Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is coming, but should you upgrade? Here’s my expert advice

The Samsung Unpacked winter event is just around the corner and it is highly likely that the Samsung Galaxy S25 range will be unveiled next week.

The usual pre-order campaign is over, the leaks are flying, and it’s right around that time of year that we usually see the S-series Galaxy devices. In short, it’s time to consider that upgrade if you’re a fan of these excellent Samsung devices.

For many, the decision whether or not to upgrade can be difficult; After all, these are likely expensive devices. So I’ve put together a quick guide on what to expect later this month in terms of deals, likely new features, and my own personal opinion on whether these devices will be worth it.

Before we dive in, keep in mind that Samsung Galaxy devices are usually revealed and then available for pre-order immediately after Samsung Unpacked. The next event is scheduled for next week on Wednesday, January 22, so these devices will be literal now just around the corner.

First, reserving a device is a good idea

I’ve already written a post about why it’s a good idea to reserve a Galaxy S25, so you can check out that page if you want a full overview. The bottom line is that this reservation campaign is one; free, and two; does not block you from a pre-order. You’ll also get a handy $50 store credit as a bonus if you actually pre-order, which will come in handy for getting things like cheap earbuds, chargers, cases, and so on once the devices are available for pre-order.

The trade-in discounts will likely be significant

As someone who reviews the best cell phone deals for TechRadar almost every week, I want to tell you straight: trade-in discounts will dominate at least 90% of the promotions available to potential upgraders. You probably already know this, but the discounts are really the deciding factor for most when it comes to lining up that upgrade.

Samsung itself has already confirmed that there will be ‘additional savings of up to $1,250’ for its initial pre-order offers. I’d be surprised if this didn’t include a trade-in discount of up to $1,000 off for the Ultra ($800 off for the standard S25), a free storage upgrade, and possibly a free pair of earbuds or some other small gift. This is the brand’s standard operating procedure – see for example the recent launches of the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The major airlines will almost certainly follow suit with similar promotions at launch. Verizon recently offered free Galaxy Watches and Samsung tablets alongside Android flagships, which was a pretty good deal and I hope it comes back again for the launch of the Galaxy S25.

These are (probably) the most important features you can expect

• New chipsets
• A focus on AI features
• A redesign
• A new Slim model

We’ve just published a great roundup of the Samsung Galaxy S25 rumors that’s definitely worth checking out if you want a full rundown of what we’re expecting. In summary, though, there are quite a few leaks at the moment suggesting that the upcoming devices will include new chipsets, an overall new design, possibly a new ultra-wide camera, and a host of new AI features – because you know, it’s 2024 and every needs a phone AI stuff now.

One of the most interesting rumors I’ve seen so far suggests that a new ‘Slim’ model may be added to the lineup. That would potentially expand the range to four models in total, unless Samsung decides to phase out the oft-overlooked Plus. We recently reported on some leaked Galaxy S25 Slim renders, which could give you an idea of ​​what this model will look like.

Coming back to the new features for the Galaxy S25, it’s almost certain that Samsung will double down on its recent focus on AI features. For example, right now, the Samsung Unpacked teaser specifically mentions “a true AI companion” as its main marketing spiel. Since the video itself shows someone using the voice assistant, Samsung is almost certainly going to boost Bixby with support for much more advanced tasks.

What is important to you?

When it comes to upgrading, there isn’t one major piece of advice I can give to our readers. Overall, you’ll get a much better idea of ​​what you need from your device – and the condition of your old device, and so on.

Unless you’re an enthusiastic early adopter, those currently holding a Galaxy S24 will easily be able to sit this one out in my opinion. The Galaxy S25 will certainly be more powerful and pack more features, but I don’t feel like there’s a real ‘killer’ feature in the rumors so far that really justifies this roundup. However, if you can get a free upgrade, definitely jump on it.

Things get a little murkier for those with Galaxy S23 series devices and older. A Galaxy S23 that’s in good condition will likely still get a decent discount via trade-in, so there’s an argument for handing it over before it really depreciates in value. Additionally, the jump from the older hardware to the newer hardware will likely be significant if the new devices get both a RAM upgrade and a new chipset. And if AI features are important to you, know that the latest chipsets will be built from the ground up for AI optimization. Some of the latest AI features will be slower or not supported on older series devices.