Samsung is back with another mid-range contender – the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G. Despite Samsung’s hold on the market with its A-series phones, the A25 5G, at first glance, feels like yet another attempt to squeeze more for less. I’ve spent a good 7-8 days testing this phone, and I’m ready to share the good, the bad, and whether or not it justifies its price tag.
Let’s dive deep into my Samsung Galaxy A25 5G review!
Box Contents: Samsung Galaxy A25
- Samsung Galaxy A25 5G smartphone
- USB Type-C to Type-C cable
- Documentation
- SIM ejector tool
As expected, Samsung continues its trend of omitting accessories. There’s no charger, case, or screen protector to be found.
Design: Samsung Galaxy A25
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G sticks with their tried-and-tested design language. It sports a unique pattern on its plastic back, and the raised buttons are reminiscent of the A15. Sadly, it forgoes premium features like an IP rating. The fingerprint sensor on the power button is snappy, but I sorely miss the in-display option.
On a positive note, you still get a headphone jack, and there are stereo speakers – a welcome addition! However, the overall design feels a tad underwhelming at this price point.
Display: Galaxy A25
The 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED display boasts Widevine L1 support, 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. Overall, the quality is decent, but there are a few caveats.
The teardrop notch feels outdated in a world of punch holes, and the thick chin and bezels are a constant reminder that you’re not holding a premium device. While the 120Hz refresh rate mostly offers a smooth experience, there are occasional hiccups.
Galaxy A25’s Battery: Long-Lasting, But Charging is Slow
The 5000mAh battery is a strong suit, easily delivering 1-1.5 days of moderate usage. However, the lack of a charger in the box and disappointingly slow 25W charging means it takes roughly 1.5 hours to reach 100%. That’s a lot of time to be tethered to a wall.
Specs & Performance:
The Exynos 1280 is the heart of this phone, and sadly, it’s at least 2 years old at this point. It delivers passable performance for light usage, but heavy users will see a noticeable dip. Gaming takes a major hit, being mostly limited to 30FPS on demanding titles. At this price, I would have expected at least an Exynos 1380 or a Dimensity 700 series chipset.
Samsung Galaxy A25 Camera:
The cameras are a mixed bag. Here’s a breakdown of the setup:
- 50MP main camera with OIS
- 8MP ultrawide camera
- 2MP macro camera
In daylight, images have pleasing colors and adequate dynamic range. However, highlights can sometimes blow out, and there’s a lack of fine detail. Things take a turn for the worse in indoor lighting. Night mode is decent, and portrait mode works surprisingly well, but there’s an element of inconsistency across the cameras.
The 8MP ultrawide performs below expectations across various aspects of image quality. Video capabilities max out at 4K 30fps on the rear and 1080p 30fps on the front-facing.
Software:
One UI 6 based on Android 14 is smooth and relatively bloatware-free. Samsung promises an impressive 4 years of major updates and 5 years of security patches, surpassing many competitors. The underpowered CPU does lead to occasional performance hiccups, and some competing phones in this price range offer a significantly smoother, lag-free experience.
Who Is This Galaxy A25 Phone For?
The Galaxy A25 5G could serve these types of users:
- Casual Users: If your main use for a smartphone is calls, texting, social media, and light gaming, the A25 5G will do the job.
- Samsung Loyalists: If you prefer a Samsung phone and don’t mind the shortcomings, this device can work for you.
- Battery Centric: If long battery life is your top priority and you can overlook other shortcomings, the A25 5G will deliver.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Gamers: The Exynos 1280 struggles with demanding games. Look for other devices with Snapdragon or Dimensity chipsets within a similar price range.
- Camera Enthusiasts: The inconsistent cameras will likely disappoint. Competitors offer much better image and video quality.
- Performance Seekers, Overall sluggishness will be apparent for multi-taskers and those who push their phones hard.
Alternatives to Consider?
Here are some other phones within this price range you might want to explore:
- Poco X5 Pro 5G: Offers better performance, display, and a more refined design.
- Realme 10 Pro+: Packs a more powerful processor, a stunning curved display, and faster charging.
- Motorola G82: Features a 120Hz OLED display, a more consistent camera performance, and near-stock Android experience.
The Verdict: Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G?
Unfortunately, the answer is a hesitant “no.” While the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G has some redeeming qualities, its missteps make it hard to justify the price. Last year’s Samsung Galaxy A34, which is often available at discounts, outperforms the A25 5G in almost every area: speed, a more reliable camera, and better overall stability.
