One thing you can expect about Samsung is that they always try to one-up themselves with the release of new models as often as their development team would allow. The Samsung S25 release should be on your radar if you're considering upgrading your current smartphone. Whether you're looking for a smaller, more affordable model or the full “Ultra” experience, here’s everything we know about the Galaxy S25 series and whether it’s worth waiting for its anticipated release.

Galaxy S25 Series Overview

Image Credit: Tom's Guide 

Samsung is expected to continue releasing three flagship models with the Galaxy S25 lineup: the standard Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25+, and the top-tier Galaxy S25 Ultra. According to everything we know so far, the S25 will likely be available by January 2025—just in time to welcome the New Year.

There are rumors about the possible name changes with the Galaxy S25 Ultra rebranded to the Galaxy S25 Note and the 25+ as the S25 Pro. While these are only new phone rumors, they could indicate a new design or feature that will revolutionize Samsung’s Galaxy series.

S25 Changes - Upgrades, Rumors and Expectations

The Galaxy S25 should have marked changes in display, design, battery, and software. Here’s a rundown of what we can expect from Samsung.

Design and Display Changes

Image Credit: Tom's Guide 

One of the most exciting rumors about the Galaxy S25 Ultra is that it will be a major design refresh. Expect a whole new lineup of Samsung phone cases because the S25 will carry a more rounded, palm-friendly design. This would be a departure from the sharper and squared-off edges that Samsung adopted with the Note line.

The S25 should also have a slimmer and lighter build, with the phone’s thickness reduced to 8.4mm from 8.6mm. It might not seem huge but this would have a huge impact when held in your hand. The phone case choice could also significantly add to the thickness, so a slimmer version of a powerful phone is always welcome.

Performance and Processing Power

Image Credit: Tom's Guide / Qualcomm

The chip of choice for the S25 is expected to be Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, just announced in October of this year. There’s no telling yet how it will perform during the hands-on benchmarking. However, it is expected to have impressive performance gains over the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Globally, the other Galaxy S25 models may feature Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chip, or in some regions, it may carry a MediaTek chip. All this tells us is that your location can predict which chipset is in your phone - and possibly the unit's price.

As for memory, the S25 Ultra may bump to 16GB of RM with faster UFS 4.1 storage. This upgrade will help with multitasking, demanding apps, and potentially on-device AI features. Storage capacities are expected to start at 256 GB with larger options available for the Ultra model.

Camera Improvements

A leak hints that the S25 Ultra may get a variable zoom feature for smoother video zoom transitions. While some tech fans may feel underwhelmed by the lack of a 1-inch sensor, reports suggest that Samsung is working on refining its processing algorithms. This could lead to remarkable improvements in photo quality. The main 200MP sensor will remain, but the telephoto and ultrawide lenses would be upgraded to 50MP for higher resolution.

Battery Life

Battery life has always been an issue with Samsung phones - so how is this brand addressing this issue with the S25? For battery life, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to retain a 5,000mAh battery, similar to the S24 Ultra, but with improved efficiency due to AI power management. Samsung’s Battery AI could throttle power-hungry processes when the phone isn’t active, potentially extending battery life for all models in the lineup.

Charge time may also change with the S25 rumored to have a 45W charging capacity - a jump from the 25W. 

Software and AI Integration

Samsung has been pushing AI integration in recent updates. This trend is likely to continue with more features courtesy of Galaxy AI. AI capabilities may become a major selling point for the S25 Series, from predictive tech enhancements to improved photo and video editing tools. Expected to be pre-installed with the phone is also Samsung’s One UI 7 built on Android 15. Unsurprisingly, Apple also announced AI integration for its iPhone 16 release.

As with all Samsung flagships, the S25 series is expected to receive seven years of OS and security updates. This long-term support means you’ll be able to keep your S25 running smoothly and securely for years to come, making the commitment worth it.

Pricing

Pricing is always a consideration if you’re considering switching or upgrading smartphone models. Remember - the Galaxy S24 Ultra started at $1,299 and from all indicators, the S25 will likely have the same price tag. Some reports suggest a potential price increase especially for the Ultra due to the increased production costs. With this price point, we recommend ordering rugged phone covers as soon as you’ve placed your order to preserve the S25’s pristine condition right out of the box.

Should You Wait?

Should you wait for the Galaxy S25 or is now the time to upgrade? It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re currently using an older device like the Galaxy S21 or S22, the S25’s rumored design updates could be worth the wait. If you’re currently using an S24 protected by durable phone case designs right off the box, you might have some leeway when making the upgrade decision.

Check Out SUPCASE Collection of Cases for Your Phone

When you’re ready for your next upgrade, SUPCASE has you covered with a range of protective cases. Visit our smartphone case collection to find a perfect match for your current or future device. Whether you’re an Android or an iPhone user, we’ve got you covered with a variety of rugged phone designs to withstand the rigors of daily life.