plus-sized one features a 4,900mAh battery.
While the Galaxy S25 Plus could boast 45W wired fast charging, matching what we expect of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it is the smaller Galaxy S25 that could use a charging speed upgrade. The previous model supports 25W charging, which is slow compared to other phones on the market.
Galaxy S25 features and software
The Galaxy S25 series will arrive with One UI 7, based on the upcoming Android 15. Currently, we don't have any specific information as to what potential features the update could deliver.
Samsung is all-in on generative AI, and we can only imagine that this will deepen with the Galaxy S25 series. The potential for generative AI is enormous, thus we can't wait to see what features could make it to the Galaxy S25 models.
We expect that the Galaxy S25 lineup will be supported for seven years, just like the current Galaxy S24 lineup. This essentially means the phones will be supported until 2032. This includes both major Android releases and security patches.
Galaxy S25 hardware and expected specs
Display
Size
Technology
Dynamic AMOLED
Refresh rate
120Hz
Peak brightness
2600 cd/m2 (nit)
Features
HDR support, Scratch-resistant glass, Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor
Hardware
System chip
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4
Processor
GPU
Yes
RAM
Internal storage
128GB, not expandable
OS
Android (14)
Battery
Capacity
4000 mAh
Charging
Fast charging
Camera
Rear
Triple camera
Main camera
Specifications
Aperture size: F1.8; Focal length: 24 mm; Sensor size: 1/1.56"; Pixel size: 1.0 μm
Second camera
10 MP (Telephoto, OIS)
Specifications
Optical zoom: 3.0x; Aperture size: F2.4; Focal Length: 67 mm; Sensor size: 1/3.94"; Pixel size: 1.0 μm
Third camera
12 MP (Ultra-wide)
Specifications
Aperture size: F2.2; Focal Length: 13 mm; Sensor size: 1/2.55"; Pixel size: 1.4 μm
Video recording
7680x4320 (8K UHD) (30 fps), 3840x2160 (4K UHD) (60 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (240 fps)
Front
12 MP
Video capture
3840x2160 (4K UHD) (60 fps)
Design
Materials
Back: Glass (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2); Frame: Aluminum
Resistance
Yes; IP68
Biometrics
Ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint
Cellular
5G
mmWave, 5G Ready
Buyers information
Price
$ 800
See the full Samsung Galaxy S25 specs comparison or compare them to other phones using our Phone Comparison Tool.
Just like most previous Galaxy releases (except for the Galaxy S23 series), the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 might use different chips in the different regions. In the US, they will possibly be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, while Samsung's Exynos chip would power the phones in most regions around the world.
Yet, rumors don't rule out the possibility that Samsung could use a MediaTek Dimensity chipset on the Galaxy S25 lineup due to the rising prices of the Snapdragon chips, which might be 25-30% pricier than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and cost between $240-$260. The chip that's likely being considered by Samsung could be the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus chip.
Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip is set to adopt Qualcomm's new CPU cores, replacing ARM's Cortex cores. According to rumors and leaks, the chip may not include any efficiency cores, opting instead for two high-performance Phoenix CPU cores and six medium-performance CPU cores.
Tipster Digital Chat Station has it that the two performance cores of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could potentially be clocked at speeds as high as 4GHz. This represents a significant improvement over the 3.3GHz clock speed of the Cortex-X4 found in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Finally, a leaked GeekBench 6 benchmark test result has surfaced, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 reportedly achieved 2845 points in GeekBench's single-core test and 10628 points in the multi-core test. These scores significantly surpass the 7249 points achieved by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the 7281 points attained by the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This suggests that the upcoming phone could offer noticeably faster performance compared to its predecessor.
Meanwhile, the Exynos chip that would power the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 is probably the Exynos 2500, which recently leaked out. It will reportedly maintain a deca-core build.
Should I wait for the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus?
- You should wait for the Galaxy S25 if you haven't upgraded in a while and could see yourself being interested in the upcoming Galaxy S25 lineup. If you're using an older Galaxy phone, like a Galaxy S20 or a Galaxy S21, next year's Galaxy S25 could be the perfect upgrade for you.
- You should not wait for the Galaxy S25 if you've recently upgraded your phone or are using a relatively modern device. Anyone coming from a Galaxy S23 or a Galaxy S24 probably shouldn't consider upgrading, but of course, this could change depending on the Galaxy S25's merits.
Latest Galaxy 25 series rumors
Leaked Galaxy S25 Ultra design change shows up on dummy unit
MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 AP enjoys pricing advantage over rival Snapdragon chipset
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus benchmark pegs it faster than the S25 Ultra
Certification reveals stagnant Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus charging speeds
The Galaxy S25 Plus may come without a surplus battery capacity
Samsung Foundry's pathetic 3nm yield could lead to a major processor shakeup
Galaxy S25 series could cost you more money unless Samsung Foundry improves 3nm yields
Samsung executive: Galaxy S25 line to get the best camera and display upgrades
Galaxy S25 Ultra chip focuses on GPU energy efficiency not CPU performance
Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 orders have yet to surface raising questions about pricing
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