Mr Viral
Samsung Galaxy S25 recently launched in Kenya and our friends at Samsung Kenya gave us the Samsung Galaxy S25 Base Edition for review.
Before we get into the review the Recommended Retail Price for the the Galaxy S25 Base is Ksh 116,200 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage version and Ksh 108,300 for the 8GB RAM and 128GBÂ version.
Generally, the Galaxy S25 and S25+ come in Navy, Icyblue, Mint and Silver Shadow. Blueblack, Coralred and Pinkgold are exclusively available on samsung.com.
The version we have is wrapped in a light aluminum frame and tough enough for use anywhere. It has slight iPhone appearance. The phone runs Android 15 with customized One UI 7 powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Some of the Galaxy AI features on the phone include Now Brief and Audio Eraser which ome with its upgraded One UI 7, these features work seamlessly on Galaxy S25 and S25+.
Galaxy S25 Base Edition has a 6.2-inch display and a 4,000 mAh battery capacity, whereas Galaxy S25+ has a 6.7-inch display and a 4,900 mAh battery capacity. Galaxy S25 has two storage options: 128GB or 256GB. The S25’s 4000 mAh has a 25W wired and 15W wireless charging with a 4.5W reverse wireless charging capacity.
Galaxy S25 Series presents the very first 3nm processor custom-designed for Galaxy smartphones. Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy integrates ray tracing and Vulkan optimization for an improved gaming experience. And with a larger vapor chamber and new thermal interface material (TIM), you’ll get a smoother and cooler experience so you can fully immerse yourself in the game for longer.
The Galaxy S25 has a strong Armor Aluminum frame, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 and an IP68 rating to protect from daily scuffs, dust and water.
Design and Display: Premium Look, Accessible Price
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Base Edition maintains the signature look and feel of its flagship counterparts, but with a more practical design. The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is crisp, bright, and smooth with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a treat for media consumption and gaming. While not as large as the S25 Ultra’s expansive 6.8-inch display, the 6.1-inch screen offers excellent color accuracy, deep blacks, and an immersive viewing experience.
The design itself is slim and lightweight, with an aluminium cover on the back and edges to give it a sleek and premium look. It fits in one’s hand easily and the aluminum means its less prone to fingerprints or picking dirt and dust though it might slide in the hand.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes in Icy Blue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow colors. Samsung Galaxy S25 prices Kenya are listed below.
Performance: Smooth and Reliable
The Galaxy S25 Base Edition is powered by the 3nm Snapdragon® 8 Elite, paired with 8GB of RAM. While it’s not as powerful as the higher-tier models, the S25 Base Edition still offers excellent performance for everyday use. Whether you’re running multiple apps, browsing the web, or enjoying social media, the phone remains responsive with minimal lag. Light to moderate gaming is also smooth, though it may not handle the most graphically demanding games at the highest settings like the S25 Ultra.
With options of 128GB and 256GB storage, you get ample space for apps, media, and documents. However, it’s worth noting that the Base Edition doesn’t support expandable storage, so you’ll need to pick your storage option wisely.
The device is also 5G capable, ensuring that you’re ready for the future of mobile networks, though 4G remains a solid option for most of Kenya at the moment. The 5G support is a great element as most urban centers are 5G-ready and 5G networks continue to roll out in major cities.
Camera: Solid Performance, Great for Everyday Shots
The camera setup on the Galaxy S25 Base Edition is impressive for a base model. The 50MP primary camera captures sharp, vibrant photos with good detail in daylight conditions. While it doesn’t have the massive 200MP sensor of the S25 Ultra, the results are still fantastic for the average user, with accurate colors and a wide dynamic range. The 12MP ultra-wide camera ensures that group shots and landscapes are crisp, and the 10MP telephoto lens provides decent zoom capabilities.
The 12MP front camera is excellent for selfies, and Samsung has introduced a new AI-powered beauty mode for smoother, more flattering portraits. Video recording supports 4K at 30fps, so whether you’re vlogging or capturing memories, the S25 Base Edition has you covered.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting Power
The Galaxy S25 Base Edition is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery that provides solid endurance for a full day of use, even with moderate screen-on time and regular app usage. It supports 25W fast charging, so you can quickly top up the battery when needed. While it’s not as fast as the 45W charging on the S25 Ultra, it’s still more than enough to get you back up and running in no time.
Wireless charging is supported at 15W, and reverse wireless charging allows you to power up smaller devices, like your earbuds or another phone, with ease.
Software: One UI Enhancements and Customization
The Galaxy S25 Base Edition runs Samsung’s One UI 7.0, built on Android 15. One UI is known for its clean, user-friendly interface, and the S25 Base Edition continues that tradition. You get a range of customization options, from themes to widget placement, making the device feel personal and tailored to your needs. Additionally, Samsung promises up to 4 years of software updates, so the S25 Base Edition will stay current with the latest features and security patches for years to come.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Pricing and Availability in Kenya
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Base Edition is available in Kenya at a more affordable price compared to the higher-tier models. Here are the local prices:
Ksh 116,200 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage version
Ksh 108,300 for the 8GB RAM and 128GBÂ storage version
Given the flagship-level features, this is a compelling price for anyone looking to step into the Galaxy S ecosystem without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts: The Flagship Experience for Less
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Base Edition proves that you don’t have to compromise on performance or design to get a flagship experience at a more accessible price. It offers excellent performance for daily use, a solid camera, great battery life, and a premium design – all while being future-proofed with 5G capabilities.
While it may not have all the bells and whistles of the S25 Ultra, the Base Edition is an outstanding choice for those who want a top-tier phone without paying the premium. Whether you’re upgrading from an older device or stepping into the Samsung Galaxy family for the first time, the S25 Base Edition is definitely worth considering.
SpecificationDetails
Size and weight146.9mm by 70.5mm by 7.2 mm; 162 g
BuildGorilla Glass Victus 2 (front/back), aluminum frame; IP68 dust/water resistant
Display6.2″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits peak, 1080 x 2340 pixels (~416 ppi)
PlatformAndroid 15, One UI 7; Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm); Octa-core CPU; Adreno 830 GPU
Memory128GB/12GB RAM, 256GB/12GB RAM, 512GB/12GB RAM; UFS 4.0
Main Cameras50 MP (wide), 10 MP (3x telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide)
Selfie Camera12 MP, HDR10+; 4K@30/60fps
Battery4000 mAh; 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
AudioStereo speakers, no 3.5mm jack; 32-bit/384kHz audio, tuned by AKG
ConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2
ColoursIcy Blue, Mint, Navy, Silver Shadow
Comparison of the S25, S25+ and the S25 Ultra
SpecsSamsung Galaxy S25Samsung Galaxy S25 PlusSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraDisplay6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display120Hz Adaptive Refresh RateProcessorSnapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)Main Camera50MP Wide AF OIS
12MP Ultrawide
10MP 3x Tele AF OIS50MP Wide AF OIS
12MP Ultrawide
10MP 3x Tele AF OIS200MP Wide AF OIS
50MP Wide AF OIS
10MP 3x Tele AF OIS
50MP 5x Tele AF OISSelfie Camera12MP Wide AF12MP Wide AF12MP Wide AFMemory and Storage12GB RAM | 128GB, 256GB Storage12GB RAM | 256GB, 512GB Storage12GB RAM | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB StorageBattery4,000mAh4,900mAh5,000mAhChargingFast Wireless Charging 2.0
Wireless PowerShareFast Wireless Charging 2.0
Wireless PowerShareFast Wireless Charging 2.0
Wireless PowerShareConnectivity5G (sub6, mmW)
Wi-Fi 75G (sub6, mmW)
Wi-Fi 7
UWB5G (sub6, mmW)
Wi-Fi 7
UWBBiometricsUltrasonic Fingerprint, Face RecognitionUltrasonic Fingerprint, Face RecognitionUltrasonic Fingerprint, Face RecognitionSize70.5 x 146.9 x 7.275.8 x 158.4 x 7.377.6 x 162.8 x 8.2Weight162g190g218gOSAndroid 15 / One UI 7Android 15 / One UI 7Android 15 / One UI 7DurabilityIP68
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Armor Aluminum (Frame)IP68
Corning Gorilla Glass
Victus 2
Armor Aluminum (Frame)IP68
Enhanced Corning Gorilla Armor (front glass)
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (rear glass)
Titanium (Frame)ColorIcyblue, Navy, Mint, Silver ShadowIcyblue, Navy, Mint, Silver ShadowTitan Black, Titan Gray,
Titan Silverblue, Titan Whitesilver
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