Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus: Long Term Review

Summary

In this video, the creator shares a personal review of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus after using it for over a month. While highlighting the phone's premium feel, improved display, and faster performance, they reveal that the upgrade from their Galaxy S23 Plus didn’t result in a major difference. The review touches on battery life, camera performance, software issues, and the inclusion of Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 with a great trade-in deal. Ultimately, the creator suggests that significant advancements in phone tech are minimal year-to-year and recommends upgrading only every 3-4 years for a noticeable difference.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Samsung S25 Plus is a great phone that offers premium features and performance, though the reviewer feels they upgraded too soon from their Galaxy S23 Plus.
• 😀 The S25 Plus is lighter than its predecessor, the S23 Plus, making it more comfortable to hold, especially for users who dislike heavy phones.
• 😀 The phone's display is slightly larger (6.7 inches) and brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the S23 Plus.
• 😀 The S25 Plus features a new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and 12GB of RAM, but the reviewer doesn't feel a significant performance boost over their previous phone.
• 😀 Battery life has improved due to the larger battery and more efficient processor, with the reviewer reporting 52% remaining after a full day's use.
• 😀 The phone's glass screen is strong but slippery, leading to potential risks of it sliding off surfaces or falling out of pockets.
• 😀 The cameras seem unchanged but the reviewer notices slight improvements in image quality, although it still maintains Samsung's oversaturated photo style.
• 😀 The fingerprint reader under the display has been improved, with fewer instances of needing to tap twice for it to register.
• 😀 Samsung's custom apps, like Samsung Pass and Bixby, are still present but can be annoying, though Bixby is easier to disable this time.
• 😀 Google Messages for web works well, providing a much better experience than iMessage for cross-platform texting and offering convenient features like media drag-and-drop.
• 😀 The S25 Plus is a solid upgrade but doesn't represent a major leap in phone technology, and the reviewer suggests waiting 3-4 years for a more noticeable improvement in phones.
• 😀 Samsung's pre-order deals, including trade-in offers and free Galaxy Buds 3, were a big incentive for the reviewer to upgrade this year, saving money compared to waiting.

Q & A

Why did the reviewer upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus?

The reviewer upgraded to the S25 Plus mainly for the slightly lighter design, better display, and improved performance. However, they also mention that they don't notice a huge difference compared to the previous S23 Plus, except for the $500 difference in price.

What did the reviewer think about the screen size and weight of the S25 Plus?

The reviewer liked the S25 Plus for its slightly larger screen (6.7 inches compared to 6.6 inches on the S23 Plus) without a noticeable increase in weight. They appreciated how lightweight the phone was, particularly for a large display, and mentioned that it felt comfortable in hand.

Did the reviewer notice a significant difference in performance between the S25 Plus and the S23 Plus?

No, the reviewer didn’t find the S25 Plus significantly faster than the S23 Plus. They felt both phones were similarly responsive in their daily use, though the S25 Plus has a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and more memory.

How did the reviewer feel about the S25 Plus’s display brightness and resolution?

The reviewer noticed the S25 Plus's increased brightness, especially when outdoors in direct sunlight. While they didn’t find the resolution on their previous S23 Plus bad, they appreciated the slightly better brightness on the S25 Plus. They also mentioned being a 'pixel peeper,' so higher resolution wasn’t a major selling point for them.

What were the reviewer’s thoughts on the battery life of the S25 Plus?

The reviewer was pleased with the S25 Plus's battery life, especially in comparison to their older S23 Plus. They noted that after a full day of use, the S25 Plus had 52% battery remaining, which was significantly better than their older phone would have had at that point.

What did the reviewer mention about the durability of the S25 Plus's screen?

The reviewer found the S25 Plus's screen to be both strong and slippery. Despite dropping the phone a few times, it didn’t show any scratches, though they emphasized that the phone's display is very slippery, making it prone to sliding off surfaces if not carefully placed.

How did the cameras on the S25 Plus perform in the reviewer’s opinion?

The reviewer felt the cameras were somewhat improved, though they couldn't definitively prove the difference. They still observed the typical 'oversaturated Samsung look' but believed the image quality was slightly better than on the S23 Plus.

What did the reviewer think about Samsung's pre-installed apps and Bixby?

The reviewer expressed frustration with Samsung's pre-installed apps, finding them unnecessary and often annoying, such as Samsung Pass and their own password manager. However, they appreciated that Bixby was easier to disable in this iteration of the phone.

What feature of Google Messages for Web did the reviewer highlight as a big advantage over iMessage?

The reviewer highlighted the functionality of Google Messages for Web, noting it allows sending texts from a computer, a feature they prefer over iMessage because it works across different platforms, unlike iMessage which requires a Mac. They mentioned that Google had invested significantly in making it responsive and feature-rich, though video messaging was still missing.

Why did the reviewer ultimately decide to upgrade to the S25 Plus, despite their initial hesitation?

The reviewer’s decision to upgrade was largely influenced by Samsung’s promotional offers, particularly the trade-in deal for their old phone, which provided a $600 discount. They also received the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 as part of the deal, making the overall package more appealing.