The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G enters the competitive budget smartphone market, striving to deliver a well-rounded experience. It comes with improvements over its predecessor, including an upgraded chipset, strong software support, and a reliable primary camera. However, the phone also faces some challenges, such as a low-quality build and underperforming secondary cameras. Let’s take a closer look at what the Galaxy A25 5G offers.
Quick Overview: Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
The Galaxy A25 5G is part of Samsung’s affordable A series, replacing the Galaxy A24. It features a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, powered by an Exynos 1280 chipset, and includes a 50MP primary camera as part of a triple-camera system. The device also retains the headphone jack, a feature many users still appreciate. It is available at $299, with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage in the U.S.
Released in December 2023, the Galaxy A25 5G is sold unlocked through Samsung, Best Buy, and carriers like Straight Talk and US Cellular. The phone was tested for seven days by Android Authority, and the hands-on experience helped shape this review.
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G takes inspiration from Samsung’s premium Galaxy S24 series, with individual camera lenses and flat edges. At first glance, the phone may seem high-end, but several cost-cutting measures are evident.
- Plastic Construction: The frame and back are made of plastic, which resists fingerprints but tends to show smudges. While lightweight, the plastic construction doesn’t offer a premium feel.
- Key Island Design: Samsung introduced a raised “Key Island” section for the fingerprint reader and volume buttons on the side. Though intended to make buttons easier to locate, it can feel awkward in use.
- Fingerprint Reader Issues: The capacitive fingerprint reader is unreliable. Setting up fingerprints required multiple attempts, and unlocking the phone was often a struggle, especially in the first few days.
- Additional Features: The Galaxy A25 5G retains the dual-SIM tray, headphone jack, and down-firing speaker. Sound quality improves notably when Dolby Atmos is enabled.
Display Quality
One of the strengths of the Galaxy A25 5G is its 6.5-inch AMOLED display, which includes:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: This allows for smooth scrolling and better visual quality, although users must manually switch to 60Hz to conserve battery life, as the refresh rate is fixed.
- Brightness: It offers 1,000 nits of brightness in high-brightness mode, which is sufficient for indoor use. However, the display struggles outdoors, with reflections making it difficult to see content clearly in direct sunlight.
Software and Update Support
One of the standout aspects of the Galaxy A25 5G is Samsung’s commitment to software updates. The phone ships with Android 14 and One UI 6.0, providing a modern user experience right out of the box. Samsung promises four major Android updates and five years of security patches, ensuring the phone’s longevity.
Though the phone initially shipped with the July 2023 security patch, it quickly received an update to January 2024 and will continue receiving timely updates. While some bloatware is pre-installed, most of it can be removed except for core apps like OneDrive and Samsung Messages.
Performance and Power
The Galaxy A25 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 chipset, which offers reasonable performance for a budget smartphone:
- 6GB RAM and 128GB Storage: The phone provides smooth multitasking for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and music streaming. Storage is also expandable via microSD.
- Gaming: While capable of handling casual games, the phone struggles with more demanding titles like Genshin Impact, which causes the device to heat up and slow down.
- Benchmarking: In tests, its performance is similar to other budget models, like the Galaxy A54 5G, providing good value for its price range.
Camera Performance
The Galaxy A25 5G comes with a triple-camera system, but the results are mixed:
- 50MP Primary Sensor: This performs well in daylight, delivering vibrant colors and good detail.
- 8MP Ultrawide Camera: While useful for landscape shots and group photos, the ultrawide camera doesn’t match the quality of the primary sensor.
- 2MP Macro Lens: The macro lens is the weakest component, struggling to capture sharp details. It feels unnecessary, especially given the effectiveness of software-based macro modes in other phones.
Zoom capabilities are limited, with significant quality loss beyond 2x zoom. The front-facing 13MP camera performs well for its price range and offers decent selfie quality.
For video recording, the primary camera supports 4K at 30fps, though without stabilization, making 1080p a better choice for smoother footage, particularly with moving subjects.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy A25 5G has a 5,000mAh battery, which lasts over a day with moderate usage.
- 25W Wired Charging: It takes about 1.5 hours to charge fully. However, there’s no wireless charging, and a charger is not included in the box.
- Charging Speeds: While 25W charging is respectable, some competitors, such as OnePlus and Nothing, offer faster charging speeds in the same price range, putting the Galaxy A25 5G at a disadvantage.
Final Verdict: Is the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G a Good Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G offers a solid mid-range option, balancing performance, display quality, and software support. It’s a great choice for those seeking a budget phone with long-term updates and a reliable camera for daily use. However, its plastic build, underwhelming secondary cameras, and unreliable fingerprint reader may deter some users.
Pros:
- Strong software update support (up to 2028)
- Good primary camera for the price
- Bright AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Headphone jack and expandable storage
Cons:
- Inconsistent fingerprint reader
- Poor outdoor visibility on the display
- Weak macro camera performance
- No wireless charging, plastic design
At $299, the Galaxy A25 5G offers decent value, especially for users prioritizing software longevity and basic everyday performance. However, those looking for more power or a premium build may want to explore other options at a similar price point.
