Galaxy Unpacked 2025: everything announced at the January event – The VergeThe Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.2025-11-26T20:54:18+00:00https://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/24112726https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/verge-rss-large_80b47e.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1Quentyn Kennemer<![CDATA[Here’s how the new Galaxy S25 stacks up to the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra]]>https://www.theverge.com/24345428/samsung-galaxy-s25-plus-ultra-specs-comparison-price2025-01-22T16:53:11-05:002025-01-22T16:53:11-05:00
Samsung’s latest phones all look and feel very similar, but there are some key differences. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
During its latest Unpacked event, Samsung dished all the details on the Galaxy S25 lineup. The Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus start at $799.99 and $999.99, respectively, while the S25 Ultra runs a cool $1299.99 in its entry-level configuration. You can preorder the phones ahead of their launch on February 7th, but before you do, you're probably wondering what's new.
The phones don't look or feel much different, save for the slightly curvier Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Snapdragon Elite 8 is perhaps the S25 family's most notable hardware upgrade, which is up to 40 percent faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and comes with a new neural processing un …
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Wes Davis<![CDATA[This is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349658/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-photos-unpacked2025-01-22T14:51:01-05:002025-01-22T14:51:01-05:00
Samsung just teased the Galaxy S25 Edge - the new ultra-slim entry into the Galaxy S25 lineup. The phone isn't out yet, and Samsung hasn't provided any details, but now we know it's real. And we have pictures.
Like pretty much every phone, it's a thin silver slab. It's got two cameras on the back, rather than the three cameras you'd get with other S25 phones. The Edge is rumored to measure just 6.4mm thick, but my colleagues Allison Johnson and Vjeran Pavic, who are on the ground at Galaxy Unpacked and took the below photos, weren't able to actually hold or measure the device to confirm.
We're trying to get closer so we can show perspectiv …
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Sheena Vasani<![CDATA[Where to preorder the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra]]>https://www.theverge.com/24346252/samsung-galaxy-s25-plus-ultra-how-to-buy-preorder-price-release-date2025-01-22T14:28:44-05:002025-01-22T14:28:44-05:00
The Galaxy S25 lineup looks very similar to the S24 family. Go figure. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Samsung finally took the wraps off its new Galaxy S25 lineup during its Unpacked event on Wednesday, providing us with our first formal look at the forthcoming Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra. Available starting on February 7th, you can already preorder the S25 starting at $799.99, the S25 Plus starting at $999.99, and the S25 Ultra starting at $1,299.99.
On the hardware front, Samsung’s latest phones represent a relatively minor refresh over last year’s S24 series. The new Galaxy S25 phones are all “Qi2 Ready,” meaning they charge at up to 15W on a Qi2 charger using Samsung’s magnetic Qi2 Ready cases. Each phone also features 12GB of RAM by default, along with more processing power thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip.
The new Qualcomm chipset supposedly allows for smarter and occasionally faster AI tools, which, as we noted in our brief hands-on time with the S25 and S25 Plus, are the real changes here. The onboard AI assistant is now based on Google Gemini by default and can control your phone with natural language requests. Other AI features include a video editing tool that can erase distractions like music and wind, as well as daily AI-generated summaries that help you make better sense of your calendar and commute.
We’re still in the process of testing Samsung’s latest phones, but if you want to reserve one ahead of launch, here’s what you need to know.
Where to preorder the Galaxy S25
Starting at $799.99, the Galaxy S25 comes with 12GB of RAM and your choice of either 128GB or 256GB of storage, the latter of which costs $60 more. It’s available for preorder from Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy in navy, light blue, mint, or silver. It’s also available in a few exclusive colors directly from Samsung, including black, red, and rose gold.
At 6.2 inches, the entry-level Galaxy S25 is the smallest phone in the S25 lineup. It’s lighter and thinner than last year’s S24, and, as mentioned before, it now comes with 12GB of RAM. Otherwise, it’s very similar to its predecessor, with a 120Hz refresh rate and the same 50-megapixel main shooter, a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens. It also features a 12-megapixel selfie camera on the front.
In terms of deals, Amazon is offering $100 in credit when you preorder the 128GB model for $799.99 or the 256GB model for $859.99. Samsung is also offering a $100 credit when you preorder the 128GB model for $799.99, along with a $50 discount when you buy the 256GB model for $809.99. Best Buy’s promo is similar to Samsung’s, with the retailer throwing in a $50 gift card when you buy the 128GB model for $799.99 or the 256GB model for $859.99.
Samsung Galaxy S25
The 6.2-inch Galaxy S25 is the smallest phone in the S25 lineup. It comes with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB.
The 256GB S25 Plus runs $999.99 and comes with 12GB of RAM, though you can also buy it with 512GB of storage for $1,119.99. Like the S25, it’s available for preorder from Samsung, Amazon, and Best Buy in navy, light blue, mint, and silver. If you purchase directly from Samsung, you can also grab it in black, red, or rose gold.
The main difference between the S25 and S25 Plus is that the larger model comes with more storage options and sports a 6.7-inch 120Hz display. It also packs a bigger battery than the S25 (4,900mAh versus 4,000mAh), though it remains to be seen if that translates to longer battery life given the larger display on the S25 Plus. Otherwise, it’s similar to the Galaxy S25 in that it features an identical camera system, IP68 dust and water resistance, and plenty of AI-powered features.
If you’re looking for a deal, Amazon is offering a $100 gift card when you preorder the 256GB model for $999.99 or the 512GB model for $1,119.99. Samsung is also offering $150 in credit when you preorder the 256GB model for $999.99 or $50 in credit when you buy the 512GB model for $1,019.99. Lastly, Best Buy is throwing in a $100 gift card when you preorder the 256GB model or the 512GB model at full price.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus (256GB)
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Plus is nearly identical to the standard S25, but it comes with a larger 6.7-inch screen and a 4,900mAh battery.
The S25 Ultra comes with 12GB of RAM and retails for $1,299.99 in the 256GB configuration, $1,419.99 in the 512GB configuration, and $1,659.99 in the 1TB variant. The Ultra is available for preorder from Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung in blue, silver, gray, or black. (The latter retailer is also selling it in a few exclusive colors, such as rose gold and green.)
At 6.9 inches, the redesigned Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a larger display than both the S25 and S25 Plus. It also comes with an S Pen stylus as well as an upgraded camera array that features two telephoto cameras and an improved 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor. You also get more storage options and a more durable titanium build, the latter of which features rounded edges for greater comfort.
In terms of promotions, Amazon is offering a $200 gift card when you preorder the 256GB model for $1,299.99 or the 512GB model for $1,419.99. Samsung is also throwing in a $150 credit when you preorder the 256GB model for $1,299.99, a $130 credit when you preorder the 512GB model for $1,299.99 ($120 off), or a $110 credit when you buy the 1TB model for $1,419.99 ($240 off). In addition, Best Buy is throwing in a $200 gift card when you preorder the 256GB model for $1,299.99, the 512GB model for $1,419.99, or the 1TB model for $1,659.99.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB)
The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a slightly bigger 6.9-inch 120Hz display than its predecessor, along with rounded edges and a new 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor.
Verizonis currently offering the Galaxy S25 or S25 Plus for free when you trade in an eligible phone or $1,000 off the Galaxy S25 Ultra with a qualifying trade-in. The carrier is also throwing in a free Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or Galaxy Tab S9 FE. You’ll have to sign up for the Unlimited Ultimate plan to take advantage of Verizon’s ongoing promos, though, which will be administered as trade-in credits over the span of 36 months.
You can get the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or S25 Ultra for free from AT&T when you trade in an eligible device and sign up for an eligible unlimited plan. (The discount will be administered as monthly bill credits.) You can also add a Galaxy Watch FE or Galaxy Tab A9 Plus for 99 cents a month if you activate a new line for either, which will be administrated as monthly credits over 36 months. Additionally, AT&T is offering a 50 percent discount on eligible Samsung accessories when you buy select Samsung-connected devices.
T-Mobileis offering an assortment of Galaxy S25 promos, all of which are administered as monthly bill credits over the span of 24 months. For instance, you can get the S25 Plus for free or up to $1,000 off the S25 Ultra when you trade in an eligible device in any condition on T-Mobile’s Go5G Next data plan or in working condition on the Go5G Plus plan. You can also get the Galaxy S25 for free when you add a line on Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plans or trade in an eligible device in working condition and add a line on Go5G or most plans.
Update, January 22nd: Added carrier deals from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
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Sean Hollister<![CDATA[Samsung claims its new Galaxy S25 Ultra glass can survive head-high drops on concrete]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349700/samsung-s25-ultra-corning-gorilla-armor-2-ceramic2025-01-22T14:18:18-05:002025-01-22T14:18:18-05:00
Will cracked screens actually become a thing of the past this decade? We're definitely on an impressive trajectory! Just two years after Samsung's Galaxy S23 adopted a new Corning Gorilla Glass that can survive waist-high drops of one meter directly onto concrete, the new Samsung S25 Ultra has a ceramic version that can apparently survive head-high drops of 2.2 meters (7.2 feet).
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Wes Davis<![CDATA[The Galaxy S25 Edge is Samsung’s rumored ‘slim’ phone]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349652/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-teased2025-01-22T14:13:34-05:002025-01-22T14:13:34-05:00
The Galaxy S25 Edge, deconstructed. | Screenshot: Samsung
Samsung just teased the Galaxy S25 Edge at the end of its Unpacked event, where it announced its Galaxy S25 lineup. It didn't offer any details beyond the quick naming of the phone.
Below are some screenshots from Samsung's presentation. It was brief, but it's a phone, alright.
The Galaxy S25 Edge will come to the US, according to Android Authority, which cited a Samsung South Africa representative.
The outlet quotes the representative:
So, we will have the Ultra, the Plus, the base model. That'll be South Africa. There is a Slim model, not initially available here. It'll be available in select markets.
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Jay Peters<![CDATA[Samsung and Google are developing AR glasses together]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24347908/samsung-google-ar-glasses-android-xr-unpacked-january-20252025-01-22T13:28:26-05:002025-01-22T13:28:26-05:00
Samsung and Google are partnering up to build AR glasses, Samsung's TM Roh told Bloomberg. But there aren't many other specifics beyond the fact that they're in development - there's not even a specific release timeline, with Roh telling the publication that Samsung and Google "will try to reach the quality and readiness we want as soon as possible."
The announcement follows Meta's splashy reveal of Orion, its first augmented reality glasses, last year. Those glasses won't be sold to consumers, but my colleague Alex Heath called them an "impressive demo."
The news of the Samsung- and Google-made AR glasses also follows the announcement of …
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Dominic Preston<![CDATA[Samsung’s S25 and S25 Plus offer more of the same]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24348458/samsung-galaxy-s25-plus-price-release-date-specs-features-ai2025-11-26T15:54:18-05:002025-01-22T13:00:00-05:00
The Galaxy S25 (left) and the S25 Plus (right).
If the Galaxy S24 series heralded the triumphant arrival of Galaxy AI, then the S25 and S25 Plus may be a bit of a comedown: they promise more AI that's smarter and sometimes slightly faster. You'd better like it because that's pretty much all you're gonna get.
Samsung changed as little as it could on the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, announced today alongside the larger and redesigned Galaxy S25 Ultra. There's the obligatory jump to a new chipset - in this case, Qualcomm's custom-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, included in phones worldwide this time around - and a welcome decision to offer 12GB of RAM as standard on every S25 phone, pullin …
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Jennifer Pattison Tuohy<![CDATA[Samsung is bringing ambient sensing to SmartThings]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349488/samsung-smartthings-ambient-sensing-home-ai2025-01-22T13:00:00-05:002025-01-22T13:00:00-05:00
Samsung announced a new AI-powered ambient sensing technology for SmartThings designed to make your smart home be more helpful. | Image: SmartThings
Samsung announced today that its connected appliances and smart home devices will soon be able to act as motion and sound sensors for its smart home platform SmartThings. This includes its televisions, Music Frame speaker, Family Hub fridge, and more. The company said the updates are slated for release in 2025 and 2026 but didn't provide specific timelines.
The move is part of its vision of "AI for All," using AI to simplify technology in the home. By leveraging sensors in its appliances, Samsung's new Home AI - an artificial intelligence layer that the company is applying to its connected devices - can gather "insights from everyday life t …
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Chris Welch<![CDATA[Samsung goes back to basics with the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s stylus]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349083/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-s-pen-air-gestures-camera2025-01-22T13:00:00-05:002025-01-22T13:00:00-05:00
The "Ultra" model in Samsung's Galaxy S lineup is typically the phone crammed full of every feature the company could think of. But this year, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is actually taking a step backward with the S Pen. The motion gestures and useful remote camera shutter function have been removed, and the stylus is back to being just a stylus. You can still wave it around like a magic wand, but the phone won't do anything.
During a media briefing on the new S25 series last week, Samsung explained that customers rarely ever used the "Air action" gestures. So the company decided to try and cut costs by ditching them entirely. And no, the startin …
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Victoria Song<![CDATA[Samsung launches a kid-friendly mode for the Galaxy Watch 7]]>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349330/samsung-galaxy-watch-7-kids-smartwatch-wear-os2025-01-22T11:00:00-05:002025-01-22T11:00:00-05:00
The new Galaxy Watch for Kids mode is enabled in Wear OS via Google Family Link. | Image: Samsung, Google
Samsung dropped some wearable news ahead of its Unpacked event: parents can now use the cellular Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 as a smartwatch for their kids.
With a new Galaxy Watch for Kids mode, children can use the smartwatch to call and text trusted contacts, while parents can also track their kids' locations via GPS. The option starts rolling out today and will work on Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T networks.
The good news is parents won't need a separate smartphone for this to work. Instead, it's similar to Apple Family Setup, where parents use their phone to pair and set up the smartwatch before programming guardrails through the Google Fami …
