Introduction & Release
Samsung officially introduced its 2025 flagship smartphones at its Galaxy Unpacked event on January 22, 2025, launching the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. (PhoneArena) The devices became available in stores from February 7, 2025 onwards. (PhoneArena)
Alongside the S25 line, Samsung released updates to its foldable portfolio, notably the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which brings improvements in build, display, and performance. (Gadgets 360)
Models & Positioning
Galaxy S25: The base flagship.
Galaxy S25+: Larger display, bigger battery.
Galaxy S25 Ultra: Top specs, biggest screen, most advanced camera features. (CNBC)
Galaxy Z Fold 7: Flagship foldable focused on premium build, better displays, high-end camera module and refined foldable design. (Gadgets 360)
Design & Display
Galaxy S25 Series
S25 standard has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 120 Hz refresh rate. (TechRadar)
The S25+ offers a larger display (around 6.7") and higher resolution. (Tom's Guide)
Ultra model features biggest screen and premium materials. (PhoneArena)
All models have IP68 water/dust resistance. (Tom's Guide)
Galaxy Z Fold 7
Inner foldable display: 8.0-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120 Hz adaptive refresh. (Gadgets 360)
Outer or cover display: ~6.5-inch Full HD+ with same 120Hz refresh. (Gadgets 360)
Material & durability enhancements: Armor Aluminum frame, improved hinge mechanism (Armor FlexHinge), Gorilla Glass/Ceramic protections. (Gadgets 360)
Hardware & Performance
Chipset: All S25 models are powered by the custom Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm process) which brings substantial boosts in CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. (PhoneArena)
RAM: 12 GB standard across the S25 line, even base model. (TechRadar)
Storage: Options include 128, 256, 512 GB for many, Ultra variant goes up to 1 TB. (TechRadar)
Z Fold 7 similarly uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, with storage/RAM options up to 16 GB/1 TB in certain markets. (Gadgets 360)
Camera & Imaging
S25 & S25+ / Ultra lineup features strong camera setups: 50 MP main wide lens, 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 10 MP telephoto with ~3x optical zoom. (TechRadar)
Ultra model includes the more premium optics, bigger sensor, likely better stabilization and camera processing. (PhoneArena)
The Z Fold 7 shines with a 200 MP main sensor in its rear camera setup, augmented by ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, making it one of the most ambitious camera modules on a foldable. (Gadgets 360)
Battery & Charging
Galaxy S25 base has ≈ 4,000 mAh battery. S25+ ups this to ~4,900 mAh. (Tom's Guide)
Charging: Wired fast charging (rate depends on model), wireless charging, reverse wireless charging supported. (Tom's Guide)
Z Fold 7 includes a 4,400 mAh dual-battery system. (Gadgets 360)
Software & Features
All devices run Android 15 with One UI 7 (for S25 series); Z Fold 7 uses Android 16 with One UI 8. (TechRadar)
Galaxy AI tools are emphasized: more intelligent multitasking, system-wide AI features like better gallery search, assistant-style functions, etc. (CNBC)
Cooling / thermal improvements: larger vapor chambers, thermo-interface materials for better heat dissipation. (PhoneArena)
Pricing & Availability
Galaxy S25 starts at US$799 for the base model. (CNBC)
S25+ starts around US$999, Ultra at about US$1,299. (CNBC)
Nigeria (local pricing) is significantly higher due to taxes and import costs. GSMArena lists the 128 GB S25 at ~ NGN 730,000. (GSM Arena)
Z Fold 7 is premium and priced higher correspondingly. (Exact Nigeria price usually even steeper due to import duty.) (Gadgets 360)
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths:
Strong AI integration and on-device intelligence.
Excellent camera hardware and optics, especially in Ultra & Fold models.
Premium build and materials, durability-focused design (IP rating, tough glass).
Wide selection of models: standard, plus, ultra, foldable.
Limitations:
Charging speed improvements are modest — not a huge leap over last generation in many markets.
Foldables still expensive, and their battery performance tends to suffer under heavier use.
Some features may be region-locked (storage/RAM variants, color options).
For users of S24 or very recent Samsung flagships, the jump may be incremental except for camera or foldable interests.
Should You Upgrade?
If you have an older Samsung flagship (e.g. S22 or earlier), or you prioritize strong camera performance, AI features, or foldable capabilities, then the Galaxy S25 or Z Fold 7 would offer substantial improvements.
But if you're already using a premium model from last year (like S24 Ultra), the upgrade may be less obvious unless you specifically need the new AI, camera, or design refinements.
