Galaxy S25 Series Tested: The Best Model Isn’t the Flagship
▼ Summary
– The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is currently on sale for $800 at Amazon, a $200 discount from its retail price.
– The S25 Plus stands out for its balanced design, offering a slimmer profile and rounded edges compared to the bulkier S25 Ultra.
– Key upgrades over the standard S25 include double the base storage (256GB), a larger battery (4,900mAh), and a QHD+ display with ProScaler for sharper content.
– The S25 Plus shares many high-end features with the S25 Ultra, including the same processor, AI tools, and charging speeds, but lacks its advanced camera system.
– The S25 Plus is a strong middle-ground option, offering premium features at a lower price than the Ultra, making it ideal for users who don’t need the Ultra’s stylus or top-tier camera.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus might just be the smartest choice in this year’s lineup, offering flagship-level performance without the bulk or premium price tag of its Ultra sibling. While tech enthusiasts often gravitate toward the most advanced model, the S25 Plus proves that sometimes the middle option delivers the best overall experience.
One of the biggest advantages of the S25 Plus is its ergonomic design. Unlike the Ultra’s sharp corners, which can dig into your palm during prolonged use, the Plus features smooth, rounded edges that make it far more comfortable to hold. The slimmer profile also makes one-handed use effortless, a stark contrast to the Ultra’s unwieldy dimensions. Even the Navy color option adds a touch of sophistication that stands out more than the Ultra’s standard finishes.
Performance-wise, the S25 Plus matches the Ultra in nearly every key area. Both models run on the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, support identical charging speeds (45W wired, 15W wireless), and include Samsung’s full suite of Galaxy AI tools. The only major difference? The Ultra’s 200MP camera system, which, while impressive, may be overkill for most users. The S25 Plus still delivers excellent photography with its triple-camera setup, including a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom, more than enough for everyday shots.
Where the Plus truly shines is in value for money. At $300 less than the Ultra, it offers double the base storage (256GB vs. 128GB), a larger 4,900mAh battery, and a QHD+ display, features that put it well ahead of the standard S25. The inclusion of ProScaler technology further enhances visual quality, automatically sharpening lower-resolution content for a crisper viewing experience.
Even the S Pen functionality, once a major selling point for the Ultra, has been scaled back this year, making the stylus little more than a basic touchscreen accessory. Unless you absolutely need the Ultra’s macro photography capabilities or extreme zoom range, the S25 Plus provides 90% of the experience at a significantly lower cost.
While the Ultra remains the undisputed king of specs, the S25 Plus makes a compelling case for being the better daily driver. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best choice isn’t the flashiest, it’s the one that balances performance, comfort, and price just right.
(Source: ZDNET)
