Here’s Why I’d Buy A Samsung Galaxy S25+ Right Now

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is an impressive piece of technology. It packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite and a 6.7-inch display into a device that is only 5.8mm thick. I understand why Samsung built it, but it’s not a phone that should wind up in your pocket. It has too many compromises for its $1,100 price tag, and Samsung didn’t fit the device with a silicon-carbon battery, which would’ve made it more viable as a daily driver.

Thankfully, Samsung offers an excellent alternative with the same 6.7-inch display and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset — it even has an extra camera sensor and a bigger battery. The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is a better smartphone than the S25 Edge and cheaper. If you’re looking for a fantastic smartphone and are not easily dazzled by the flash of the S25 Edge, here are 5 reasons I’d pick up a Galaxy S25+ right now.

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5 No one is saying the Galaxy S25+ isn’t thin

Premium build all around

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ feels the best in the hand of any Galaxy since the S10+. I love how thin and premium it is, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back and an aluminum frame. It may not be as thin and light as the Galaxy S25 Edge, but it’s still a sleek phone. The S25+ weighs only 190g and is only 7.3mm thick. It’s not a bulky flagship device, and I enjoy having it in my pocket more than my Galaxy S25 Ultra.

In addition, the Galaxy S25+’s durability is unquestionable. It’s IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, and its metal frame is made of Samsung’s Aluminum Armor 2. I don’t usually recommend carrying around such an expensive phone without a case, but if you get Samsung Care+, you can rock your Galaxy S25+ without bulking it up with protection.

4 A best-in-class display

Samsung panels are back in top form

I used to love Samsung displays. I didn’t mind the vibrant, saturated colors on the company’s OLED panels, even if they sometimes bordered on cartoonish. Starting with the Galaxy S22 lineup, Samsung toned down the screen saturation, giving its screens more natural tones. The Galaxy S24 Ultra was the most stark example, with many complaining that Samsung toned the colors down too much.

Thankfully, Samsung changed course with its Galaxy S25 lineup, fitting the devices with gorgeous, vibrant displays. I love the panel on my Galaxy S25+. It’s a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED QHD+ display refreshing at 120Hz. It’s bright and easily viewable outdoors, and it seems like you’re touching the content on the screen. The Galaxy S25+ and Ultra have the best displays I’ve used on a smartphone — you’ll enjoy every second.

3 More power than we need at the moment

The Snapragon 8 Elite delivers

When the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset was released, I had plenty of questions. I worried about battery life and power efficiency, but my fears were unfounded. I don’t know if we’ll ever realize the full potential of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but I look forward to the possibilities, as it should be able to handle desktop-class applications. Robust apps combined with Samsung DeX would be potent, and I’m hoping developers follow through with high-quality programs.

The Galaxy S25+ flies for daily tasks, and you’ll have no problems with multitasking and more intensive AAA mobile games. I wish Samsung had given us 16GB of RAM for better futureproofing like Google did with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but my protests aren’t as vigorous when I’m paying less than $1,000. All told, your Galaxy S25+ should perform like you’d expect a flagship to for years, and I’m pleased with the added raw performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

2 One UI 7 is running well

Even though I don’t love Galaxy AI

No Android manufacturer convinced me that AI is a valuable part of the user experience, but they have all made me willing to pay if it meant not having AI tools integrated into the UI. It’s important to separate One UI 7 from Galaxy AI. I enjoy the changes Samsung made to its Android skin. One UI desperately needed a fresh coat of paint, and the company did an excellent job providing a smooth, visually appealing experience that added much-needed features. I’ve waited for a vertical app drawer on Samsung devices for years, so I’m pleased that One UI 7 delivers.

Samsung also offers extended software support. The company promises 7 years of OS upgrades and security updates for the Galaxy S25+. Extra years of support don’t matter if Samsung can’t optimize its software for older hardware, but the early returns have been good. I recently tested One UI 7 on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and I was surprised how well it ran — it felt like a new phone. Software support matters, and I’m glad Samsung offers plenty of it.

1 Battery life for days

Better performance from the same cell

Samsung didn’t increase the battery size of the Galaxy S25+, but thanks to the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite, I am experiencing longer battery life. The Galaxy S25+’s 4,900mAh cell is enough for a full day of mixed use and deep into a second day. Battery life is another reason you’d pick up an S25+ over an S25 Edge. The Edge only includes a 3,900mAh battery, which would’ve been alright, but Samsung didn’t use silicon-carbon battery tech. The Galaxy S25+ wins handily on battery and for less money.

Recharge speeds aren’t blazing, but I don’t expect much better from Samsung now. The phone has 45W wired charging speeds, 15W wireless, and just under 5W reverse wireless if you want to impress your friends at the bar. I wish Samsung would get over the mental block it has with charging speeds, as I’ve used multiple devices from OnePlus and others over the years with blistering speeds without battery problems — there’s a better way: Samsung just has to take a chance.

The sweet spot in the lineup

All told, the Galaxy S25+ is the sweet spot in Samsung’s flagship lineup this year, even with the release of the Galaxy S25 Edge. I don’t think the company did enough with the Galaxy S25 Ultra to justify the price gap between the two phones. The S25+ is powerful and understated, with a price that gives it some value compared to other flagship phones. If you can pick one up on a deal for around $850, you’re winning, especially if you were thinking of dumping hundreds more on a slightly thinner Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S25+

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the middle offering in the company’s lineup. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset powers it, and it has 12GB of RAM, and either 256 or 512GB of storage. Samsung didn’t increase the battery size for 2025, leaving it at 4,900mAh, although a more efficient chipset has resulted in better battery life. It’s thin and lightweight, at just 7.3mm and 190g, respectively.