Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus review: Durable design (but with a drawback)

      **Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus**

      **MSRP**: $1,000.00

      “The Galaxy S25 Plus demonstrates impressive durability in various aspects; however, an outdated camera setup and tough competition hinder strong recommendations.”

      **Pros**

      - Outstanding battery performance

      - Extremely fast processing

      - Powerful processor

      - Ideal size

      - One UI 7 is Samsung's most refined version yet

      - Strong commitment to software longevity

      **Cons**

      - Durability of the build is questionable

      - Ultrawide and telephoto cameras disappoint

      - Galaxy AI features remain rather limited

      - Qi2 wireless charging not integrated

      The Galaxy S25 Plus is Samsung’s latest flagship model, designed to balance the size and design of the standard Galaxy S25 while incorporating some features that elevate the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung has also advanced its software capabilities, particularly enhancing Galaxy AI.

      Is this the AI phone you’ve been anticipating? After using the Galaxy S25 Plus for two weeks, I've found it has numerous strengths accompanied by noteworthy limitations.

      **Specifications**

      **Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus**

      - **Size**: 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.98 inches)

      - **Weight**: 190 grams (6.7 ounces)

      - **Screen and Resolution**: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3,120 x 1,440 pixels (QHD+), 1-120Hz, HDR10+, 2,600 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Armor 2

      - **Operating System**: One UI 7 based on Android 15, supported for seven years

      - **Storage**: 256GB, 512GB

      - **Processor and RAM**: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM

      - **Cameras**: Rear cameras: 50MP primary with OIS, 12MP ultrawide-angle, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom; Front camera: 12MP, f/2.4

      - **Durability**: IP68, titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2 glass

      - **Battery and Charging**: 4,900mAh, 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging (Qi2 Ready), reverse wireless charging

      - **Colors**: Retail: Navy, Mint, Icy Blue, Silver Shadow; Online Exclusives: Pink Gold, Coral Red, Blue Black

      - **Price**: Starting at $1,000

      **Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus: Design and Display**

      The Galaxy S25 Plus resembles its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Plus, as well as earlier Plus models. Compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus, it is thinner and lighter by 0.4mm and seven grams, enhancing overall handling comfort. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra might feel cumbersome for some, the S25 Plus strikes a balance.

      Samsung aims to differentiate the Galaxy S25 Plus with sleek new color options. Despite improvements in the color palette this year, the glass back is prone to scratches. Within two days of using the Navy variant, I noticed scratches from contact with the Titanium Galaxy Ring.

      In terms of display, it features a 6.7-inch AMOLED 2X screen that provides a wonderful experience, though it lacks the anti-reflective treatment found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It maintains a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and a resolution of 1,440 x 3,120 pixels. Both front and back are shielded by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, though the rear is still susceptible to scratches easily.

      Flipping the phone shows a similar design to the past model, with a refined camera ring that raises durability concerns for long-term use. With an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, the armor aluminum frame is identical to that of the S24 Plus. Overall, the experience aligns closely with previous Plus models, but the lighter and thinner design makes it slightly more user-friendly, especially when paired with a case.

      **Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus: Hardware and Performance**

      This series features the best hardware and performance seen in a Samsung flagship yet, resulting from a fusion of impeccable hardware and software optimizations. Powered by a customized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, it boasts enhanced processing speeds. Both Samsung and Qualcomm focused attention on the NPU, facilitating AI tasks that previously required cloud assistance to run efficiently on-device.

      Performance remains exceptional; while the processor matches that of competitors like the OnePlus 13, it appears to perform slightly faster. I encountered no issues while gaming, even in performance mode. It features a larger vapor chamber that helps maintain lower temperatures under stressful usage.

      Testing under Dubai's heat while using the camera, the Galaxy S25 Plus remained cooler than its competitors, unlike the iPhone 16 Pro, Pixel