You may’t have missed all of the protection of the Samsung Galaxy S25 collection launch this week. We posted a pricing breakdown just a few days in the past, however let’s have one other have a look at these costs, what retailers are providing and what alternate options there are.
First off, Samsung.com has the standard free storage improve, getting you to 256GB on the Galaxy S25 and to 512GB on the Galaxy S25+ and S25 Extremely. Moreover, you possibly can commerce in an outdated machine to scale back the worth and you’ll be getting Samsung Credit score to spend on extra stuff. As a reminder, in case you pre-reserved a unit, you’ll have $50 extra credit score. And in case you didn’t pre-reserve, our hyperlinks ought to get you $50 credit score anyway.
Subsequent, let’s have a look at how retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase have structured their offers. No free storage improve right here, however you do get a present card from the respective retailer, which is extra versatile than Samsung Credit score (which you’ll be able to solely spend on Samsung gadgets, after all). Notice that the Galaxy S25 collection is on pre-order, delivery will begin on February 7.
Did you take a look at our hands-on evaluate and our two-part digicam shootout between the Galaxy S25 Extremely and S24 Extremely? If not, take a look. Okay then – earlier than making a sure/no determination on the S25 collection, it is best to take into account the alternate options.
The Google Pixel 9 Professional XL shall be one of many important rivals of the S25 Extremely. It presently prices much less for a unit with 512GB storage – even with Samsung’s free storage improve! The Tensor G4 can’t match the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, however the telephone has a 48MP ultra-wide digicam (countering the one digicam improve Samsung introduced this yr), together with a 48MP 113mm periscope and a 50MP important.
On the flip aspect, the small Google Pixel 9 Professional is definitely costlier than the small Galaxy S25 when taking a look at 256GB fashions. The Pixel is a bit bigger and what we mentioned concerning the Tensor chip stays true. Nevertheless, this telephone has the identical cameras because the Professional XL and its 48MP 113mm tele module wipes the ground with the 10MP 67mm module on the Galaxy, the identical goes for the 48MP ultra-wide vs. 12MP. Even the selfie digicam is best at 42MP 17mm ultra-wide vs. 12MP 26mm on the Galaxy.
In the event you’re keen to lose the tele and selfie digicam and the marginally sharper LTPO panel, the vanilla Google Pixel 9 is a bit cheaper than the Galaxy S25 and provides largely the identical options because the 9 Professional.
There’s additionally Samsung’s personal Galaxy S24 FE. It’s fairly low cost – costing simply $610 for a 256GB telephone – but it surely’s giant too with a 6.7” show. It’s not a direct competitor to both the S25 or S25+, however provides possibly 80% of the identical expertise. The show is a 1080p+ non-LTPO panel and the Exynos 2400e is quicker than the Tensor, although not almost as quick because the Snapdragon. However the remaining is much like equivalent and with out paying a “new flagship” worth.
We’ve got to say Apple, after all. The iPhone 16 Professional Max 512GB is a bit pricier than the Galaxy S25 Extremely – Apple fees two arms and two legs for storage upgrades. The Apple A18 Professional is definitely behind in efficiency on artificial benchmarks however is way from gradual. The telephone’s 12MP 120mm telephoto digicam lacks the decision of Samsung’s 50MP 111mm tele, however the 48MP ultra-wide is in place to deal with Samsung’s one digicam improve this technology.
Like with the Pixels, the small iPhone 16 Professional is priced nearer to its bigger sibling than it’s to the small Galaxy S25. Nonetheless, the iPhone has the higher telephoto (12MP 120mm vs. 10MP 67mm) and ultra-wide cameras (48MP 13mm vs. 12MP 13mm). Apple added the Digital camera Management and Motion Button this technology. Gimmicks or truly helpful? Both means, a minimum of it’s a brand new characteristic, not like the S25, which hasn’t modified considerably for the reason that S22.
You also needs to take into account the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. We all know some insist on having a small telephone, whereas others choose a bigger one. The Plus is about the identical measurement because the Galaxy S25+ and it prices about the identical too. Notice that there isn’t a tele digicam of any sort right here and that the ultra-wide has solely a 12MP sensor.
Within the US, the record of flagships not made by the Large 3 is brief – however OnePlus is tough to miss. The OnePlus 13 makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip (with barely decrease clocks) and boasts triple 50MP Hasselblad cameras: 50MP important, 50MP 73mm periscope and 50MP ultra-wide. And it breaks the mildew with a big 6,000mAh battery that helps 100W wired and 50W wi-fi quick charging. None of that 45W charging right here!
The OnePlus 13R prices S24 FE cash, however brings a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and a 6.78” 1264p+ LTPO show to the desk. Its cameras embody a 50MP important, 50MP 47mm tele and 8MP ultra-wide. Naturally, it has a big 6,000mAh battery with 80W quick charging (however no wi-fi). The IP65 score is on the low aspect, even for a mid-ranger, but it surely shouldn’t make an excessive amount of of a distinction in observe.
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