Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL is a few months old now and has to face a brand new Galaxy Ultra. Meanwhile, Samsung's latest S Pen-wielding flagship has lost some of its S Pen capabilities and doesn't bring major generational improvements. Is this battle between Android juggernauts all going to come down to subjective preference, or are numbers also going to have a say in it? We'll try and find out if there are any real winners between these two.
Table of Contents:
Design
Display
Battery Life
Charging
Speaker Test
Performance
Cameras
Verdict
For starters, you can...
Google's Pixel 9 Pro XL is a few months old now and has to face a brand new Galaxy Ultra. Meanwhile, Samsung's latest S Pen-wielding flagship has lost some of its S Pen capabilities and doesn't bring major generational improvements. Is this battle between Android juggernauts all going to come down to subjective preference, or are numbers also going to have a say in it? We'll try and find out if there are any real winners between these two.
Table of Contents:
Design
Display
Battery Life
Charging
Speaker Test
Performance
Cameras
Verdict
For starters, you can...
Yesterday the upcoming official Google cases for the Pixel 9a leaked, and today it's time for the phone itself to be seen in all four colorways, and you can take a look at all of them below.
Google Pixel 9a in Peony
The Pixel 9a will be offered in Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Iris (purple), and Peony (pink).
Google Pixel 9a in Obsidian
The Pixel 9a has been rumored to become official on March 19, which is also when pre-orders will start. It will become available on March 26, if past rumors pan out.
Google Pixel 9a in Iris
The handset...
The Samsung Galaxy S25 officially went on sale this Friday, even though Samsung started shipping pre-orders early. But let’s shift our focus away from the S25 series for a bit and see what else is out there.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is ready to take on the S25 Ultra – especially now that Samsung is deprioritizing the S Pen. The Pixel already has a high resolution ultra-wide (48MP), in addition to a 48MP 113mm periscope and a 50MP main (1/1.31” sensor). The selfie camera got a big upgrade to a 42MP sensor and a 17mm ultra-wide lens too.
...
Google's Pixel 9a has recently been rumored to go up for pre-order in the US on March 19, and start shipping on March 26. Thanks to past rumors, we also know that it will start at the same $499 as its predecessor, but the 256GB model will go for $599, which is $40 more than the Pixel 8a's 256GB version.
But maybe you're not in the US. Maybe you're in Europe, and have been wondering what to expect, both in terms of the release timeline as well as the pricing. You're in luck since that's exactly what today's leak is about. The phone's pre-orders will also start in Europe on March 19 and it...
Beginner content creators on a shoestring budget who are looking to up their audio quality will struggle to find better value than that offered by the Boya Mini wireless mic. For less than half the price of leading models like the DJI Mic Mini you get a reliable twin-mic kit, and while the 16-bit audio is admittedly modest, it's quality is perfectly acceptable for the likes of TikTok and Youtube Reels.
Naturally, for such a low price, there are a few compromises; build quality is so-so, there's no option for a 3.5mm connection (just USB-C or Lightning, which counts out most dedicated cameras), nor is there audio monitoring of any kind, or manual control over levels. This is a simple plug-and-go mic that, much like the Rode Wireless Micro, is designed for smartphones, laptops, or even the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – basically any USB-C device. And for such users, the Boya Mini's simplicity works a treat.
The mics are super-tiny and weigh just 5g, so they don't tug on clothing. The receiver is also tiny, which means it doesn't get in the way when connected to your phone's charging port. I've found the mics quick to connect and reliable time and again, while the audio quality for vlogging is perfectly acceptable, and certainly much better than a phone's built-in mic. The fact that noise reduction features is a nice bonus too. If you're looking for a no-frills, reliable and cheap wireless mic, the Boya Mini is an easy recommendation.
The Boya Mini is the tiniest wireless mic of them all (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Boya Mini: price and release date
Prices start at $45 / £52.99 / AU$83 for kits with charging case
Available in kits with USB-C and / or Lightning adaptors
Available now, in black or white finishes
The Boya Mini's list price is $45 / £52.99 / AU$83 at Amazon for the twin mic kit with charging case and USB-C connector. The kit is also available with Lightning connector instead, or in some regions for $59.99 / £69.99 with both connectors; or you can save money by opting for just a single mic and receiver kit. Should you click through to the Boya website, then you get redirected to a discount site where the price is even lower.
The mics feature clip-on foam covers, and all the components fit inside the charging case, while a soft case is also included. For the money, you'll struggle to find a better-value wireless mic.
Here are all of the Boya Mini components included in the complete kit. In some regions, you can opt for a single mic and receiver, for about half the price. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Boya Mini: specs
I like how the two mics fit in the charging case even when the foam covers are attached (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Boya Mini: Design
World's smallest and lightest wireless mic, weighing just 5g
Components are available in black or white finishes
Tiny receiver, available in USB-C or Lightning versions
'Mini' is doing a slight disservice to the Boya Mini wireless mic kit – It's billed as the world's tiniest wireless microphone, measuring just 31 x 15 x 16.4mm. And given that it weighs just 5g, it might just be the lightest of its kind too.
Such miniscule proportions are handy in two ways; the mics are discreet, and nor do they tug on clothing. The mics are clip-on only, unlike pricier rivals that feature versatile through-clothing magnetic mounting. That means you need to find an edge in clothing, like a collar or pocket or button hole to attach the mic to.
The clip is metal, so if you source your own magnet you could fix the Boya Mini magnetically through clothing. The only reason I can think of why Boya didn't include magnets in the kit is that the mic and its clip are so small that it wouldn't be possible to securely fix it to clothing that way.
Build quality of the Boya Mini's components is so-so, and over the month or so testing the gear I've been conscious to treat it with care, especially the mic's clip, which is small enough to struggle to gain a secure hold on thicker clothing.
I was using the Rode Wireless Micro alongside the Boya Mini, and there's an obvious gulf in build quality – the pricier Rode model looks and feels the business.
As mentioned, you can buy the Boya Mini as a complete kit which comprises two transmitters (mics), a receiver (you choose which type you need – USB-C, Lightning or both) and a charging case.
Here's the Boya Mini alongside the Rode Wireless Micro (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The mics utilize clip-on foam covers to dampen audio that, handily, can remain in position on the mics and the components will still fit into the charging case. The Rode Wireless Micro comes with clip-on wind muffs, but these don't fit it in the case so, you'll have to find somewhere else to stow them when not in use. Boya has the practical advantage here.
Like the mics, the receiver is super-tiny. It attaches to your phone, laptop or tablet's charging port, and you'll barely notice it's there while filming. You need the receiver for the mics to work because, unlike the DJI Mic Mini, they don't feature Bluetooth connectivity.
If you're a wireless mic first-timer, you'll be up and running with mic'd audio in no time at all. Once you attach the receiver and select the video option in your camera app, you should get a prompt to select the wired mic option in the settings menu (rather than the phone's built-in mic) – that's my experience using a Pixel 8 Pro. Then you're good to go.
The whole process from unboxing to getting started is as easy as can be, and consistently reliable. It might be cheap, but it's certainly worth it.
Here you can see how small the receiver is connected to a Pixel 8 Pro, and the video settings menu where I selected the wired mic option to get sound from the mics instead of my phone's built-in mic (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Boya Mini: Performance
Transmission range up to 100m
6 hours operating time, with an additional four charges from the charging case
Three-level noise cancellation, plus a gimmicky Human Voice Enhancement mode
Despite its tiny size, battery life is practically on a par with bulkier, pricier alternatives. You get up to six hours record time per mic, and Boya says the charging case with its 260mAh battery provides additional charges that total 30 hours record time. That's enough juice for several days of moderate vlogging.
Transmission range is rated up to 100m in clear sight. I haven't personally tested the limits of the Boya Mini's transmission range, but I can vouch for the stability of the connection when vlogging. Note, you'll get interference at a much closer proximity than 100m if your device and the mic lose line of site, for example if you turn your back to the camera.
Where the Boya Mini most obviously comes up short as a cheap wireless mic is that audio bit-depth maxes out at 16-bit, and output is mono only. Splash out thrice the cash on a leading alternative, and you'll be getting richer 24-bit audio with the option for stereo output. Oh, and there's no low-cut filter, either, so low frequencies such as the hum of an air conditioner aren't filtered out.
I had the white version of the mic, but it's also available in black (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
No low-cut filter isn't a big deal, though – the Boya Mini features one-click noise cancellation, activated through the one physical button on the mic. There are three levels of strength, though honestly I didn't notice a huge difference in any of the settings. You'll know when noise cancellation is active because the blue light on the receiver that indicates an active connection turns green.
There's also Boya's version of voice enhancement, which sounds impressive but don't be fooled – it's a gimmick. Think of it as voice distortion – one setting makes your voice deep, one high-pitched, and one normal. It might be a fun feature to play with once or twice for the laughs, but that's the extent of it.
So what do I make of the audio quality of the Boya Mini? I think the maximum possible quality has been squeezed out of its humble hardware.
If you're a casual vlogger, and need clear and crisp vocals across a range of scenarios, you'll get that with the Boya Mini. It lacks the finesse of a 24-bit alternative, but it certainly is a mark-up from your smartphone's mic. In fact, I've been happy enough with the quality that I've mic'd up with the Boya Mini for a few videos that I've shot for TechRadar's TikTok channel.
It's also versatile in that you can use it easily with a camera like the Osmo Pocket 3 (especially given how small the receiver is), with a laptop for work calls, and yes, with your smartphone for shooting Youtube, TikTok and Instagram content.
I'd be remiss not to address the technically-minded, so here are a few of the mics audio specs: it has a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range, a maximum 120db SPL, and a 80db signal-to-noise ratio. Those are solid specs for such a cheap device.
Should I buy the Boya Mini?
Buy it if…
You want the cheapest possible wireless mic that's worth buying It might be mega cheap, but the Boya Mini is also the real deal, with decent-quality audio and reliable performance.
You're a beginner smartphone content creator
The Boya Mini is primarily designed for use with smartphones, while its quality and automated audio features are sufficient for beginners.
You want a tiny wireless mic
Billed as the world's smallest and lightest wireless mic, the Boya Mini is positively tiny and discreet, and available in black or white version.
Don’t buy it if…
You'll eventually need a mic for cameras
The Boya Mini lacks a 3.5mm connector, meaning that you wont be able to use it with a dedicated camera, unlike the DJI Mic Mini.
You'll likely want audio-level monitoring and gain control
Its simple and therefore restricted in some ways – you can't easily monitor audio levels while recording for peace of mind, as you can with pricier alternatives like the DJI Mic 2.
You want the best possible audio quality
The Boya Mini punches above its weight, but it's not one for audiophiles, who will prefer the richer audio quality of pricier rivals.
Boya Mini: also consider
Rode Wireless Micro
Our favorite wireless mic primarily designed for smartphones is the Rode Wireless Micro. It's more than twice the price of the Boya Mini and has superior 24-bit audio quality, plus Intelligent Gain Assist for clear vocals, and impressive build quality. However, it doesn't include noise cancellation, and the mics themselves are a little bulkier.
DJI Mic Mini A premium and versatile alternative, the Mic Mini features 24-bit audio and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can bypass the receiver altogether, plus a 3.5mm connector for use with cameras. You can also dial in audio levels manually using the receiver. However, the Mic Mini feels more designed for both phones and cameras, with a bulkier receiver better designed for cameras.
I had the complete kit with charging case, plus USB-C and Lightning connectors
I used it regularly for a variety of vlogs for over a month
Tested alongside the rival Rode Wireless Micro
Paired primarily with a Google Pixel 8 Pro
With its automated audio recording plus one-click noise reduction and voice enhancement features, there's not a lot to get your head around, and that's the beauty of simple wireless mics like the Boya Mini.
I had the complete kit with charging case, and found the kit to be completely reliable, with the receiver connecting securely to my Pixel 8 Pro phone. I drained the battery of the mic and recharged it through the charging case to test the battery life.
I tested audio quality in a range of scenarios, both indoors and outdoors, and in quiet and noisy environments. I ran comparison tests with the Rode Wireless Micro.
The Google Pixel 9a has long been rumored to arrive earlier in the year than its predecessors, with the launch said to happen around mid-March. Today a new leak gives us the exact release date, along with the date on which Google will start taking pre-orders for its next affordable Pixel smartphone.
So, pre-orders will allegedly start on March 19, and the phone will start shipping on March 26 - which is also when it will become available in stores.
Google Pixel 9a leaked image
As revealed a few days ago, the Pixel 9a will cost the same $499 as the Pixel 8a in the base version with...
Google's Pixel 9a should arrive in mid-March, and ahead of that we now have a leak that gives us detailed pricing for both versions of the device. There is, as the saying goes, some good news and some bad news.
Let's start with the good. The entry-level model with 128GB of storage will cost $499, just like the Pixel 8a did last year. And now the bad news. The 256GB version will be $599, which is $40 more expensive than what the Pixel 8a's 256GB variant launched at.
The new pricing structure is in line with what Google started doing with the launch of the Pixel 9 family in August,...
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is polished, powerful, and predictable. Everything about the Galaxy S family has gotten a bit better over the years – the sleek design that is totally not an iPhone lookalike; the One UI 7 interface that looks much nicer even as it grows more complex; the bright and colorful display that draws you into every web page and photo. It’s all great, but it’s not very exciting.
The Galaxy S25’s performance is top-notch: this is the fastest phone you can buy at the time of its release, other than the more expensive Galaxy S25 Ultra. Unlike Apple, which hobbles its base model iPhone 16 with a slower processor, Samsung has ensured that the Galaxy S25 starts on the same platform as its larger brethren, with an identical Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset inside. There’s nothing this phone can’t handle.
That might be an empty compliment, because the Galaxy S25 just doesn’t do very much more than you’d expect a flagship phone in 2025 to do… not yet. At launch, Samsung bragged on and on about Galaxy AI, and all the ways this phone would get to know you. Maybe it will, someday, but none of that is here just yet.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
In fact, throughout the phone, the AI takes steps backwards. The Now Brief feature that Samsung wants us to use multiple times a day? It offers the weather, and news stories I really don’t want to read – at least Google Discover knows the stories I like. Even the health advice wasn’t helpful – get more sleep? Thanks, I’ll get right on that.
I used to be able to use AI to turn on the flashlight or activate my personal hotspot. Now I have to wrestle between competing AIs. Samsung said users won’t need to know whether they’re using Bixby or Google’s Gemini, so seamless will the combined AI experience be. In my time with the phone, however, that was not at all true. Many of the features I used to enjoy with Bixby are now hidden, because Gemini takes over the side button when you set up the phone, and Gemini cannot do half of what Bixby can do.
Bixby continues to improve, and it comes closer to fulfilling its promise of a voice interface. I can now ask Bixby to “help me charge my Galaxy Buds using my phone” and it will open the correct Settings menu for wireless power sharing. Sadly, Bixby itself is hard to find, relegated to the Search bar in the Settings app.
I can always put Bixby back on the side button, but then I’d lose Google Gemini features, such as they are. It’s easier now to talk to Gemini, and Google’s Search is more ready than ever to identify whatever you see or hear, whether that’s live in person or on the phone screen. Beyond that, it can, um… I’m not sure, exactly.
Samsung told me that Galaxy AI would do things like turn off the TV when I fall asleep, or identify the best thermostat setting to help me fall asleep. Yes, Samsung appears to be obsessed with sleep across its Galaxy range.
So where, exactly, is the AI? I’m using a Galaxy S25, and a Galaxy Watch Ultra, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. I’m watching my Samsung Smart TV, and controlling everything, including my lights and thermostat, through Smart Things. So, where is it? Where are the suggestions? Where is the intelligence?
If Samsung is being cautious and not overextending Galaxy AI for now, then I appreciate the sensitivity and I will be patient. I don’t need AI-generated fake news headlines, or inaccurate summaries of my messages. When Samsung’s Galaxy AI summarized my phone calls or my Notes, it was very accurate, with no glaring errors. There’s no AI help for Notifications yet, sadly.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I will continue to feed my Galaxy S25 my personal data to keep in the Samsung Knox-secured Personal Data Engine, and hopefully its Galaxy AI will chew that up and spit out features that are tailored to my personality and habits. I can be patient, because, AI features aside, the Galaxy S25 is a satisfying phone.
The cameras on the Galaxy S25 are great, even if they didn’t get an exciting upgrade with more megapixels or longer zoom. Samsung’s One UI 7 software is the most heavily customizable version of Android you’ll find – you can change everything down to the number of rounded corners on your squircle-shaped widgets, or you can leave everything unchanged, and enjoy the colorful, smooth feel of One UI 7.
Here’s the thing. The Galaxy S25 is a great phone, but there are competitors that are finally catching up to Samsung. You can get a OnePlus 13 for the same price (with OnePlus’s trade-in offer), and that phone has better battery life and nicer cameras. The Google Pixel 9 Pro just got a fabulous new look; it’s more expensive, but I’ve seen that price drop to the Galaxy S25’s level for Black Friday, and its price will surely drop again.
If you need a phone, the Galaxy S25 is an excellent choice that will keep you satisfied for years. If you’re looking to upgrade from a Galaxy S24, you may want to wait a bit longer, because the Galaxy S25 offers only subtle improvements, and I’m hoping that Samsung freshens up the Galaxy S lineup with something more exciting next year.
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Available for $799 / £799 / AU $1,399 with 128GB of storage (256GB in Australia)
All the colors are kinda blue, including Icyblue, Navy, and Mint (and Silver)
The Samsung Galaxy S25 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, which is not only the same price as the Apple iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9 (the Pixel 9 is very slightly cheaper in Australia), but also the same price as last year’s Galaxy S24 at launch. It’s a big deal that Samsung didn’t raise the price, because I’ve heard strong rumors that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset inside is more expensive than previous Snapdragon platforms. It’s worth the premium.
The Galaxy S25 starts with a paltry 128GB of storage in the US and UK, but Australia skips that low-end model and starts at 256GB. Also, for some reason US customers can’t buy a Galaxy S25 with 512GB of storage, although it’s not really an issue, as 256GB is probably the sweet spot. Every Galaxy S25 comes with 12GB of RAM inside.
You can find the Galaxy S25 in a few shades of blue and also silver, and Samsung is keeping a few colors exclusive to its own online web store, like a snazzy pinkish Coralred color. My review sample is Silver Shadow, and it’s a nicer-than-average shade of light grey, with real depth to the finish on the back glass.
An important note here is that Samsung fans often say nobody pays full price for a Samsung phone. You can look for sales throughout the year, especially in the form of a trade-in discount if you give Samsung your old phone. The Galaxy S25 is worth the list price, but keep an eye out for deals, and we will do the same.
Value score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 series: $900 instant trade-in credit and up to $300 credit at Samsung Looking for an unlocked device? This right here is your best option by far. The official Samsung Store is offering an excellent trade-in rebate of up to $900 and $300 of store credit on the house for both carrier and unlocked devices today. The trade-in here is superb and the $300 credit is also a significant bonus that can be used to pick up any number of cheap accessories at the Samsung Store. Overall, a superb opening deal and one that's even better than I anticipated.View Deal
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Specs
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The standout spec in the Samsung Galaxy S25 is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. It seems that Qualcomm has overclocked the two primary Oryon cores by 0.15GHz – and if that doesn’t sound like much, know that those cores run at a mind-melting 4.47GHz at peak, and it's hard to imagine squeezing any more speed out of these chips.
That gives Samsung the benchmark crown for many of our Future Labs benchmark tests, whether you’re comparing the Galaxy S25 to the iPhone 16 Pro or any other Android phone. The Galaxy S25 isn’t the spec champ in most other ways, but it has enough power for bragging rights.
You can find phones with screens that refresh faster than 120Hz, like the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. You can get a phone like the OnePlus 13 with 16GB of RAM, not to mention much faster charging speeds; Samsung is still stuck in the slow lane when it comes to charging.
Finally, the camera specs haven’t improved, and that’s disappointing. It doesn’t seem like any of the three main camera sensors have gotten larger, which is the most clear sign that image quality will improve. Samsung’s camera software, with its AI help and Snapdragon image processing pipeline, is better than ever, but I’d still like to see Samsung focus its camera sights on a phone that isn’t its Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Design
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Smaller than an iPhone 16, with a larger display
Still looks like last year’s Galaxy S (and the year before’s, and…)
The Galaxy S25 has a 6.2-inch display, but the phone is smaller in every way, and even lighter, than the Apple iPhone 16 with its 6.1-inch display. The greatest trick Samsung ever pulled was fitting a larger display into a smaller phone – but we saw that trick in 2023 with the Galaxy S23, and it’s still the same trick.
Sadly, Samsung hasn’t changed the Galaxy S design significantly since the Galaxy S23, when it introduced the porthole-style cameras. The new phones look so much like the older models, even the dimensions are unchanged. The Galaxy S25 matches the Galaxy S23 in height, width, and depth to within a millimeter.
Why does that matter? Because I expect a phone design should improve or the phone should drop in price, and the Galaxy S hasn’t improved. Why are we paying the same amount for a phone that hasn’t changed since 2023? Except for the main processor and RAM, these phones are identical.
It’s a good design, it gets the job done, which is getting out of the way of Samsung’s fantastic phone display. The bezel is even smaller this year, though we’re talking fractions of millimeters, not a noticeable improvement. There is still a bezel; it’s just very small.
Frankly, if you’d never seen a smartphone before, you’d have a hard time telling a Samsung Galaxy S from an iPhone. The two have come full circle to resemble each other again. The camera lenses are arranged differently, but otherwise, these phones are glass slabs with rounded corners. The only real difference is where Samsung and Apple stick the buttons.
Design score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Display
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Excellent, bright AMOLED screen with full-color always-on display
Fingerprint scanner is still glitchy
The Galaxy S25 has a fantastic display. It’s bright, colorful, and extra smooth when you’re scrolling through your apps or web pages. There’s very little distance between the glass and the screen, so it feels like elements are floating just beneath the surface.
Samsung displays also excel in bright light, and the Galaxy S25 was easy to use for taking photos on a bright, sunny day with heaps of dazzling, white snow on the ground. The extra brightness really kicks in when the sun is out, and it makes a big difference.
The S25 doesn’t get the ProScaler technology that’s designed to make videos look better, with a higher resolution, but I didn’t see much difference between videos on this phone and the Galaxy S25 Plus, which, along with the S25 Ultra, has the Samsung TV tech. In terms of color, smoothness and brightness, the two are identical.
I think the fingerprint scanner under the display needs improvement. After using the OnePlus 13 for a few months I’ve been spoiled by the reliability of that phone’s scanner. The Galaxy S25 often made me re-present my fingerprint two or three times, and then resort to using my password because it couldn’t recognize my finger.
Display score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Software
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
One UI 7 is the best-looking One UI in a long time
Still far too complicated, though Bixby helps
I expected to write a few hundred words about Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S25, but, um, where is it? The usual stuff is here, including the photo-editing tools, and the writing assistance, and the transcription for phone calls and voice memos. The phone does a nice job of making suggestions for apps, settings, and even widgets, when you open the widgets menu. It takes a light touch, offering suggestions but not being too pushy.
I was expecting more pushy. I was hoping for more pushy. Samsung sent me a Galaxy Watch Ultra to go along with the Galaxy S25, and I’ve been feeding my phone, via its Personal Data Engine, all of my health data for days. The most I’ve gotten is a critique on my sleep habits. I was expecting much more.
At Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung said the Galaxy S25 would use the Galaxy Watch to learn when I fall asleep, and then check Smart Things to understand how the temperature and lighting in my home affected my sleep patterns. I have all of those things set up, including my lights, thermostat, and Samsung TV on Smart Things. And… nothing happens.
I’ve asked Samsung, and they’ll get back to me with more instructions on how to set this all up, but that’s my big problem with Galaxy AI so far. It doesn’t happen, and I might need to do more to set it up.
Take Google Gemini, which now lives on the Side Button of my Galaxy S25. So long, Bixby, right? Nope, Bixby is still there, but you have to find it. If you use the Search feature in the Settings menu, you’re using Bixby. You could have kept Bixby on the side button, but the setup process pushes you to use Gemini instead.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
That’s too bad, because Bixby is better for the Galaxy S25. Bixby can do things, and I don’t just mean setting timers and checking the weather. Bixby understands the Settings menu better than the Samsung Help Hotline. You can ask Bixby a question using natural language and it will find the settings you need. Say “Bixby, I want to use my phone to charge my Galaxy Buds” and Bixby opens up the Battery menu to Wireless Power Sharing.
You can say “turn on the flashlight” and Bixby can do that, but Gemini can’t. I wish that Bixby were in charge of the phone, including Gemini. Gemini can have a conversation, but Bixby can get things done. Let Bixby talk to Gemini for me.
Samsung said this wouldn’t be confusing, and that users wouldn’t need to know whether they were using Bixby or Gemini or some future AI feature. That’s not exactly true. If you ask the wrong AI to do something, it will act confused and ignore you. That doesn’t make me want to keep using the AI.
Elsewhere, I hate to say that Samsung is falling back into its old ways of software bloat with the Galaxy S25. The amount of extra, unnecessary software is mind-boggling. From Samsung, you get the Samsung Members app (which should just be a website), Shop Samsung to buy Samsung gear, and the Galaxy Store for apps, almost all of which are available on Google’s Play Store as well.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
You also get the Samsung Smart Things app, even if you don’t have any Smart Things equipment, and the Galaxy Wearable app, even if you don’t have any Galaxy wearables. But wait, there’s more. There’s Samsung News, Samsung Global Goals (?!), and an app just for Tips about your phone.
Then there are two photo gallery apps, one from Google and one from Samsung. Also two Calendar apps, two web browser apps, oh, and Microsoft gets to stick four apps on your phone as well, just for good measure. Hope you enjoy LinkedIn.
All told, there are 46 apps already installed on your phone before you turn it on for the first time; the final one of these, YouTube, dangles alone an unsightly second page for apps. It’s too much. It’s time for the junk to disappear; it’s time for the duplicate apps to end.
I will freely admit that Samsung Internet Browser is faster than Google Chrome, but it doesn’t benefit users to have two web browsers on a brand-new phone, it just confuses me.
Software score: 3 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Cameras
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Reliable cameras with great camera modes
Not the best quality, but still impressive
The Galaxy S25 has an impressive array of cameras that take excellent photos, especially if you love to share your photos for some dramatic effect. The cameras tend to saturate colors deeply and give images a warmer tone, which makes subjects like food, sunrises, and faces look more dramatic and inviting. It’s not exactly accurate, but who cares!
These aren’t the best cameras around, not even in this price range. The OnePlus 13 really impressed me with its image quality, and side-by-side shots taken against the Galaxy S25 show the Galaxy can’t match OnePlus for dynamic range, low-light exposure, and accurate color.
I still like the Galaxy Camera app for its versatility. You get the normal shooting modes for slow motion or portrait shots, in addition to a dedicated Night mode. There’s also a great Food mode that is my go-to for showing off anything I cook.
In classic Samsung fashion, there’s a Pro mode, or you can download an extra app for Expert Raw mode, which gives you even more advanced features like simulated aperture and astrophotography.
Image 1 of 2
A photo of me in front of a helicopter with some random people in the background (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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Photo edited using AI (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I’m not the biggest fan of AI photo editing, but occasionally even I would like to remove a random passerby from my tourist photos. The Galaxy S25 is so good at this that it can even remove a person’s shadow with accuracy. If someone is standing on a wood floor, the generative AI will perfectly match the wood planks when it makes the shadow disappear.
Camera score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Camera samples
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Performance
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Snapdragon delivers on its performance promise
Too bad there aren’t more cool features to take advantage of it
What do you do with the fastest smartphone in the world? That’s the question Samsung needs to answer, because while the Galaxy S25 wins on many performance and benchmark tests, it’s not clear what the phone can do with all of that power.
To be fair, Samsung lets you choose to limit Galaxy AI so that all computations are handled on the device, and not in the cloud. It’s unclear if that saves a lot of energy, but it certainly shows Samsung’s confidence in the power of the Galaxy S25. OnePlus is still offloading almost all of its AI tasks to cloud computers, even though its OnePlus 13 has the same Snapdragon 8 Elite processor as the Galaxy S25.
Well, not exactly the same processor, as Qualcomm overclocks the chipset just a smidgen so that Samsung can add a ‘for Galaxy’ label. That makes it the de facto performance winner, though again I wish Samsung were putting all of that power to better use.
Don’t get me wrong, everything is very smooth. The interface is buttery slick, and all of my games and apps ran at top performance on the S25. I have no complaints - I was just hoping for a bit more. While One UI 7 looks nicer than ever, I was hoping for maybe something a bit flashier to take advantage of that powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Where’s my rippling screen when I tickle Bixby, the way my iPhone ripples when Siri wakes up? How about cool animations, or even a fancy screensaver? There’s a generative AI wallpaper that will change the weather in any photo to match your local weather, but it just adds snowflakes on top; it doesn’t let snow accumulate, which would have been cool.
It’s too bad that all of that Snapdragon power is going to AI features, because I would have liked to have seen some real advances in the interface this generation to match the leap in performance. Samsung has a winner – the Galaxy S25 is unequivocally faster than the iPhone 16. Now, let’s see what it can do with all that power, besides standing atop the winner’s podium.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Battery
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Best battery life of any phone this size
The Galaxy S25 Plus and Ultra have faster charging
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has excellent battery life, better than competing phones of this size. In my testing, the Galaxy S25 lasted a full day every single day I used it, even if I took a lot of photos or played graphically intense games with a Bluetooth joystick connected.
Our Future Labs tests say the same. The Galaxy S25 lasted longer than the similarly-sized iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9. The iPhone 16 lasted less than 12 and a half hours in our battery rundown test, while the Galaxy S25 made it to nearly 16 hours.
You can find better battery life on a phone, but you’d have to buy a much bigger phone. For phones this size, the Galaxy S25 has the best battery life I’ve seen, likely thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which has gone hand in hand with impressive battery longevity in every phone I’ve tried, like the OnePlus 13 and the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro.
For charging, the Galaxy S25 is capable, but its speed is average. It charges at 25W, the same as the iPhone. It charged to 50% in 30 minutes, and was fully charged within an hour, but I’ve seen much faster charging on phones like the OnePlus 13.
The Galaxy S25 has wireless charging as well as reverse wireless charging, so you can power up your Galaxy Buds 3 Pro case by laying it atop your phone battery – and Bixby can help you find the feature if you get stuck.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Buy it if...
You need a really good new phone If you’re looking for a phone this size, or this price, the Galaxy S25 should be one of the top options on your list. It’s a great all-around pick with few faults.
You can get one for free, or almost free Samsung phones tend to come with great deals from your carrier, if you’re willing to sign a long-term contract. Not every phone this good is so easy to buy.
You want a great phone to mix work and personal use The Galaxy S25 is great for work, thanks to DeX desktop software and strong multi-tasking, but it’s also great at keeping work separate from your fun time.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best cameras and can spend a bit more You may not find better cameras at this price, but for just a bit more (or if they’re on sale), the OnePlus 13 and Pixel 9 Pro have the Galaxy beat.
You wish it were a whole lot thinner The Galaxy S25 Edge is coming, and it will probably cost more than the Galaxy S25, but who knows? If it’s thin and similarly priced, it could be worth the wait.
You want a whole lotta AI, for whatever reason I don’t judge – if you want an overwhelming amount of AI controlling your phone, you might try an iPhone or Pixel instead.
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Also consider
Apple iPhone 16 The iPhone 16 doesn’t have the same great battery life, and its cameras lack zoom, but it has iOS and all of the powerful Apple Intelligence features you won’t find on other phones.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Sometimes the Pixel 9 Pro goes on sale and drops to the same price as the Galaxy S25 – keep your eyes peeled for Pro cameras, and a bargain.
Benchmark testing is for comparison, not scoring purposes
I tested the Samsung Galaxy S25 extensively, alongside the Galaxy S25 Plus, for almost two weeks, using the same work and personal apps and accounts on each.
I used the Galaxy S25 for taking photos, communicating with work colleagues using messages and Slack, and conducting video conference calls. I played games, and edited photos from my Google Photos library.
I connected the Galaxy S25 to a Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, supplied by Samsung. I wore the Galaxy Watch to bed, and let the Galaxy S25 monitor me as I slept. I connected an Xbox wireless controller to play games. I connected the Galaxy S25 to my car for Android Auto and multimedia. I connected the phone to my Steelseries USB-C keyboard, my MX Master mouse, and my Dell monitor for DeX capabilities.
I used Smart Things on the Galaxy S25 to control my home thermostat, lights, security, and television. I used Gemini as my primary side button AI, but also used Bixby extensively.
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