Galaxy A25 Review: Is It the King of Budget 5G?

Skip the Galaxy S24 hype for now – the Galaxy A25 Review reveals a 5G budget beast! While we wait for those elusive S24 review units (seriously, Samsung?), the Galaxy A25 takes center stage. It’s not just a placeholder; it’s a crucial player for both Samsung and savvy shoppers, ready to shake up the mid-range market. Sure, flagships steal the headlines, but it’s these workhorses that make or break a company’s bottom line. And the A25, already available in the US, UK, Europe, and India, is ready to rumble. Samsung has armed it with some key upgrades that push it closer to premium territory, and our in-depth Galaxy A25 Review dives into everything you need to know: blazing-fast 5G, a buttery-smooth 120Hz display, camera improvements, and more. Is this the budget champion you’ve been waiting for? Read on and find out!

What’s new?

The A25 plays it safe overall, but some key improvements give it an edge over its predecessor:

• 5G: Finally! Ditch the 4G limitations and embrace the future of connectivity.
• 120Hz display: Smoother scrolling and animations for a more enjoyable user experience.
• 8MP ultrawide: Capture wider landscapes and group shots with better quality than the A24’s 5MP sensor.
• 4K video recording: Now you can document your life in stunning detail.
• Stereo speakers: Immerse yourself in multimedia with enhanced sound.

These upgrades push the A25 closer to the A3X series and the excellent Galaxy A34. However, it still lacks formal IP rating and retains the larger display bezels, hinting at its budget-friendly nature.

Unboxing and design:

The A25 comes in a simple box with a basic plastic cradle for the phone. No charger included, though, which is disappointing from Samsung.

The design remains familiar, with a plastic back and frame and the signature triple camera cluster on the back. The new frame shape feels better in hand compared to the Galaxy A24. Four color options are available, including the eye-catching Personality Yellow.

Build quality and handling:

The plastic build feels good, and while it’s not as durable as metal or glass, it’s less prone to scratches and dents. No IP rating means you should avoid submerging it, though.

The side-mounted fingerprint reader works flawlessly, and the 3.5mm audio jack is a welcome addition missing from the A34. The stereo speakers deliver decent sound, making multimedia consumption more enjoyable.

Display:

The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display remains great, with a sharp 1080p resolution and vibrant colors. The new 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother, although there’s no automatic refresh rate switching like some competitors.

Samsung claims 1000 nits peak brightness, and our tests confirm it, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility. The display lacks HDR support, but it has the highest Widevine DRM certification for FullHD Netflix streaming.

Snap It Like You Mean It: Galaxy A25 Camera Review

The Galaxy A25 camera setup hasn’t seen a major overhaul compared to its predecessor, but the upgrades, especially the new 8MP ultrawide sensor, deliver noticeable improvements. Let’s take a closer look:

Daylight Delights:

• Main Sensor (50MP with OIS): Captures good shots with decent detail, dynamic range, and contrast. Colors are vibrant (sometimes a bit oversaturated), and portrait mode excels with accurate edge detection and natural bokeh. However, zooming reveals some softness, especially at higher magnifications.
• New 8MP Ultrawide: A definite step up from the A24’s 5MP sensor. Wider landscapes and group shots offer more detail, though a slight washout and over-sharpening are still evident.
• 2MP Macro: Decent for close-ups, but don’t expect mind-blowing detail.
• 13MP Selfie Camera: Delivers good results with accurate colors and sufficient sharpness. Selfie portraits are also pleasing, especially in good lighting.

Low-Light Lurks:

While photos aren’t terrible in low light, the limitations become apparent. Noise creeps in, details get muddy, and colors shift colder. The dedicated Night mode helps by boosting brightness and reducing noise, but don’t expect miracles.

Performance:

The Exynos 1280 chipset paired with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage delivers solid performance for daily tasks and even some casual gaming. It outperforms the Snapdragon 695 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, but falls behind the Dimensity 80xx and Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 leaders.

The 120Hz refresh rate shines in games that support higher frame rates, but the lack of automatic switching hurts battery life. Overall, the A25 provides smooth performance without breaking any speed records.

Battery life:

The 5,000 mAh battery offers decent endurance, managing around 10 hours of active use. We wish for better browsing and gaming results, though. 25W charging gets the job done, fully juicing up the phone in about 84 minutes.

Software:

One UI 6 on top of Android 14 delivers a smooth and familiar experience. All the Samsung goodness you’ve come to expect is here, from intuitive gestures to extensive customization options.

Sound & Speakers: A 5G Symphony

The Galaxy A25 ditches the single speaker of its predecessor and embraces stereo sound, a welcome upgrade for music lovers and multimedia enthusiasts. While not the booming bass monsters found in high-end models, the speakers deliver decent audio with good clarity and balance. You can definitely enjoy your favorite tunes, podcasts, and even watch movies without needing headphones, although cranking the volume high reveals some distortion.

The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is another win for audiophiles and those who prefer wired options. You can plug in your favorite headphones or earphones for a more immersive listening experience.

Connectivity: All Aboard the 5G Express

The defining feature of the A25 is undoubtedly blazing-fast 5G connectivity. Experience downloads that fly by, smoother streaming, and near-instantaneous gaming response times. It’s a future-proof investment, letting you take advantage of the next generation of mobile networks now.

Beyond 5G, the A25 covers all the bases: reliable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2 for low-latency wireless connections, and support for NFC payments (another feature missing in the A34). You can stay connected seamlessly on the go, whether you’re downloading files, streaming on the commute, or making contactless purchases.

Beyond Specs: Living with the Galaxy A25’s Hidden Gems

The Galaxy A25 isn’t just about the flashy specs; it’s a treasure trove of hidden features that enhance your daily experience. So, let’s peel back the layers and explore some of its less-obvious gems:

Effortless Transitions: Moving to the A25 is a breeze with Smart Switch. Seamlessly transfer content from your old phone, including data, apps, and even settings, in just a few clicks. No clunky cables or complex transfers, just a smooth transition to your new digital life.

Sharing Made Easy: Forget email attachments and messy file transfers. Quick Share lets you instantly share photos, videos, and documents with nearby Galaxy devices. It’s peer-to-peer simplicity at its finest, making collaboration and casual file sharing a breeze.

Security You Can Trust: Privacy and security are paramount, and the A25 has you covered. With Knox, Samsung’s robust security platform, your data is always protected. Facial recognition and fingerprint unlocking offer convenient yet reliable access control, while built-in security features like Private Share and Secure Folder give you complete control over your sensitive information.

Verdict:

The Galaxy A25 is a compelling proposition for budget-conscious users seeking a 5G upgrade. It delivers solid performance, a stunning display, and improved cameras, all wrapped in a comfortable and stylish design. Sure, it has its limitations, like the lack of an IP rating and a charger in the box, but at its price point, it’s hard to find a better option. If you’re looking for a capable daily driver that won’t break the bank, the Galaxy A25 is definitely worth a look.