You possibly can’t have missed all of the protection of the Samsung Galaxy S25 collection launch this week. We posted a pricing breakdown a couple of 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 normal 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 previous machine to cut back the worth and you may be getting Samsung Credit score to spend on extra stuff. As a reminder, when you pre-reserved a unit, you’ll have $50 extra credit score. And when 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 solely spend on Samsung units, after all). Be aware that the Galaxy S25 collection is on pre-order, delivery will begin on February 7.
Did you try our hands-on evaluation 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 resolution on the S25 collection, it is best to think about the alternate options.
The Google Pixel 9 Professional XL might be one of many foremost rivals of the S25 Extremely. It at the moment 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 cellphone has a 48MP ultra-wide digicam (countering the one digicam improve Samsung introduced this 12 months), together with a 48MP 113mm periscope and a 50MP foremost.
On the flip facet, 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 stated concerning the Tensor chip stays true. Nonetheless, this cellphone 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.
For those who’re prepared 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 affords 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 cellphone – but it surely’s giant too with a 6.7” show. It’s not a direct competitor to both the S25 or S25+, however affords 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 practically as quick because the Snapdragon. However the remaining is just like an identical and with out paying a “new flagship” value.
We have now to say Apple, after all. The iPhone 16 Professional Max 512GB is a bit pricier than the Galaxy S25 Extremely – Apple prices two arms and two legs for storage upgrades. The Apple A18 Professional is definitely behind in efficiency on artificial benchmarks however is way from sluggish. The cellphone’s 12MP 120mm telephoto digicam lacks the decision of Samsung’s 50MP 111mm tele, however the 48MP ultra-wide is in place to sort out 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, not less than it’s a brand new function, in contrast to the S25, which hasn’t modified considerably for the reason that S22.
You must also think about the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. We all know some insist on having a small cellphone, whereas others favor a bigger one. The Plus is about the identical dimension because the Galaxy S25+ and it prices about the identical too. Be aware that there isn’t a tele digicam of any type right here and that the ultra-wide has solely a 12MP sensor.
Within the US, the record of flagships not made by the Massive 3 is brief – however OnePlus is difficult to miss. The OnePlus 13 makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip (with barely decrease clocks) and boasts triple 50MP Hasselblad cameras: 50MP foremost, 50MP 73mm periscope and 50MP ultra-wide. And it breaks the mould 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 foremost, 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 facet, even for a mid-ranger, but it surely shouldn’t make an excessive amount of of a distinction in apply.
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