Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Officially Launched: A New Era of AI-Powered Flagships

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Officially Launched: A New Era of AI-Powered FlagshipsIn the early hours of January 23rd, Beijing time, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S25 series at its highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked global launch event. The event maintained Samsung's signature cool style and briefly showcased Samsung's XR device (based on the Android XR platform), but the true stars were undoubtedly the three flagship phones: the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Officially Launched: A New Era of AI-Powered Flagships

In the early hours of January 23rd, Beijing time, Samsung officially unveiled the Galaxy S25 series at its highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked global launch event. The event maintained Samsung's signature cool style and briefly showcased Samsung's XR device (based on the Android XR platform), but the true stars were undoubtedly the three flagship phones: the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. While the much-anticipated Galaxy S25 Slim was absent, teased only as a "One More Thing," the S25 series showcased Samsung's latest foray into mobile technology with a comprehensive hardware upgrade and a consistent AI integration throughout.

The core message from the launch was clear: Samsung remains a leader in hardware, while AI is its new trump card. From the personalized Now Brief summaries to the deep integration of Google Gemini, the Galaxy S25 series' features are tightly woven into user scenarios, aiming to transform the phone from a mere "tool" into an "AI assistant" for life, work, and learning.

Besides top-tier hardware and AI experiences, pricing is a key consumer concern. Samsung's official Chinese online store lists a starting price of 6499 (currently a pre-order price) for the Galaxy S25 series. While seemingly higher, this is comparable to the pre-order price of the previous generation's equivalent configuration (starting at 12GB+256GB). Considering the final retail price of the Galaxy S24 in China was 500 lower than its pre-order price (Samsung's pre-order policy is "refund excess, no supplement"), the Galaxy S25 series is expected to retail at around 5999. The final price will be confirmed at the China launch event on February 11th.

So, is the Samsung Galaxy S25 series worth buying? To answer this, we need to delve into the launch event, particularly the forward-thinking aspects of the Galaxy S25 series.

Galaxy S25 and S25+: Solid Performance, Ideal for Mainstream Users

Compared to the "hardware-heavy" S25 Ultra, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ adopt a more pragmatic approach, targeting mainstream users. However, this doesn't mean they lack highlights.

Amidst the "small-screen" trend in Android flagships, the Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2600 nits. The S25+ upgrades to a 6.7-inch WQHD+ screen, offering a larger display area and higher resolution for enhanced multimedia and gaming experiences.

Different screen sizes correspond to different battery capacities. The Galaxy S25 houses a 4000mAh battery with 25W fast charging, while the S25+ upgrades to a 4900mAh battery and 45W fast charging. While the improvements aren't drastic, they cater to different consumer needs: one prioritizes portability, the other emphasizes battery life. It's worth noting that compared to the large-capacity silicon-carbon anode batteries commonly used in Chinese flagship phones, the S25 and S25+ batteries still have room for improvement. Regarding wireless charging, while not officially specified, reports from The Verge and other media suggest the S25 supports Qi2 Ready, enabling 15W wireless charging.

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, starting with 12GB of RAM and offering storage options from 128GB to 512GB. Performance is undoubtedly excellent. Importantly, in addition to significant CPU and GPU improvements, NPU performance has increased by over 40%, laying a solid foundation for on-device processing of Galaxy AI.

In terms of cameras, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ largely retain their predecessors' specifications: a triple rear camera system comprising a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens (supporting 3x optical zoom). While not as eye-catching as the S25 Ultra's camera setup, they are sufficient for everyday photography. Furthermore, the entire S25 series supports AI-personalized filters, AI-powered Super Clear Engine for intelligent face lighting, and a Best Take feature similar to Pixel's, ensuring the capture of the best moments.

In short, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ are like steady midfield players, offering a solid foundation and comprehensive AI capabilities, forming an indispensable part of Samsung's high-end lineup. They may not be groundbreaking, but they remain reliable choices for users seeking a "user-friendly flagship." It's commendable that these phones haven't blindly pursued differentiation in design and configuration.

The Galaxy S25 and S25+ are available in four colors: Deep Sea Blue, Cold Stream Blue, Dusk River Silver, and Clear Frost Green. Current pre-order prices are: Galaxy S25 12GB+256GB at 6499, 12GB+512GB at 7499; Galaxy S25+ 12GB+256GB at 7499, 12GB+512GB at 8499.

Galaxy S25 Ultra: Comprehensive Upgrade, Redefining the "All-Round Flagship"

In today's smartphone market, the "Ultra" model has become a crucial component of manufacturers' high-end strategies. If the Galaxy S25 and S25+ are the pragmatic "main force," then the Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's "ace" in establishing its image in the high-end market.

This generation of the S25 Ultra sees further improvements in imaging, screen, and AI. It features a 6.9-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, theoretically offering excellent display performance in various lighting conditions. It's noteworthy that despite the increased screen size, the S25 Ultra's body size hasn't significantly increased, thanks to narrower bezels.

The S25 Ultra also departs from the previous generation's hard-edged design, adopting more rounded corners for improved grip. It retains the S Pen stylus, which is housed directly within the device.

In terms of performance, the S25 Ultra also uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor but exclusively offers 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, providing ample space for enthusiasts and professional users.

The camera system is the highlight of the S25 Ultra, featuring a 200MP wide-angle main camera, a 20MP ultrawide lens, and two telephoto lenses (supporting 5x and 3x optical zoom). In addition to algorithmic optimizations, Samsung has also surprised with its hardware improvements. The company states that these upgrades enhance detail capture and shooting capabilities across various scenarios, such as super-telephoto photography and low-light performance.

Beyond "hardware stacking," Samsung further explores the integration of AI into the phone. The Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn't just rely on spec improvements; it elevates AI and ecosystem experiences to an unprecedented level of importance. This is particularly evident in the camera system. With AI-powered intelligent scene optimization and real-time computing capabilities, users can not only take better photos but also use AI for easier searching, editing, and even image generation.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the "all-round flagship" benchmark in Samsung's high-end lineup. It has virtually no hardware weaknesses, and the addition of AI and ecosystem integration provides more forward-thinking elements. From its top-tier screen and powerful camera system to its increasingly rich AI experience, the S25 Ultra is the ultimate choice for hardcore users and embodies Samsung's ambition to redefine the high-end flagship.

However, this "all-round" capability comes at a higher price. The S25 Ultra's pre-order starting price is a hefty 10199, although this is on par with the previous generation, it still presents a high barrier to entry. However, for those who truly need top-tier performance and AI capabilities, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is still worth considering.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in four colors: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Mist Gray, Titanium Shadow Black, and Titanium Shine Silver. Current pre-order prices are: 12GB+256GB at 10199; 12GB+512GB at 11199; 16GB+1TB at 13699.

Galaxy AI: From Auxiliary Feature to Core Experience

If hardware is the cornerstone of smartphone development, then AI is becoming the defining characteristic of the next generation of flagships. Previously, flagship upgrades focused on higher performance, better cameras, and smoother displays, with AI playing a secondary role. However, from the Galaxy S24 to the Galaxy S25, AI is no longer a "gilding the lily"; it's actively