The Samsung Galaxy S25 Series was announced in January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of premium Android smartphones. This three-phone collection aimed to compete with Google’s Pixels for the title of the best Android phones you could buy in 2025. Among the lineup, the Galaxy S25+ stands out as the middle-of-the-pack model, offering a more affordable alternative to the top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Source: lifehacker.com
Following the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event this week, Amazon responded promptly by dropping the price on the S25+ shortly after the preorders for the new Galaxy phones went up. Currently, you can pick one up for $699.99, a significant discount of $300 from the original retail price of $999.99. Despite the discount, the S25+ still offers one of the best Android phones you can buy in 2026.
When compared to the most basic model, the Galaxy S25, the S25+ offers much better value for your money. The S25 line offers upgrades from the S24 lineup, with the best features in the OS shared by all Galaxy phones. This includes exclusive media and notifications features that you can only get from One UI 7. Two of the most notable features are Now Bar and Now Brief, which provide brief alerts or notifications personalized to your feed and activities.
The Galaxy S25 received an ‘excellent’ review from PCMag, praising its useful AI features, better battery life than the Ultra (around 15 hours on a single charge), outstanding cameras, and long software support. The S25+ is a powerful device that runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, featuring three rear lenses, including a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 6.7-inch and 120Hz OLED display. The RAM is a generous 12GB, with the storage options starting at 128 GB, but this $699.99 option is for the 256GB model.
The main things you’ll be missing compared to the newer S26 are some AI features and some minimal design. Arguably, the best competition for the Galaxy S25+ is the Google Pixel 9, which is currently priced at $628. If you’re already invested in the Google or Samsung ecosystem, the best option is probably to stay loyal to your brand, unless you plan on swapping out every other accessory.
For those looking for a premium Android experience without breaking the bank, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is an excellent choice. Its powerful performance, impressive camera capabilities, and long software support make it a compelling option in the market. While it may not offer the latest AI features or design, it still provides an exceptional user experience at an affordable price.
Ultimately, the decision to choose the Galaxy S25+ or the Google Pixel 9 depends on your individual preferences and ecosystem loyalty. However, with its impressive specs and features, the S25+ is definitely worth considering for those in the market for a high-end Android smartphone.
