Samsung Galaxy S25+: full review and price in Tenerife
The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the model Samsung doesn’t want you to buy — because it’s so good that there’s no need to spend more on the Ultra. 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display at 120Hz, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12GB RAM, 50MP triple camera, 4,900 mAh battery with 45W charging and One UI 7 with Galaxy AI. All the key features of the Ultra, without the Ultra’s price tag. This review tells you whether it’s worth it — and when it is worth paying more for the Ultra.
The key point in a sentence
The Galaxy S25+ is the the sweet spot in Samsung’s high-end range In 2026: it has the same chip, the same RAM and almost the same screen as the Ultra, but costs significantly less. You lose the S Pen, the 200 MP camera and the titanium chassis. For the 80%, aimed at high-end Android buyers, these compromises are irrelevant.
Price at Macys Digital Tenerife: €949 (512GB, 26% discount off €1,279 — currently out of stock)
Samsung Galaxy S25+ specifications
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25+ |
|---|---|
| Screen | 6.7″ LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ (1440×3120), 120Hz, 2,600 nits |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm, octa-core up to 4.47 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 |
| RAM | 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512 GB UFS 4.0 (not expandable) |
| Rear camera | Triple camera: 50 MP (OIS) + 12 MP ultra-wide-angle + 10 MP telephoto (3x zoom) |
| Front camera | 12 MP |
| Battery | 4,900 mAh |
| Charge | 45W wired, 15W wireless, reverse charging |
| Resistance | IP68 (submersible to 1.5 m for 30 minutes) |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, NFC |
| System | Android 15 with One UI 7 + Galaxy AI |
| Colours at Macy’s | Navy Blue, Grey, Blue |
| Weight | 190 g |
What the Galaxy S25+ does well
1. A screen that rivals the Ultra’s
The S25+’s screen is virtually identical to that of the Ultra for everyday use. Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+ (1440×3120 pixels), adaptive 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak brightness. Vibrant colours, true blacks (OLED), excellent visibility in sunlight, Always-On Display with customisable information.
The difference compared to the Ultra is minimal: the Ultra features a 3X AMOLED display and has slightly more curved edges. In everyday use, it’s indistinguishable to most people.
2. Snapdragon 8 Elite: the same chip as the Ultra
The S25+ features the the same processor than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Same performance, same GPU, same AI capabilities. There is no difference in throttling between the models — Samsung does not artificially limit the S25+ compared to the Ultra.
In benchmarks and real-world use: apps open instantly, smooth multitasking with any number of apps, uncompromising AAA gaming, Galaxy AI processing in real time. The chip isn’t where Samsung differentiates between its models.
3. Galaxy AI: Useful built-in AI
One UI 7 with Galaxy AI includes features that people actually use in their day-to-day lives:
Circle to Search: Circle anything on the screen with your finger and Google will search for it. It works with text, images, products, logos and objects. It’s addictive once you get used to it.
Real-time translation: It translates phone calls in real time. You speak in Spanish, and the other person hears it in English (or vice versa). Perfect for tourists in Tenerife who need to communicate with local service providers.
Writing assistant: It summarises texts, changes the tone, translates and corrects. It works in WhatsApp, Gmail, Notes and any text field.
AI-powered photo editing: Remove objects, fill backgrounds, adjust composition. It’s not Photoshop, but it handles 80% of the touch-ups that used to require a separate app.
4. All-day battery life with fast charging
4,900 mAh with the Snapdragon 8 Elite (which is very energy-efficient) provides a long day heavy-duty and a day and a half with moderate use. The 45W charger tops up the 65% in 30 minutes — not quite as fast as Xiaomi (120W) but practical.
Important point: Samsung does NOT include a charger in the box. You’ll need to buy one separately. At Macy’s Digital, the Samsung 45W charger with a USB-C cable costs 44,99€. The 25W version (sufficient for normal charging) costs 39,99€.
5. IP68: genuine water resistance
Water-resistant up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. Whether used in the swimming pool, at the beach (splashes and sand), in the rain or if drinks are spilled on it, the S25+ copes with no problems. It is one of the few features that Samsung has kept consistent across the entire S25 range.
What it doesn’t do quite so well
1. Camera inferior to the Ultra
The main camera on the S25+ is 50 MP compared to the Ultra’s 200 MP. In normal lighting conditions, the difference is minimal (both produce processed 12 MP photos). Where it does make a difference: digital zoom (the Ultra maintains sharpness at greater distances thanks to its larger sensor), heavily cropped photos and large prints.
The S25+’s telephoto lens is 3x optical zoom compared to the Ultra’s 5x zoom. For portraits and close-up subjects, 3x is sufficient. For wildlife, distant sports or architecture, 5x makes all the difference.
2. Without the S Pen
The S25 Ultra comes with a built-in S Pen. The S25+ does not. If you take handwritten notes, sign digital documents, sketch or select text with precision, you’ll need the Ultra. If you’ve never used an S Pen and aren’t interested in one, you’re not missing out on anything.
3. Titanium-free
The chassis of the S25+ is Armor aluminium — durable and lightweight, but not made of titanium like the Ultra. In practice, this doesn’t affect durability (both survive drops just as well with a case on), but the Ultra feels more premium in the hand.
4. Non-expandable storage
512 GB with no microSD slot. This is the only storage option. For most people, this is more than enough, but if you record a lot of 4K video or download large amounts of content to watch offline, it may run out of space in 3–4 years.
Galaxy S25+ vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: is the Ultra worth it?
| Feature | Galaxy S25+ | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.7″ AMOLED 2X, 2,600 nits | 6.8″ AMOLED 3X, 2,600 nits |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP |
| Telephoto lens | 10 MP, 3x zoom | 50 MP, 5x zoom |
| S Pen | ❌ No | ✅ Integrated |
| Material | Aluminium Armor | Titanium |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Battery | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Price at Macy’s | 949€ (512GB) | 1.149€ (512GB) |
| Difference | - | +200€ |
Is it worth paying an extra €200 for the Ultra? Only if:
- Do you use, or would you like to use, the S Pen (notes, drawing, accuracy)
- You need 5x optical zoom (wildlife photography, sports, distant details)
- Do you care about the 200 MP camera to print in large format or crop aggressively
- Do you value the titanium chassis as a symbol of the top-of-the-range model
For everything else — social media, everyday photos, casual videos, productivity, gaming — the S25+ does exactly the same for €200 less.
Galaxy S25+ vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
| Feature | Galaxy S25+ | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.7″ AMOLED 2X | 6.9″ OLED XDR |
| Shine | 2,600 nits | 2,800 nits |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite | A19 Pro |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 48 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 8x |
| Battery | 4,900 mAh | ~4,685 mAh (37 hours of video playback) |
| Charge | 45W | 40W |
| AI | Galaxy AI | Apple Intelligence |
| Updates | 4-year system warranty + 5-year security warranty | 7+ years’ experience with iOS |
| Price at Macy’s | 949€ | 1.399€ |
| Difference | - | +450€ |
The S25+ costs €450 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. For those €450, the iPhone offers you: a better zoom (8x vs 3x), better battery life in real-world use, better video quality, superior software longevity (7 vs 4 years) and the Apple ecosystem.
Is the difference worth €450? If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, yes — there’s no point in buying a Samsung. If you’re on Android or are brand-agnostic, the S25+ offers 85% of the iPhone experience for 68% of the price.
Who is the Galaxy S25+ for?
It’s perfect if:
- Do you want a top-of-the-range Android without paying a premium price? — the best balance in the Samsung range
- You’re switching from a Galaxy S22 or earlier model — a generational leap in chips, displays, AI and batteries
- You don’t use the S Pen — 90%: Galaxy S buyers never take it out of its case
- Do you want a big, good-quality screen? — The 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display is excellent
- Do you care about Galaxy AI? — the same AI features as the Ultra, but for less money
- Shopping in Tenerife — €949 is an outrageous price for a 512GB flagship
It is NOT for you if:
- You need an S Pen — then Ultra
- You need the best camera you can get — either the Ultra (200 MP + 5x) or the iPhone (8x zoom + ProRes)
- Do you want maximum longevity? — The iPhone 17, with 7+ years of iOS, beats Samsung, which has 4 years
- The budget is tight — The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro at €319 does what the S25+ does for a third of the price
The benefits of buying Samsung products in Tenerife
| Model | Samsung Store ES | Amazon ES | Macy's Tenerife | Savings vs official rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S25+ 512GB | 1.279€ | ~1.100€ | 949€ | ~330€ |
| S25 Ultra 512GB Black | 1.559€ | ~1.300€ | 1.149€ | ~410€ |
| S25 Ultra 512GB Blue | 1.579€ | ~1.300€ | 1.079€ | ~500€ |
The Galaxy S25+ a 949€ At Macy’s, the price is exceptionally competitive — €330 less than Samsung’s official price and around €150 less than Amazon. The discount combines the IGIC with the shop’s promotion.
For tourists: The S25+, priced at €949, exceeds the customs allowance of €430. Use the relationship strategy or declare the excess when you get home — the duty on the excess (~€519, if declared) is negligible compared to the saving of €330.
Accessories you’ll need to buy (Samsung doesn’t include them)
45W charger (€44.99 at Macy’s): This is essential if you want full fast charging. Without it, the phone charges at ~5W with any old USB charger.
Protective case (~€25–50): The S25+ is a phone with glass on both sides. Without a case, the first drop will set you back €250+ for a screen repair.
Screen protector (~€15–25, fitted at Macy’s): Professional-grade toughened glass, fitted in-store without any bubbles. Better than generic kits from Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth waiting for the Galaxy S26+? Samsung launches its new S series every January/February. If you’re 2–3 months away from the launch, wait. If there are 6+ months to go, buy now — technology never stands still and there’ll always be «something better» on the horizon.
Does the Galaxy S25+ have a microSD slot? No. 512 GB fixed storage with no expansion option. Samsung has removed the microSD slot from the entire S range since 2021.
Is it compatible with DeX (desktop mode)? Yes. You connect the S25+ to a USB-C monitor and you get a desktop interface. It works with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. It doesn’t replace a PC, but it’s useful for presentations, web browsing and light productivity whilst travelling.
Does Galaxy AI work without an internet connection? Some features do (basic translation, photo editing). Advanced features (real-time translation of calls, summary generation) require an internet connection.
Does the S25+ have a better camera than the S24+? The main sensor is the same (50 MP) but image processing is improved thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Night-time photos, HDR and digital zoom are slightly better. If you’re coming from the S24+, the improvement in the camera alone doesn’t justify the upgrade — though the chip, Galaxy AI and battery certainly do.
Do Samsung phones from Tenerife work in any country? Yes. European models with all EU/UK bands. Samsung international warranty. No operator or region restrictions.
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S25+ — 9/10
The best Samsung for most Android buyers. It has the same chip and RAM as the Ultra, an almost identical screen, the full Galaxy AI suite and a significantly lower price. The only things you miss out on are the S Pen (which most people don’t use), the 200 MP camera (which most people don’t need) and the titanium body (which most people won’t notice if it’s in a case).
For €949 at Macys Digital Tenerife with the discount code 26%, it’s one of the best prices in Europe for a 512GB flagship. If you’re a high-end Android user and don’t need the three features the Ultra adds, the S25+ is the smart choice.
Samsung Galaxy S25+ (512GB, colours: Navy, Grey and Blue) available at Macys Digital, in the Parque Santiago 3 shopping centre (Playa de las Américas, Tenerife). Check current availability. Read our iPhone 17 Pro Max reviewIf you’re torn between Apple and Samsung, or the iPhone vs Samsung comparison to choose an ecosystem. For the full guide, see Best value-for-money mobile phone 2026.