Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Review
Today, we are checking out the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G. Unlike previous iterations, this phone has genuinely sparked my excitement. In recent years, the A-series devices, like last year’s A24 and the A23, seemed to clutter Samsung‘s lineup without offering a clear advantage. The last standout devices were the A21, which offered remarkable value. However, the A25 5G brings several upgrades that make it a strong contender in the budget smartphone market. Priced under R5 500, it might just be the best option available right now.
The unboxing experience is straightforward. Inside the box, you’ll find the phone itself, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and the usual paperwork. Samsung‘s packaging remains minimal, but it gets the job done.
The phone is priced at R5 499 unlocked, but you can find deals on Incredible Connection for around R4 499.
The design of the A25 hasn’t changed much from its predecessor. It features a 6.5-inch display with a slightly improved screen-to-body ratio, though it still has noticeable bezels and a bottom chin. The phone’s plastic build includes a dotted design and matte finish that attracts fingerprints. There’s no IP certification for water resistance, but it offers a dual SIM and microSD card tray, allowing you to expand the base 128GB storage.
On the left side, you’ll find the dual SIM and microSD card tray. The right side houses the volume and power buttons, with the power button doubling as a fingerprint sensor. The bottom of the phone features a headphone jack, a USB-C port, and one of the two speakers. The second speaker is located in the earpiece, a new addition for this year’s model.
One of the significant upgrades in the A25 is its display. It features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display is bright, colorful, and offers a flagship-like viewing experience, making it the best display in this price range. Although the glare can be an issue, and it doesn’t get as bright as Samsung‘s flagship models, the overall screen quality is impressive for a budget phone.
The A25 introduces a dual speaker setup for the first time in this series. While the sound quality isn’t top-tier, it’s an improvement over previous models, providing a better audio experience.
The A25 is powered by Samsung‘s Exynos 1280 processor, paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The phone runs Android 14 with One UI 6, promising four major Android updates and five years of security updates. This ensures the A25 remains up-to-date and secure for a considerable time. Performance-wise, the phone feels responsive and capable, straddling the line between budget and mid-range devices.
The A25 retains a 5000mAh battery, which supports 25W fast charging. While it doesn’t include a charger in the box, the battery life is impressive, capable of lasting up to two days with light usage. However, there’s no wireless charging or other advanced power features.
The camera setup on the A25 is similar to its predecessors. It features a 50MP main lens, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The selfie camera is a 13MP shooter. The camera app includes various modes like Pro Photo and Video, Super Slow-Mo, and Hyperlapse. While the camera quality is decent and slightly better than previous models, it still falls short compared to flagship devices.
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G brings enough new features to justify an upgrade. With its 120Hz display, improved internal specs, and 5G capabilities, it offers great value. If you own an older A-series device, the A25 is a significant improvement and a worthwhile investment. Let me know in the comments if you’re considering the A25 or if there’s another budget phone that catches your eye.
