Samsung Galaxy S25+ Review: The Almost-Perfect Android Powerhouse
Let me start by saying this: Samsung's Galaxy S25+ is like that friend who shows up to brunch looking effortlessly put together – sleek, capable, and ready for anything. But just like that friend, there's more beneath the surface. Let's break it down.
The First Handshake
At 7.3mm thick and 190g, the S25+ feels like holding a smoothed river stone. The aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back have this cool, reassuring heft – until you realize it's a fingerprint magnet. That gorgeous 6.7" AMOLED? It's like someone took HDR and turned it up to 11. I watched a sunrise time-lapse on YouTube, and those 2600 nits peak brightness made me squint like I was actually outside. But here's the kicker – the LTPO tech adjusting from 1-120Hz? You notice it when your battery mysteriously lasts longer than last year's model.
Performance That Bites
Let's talk about the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This chipset isn't just fast – it's "forgot to charge your laptop but need to edit a video" fast. I threw everything at it: 4K video editing, Genshin Impact at max settings, even split-screen Zoom calls while uploading files. The phone didn't just handle it – the active cooling system kept it barely warm, like a fresh cup of coffee. That 3.05 million Antutu score? It translates to zero stutter when flipping between 15 Chrome tabs while your Uber's arriving.
Camera: Jack of All Trades
The 50MP main camera's Samsung GN3 sensor is low-light wizardry. I took a midnight snack photo of my tacos, and the Night Mode 2.0 made them look like food magazine material. But here's the rub – that 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom? It's good, but trying to read street signs at 30x digital zoom still looks like abstract art. The 12MP ultra-wide is your best friend for group shots, though I wish Samsung hadn't cheaped out here compared to the Ultra's 50MP wide-angle.
Battery Life: The Marathon Runner
4900mAh sounds big on paper – here's what that means: On a heavy day (2 hours of navigation, constant Slack, YouTube during lunch), I hit bedtime with 15% left. The 25W charging? It's like refueling a sports car with a garden hose – 0-50% in 30 minutes. Wireless charging at 15W is convenient, but that 4.5W reverse charging? Only useful if you enjoy watching your earbuds charge at glacial speeds.
The Hidden Quirks
- That in-display fingerprint sensor? Lightning fast... unless your hands are slightly damp
- The stereo speakers pump out surprisingly rich sound – until you cover the bottom-right grille
- Android 15 with One UI 7 feels zippy, but Samsung's app duplicates (looking at you, Messages and Calendar) still annoy
Who Should Buy This?
Perfect For: Android purists who want the complete package, mobile gamers who need sustained performance, content creators who value that 8K video capability
Look Elsewhere If: You're budget-conscious (€969 is steep), prefer compact phones, or want class-leading zoom cameras
The Final Verdict
After two weeks with the S25+, here's my take: This is the Goldilocks phone for Android enthusiasts. It nails 90% of what matters – screen quality, raw power, premium feel. But that missing 10%? The Ultra's better cameras, the base S25's lower price – that's where Samsung wants you to upgrade.
Would I use it? Absolutely – if I needed a workhorse Android that can handle anything. But if I were buying today? I'd wait for the inevitable €200 price drop in 3 months. The S25+ isn't revolutionary, but it's possibly the most complete Android package right now – provided your wallet can handle the hit.
