On Wednesday, Samsung Electronics officially launched its highly anticipated Galaxy S25 series, showcasing cutting-edge technology with a custom chip and enhanced AI capabilities. This release follows a challenging year for Samsung, as it faced stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers and Apple, impacting its smartphone shipments.
A Trio of Options
The Galaxy S25 series offers three models: the standard S25, the S25+, and the flagship S25 Ultra. Maintaining the trend from previous launches, Samsung aims to cater to a variety of users with different needs and budgets. Here’s a look at the starting prices for each model:
- Galaxy S25: $799
- Galaxy S25+: $999
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299
Preorders for the S25 series begin today, with devices set to launch on February 7.
AI Takes Center Stage
Building on last year’s introduction of Galaxy AI with the S24, Samsung has unveiled new AI applications designed to enhance the user experience, making devices feel more like personalized digital assistants.
With the S25 series, users can command their phones to perform tasks across multiple apps. For instance, you can ask your device to locate your favorite football team’s schedule and seamlessly add it to your calendar. Additionally, the AI can find nearby pet-friendly restaurants and send that information to a selected contact. This functionality extends to third-party apps like Spotify and WhatsApp, as well as Samsung’s and Google’s native applications.
Samsung’s focus on AI reflects a broader industry trend, as tech giants race to integrate AI features that adapt to users’ habits and preferences.
Competitive Landscape
In the wake of Apple’s rollout of its own AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence, device manufacturers see AI as a crucial differentiator in a crowded market. Samsung hopes that these advancements will help boost its high-end sales, especially as hardware improvements become less revolutionary.
Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, noted that while the S25 series includes impressive enhancements, it may not be enough to prompt immediate upgrades from consumers who already own relatively new devices. “This challenge is not unique to Samsung,” he remarked, highlighting that Apple faces similar hurdles with its iPhone lineup.
The latest data indicates a 2.7% decline in Samsung smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter of last year, with increased market share for competitors like Xiaomi, Transsion, and Vivo, who are offering competitively priced devices with solid specifications.
Powering AI with Custom Technology
To support its ambitious AI features, Samsung collaborated with Qualcomm to develop a custom processor—the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy—exclusive to Samsung devices. This processor is touted as the fastest ever in a Galaxy phone, designed for efficient performance without compromising battery life, and is crucial for managing demanding AI tasks.
The S25 series also features hardware improvements, including an upgraded camera on the S25 Ultra and a refreshed design with rounded corners, moving away from the sharper angles of earlier models.
As Samsung steps into this new era of smartphones, the Galaxy S25 series sets the stage for a competitive landscape where AI capabilities could redefine user experiences.