Samsung A25 5G Review: Should You Buy?
Are you eyeing the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G and wondering if it’s the right pick for you?
You’re not alone in this quest.
In a world where our phones are more like extensions of ourselves, making the right choice matters more than ever.
That’s why I’ve put together this hands-on review of the Galaxy A25 – Samsung’s latest player in the mid-range segment for 2024.
Through my experience, I’ll take you beyond the specs sheet to see what it’s really like to use the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G in your everyday life.
From capturing those photo moments to binge-watching your favorite shows, let’s find out together if the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G lives up to its price tag and if it’s the companion you’ve been looking for in a smartphone.
Related: Moto G34 5G Review
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Design & Build Quality
When I first got my hands on the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, I really liked how it looks.
Samsung has kept its own unique style in the design.
The back of the phone is simple but classy, with a special pattern that looks nice and also helps you hold the phone better because of the way it’s shaped on the right side.
To provide you with a better view of the design and build quality, here are more details:
1. Front Design
While the back of the phone is a testament to good design, the front is somewhat underwhelming.
The presence of a noticeable chin below the screen and a rather unsightly notch at the front might not sit well with everyone.
It’s a reminder that, while the Samsung Galaxy A25 excels in many areas, it’s not without its design flaws.
2. Build & Color Options
I opted for the vibrant yellow color variant, but the Samsung Galaxy A25 also comes in blue and black.
Regardless of the choice, the colors are eye-catching and add a lively touch to the device.
Despite being crafted from plastic, both the back and the frame, the phone doesn’t feel cheap.
It feels heavy, and that tells you it’s well made.
Related: Redmi Note 13 Pro Review
3. IP Rating & Fingerprint Sensor
It’s important to note what you’re not getting with the Samsung Galaxy A25.
The absence of an official IP67 rating is a bit of a letdown, especially considering how common this feature is becoming in smartphones.
Also, the in-display fingerprint sensor, often a hallmark of modern smartphones, is missing.
Instead, the volume button doubles up as a fingerprint sensor, a nifty integration that works fast and accurately.
4. Headphone Jack and FM Radio
The inclusion of a headphone jack and FM radio might seem like a step back in time, but it’s a welcome feature for many of you.
In a world where these elements are rapidly disappearing, their presence in the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is a breath of fresh air.
Related: Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Review
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Display
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G boasts a 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display that’s a real treat for the eyes.
When I first powered on the phone, what caught my attention was how bright and clear everything looked.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling through social media to playing games feel incredibly smooth.
Here are more specifics to help you see the display better:
1. Brightness and Clarity Outdoors
I often use my phone outdoors, and the Samsung Galaxy A25 didn’t disappoint.
Its ability to reach up to 1000 nits of brightness under automatic settings means that even on the sunniest days, I had no trouble seeing my screen.
This feature is particularly handy for those who are always on the go.
Related: Oppo Reno 11 Pro Review
2. Vivid Mode
If you love vibrant colors, you’re in for a treat.
The Vivid mode on the Samsung Galaxy A25 enhances the colors, making them pop.
Watching videos or browsing photos is a delightful experience, with colors that are both punchy and pleasing to the eye.
3. Immersive Sound for Binge-Watching
Pairing the stunning display with the Samsung Galaxy A25’s stereo speakers creates an immersive experience.
It’s great for binge-watching shows or catching up on the latest videos.
The audio-visual quality makes it feel like a mini theater in your hands.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A25’s camera setup is a mixed bag.
In daylight, the 50 MP main sensor captures vibrant and lively images.
I noticed that the colors are well-balanced, giving a true-to-life feel to the photos.
However, the consistency in detail and highlight management isn’t always spot on.
Sometimes, I found the images lacking sharpness, and in certain high-contrast scenarios, the highlights were either blown out or underrepresented.
Related: OnePlus 12 Review
To get a clearer picture of its camera and how well it performs, here are more details:
1. Indoor and Low Light
Indoors and in lower lighting conditions, the camera struggles a bit more.
The details don’t look as sharp, and there’s some fuzziness and graininess.
The night mode does help in getting better results, especially when shooting landscapes or buildings in dim light.
However, it’s not the best performer in its class for low-light photography.
Related: Poco X6 Review
2. Ultra-Wide and Portrait
The 8 MP ultra-wide camera is serviceable but doesn’t quite match up to the main sensor’s quality.
It works okay for taking pictures of big areas, but you can see that there’s a decrease in the level of detail and the range of colors it can capture.
Portrait shots and selfies can turn out well, especially in good lighting, but again, the results can be hit or miss.
3. Video Capabilities
Video recording on the Samsung Galaxy A25 is fairly basic.
It supports up to 4K 30fps from the rear camera and 1080p 30fps from the front.
While the quality is acceptable, the lack of stabilization means you’ll need a steady hand or a tripod for the best results.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Performance
In daily tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G handles itself quite well.
Powered by the Exynos 1280 chipset, it offers stable performance for regular activities like browsing, using social media, and streaming videos.
The 120Hz refresh rate keeps the experience smooth, making scrolling and transitions feel fluid.
For a closer look at the performance, here are some more insights:
1. Gaming and Heavy Usage
However, when it comes to more demanding tasks like gaming or heavy multitasking, the limitations of the Samsung Galaxy A25 become apparent.
While it can manage casual games without much issue, the more graphics-intensive games don’t run as smoothly, often limited to lower frame rates.
If you’re a power user or a gamer, you might notice occasional sluggishness or choppiness.
2. Multi-Tasking
The Samsung Galaxy A25 does a good job with simple multitasking.
It can smoothly switch between apps without any trouble.
However, if you try to use several heavy apps all at once, you might notice a slight delay or lag in how they respond.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Software
Using the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, I was immediately impressed by the software experience.
The phone runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6 overlay, which is known for its clean and user-friendly interface.
What stands out is the lack of bloatware and ads, a common grievance with many smartphones today.
This makes the overall user experience feel more streamlined and less cluttered.
Let’s explore the software in more detail with these insights:
1. Personalization and Ease of Use
One UI 6 offers a high degree of personalization, allowing you to tweak the settings and theme to match your preferences.
The menus and settings are logically laid out, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
This simplicity is especially beneficial for those who might not be tech-savvy.
Related: Poco X6 Pro Review
2. Reliability
Throughout my time with the Samsung Galaxy A25, I experienced no significant bugs or glitches.
It feels good to have a phone that works well every day, without the little problems that can bother other smartphones.
3. Long-Term Update Promise
Samsung’s commitment to providing four years of OS updates and five years of security patches with the Galaxy A25 is commendable.
This long-term support is a significant factor in choosing a smartphone, as it ensures your device stays updated with the latest features and security measures.
For someone who doesn’t change phones frequently, this is a crucial factor, as it future-proofs the device to a large extent.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Battery Life & Charging
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G comes equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, and in my experience, it doesn’t disappoint.
Even on days filled with intensive usage – like taking numerous photos, constantly browsing on mobile data, and regular app usage – the phone comfortably lasted the entire day.
I typically found myself only needing to charge it before bedtime, which is a testament to its enduring battery life.
Here is a closer look at the battery life and charging of the Samsung Galaxy A25:
1. Charging Speed
While the battery life is impressive, the charging speed is a bit inconsistent.
The Samsung Galaxy A25 supports 25W wired charging, and it takes a bit more than 1.5 hours to completely fill up the battery.
This isn’t the fastest charging speed out there, but it’s reasonable for a mid-range device.
2. No Charger
Not having a charger in the box is important to think about, especially if you don’t have a charger that works with the phone.
It might cost extra to buy one separately, and that could be a downside for some people, especially since the phone is already a bit more expensive in the mid-range category.
3. Eco-Friendly Approach or an Inconvenience?
Some people might say not including a charger is a good way to help the environment, but it can be annoying for users who don’t have an extra charger.
Samsung might have done this to save money or be more eco-friendly, but it does make the Samsung Galaxy A25 seem like it’s not as good of a deal overall.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Key Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm |
| Weight | 197 g |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits |
| Display Size | 6.5 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
| Operating System | Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Chipset | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 |
| Memory Card Slot | Yes (uses shared SIM slot) |
| RAM | 6GB, 8GB |
| Internal Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Camera | 50 MP (primary), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (macro) |
| Selfie Camera | 13 MP |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm Jack | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 25W wired |
| Colors | Brave Black, Personality Yellow, Fantasy Blue, Optimistic Blue |
| Price | ₹ 26,999 |
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sturdy Build Quality
- Bright and Vivid Display
- Long Battery Life
- Clean Software Experience
- Extended Software Support
- Headphone Jack and FM Radio
Cons
- No Charger in the Box
- Average Performance for Heavy Tasks
- No Stabilization in Videos
- Average Low-Light Camera Performance
- Slow Charging Speed
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G: Is It Worth Buying?
So yeah, the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is a pretty average offering from Samsung this year, especially considering the cutthroat competition in the mid-range segment.
For a similar price, I think you will get better value with last year’s Galaxy A34 or Motorola Edge40, which offer better cameras, IP rating, and stable performance.
