The Samsung Galaxy S25 series might include five phones

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite in most of them

As good as Samsung’s current flagship phones are, attention has already shifted to what’s next for the Galaxy S lineup.

If you’ve held off so far on buying the Galaxy S24, S24+ or S24 Ultra, then you’ll probably be interested in what Samsung has in store for 2025.

Despite that being a few months away, there are already plenty of leaks and rumours regarding the upcoming Galaxy S25 range. Here’s what you need to know.

When will the Samsung Galaxy S25 be released?

There’s no official release date as of the time of writing, but Samsung is pretty consistent with the Galaxy phone launches, so we can make an educated guess.

Here’s when the previous models were unveiled:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 – January 2024
• Samsung Galaxy S24+ – January 2024
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – January 2024
• Samsung Galaxy S23 – February 2023
• Samsung Galaxy S23+ – February 2023
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – February 2023
• Samsung Galaxy S22 – February 2022
• Samsung Galaxy S22+ – February 2022
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – February 2022

As you can see, the new Galaxy devices usually make their debut at the start of the year. It should be noted that the S24 range was actually released on 31st January, so it was almost a February release.

While it looks like there could be a fourth model known as the Galaxy S25 Slim, it’s not expected to launch at the same time as the other models.

https://twitter.com/MaxJmb/status/1854787657382957146

The same applies to a potential Galaxy S25 FE, given the S24 FE didn’t arrive until September 2024.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy S25 cost?

Samsung has had fairly settled pricing for its flagship phones in recent years. So, although we don’t know how the Galaxy S25 range will line up, we don’t expect it to veer too much away from the current generation.

The S23 range saw some price hikes, but these were reduced in the S24 lineup, and it makes sense that these tiers will be retained for the S25 models.

However, according to a Weibo post from Digital Chat Station (via Android Authority), the Snapdragon 8 Elite (the official name for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4) cost about 20% more than its predecessor.

What’s more, Qualcomm’s SVP Chris Patrick claimed (via SamMobile) that Qualcomm expects the Snapdragon 8 Elite to have a price increase, confirming the latest reports.

If this turns out to be true, the price of the Galaxy S25 series may increase. As a reminder, here’s how the last few iterations have been priced:

Samsung Galaxy S24

• Samsung Galaxy S24 (128GB) – £799/$799.99
• Samsung Galaxy S24 (256GB) – £859/$859.99
• Samsung Galaxy S24+ (256GB) – £999/$999.99
• Samsung Galaxy S24+ (512GB) – £1,099/$1,119.99
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (256GB) – £1,249/$1,299.99
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (512GB) – £1,349/$1,419.99
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (1TB) – £1,549/$1,659.99

Samsung Galaxy S23

• Samsung Galaxy S23 (128GB) – £849/$799
• Samsung Galaxy S23 (256GB) – £899/$899
• Samsung Galaxy S23+ (256GB) – £1,049/$999
• Samsung Galaxy S23+ (512GB) – £1,149/$1,099
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (256GB) – £1,249/$1,199
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (512GB) – £1,399/$1,379
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (1TB) – £1,599/$1,619

Samsung Galaxy S22

• Samsung Galaxy S22 (128GB) – £769/$799
• Samsung Galaxy S22 (256GB) – £819/$849
• Samsung Galaxy S22+ (128GB) – £949/$999
• Samsung Galaxy S22+ (256GB) – £999/$1,049
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (128GB) – £1,149/$1,199
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (256GB) – £1,249/$1,299
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (512GB) – £1,329/$1,399
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (1TB) – £1,499/$1,599

What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy S25 have?

Samsung is yet to reveal anything about the Galaxy S25 range at this stage. However, there are plenty of rumours regarding what we can expect.

Different naming

Reliable tipster Yogesh Brar hinted that the Galaxy S25 Ultra could be rebranded as the Galaxy S25 Note. Additionally, the Galaxy S25 Plus might be renamed the Galaxy S25 Pro.

The switch to ‘Pro’ for the S25 Plus could position it as a feature-rich alternative, similar to Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro or Google’s Pixel 9 Pro. These changes would have made more sense when Samsung merged the Note series into the S22 Ultra in 2022, but it appears the company now seeks to further differentiate its high-end models.

This rumour coincides with leaks of a Galaxy S25 Ultra render (discussed below), suggesting a design with rounded corners.

Galaxy S25 Slim

What’s more, Samsung is also reportedly planning to launch a thinner version of one of its upcoming Galaxy S25 models (via GSMArena), reminiscent of the Galaxy Alpha, a slender phone that influenced the Galaxy S6 design.

This new ‘Slim’ variant is expected to debut a few months after the main Galaxy S25 series, which might include standard, Plus/Pro, and Ultra/Note models. The design approach seems to focus on creating a slimmer device, and Samsung might aim to gauge consumer interest in thin phones through this release.

Samsung has used this strategy before, recently with a special edition of the Galaxy Z Fold, which was also centred on a slimmer design. Insiders suggest that if the Slim model receives positive feedback, Samsung might integrate this design philosophy into its Galaxy S26 lineup.

Additionally, according to a report from The Elec, Samsung may apply a similar design to the Galaxy S25 FE model, which typically launches a few months after the primary Galaxy S series.

Samsung’s interest in a thinner model mirrors rumours that Apple may introduce a Slim version of its iPhone 17 lineup in 2025, potentially replacing its Plus model.

Both companies seem interested in testing the market’s appetite for thinner devices before committing their flagship lines to a slimmer form factor.

For the moment, however, we assume that Samsung will stick to the established pattern and present the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra next time around.

Here’s how these devices might look and what features they might offer

Design

Galaxy S25

A known leaker, Revegnus, claims that the S25 range could come with an updated design. This is according to the MX division Design Team Leader, Ilwhan Lee (formerly of Mercedes Benz), who has reportedly been given the brief of overhauling the aesthetics of the new models.

We don’t have any firm details of what these changes might entail, but hopefully, it won’t be too long before we start to see leaks of potential cases and chassis from parts of the supply chain.

Recent pictures of the Galaxy S25 dummy unit surfaced online via VeePN Blog, showcasing key design elements like the placement of buttons, bezels, and camera layout.

The dummy unit reveals that the Galaxy S25 might be slightly smaller and thinner than its predecessor, the S24, focusing on comfort and portability. The unit measures 146.94 x 70.46 x 7.25 mm, making it seemingly compact and easier to handle one-handed, with a minimalist rear design featuring three circular camera cutouts and slimmer, symmetrical bezels.

Leaked renders (via Android Headlines) suggest that the Galaxy S25 will have slight size reductions compared to its predecessor, measuring 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2mm, versus the S24’s 147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm.

The renders suggest it will retain a design similar to the S24, with smaller bezels and camera rings on the back. The flat-sided frame remains a key feature, potentially influenced by future design trends in the smartphone industry.

Ice Universe also reported that the Galaxy S25 will be 7.2mm thick. If true, this would make the S25 the thinnest Galaxy S flagship since the Galaxy S6 from 2015.

Galaxy S25+

Android Headlines shared leaked renders of the Galaxy S25+, showing a design very similar to its predecessor but with subtle refinements.

The changes include thinner bezels, slightly modified camera rings, potentially different colours and back texture, and a flatter frame. However, these should all be seen as minor upgrades.

Both the S25 and S25+ are expected to feature the same armour aluminium frame.

Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S25 Ultra seems to follow the same design trend as the standard S25. The external design was revealed through a production blank (via Online Solitaire), which shows that the S25 Ultra might also be slightly smaller than its S24 Ultra counterpart.

Coupled with the choice to sculpt the sides of the Galaxy handsets with more curves and rounder corners, Samsung appears to be leaning into ergonomics and comfort for its next flagship.

According to leaks from Ice Universe, Samsung could be shifting towards a more ergonomic design with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The leaked mock-ups suggest that Samsung is softening the corners and adopting a rounded design, moving closer to the S24 and S24+ models.

The S25 Ultra might feature a flatter front and a more rounded back, creating a softer, more comfortable shape. Compared to its predecessor, the S25 Ultra’s rounded corners are apparent, though it still retains a somewhat rectangular look.

The S25 Ultra’s leaked dummy unit measures 162.82 x 77.65 x 8.25 mm, making it slightly smaller than the S24 Ultra but still significantly larger than the standard S25. This fine-tuning in size suggests that Samsung is focused on improving ergonomics across its flagship series.

The S25 Ultra, with its larger dimensions, will likely continue to cater to users seeking the ultimate powerhouse with expansive screen real estate.

According to Ice Universe, the phone will measure 77.6mm in width, with 73mm dedicated to the screen, resulting in very thin 2.3mm side bezels. The screen size will increase to 6.86 inches, a slight upgrade from the 6.79-inch screen on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This reduction in bezel size by over 30% is set to significantly enhance the visual experience.

Ice Universe also adds that the S25 Ultra will measure 8.2mm in thickness and said that “Samsung narrowed it by 0.2mm bezel” compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Recently, Apple released that phone with a 6.9-inch display and thinner bezels, surpassing Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra in display size and bezel slimness. However, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra is set to match the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 6.9-inch display and reduce its bezels by an additional 0.2mm, giving it slimmer bezels than Apple’s latest flagship.

Android Headlines shared renders of the Galaxy S25 Ultra based on CAD files. However, Ice Universe pointed out two inaccuracies due to incomplete details in the original CAD file.

First, the bezel and middle metal frame in the renders are incorrect, and Ice Universe suggests referring to his render for accuracy on the bezel.

Second, the texture and design details of the rear camera are speculative; Onleaks (who made the renders) might have borrowed the camera style from the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but the final design remains unknown.

The titanium frame is expected to remain exclusive to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

According to Ross Young, the standard Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be released in four base colours each, while the Galaxy S25+ will be available in five colours.:

• Galaxy S25: Moon Night Blue, Silver Shadow, Sparkling Blue, and Sparkling Green
• Galaxy S25+: Midnight Black, Moon Night Blue, Silver Shadow, Sparkling Blue, and Sparkling Green
• Galaxy S25 Ultra: Titanium Black, Titanium Blue, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Silver

These colours cover only the standard options, but Samsung may offer additional, online-exclusive colours available solely through its official store.

As said above, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to feature a durable titanium side frame, which is reportedly confirmed by popular leaker Ice Universe.

According to them, however, the phone will be available in slightly different colour options: Black, Blue, Green, and Titanium, though additional colours may be available directly through Samsung’s website.

The Green option is new for Samsung’s flagship, though the exact shade remains unknown.

Display

Samsung may bring significant changes to the design of the Galaxy S25, particularly by enlarging its display.

According to known Korean leaker, Yeux1122, the Galaxy S25’s screen size is expected to increase from 6.2 inches in the Galaxy S24 to a slightly larger 6.36 inches, aligning with rumours about the enlarged display of the iPhone 16 Pro.

It’s likely that the phone will be slightly larger overall compared to its predecessor, as Samsung reduced the bezels in the S24 model to increase screen space.

A report from Korea’s Electronic Newspaper suggests that Samsung is aiming to reduce production costs for the Galaxy S25, with the display technology being a primary target for these savings. Specifically, Samsung is preparing to use OLED panels made with M13 organic materials instead of the newer M14 materials.

The newer M14 materials, used in competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro, are 20-30% brighter and more energy-efficient, with a lifespan of 10-20% longer than M13 materials.

Ross Young from Display Supply Chain Consultants, a reliable source for display industry insights, supports the claim that Samsung will likely opt for M13 materials in the Galaxy S25.

Performance

The Galaxy S25 series is shaping up to include real powerhouses, particularly with Qualcomm’s newly announced Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This advanced 3nm chip offers significant improvements in performance, efficiency, and connectivity, including built-in Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth 6.0.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to set a new benchmark for Android devices, and Samsung looks set to incorporate it widely across the Galaxy S25 lineup, especially in the Ultra model.

An early Geekbench benchmark for the Galaxy S25 Ultra (via Techradar), shared by leaker Jukanlosreve on X, hints at a substantial leap in performance. The device, featuring 12GB of RAM, achieved a single-core score of 3,148 and a multi-core score of 10,236 – dramatically higher than the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 7141 score in our Geekbench 6 multi-core test.

These results even surpass the multi-core score of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which achieved 8,378 in our review. However, caution is advised with such benchmarks, as this could be an isolated result.

Earlier benchmarks for the S25 Ultra (via IceUniverse on X) showed slightly lower (but still impressive) scores of 3,011 for single-core and 9,706 for multi-core.

Samsung had initially planned to use its in-house Exynos 2500 chip in the Galaxy S25 series, but production challenges (due to low yields of its 3nm GAA wafers, as reported by Android Headlines) have complicated mass production.

This has led Samsung to likely depend entirely on the Snapdragon 8 Elite for all Galaxy S25 models globally, a shift supported by industry insiders like Ice Universe and reports from sources such as Business Korea and SamMobile.

The move aligns with Samsung’s strategy to optimise performance and streamline its flagship range by standardising the chipset across markets, likely to provide users with a consistently high level of performance.

Initially, there were rumours of using MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 in the regular Galaxy S25 and S25+ models (via Jukanlosreve on X and SamMobile), but Samsung now appears to have dismissed this option, potentially reserving MediaTek’s chip for a more affordable Galaxy S25 FE.

This leaves the Snapdragon 8 Elite to power all main Galaxy S25 models, marking another shift away from Samsung’s dual-chip approach, seen previously with the Galaxy S24 lineup.

By focusing on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Samsung aims to strengthen the S25 series’ positioning in the market and enhance performance across its flagship range.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra may further distinguish itself with higher specifications, as leaker Ice Universe suggests it will come with up to 16GB of RAM. This configuration would reinforce the Ultra’s position at the high end of the lineup.

Additionally, the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s integrated UWB capability could extend Samsung’s tracking features, offering enhanced compatibility with Galaxy SmartTags. While UWB might not be available across all models, it could be another feature that sets the Ultra and flagship variants apart.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was initially rumoured to receive significant camera upgrades, but recent reports suggest only minor changes.

The most notable update appears to be the ultrawide camera, which will now feature a 50Mp Samsung ISOCELL JN3 sensor. However, the main 200Mp ISOCELL HP2 sensor, along with the 10Mp 3x zoom (Sony IMX754) and the 50Mp 5x zoom (Sony IMX854), are expected to remain unchanged from the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The design of the camera lenses has been updated too, as seen in a recent image shared by Ice Universe on X (formerly Twitter).

The new look features thick, dark rings around each lens, marking a shift in visual design while keeping the layout the same. This aesthetic is similar to renders of other S25 models (above) and shares traits with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 but without the surrounding bump, allowing for flat case designs.

In addition to these design updates, other reports have surfaced about the S25 series’ camera lineup. Leakster Revegnus suggested that Samsung might move away from the GN3 sensors seen in the Galaxy S24 range for most of the S25 devices, opting instead for improved Sony sensors.

While he didn’t specify which Sony variants will be used, this switch could result in enhanced photo and video quality. However, Revegnus indicated that the S25 Ultra will still utilise Samsung’s own ISOCELL sensors.

According to a recent report from the Dutch site GalaxyClub (via GSMArena), the S25 Ultra might see broader improvements across its camera lineup. This includes a possibly upgraded 200Mp main camera, alongside a 50Mp ultrawide, 50Mp 3x telephoto, and 50Mp 5x telephoto setup.

In contrast, both the regular S25 and S25+ might retain the same hardware as their predecessors: a 50Mp main camera, 10Mp telephoto lens, 12Mp ultrawide, and 12Mp front-facing camera.

Adding to the mix of rumours leakersBenIt Buhner provided another list of potential specs for the S25 Ultra, suggesting a quad-camera setup with a 1-inch 200Mp main sensor, improved 50Mp ultrawide, a 3x to 5x 50Mp variable telephoto, and a secondary 10x 50Mp telephoto.

Although the list doesn’t line up exactly with the GalaxyClub report, they both indicate upgrades to the main shooter and that a 12Mp ultrawide camera from the S24 Ultra might be replaced with a 50Mp lens.

Meanwhile, another rumour from Nextpit suggested that the S25 Ultra might feature only three rear cameras instead of four, with the 10Mp 3x optical zoom telephoto being dropped. This decision would align with a focus on improving the main camera’s zoom capabilities through better image processing.

However, Ice Universe has refuted this claim, asserting that the S25 Ultra will retain its four-camera setup, including the 3x telephoto module. In a more recent claim, they state that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will feature a 50Mp ultrawide camera using the Samsung ISOCELL JN3 sensor.

However, this is reportedly the only camera upgrade, as the main ISOCELL HP2 200Mp camera, 10Mp 3x zoom camera using Sony’s IMX754 sensor, and the same 50Mp 5x zoom camera using Sony’s IMX854 remain unchanged from the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Battery & charging

According to the Dutch site GalaxyClub, the whole series will retain their predecessors’ battery sizes. The S25 will apparently feature a 4,000mAh cell, S25+ 4,900mAh and S25 Ultra 5,000mAh.

Recently, both the S25 and S25+ received 3C certification in China (via GizmoChina), revealing that the charging capabilities remain unchanged from their predecessors. The Galaxy S25 will support 25W charging, while the S25+ will go up to 45W, both via USB-C.

MySmartPrice also reports that the S25 Ultra will feature a 45W charging speed. However, details of each phone’s wireless charging have not yet been revealed.

Despite ongoing rumours about Samsung incorporating stacked batteries in its new flagship series, there isn’t substantial evidence to suggest that we’ll see them in the S25 series just yet.

Connectivity

As The Verge reports Samsung Galaxy phones will be able to unlock smart door locks using either NFC for tap-to-unlock functionality or UWB (Ultra-Wideband) for hands-free unlocking, starting in 2025.

This brings Samsung devices on par with iPhones, which have already offered similar capabilities. These new features might integrate with Samsung Wallet’s Digital Home Key and support the upcoming Aliro smart lock standard, developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (the same group behind Matter).

The UWB hands-free feature might only work on certain Samsung models, such as recent foldable devices and the + and Ultra models of the Galaxy S series. As the Aliro standard is being worked on by companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung, along with major lock and chip makers, it may drive the adoption of UWB in more devices.

The first smart locks supporting Aliro are expected to launch next year alongside the release of the standard’s first specification. The connection between the phone and lock will work locally without requiring an internet connection, and users won’t even need to unlock their phone to access their smart lock.

Software

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to launch in early 2025, running Android 15 and Samsung’s redesigned overlay. You can read more about the One UI 7 in our separate article.

Following the introduction of several Galaxy AI features with the S24 series, Samsung will need to innovate further for the Galaxy S25.

As of now, there are no leaks regarding any new Galaxy AI features for the Galaxy S25. However, these are already available on many older Samsung phones through software updates, and it’s unclear if any new AI features will be exclusive to Galaxy S25 phones.

That’s all we’ve found so far, but we’ll keep updating this article with any new information that comes to light. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best smartphones to see what else is out there.