Samsung can solely make one good Galaxy S variant yearly

Put down the pitchforks. I do know that Samsung Galaxy S telephones are good Android telephones, glorious even, however hear me out for a second. Yearly, as Samsung rolls out the crimson carpet for its three new flagship telephones, there’s all the time that one mannequin that jumps out to me as “most improved” or “the largest standout.” The opposite two? Simply effective, however nothing to speak about in comparison with their predecessors and their siblings in the identical sequence.

It’s virtually as if Samsung has a finite analysis and improvement useful resource for its telephones (which is probably going the case), and yearly, it takes an enormous spinning wheel, writes the identify of the three telephones, spins it, and decides which one is getting the largest love and focus (which is my exaggerated view of what occurs within the R&D backroom). Clearly, the Extremely would all the time command some consideration, however it’s not the clear standout yearly. The common S and the Plus have had a flip, too, in sharing the highlight.

Enable me to again up this whacky concept.

First, let’s rewind the clock again to the Galaxy S20, the primary sequence that launched the S lineup as we now realize it: common, Plus, and Extremely. This was the primary time we noticed an Extremely Galaxy S, however as with all first-generation product, it wasn’t an actual winner. The spectacular specs on paper didn’t translate properly in actual life, and the brand new 108MP digicam had autofocus points and aggressive picture processing.

As a substitute, the common Galaxy S20 stole numerous hearts due to how a lot it improved over the Galaxy S10 with its 120Hz show, 12MP digicam, 5G help, and larger 3,880mAh battery. I keep in mind trying on the specs of that S20 in comparison with my Pixel 4 XL and envying that higher show, microSD slot, and higher zoom digicam. My colleague Robert echoed my emotions by asking, “What extra might you need?” in his Galaxy S20 assessment. The S20 Plus was good, too, however it was mainly only a bigger S20 with an underutilized DepthVision digicam.

One yr later, the Galaxy S21 Extremely fastened the sins of its predecessor whereas including help for the S Pen for the primary time. Observe lovers had a correct cellphone to show to after the sequence’ demise, and the S21 Extremely had a pleasant 120Hz show, an improved 108MP digicam sensor, two telephoto lenses, and a really premium construct. This was an actual standout and the primary time the Extremely was worthy of its identify and promise, a lot in order that we summed it up as Extremely-refined in our S21 Extremely assessment. I virtually purchased one, regardless that I used to be firmly within the Pixel camp, however I actually wished that digicam and people zoom lenses! My Pixel 5 was the entire reverse of every little thing that Extremely stood for.

On the similar time, the S21 and S21 Plus obtained a refreshed design, too, however their specs remained kind of the identical. Samsung even switched the S21 again to a plastic again as an alternative of the premium metallic on the S20. With no vital enchancment there, all eyes had been on the Extremely, and deservedly so.

With the Galaxy S22 sequence, the bigger Plus, which had been probably the most uncared for cellphone of the bunch to this point, was due a neat bump. And a bump it bought. A brighter show, a brand new 50MP important digicam, a refreshed design with flatter sides, and 45W charging meant that this was not only a bigger Galaxy S cellphone; it was a extra highly effective one, too. The Galaxy S22 Plus stood by itself, lastly, regardless of the value enhance. On the time, we stated the S22 Plus was the all-rounder Android cellphone to beat.

The smaller Galaxy S22 obtained comparable upgrades (digicam, show, glass again), however the battery life was so pathetic that it negated every little thing good about that cellphone. We had been craving for a very good, small cellphone then, and the S22 delivered on virtually all of it, however nobody might actually suggest it except you walked round with an influence financial institution. A disgrace, actually.

As for the Extremely, this was the primary time we bought the built-in S Pen. Galaxy Observe followers additionally had fewer issues to complain about, however for everybody else, this was the start of the Extremely being unwieldy and probably not for the plenty. It felt such as you needed to compromise to get the most effective options, which is why I believe the Plus was the true standout right here, even when Samsung wished it will’ve been the Extremely.

Additionally, can we speak about that Darkish Inexperienced colour? Convey it again, Samsung, please!

Issues aren’t that simple in my thoughts with the Galaxy S23 sequence. I do know the Plus simply wasn’t “it” right here. It had had its time within the highlight with the S22 Plus; the S23 Plus simply felt prefer it obtained a couple of nips and tucks however nothing excellent.

The opposite two telephones had been much more improved this time round. No extra Exynos, an even bigger battery, and an improved cooling system made the Galaxy S23 an actual standout. For the primary time because the Galaxy S20, the smaller S cellphone was a wonderful cellphone I might suggest to my buddies who didn’t need a big cellphone with out mentioning any large asterisks. In his Galaxy S23 assessment, our personal Ryan known as it “an enormous amongst smaller telephones.”

As for the Extremely, it bought a brand new 200MP digicam and a few low-light digicam enhancements, and the S Pen obtained many new options, making it an integral a part of the expertise. For my part, it wasn’t as a lot of a standout because the Galaxy S23, however no less than it didn’t really feel like Samsung was phoning it in with this improve. Many people felt the identical at Android Authority, together with my colleague Dhruv who stated the S23 Extremely is king of the hill, however the S23 had his coronary heart.

Being the uncared for one the earlier yr, the Galaxy S24 Plus took a flip and was the true standout in 2024. Regardless of the nice S22 Plus, it nonetheless felt just like the “Plus” was typically the forgotten youngster of this sequence, as if it was an afterthought for Samsung that simply wanted to shoehorn one thing between the smaller cellphone that everybody would purchase and the ultra-premium one which it might level to as its final flagship. With the S24 Plus, the center youngster grew up, bought out of its mother and father’ home, and went into the world by itself. A wonderful show, a titanium body, and a thinner and lighter design versus the S23 Plus; all had been so good that my colleague C. Scott stated you can purchase the S24 Plus as an alternative of the Extremely.

Talking of the Extremely, this was the primary Galaxy S cellphone that I’ve personally owned in a couple of years, however I believe I ought to’ve skipped a yr (extra on that later). Sure, Galaxy AI is enjoyable to mess around with, and the brand new 5x telephoto lens is healthier than the low-resolution 10x zoom, however the cellphone is so massive, the corners so sharp, and the remainder of the specs weren’t all that improved. Its child brother, the Galaxy S24 was a very good cellphone, too, with most of the enhancements obtained by the Plus, however the Plus actually stood alone within the highlight due to that show.

And eventually, we come round to this yr’s Galaxy S25 sequence. This time, there’s no debate about it: The common Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S25 Plus are close to copy-pastes of final yr’s telephones. We have now to dig in to search out actually minor adjustments that make no influence in any way. It seems like Samsung is phoning it in with these two fashions as if it put all of its efforts into refining the Extremely and including some AI options that the discharge deadline snuck up on them, and somebody remembered the opposite two telephones last-minute. “Uh, guys, what in regards to the S25 and S25 Plus?” Then everybody checked out one another, shrugged, and scrambled to make two “new” telephones.

Look, in case you have a Galaxy S24, don’t purchase a Galaxy S25. Identical for the Plus. As a matter of reality, if you wish to purchase a brand new Galaxy S25 or S25 Plus now, simply go discover a Galaxy S24 or S24 Plus on low cost someplace and get that as an alternative. They’re primarily the identical telephones.

The Extremely is the place the true enhancements are. They may not seem like a lot, however Samsung has lastly designed its Extremely to be held by human arms. Gone are the sharp corners that dig into my palm every time I maintain the Galaxy S24 Extremely. The cellphone nonetheless seems to be gargantuan, however it’s considerably lighter, and I not really feel like I’m sacrificing consolation to get the finest Samsung cellphone round. The show is bigger, the bezels smaller, the ultrawide digicam is improved, and our early assessments present the shutter lag might lastly be lowered! After all, I might’ve appreciated to see much more {hardware} enhancements (charging pace, battery dimension, higher cameras), however in comparison with the common S25 and S25 Plus, it’s not even a query: That is the standout in 2025.

Which brings me again to my whacky concept: Can Samsung simply not enhance all three of its telephones yearly? Why do we have to look ahead to the subsequent cycle to see a greater Plus or common S? The cynic in me simply desires Samsung to be daring, for as soon as, and are available out saying, “We’re solely releasing a brand new Extremely this yr. For the Galaxy S and Plus, see final yr’s telephones. We’ll improve them subsequent yr.” That’d be the true inexperienced factor to do, proper? Proper?! Not a brand new recycled field and barely extra recycled supplies.