The Galaxy S25 could be similar in longevity and reliability to the Galaxy S23, a smartphone you buy and rely on for years. It's expected to come with Qualcomm processors on all variants, a refined design after several generations, and an advanced software platform that integrates second-generation AI-based features. A clear advantage that many competitors, including rival Apple, don't offer on the same level.
Why benchmark the Galaxy S23 when we're talking about the S24? Because the S23 was one of the most acclaimed series in the history of the Galaxy S range. It was a near-perfect phone, marking the return to Snapdragon processors on all models, regardless of region, thus eliminating the differences and ditching the Exynos-powered variants.
Exactly what the fans, who expressed their dissatisfaction with previous generations, wanted was delivered with the Galaxy S23 series: Snapdragon processors on all models and a well-built, unified and extremely reliable line of phones. Those who bought the Galaxy S23 have had no reason to regret their choice, and users who are still using it can confirm that it's a durable device that “lasts long and well”.
Earlier this year, the Galaxy S24 series made its debut, offering a few improvements, but perceived by many loyal Samsung fans as an incremental upgrade from the S23. And, to some extent, that was the reality.
The design remained almost unchanged from the S23, disappointing those users who expect a radical change every year. The cameras and screens were also almost identical. In other words, Samsung hasn't completely revolutionized the experience from one generation to the next. What's more, some of the company's decisions have been seen by some users as a step backward, even perceived as a downgrade.
On the Ultra model, the telephoto camera's optical zoom has been reduced from 10x to 5x, and the Koreans' explanation that this change is compensated by clever technologies to provide similar or even better quality was not convincing enough for many users.
On the other hand, one welcome change was the switch to a titanium frame instead of aluminum. However, even this decision was perceived by some as a mere imitation of the construction strategy Apple adopted for the iPhone 15.
From a classic specs perspective, especially in terms of design and build, the Galaxy S24 was not perceived as a significant leap from the S23, but rather as an incremental upgrade. On the hardware side, European users were disappointed with Samsung's decision to equip only the Ultra model with a Qualcomm processor, while the other two variants in the series were equipped with its own Exynos 2400 chipset.
While the Exynos 2400 is one of the highest-performing processors Samsung produces, the differences from the equivalent Snapdragon are minor. However, this decision has dampened the enthusiasm of many users, causing some to drop the idea of an upgrade. Instead, many have taken advantage of the price drop for the S23 series, rightly believing that it will remain an excellent choice for some considerable time to come.
When you factor in Samsung's extended support of up to seven years for S-series models, keeping or even buying a Galaxy S23 makes a lot of sense. However, regardless of the opinions of devoted fans, the Galaxy S24 series brought with it some remarkable qualities. Perhaps the most notable of these is the fact that it was the first AI phone ever released, beating not just all other Android manufacturers, but also rivals from Apple by almost nine months.
From then to now, the Galaxy S24 remains a pioneer of genuine AI phones, a title that can't be disputed. While it served as a test platform for integrating AI capabilities into Samsung's ecosystem, the end result was a successful one. The S24 paved the way for the deep integration of artificial intelligence into the software fabric, and Galaxy AI has evolved significantly since the launch of the S24 series, marking a visible breakthrough in a short time.
Samsung has managed to integrate AI capabilities on the Galaxy S24 in an inspired and efficient way, with an excellent harmony between AI functions and the phone's hardware. Over the course of this year, constant updates have significantly improved the user experience, bringing features such as real-time translation in various languages, automatic summarization of information, composing and managing emails and notes, advanced image editing, smart notifications and even AI art generation.
Even users less talented in drawing, like myself, can sketch simple ideas that the AI then transforms into impressive artistic creations. Samsung has carefully monitored this process, making constant improvements that have been reflected in all aspects of the interface, from notifications and photo/video apps to messaging and security. The Galaxy S24 series has been at the epicenter of this technological revolution, demonstrating the real potential of artificial intelligence built into smartphones.
While from a design, build or raw power perspective, the Galaxy S24 series may not have been Samsung's most impressive launch, in terms of durability and long-term relevance, it's proving to be an excellent choice. Any of the models in this series can give you an uncompromising experience for at least 3-4 years from now.
What's more, if the upcoming Galaxy S25 will be more impressive or bring an even more advanced level of artificial intelligence, it will be largely due to the solid foundations laid by the S24 series. This was the first range to significantly embrace AI integration, marking a landmark moment for the evolution of smart smartphones.
