The Samsung Galaxy S series has long been a cornerstone of the smartphone market, but the Galaxy S+ models have often played second fiddle to their Ultra counterparts. Recent sales data highlighted the trend, showing that the Galaxy S24 Ultra accounted for 52% of sales, while the S24+ only managed a mere 21%. In light of this, the upcoming Galaxy S25+ faces the challenge of not just keeping up with competition, but also winning over consumers who may be swayed by other options.
The Galaxy S24+ introduced notable enhancements like a new LTPO display with QHD+ resolution, 12GB of RAM, and a slightly larger battery compared to its predecessor. However, margins for improvement are slim. With the January 22 Galaxy Unpacked event approaching, let's forecast what the Samsung Galaxy S25+ will bring to the table.
Samsung Galaxy S25+ (speculative renders)
Launch Timeline
Samsung is set to unveil the Galaxy S25+ on January 22. Following a typical schedule, pre-orders will likely begin the next day and run for approximately two weeks, with availability expected around January 31. Pre-order customers may anticipate enticing deals like free storage upgrades, while U.S. buyers can reserve units now for $50 Samsung Credit.
Performance Powered by Snapdragon
This year's lineup will be powered exclusively by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, following reports of poor yields for the Exynos 2500 chips. This move is expected to encompass all Galaxy S25 models globally. Samsung may also introduce more efficient RAM, sticking to LPDDR5X but maintaining the pleasant baseline of 12GB RAM and a starting storage option of 256GB.
Thinner Yet Familiar
Speculated dimensions suggest the Galaxy S25+ will be thinner at 7.3mm and lighter at 190g, while maintaining the 4,900mAh battery capacity and the same 45W wired and 15W wireless charging as its predecessor. In a market where larger batteries are becoming the norm, this may be a disappointing aspect for some.
Display and Camera Similarities
While the basic display specs remain unchanged, with a 1440+ resolution and LTPO technology, the camera configuration on the S25+ will stay the same at 50MP+10MP+12MP. This could leave the Galaxy S25+ at a disadvantage compared to increasing competition offering advanced camera systems.
Enhanced Software Experience
For software, the S25 series will debut One UI 7, boasting new AI capabilities. Galaxy AI will likely remain free for current users, but buyers of the Galaxy S25 may temporarily benefit from a subscription to Gemini Advanced, a powerful AI platform.
The Potential Galaxy S25 Slim
Lastly, the rumored Galaxy S25 Slim could present a significant threat to the standard S25+ with its sleek design and superior camera specs. This raises the question of why consumers would choose the S25+ over the Slim, which is expected to debut later in May.
No Price Increase
Pricing information suggests that the Galaxy S25+ will match the launch price of the S24+. For example, the S24+ retailed at SEK 14,490 in Sweden and EUR 1,149 in Germany, and similar pricing is expected for the S25+.
| Storage | Swedish price | German price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S24 | 128GB | SEK 11,490 | EUR 899 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24+ | 256GB | SEK 14,490 | EUR 1,149 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | 256GB | SEK 17,990 | EUR 1,449 |
