72 hours later with Galaxy S25 Extremely – the AI hype is getting actual for me

Samsung’s Huge Dangerous Galaxy cellphone has arrived, and it is virtually all the pieces I anticipated. The Galaxy S25 Extremely, which begins on the similar daring value as final yr, $1,299, stays the corporate’s do-everything handset, with a extra sturdy show, an upgraded digicam system with some helpful enhancing tips, and the most recent Qualcomm processor preserving issues operating. Oh, and sure, AI is all the pieces, all over the place, suddenly.

Additionally: Samsung Unpacked 2025: 5 greatest bulletins, together with S25 Edge and AR glasses

Whereas final yr’s Galaxy S24 collection ushered in Samsung’s Galaxy AI period, this yr feels extra like the corporate cementing itself because the chief within the house, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on options and capabilities. After all, how ornamental that honor is in the end relies on how invested you might be in utilizing AI.

I’ve spent the three days to date testing the S25 Extremely and wasn’t too shocked to search out myself each fascinated and bored. In spite of everything, that is now Samsung’s fifth iteration of the S-series Extremely mannequin, and the adjustments year-over-year have been modest, to be beneficiant. However for those who’re presently utilizing a three- to four-year-old handset and contemplating an improve, take this first-hand testimonial — I am not calling it a full overview but — to coronary heart. (And for those who’re an fanatic, it will matter simply as a lot to you.)

The Galaxy S Extremely has all the time been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds this yr. After I first unboxed the S25 Extremely, it felt just like the fanciest calculator ever (and I imply that in a pleasant manner), with its spherical edges and tall stature. Coming from the OnePlus 13 I lately reviewed — which, on paper, is comparatively comparable in measurement — the S25 Extremely had a bolder and extra putting presence.

Luckily, the system is just not as top-heavy as I keep in mind earlier fashions being, despite the fact that Samsung encased the 4 rear cameras with thicker rings this time round. Actually, the S25 Extremely is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, incomes it the title of the thinnest Galaxy S Extremely ever. You will seemingly hear extra in regards to the “thinnification” of telephones later this yr.

Additionally: I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 – and the AI options have been surprisingly polished

The opposite notable design improve with the S25 Extremely is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the entrance show. It does not take away from the anti-reflection floor therapy that made headlines on final yr’s S24 Extremely, but guarantees improved drop safety and scratch resistance. I consider it. My S24 Extremely final yr had quite a few micro scratches after simply days of testing, whereas my S25 Extremely overview unit has remained pristine to date.

Now if solely Samsung may carry again the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes, as a result of these S25 Extremely colours are uninspiring. Maybe it is the character of titanium finishes or the cruel actuality that customers usually tend to go for safer colours with black, white, and silver hues than poppy and shiny. Regardless, you will wish to slap on a case if you wish to give your S25 Extremely even a contact of character.

Below the hood is a brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the identical processor powering competing Android telephones just like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Professional. Probably the most notable advantage of the chipset comes within the type of AI experiences — particularly, a 40% enhance in NPU efficiency in comparison with final yr’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely vs. iPhone 16 Professional Max: We examined each, and the winner is just not so apparent

In layman’s phrases, on-device AI options ought to take up much less bandwidth and energy to function whereas additionally functioning rapidly. I noticed the leads to individual, placebo impact or not, as my S25 Extremely can swiftly take away topics (together with their shadows) from the background of images by way of Generative Edit and pull up Gemini search leads to a matter of seconds.

You may as well chalk up the efficiency to the improved Gemini app, which might now be fired up with an extended press of the facility button. Beforehand, Samsung telephones have been restricted to Bixby — or Google Assistant, for those who made some sketchy, backend modifications — so this transformation is a breath of recent air. It makes transitioning from every other Android cellphone that makes use of Gemini because the default assistant far more burdenless.

Talking of which, the brand new Gemini-Bixby hybrid AI agent, as Samsung confusingly places it, can deal with natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, reminiscent of wanting up the upcoming schedule of your favourite sports activities crew and including the date(s) to your calendar. Whereas the agent-like functionality primarily works throughout Google and Samsung apps, some third-party providers like Spotify are supported, too. 

Additionally: I could lastly ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy cellphone in 2025. This is why

The essential factor is understanding tips on how to phrase your instructions. For instance, once I requested the AI agent to create a Spotify playlist for street journeys and ship it to my spouse, it responded that it was unable to take action. When, as a substitute, I requested it to discover songs that have been good for street journeys, it curated the checklist and drafted a modifiable textual content message. Girls and gents, AI.

Contemplating final yr’s S24 collection launched Google’s Circle to Search characteristic, and this yr’s S25 collection is doing the identical for the improved Gemini-Bixby expertise, it would not be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the very best AI cellphone available on the market proper now. 

Another new Galaxy AI instruments like AI Choose and Now Temporary solely reinforce that assertion, with the previous being an adaptive, context-aware display choice instrument, and the latter providing you with every day summaries of the climate, calendar occasions, and information. 

Additionally: Samsung home equipment are about to get smarter and wiser – due to AI

I simply want Now Temporary confirmed me extra than simply political information; even with my matter preferences inside my Samsung Information app set to know-how and sports activities, the app nonetheless wakes me up with an “Uplifting Morning Prep” Spotify playlist and the most recent scoop on the US president signing government orders.

One of many key causes to purchase a Galaxy Extremely cellphone continues to be the digicam, although Samsung hasn’t improved the specs a lot this yr — at the least on paper. The one {hardware} change is the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which, from my preliminary pictures, yields larger element and vividness, particularly when capturing macro images. The remainder of the lenses, such because the 200MP extensive, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are similar to final yr’s S24 Extremely. 

Additionally: The perfect Android telephones to purchase in 2025

There is a greater deal with the software program aspect of issues, with Samsung introducing useful picture and video options like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to seize a wider dynamic vary, a brand new Audio Eraser characteristic that permits you to modify the volumes of assorted frequencies (categorized as audio topics like voices, wind, and noises), and the power to file in Galaxy Log mode. 

The latter characteristic means that you can higher spot overexposed areas and modify the dynamic vary as you are recording movies, whereas additionally making use of LUTs in put up for higher shade and light-weight management. I will be testing the taking pictures mode extra within the coming days.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation (for now)

My first a number of day of testing the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely confirms a number of issues for me. Whereas most features of the cellphone, reminiscent of the colourful, glare-free show and flexibility throughout the cameras and AI options, are straightforward to understand, the upgrades this yr really feel iterative and secure. 

In methods, Samsung has even taken a number of steps again, with the S Pen stylus now not supporting Bluetooth controls and gestures, and the corporate choosing Qi2-ready instances as a substitute of embedding the precise know-how inside its telephones.

It is comprehensible that early adopters and tech fanatics may really feel underwhelmed by the S25 Extremely. However once I think about shoppers who’re coming from an S21 collection, Pixel 6 or 7, and even an older iPhone, Samsung’s new flagship handset checks virtually each field you possibly can consider. And chances are you’ll even rating a beneficiant trade-in deal by way of your native provider or retailer.