Is the Galaxy S25 Worth the Hype? What Leaks Are Telling Us

With Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event set for January 22, it’s almost time for consumers to decide whether to upgrade to the new Galaxy S25.

As the release date approaches, many are weighing whether the new features and improvements will be worth the investment, especially considering the rising prices of smartphones.

What’s New with the Galaxy S25?

Recent leaks have given us a clearer picture of what to expect from the Galaxy S25, particularly in terms of its hardware. The most notable update is the inclusion of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which promises significant improvements in performance and battery life.

The OnePlus 13, which also uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite, has already shown impressive battery results, lasting nearly 20 hours in tests. Given that current Galaxy models already have strong battery life, the Snapdragon 8 Elite should make the Galaxy S25 even more efficient.

Should You Upgrade?

For those with older Galaxy models, like the Galaxy S22 or earlier, the Galaxy S25 seems like a solid upgrade. The Snapdragon 8 Elite will likely provide a significant boost in performance and battery life, and any camera improvements, even if small, will still be better than older models.

However, for those with the Galaxy S23 or S24, the decision is less clear. The improvements may not be as noticeable, and Samsung has a history of adding new AI features to older models via software updates, so it might not be worth upgrading unless you’re getting a great deal.

Pre-order Deals Could Make the Upgrade More Attractive

Samsung is offering some tempting pre-order deals for those who sign up before the Galaxy Unpacked event. You can get up to $1,250 in potential savings, including a $50 credit for registering, $300 in instant credit, and up to $900 for trading in your old device. This could make the Galaxy S25 a more affordable option for those on the fence.

What’s Still Unclear?

While the Snapdragon 8 Elite gives us a good idea of the phone’s performance, other details, like camera upgrades and new AI features, are still uncertain. Leaks suggest that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a better camera system, but it’s unclear if the standard models will see similar upgrades.

Samsung’s AI changes, including potential improvements to the Bixby assistant and new photo-editing tools, are also still under wraps.

Final Thoughts

If you’re using a Galaxy S22 or older, upgrading to the Galaxy S25 seems like a smart choice, especially with the performance and battery improvements.

For Galaxy S23 and S24 owners, the decision is trickier, as the upgrades may not be as significant. However, pre-order deals and trade-in offers could make the decision easier.

With Galaxy Unpacked just around the corner, it won’t be long before we have all the details to make a final decision.