Key Takeaways
- The Galaxy S25 is supposed to feature “top-of-the-line” cameras and display upgrades, as well as AI improvements.
- Camera enhancements could include a new 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 3x camera.
- The S25 series is likely to be powered by a combination of Exynos 2500 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processors, depending on the model and market.
The Galaxy S25 could be a big leap forward compared to previous models, suggested Daniel Araujo, Samsung’s vice president of mobile experience. “We have a lead, especially when it comes to camera and display specs, and the S25 will have the most premium upgrades at launch,” Araujo said in a recent earnings call, according to SamMobile. “We also have the best APs in the industry.” [application processors] We’ve also added more memory to improve AI performance and provide an overall premium experience.”
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Recent rumors cited by SamMobile suggest that the S25 Ultra could feature a 200MP main rear camera, a 50MP 3x telephoto camera, a 50MP 5x telephoto camera, and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera. While the quality of the cameras will depend on factors such as the quality of the lenses and software, in theory these specs would overwhelm the S24 Ultra, which has a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera. In fact, there are few other smartphones with comparable specs, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to retain its 48MP main camera this fall. The main upgrade is the switch from a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera to a 48MP one.
It’s unclear what kind of display upgrades Samsung has planned — the S24 Ultra already has a 6.8-inch, 3088×1440 AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and even the base S24 has a 6.2-inch, 2340×1080 panel — so it’s possible that Samsung could improve the brightness or slightly increase the screen size.
The earnings call also revealed that at least some versions of the S25 will be powered by an unannounced Exynos 2500 processor, and that Samsung is working to make its AI feel more conversational. “So going forward, we hope to be able to understand the context of the conversation and provide natural conversations and experiences across devices,” Araujo added. “To make this happen, we will strengthen our partnerships and collaborations and further develop our AI technology.” This likely implies deeper collaboration with Google, where some of the S24’s AI capabilities are coming from.
What else do we know about the Galaxy S25?
At least some configurations of the S25 Ultra will likely be equipped with Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, which is due to be unveiled at a Qualcomm event in October. The chip may also be used in other phone tiers, but only in certain markets such as the U.S. In most countries, Samsung tends to prefer its own Exynos chips for its Galaxy S phones.
It’s unclear when the S25 will be released, but since the S24 was announced at the “Unpacked” event in January 2024, it’s likely that the S25 will be available in January 2025.
