The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is a standout in the budget smartphone segment, offering a compelling mix of features for everyday users. Launched in late 2023 and still highly relevant in 2025, this mid-range device punches above its weight with a vibrant display, reliable software support, and solid fundamentals in key areas like camera quality, battery endurance, and overall performance. Priced around $300 (depending on region and configuration), it targets users who want a dependable phone without flagship expenses.
In this in-depth review, we’ll focus on the core aspects that define the user experience: the camera system, battery life, and performance. We’ll draw from real-world testing, benchmarks, and comparisons to give you a clear picture of what to expect.
Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
The Galaxy A25 5G features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,000 nits peak brightness, making it excellent for media consumption. Powered by the Exynos 1280 chipset, it comes with 6GB or 8GB RAM options and 128GB/256GB storage (expandable via microSD up to 1TB). It runs Android 14 with One UI 6 out of the box, and Samsung promises four years of OS updates and five years of security patches—a rare perk in this price range.
Other highlights include stereo speakers, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and 5G connectivity. The design is straightforward with a plastic build, but it feels sturdy. Now, let’s dive into the key areas.
Camera Performance
The camera setup on the Galaxy A25 5G is one of its strongest selling points for a budget phone. It features a triple rear array: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The front camera is a 13MP shooter.
Main Camera: Solid Daylight and Decent Low-Light Shots
The 50MP primary camera, equipped with OIS, delivers sharp, vibrant photos in good lighting. Colors are typically Samsung-tuned—slightly saturated for punchy appeal—with good dynamic range and accurate exposure. Details are impressive for the price, and OIS helps reduce blur in handheld shots.
In reviews from sources like PCMag and GSMArena, the main camera scores high for everyday photography. It handles landscapes, portraits, and close-ups well, with natural skin tones in portrait mode thanks to decent edge detection.
Ultrawide and Macro: Useful but Limited
The 8MP ultrawide is an upgrade over previous models, capturing wider scenes with acceptable detail, though there’s some distortion at the edges and softer corners. It’s great for group shots or architecture.
The 2MP macro is the weak link—low resolution leads to mushy details, making it more of a gimmick than a practical tool.
Selfies and Video
The 13MP front camera produces clear, detailed selfies in daylight, with good skin smoothing options. Low-light selfies can be noisy, however.
Video recording tops out at 4K 30fps from the main camera (an improvement over predecessors limited to 1080p), with stable footage thanks to OIS. Electronic stabilization helps in 1080p mode, but there’s no 60fps option.
Low-Light and Night Mode
Thanks to OIS, low-light performance is surprisingly competent. Night mode brightens scenes without overprocessing, reducing noise effectively. It’s not flagship-level, but better than many competitors in the sub-$300 range.
Overall, the camera system is versatile for casual users. It’s competent for social media, family photos, and occasional videos, earning praise from reviewers like Android Authority and PhoneArena for being “decent” to “very good” in its class.
Battery Life
One of the Galaxy A25’s biggest strengths is its endurance. It packs a 5,000mAh battery, standard for the segment but optimized well by Samsung’s software.
Real-World Usage
In testing:
- PCMag’s HD video streaming test at full brightness lasted over 13 hours.
- GSMArena’s active use score reached around 10-12 hours, with strong web browsing results.
- Many users report 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use (social media, browsing, light gaming), easily lasting a full heavy day.
Factors like the efficient Exynos 1280 and AMOLED display contribute. Screen-on time often hits 7-9 hours.
Charging
It supports 25W wired charging (charger not included), reaching 50% in about 30-45 minutes and full in 1.5 hours. No wireless charging, as expected at this price.
Compared to rivals like the Moto G Power 5G, it’s competitive, though some offer faster speeds. Battery life is frequently called “excellent” or “solid” in 2025 reviews, making it ideal for users who hate frequent charging.
Performance
The Exynos 1280 (5nm process) with 6/8GB RAM handles daily tasks smoothly.
Benchmarks
- AnTuTu: Around 480,000-485,000
- Geekbench: Single-core ~950-973, Multi-core ~2,000-2,100
These scores place it ahead of budget chips like the Helio G99 but behind premium mid-rangers.
Everyday and Gaming
Multitasking is fluid with One UI 6, and apps open quickly. Casual games like Candy Crush run flawlessly; heavier titles like Genshin Impact are playable at medium settings, though with occasional throttling during extended sessions.
Reviewers note it’s “dependable” for most users, with no major lags in navigation or streaming. The 120Hz display enhances smoothness.
Software optimization and long update support keep it feeling fresh longer than competitors.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G excels in camera versatility, exceptional battery life, and reliable performance, making it a top budget pick in 2025. While it has compromises like plastic build and average secondary cameras, its strengths in core areas outweigh them. If you’re seeking an affordable, long-lasting phone, this is a strong contender.
FAQ
Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G worth buying in 2025? A: Yes, especially for budget users. It offers great value with long software support, solid camera, and battery life.
Q: How good is the camera on the Galaxy A25? A: The main 50MP camera with OIS is excellent for the price, producing sharp daylight shots and decent low-light performance. Ultrawide is usable, but macro is weak.
Q: How long does the battery last on the A25 5G? A: Typically 1-2 days with moderate use, or 7-9 hours screen-on time. It easily handles a full day of heavy usage.
Q: Is the performance good for gaming? A: Fine for casual games; heavier titles are playable at medium settings but may heat up or throttle.
Q: Does the Galaxy A25 support fast charging? A: Yes, 25W wired charging, full charge in about 1.5 hours (charger sold separately).
Q: How many software updates will the A25 get? A: Four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches.
Q: Is there a better alternative to the A25 in 2025? A: Consider the Galaxy A35 for better build and processor, or Moto G Power for even longer battery, depending on priorities.
Q: Does the Galaxy A25 have expandable storage? A: Yes, via microSD up to 1TB.
Q: Is the display good outdoors? A: Yes, with 1,000 nits brightness and Vision Booster for visibility in sunlight.
Q: Can it record 4K video? A: Yes, 4K at 30fps from the main camera.