Our verdict
The Galaxy S25 is one of the few premium Android phones small enough to use with one hand. It has a 6.2-inch screen and weighs 162g. Inside is Samsung's 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, which makes games, photo editing and multitasking quick and should keep the phone responsive as apps get heavier. Its dedicated 3x optical zoom camera uses a real telephoto lens, so people, pets and distant subjects stay sharper than with digital zoom. The main downside is that wired charging is limited to 25W, slow beside many rivals. The 128GB version was £476 when checked on 30 July 2026. It makes most sense when discounted below newer flagships.
Buy it if
- You want premium Android performance without a huge phone
- You value Samsung's software and a real optical zoom lens
- A promotion makes it clearly cheaper than the current Galaxy S model
Skip it if
- Battery endurance matters more than compact size
- You want fast wired charging, as it tops out at 25W
- You want a large screen: at 6.2 inches it is one of the smaller premium Android phones
How it would fit your home
A compact premium Android phone
At 6.2 inches and 162g, it is one of the few flagship-level phones that stays comfortable to carry and use with one hand.
Everyday photography with real zoom
The 3x optical zoom camera brings people, pets and distant subjects closer without the softness of digital zoom.
Long days away from a charger
A larger phone is the safer choice if navigation, gaming or mobile data use regularly pushes battery life hard.
The details, in plain English
Size and screen
The 6.2-inch screen and 162g weight are the S25's biggest practical advantages. Most premium Android phones are much larger, so this one fits small hands and pockets better and is easier to use with one hand. The screen is smooth, bright and colour-rich, and you do not need to change settings to enjoy it. Check the retailer page for the exact panel, refresh rate and brightness figures.
Performance
The S25 uses the 8 Elite for Galaxy processor. That is flagship-level speed for demanding games, video editing and heavy multitasking. For everyday apps it is more power than most people need, but the spare capacity should help the phone stay responsive as software gets heavier over the years. Samsung's long software support helps with that, too.
Camera
The S25 has three rear cameras: a main camera, a wide-view camera and a 3x optical zoom camera. Optical zoom uses a real lens, so distant subjects keep more detail than when the phone simply crops in. That makes it more versatile than a standard iPhone or a mid-range phone without optical zoom.
Battery and charging
The compact body holds a smaller battery than larger phones. Efficient processing helps it last a normal day, but bigger phones give more margin for navigation, gaming and video. Wired charging is limited to 25W, which means a top-up takes longer than on many rivals. If you use your phone heavily, consider a larger model or carrying a power bank.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 6.2-inch body and 162g weight: comfortable to carry and use one-handed
- 8 Elite for Galaxy processor: fast for games, editing and multitasking
- 3x optical zoom camera: sharper photos of people, pets and distant subjects
- Bright, smooth, high-quality screen
- Long software support from Samsung
What to watch out for
- 25W wired charging is slow for a premium Android phone
- A compact body holds a smaller battery, leaving less margin than larger phones
- Many of the extra smart tools are optional rather than essential
The S25 is most attractive next to a full-price newer phone. Focus on total price, remaining update support and condition rather than the headline figure alone.
Make the Samsung Galaxy S25 easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: a compact body holds a smaller battery, leaving less margin than larger phones
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-Port Laptop Power Bank 20K, BPB020btBK Not yet reviewed by us
Adds spare power when the compact phone’s smaller battery leaves less margin. It cannot improve its own endurance or charging cap.
Check first: Adds stored power, not a faster phone or a guarantee of full recharges. Check port sharing, cable and actual host charging; it adds weight.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samsung Galaxy S25 (this one) | An excellent compact flagship for anyone who wants premium Android performance and a real 3x optical zoom in a phone they can use one-handed, especially when discounted. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy S26 | Worth considering for Samsung familiarity and a flexible three-camera setup in a manageable 167g body, if those extras solve a real problem with your current phone. | £959RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy S25 FE | The S25 FE suits you if you want a big, smooth screen and a real zoom camera, provided the price beats other Galaxy models you could buy instead. | £649RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy A57 | A reassuring, well-built everyday phone with long support, whose slow moments and ordinary cameras weaken its value. | £529RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review using Samsung UK's specifications page and independent reviews from TechRadar and Tom's Guide. We have not tested this handset ourselves. Where we quote a reviewer's finding, it is theirs, not ours.