Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus Review (India): Still Worth Buying in 2026?

Is the Samsung Galaxy S25+ (12GB/256GB) still worth buying in India? We explain its QHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, cameras, battery and charging using official specs and published reviews.

By Gadget Soch·17 Oct 2026·Updated 19 Oct 2026·10 min read

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ is still worth buying in late 2026 if you want a big, light Samsung flagship with a QHD+ 120Hz screen, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip and a seven-generation OS upgrade promise, without paying for an Ultra. The trade-offs are modest 45W charging, no charger in the box and a camera system that is dependable rather than class-leading, and the newer Galaxy S26+ is now on sale in India.

The Amazon.in link in this article opens a page titled Samsung Galaxy S25+ 5G AI Smartphone (Navy, 12GB RAM, 256GB Storage). Samsung also sells the S25+ with 512GB storage and in other colours, so if Amazon offers storage or colour choices on that page, select the one you want and confirm it before you pay.

This review is based on Samsung India’s official specification page (checked on 17 October 2026), Samsung’s India newsroom and published reviews from GSMArena and FoneArena. GadgetSoch has not tested the phone hands-on.

Quick verdict

Best for: buyers who want a 6.7-inch QHD+ Samsung flagship that weighs only 190 g and gets years of updates
Skip if: you want very fast charging, a periscope zoom lens or the newest model Samsung sells
Key strengths: Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at up to 120Hz, IP68 rating, stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 7 and UWB, seven OS upgrades promised at launch
Key limitations: 45W wired charging, no adapter in the box, no autofocus on the ultrawide camera (per GSMArena), performance dips under long heavy loads

Check the current price of the Samsung Galaxy S25+ (Navy, 12GB/256GB) on Amazon.in

Galaxy S25+ specifications (Samsung India)

Galaxy S25 key specs at a glance — Galaxy S25 key specifications, summarised from the table in this review.

Specification	Galaxy S25+ (Navy, 12GB RAM, 256GB)
Model code	SM-S936BDBB (Navy, 256GB)
Display	16.91 cm (6.7-inch) Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440 QHD+, up to 120Hz
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, octa-core, up to 4.47GHz
Memory	12GB RAM, 256GB storage (223.5GB available), no microSD listed
Rear cameras	50MP f/1.8 main with OIS, 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide
Front camera	12MP f/2.2 with autofocus
Video	Up to 8K at 30fps, 4K and Full HD slow motion
Battery	4,900mAh typical (4,755mAh rated), up to 30 hours video playback
Build	Aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, IP68
Size and weight	158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm, 190 g
Connectivity	5G, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, UWB, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1
SIM	Dual nano-SIM, eSIM supported
Software	Android 15 with One UI 7 at launch, security updates until 31 January 2032 per Samsung India
In the box	No travel adapter (Samsung India)

Design and build: why the 190 g weight matters

Large phones usually get heavy. The Galaxy S25+ pairs a 6.7-inch screen with a weight of 190 g and a thickness of 7.3 mm, according to Samsung India. That matters if you use the phone one-handed or read for long stretches. GSMArena’s review lists “refined design, light and very comfortable to use” among its pros.

The frame is aluminium (Samsung calls it Armor Aluminum, and notes the keys and SIM tray are not part of it) and both sides are covered by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The S25 Ultra gets the anti-reflective Gorilla Armor glass, which GSMArena lists as a con for the S25+. The phone is rated IP68, which Samsung bases on lab tests of up to 1.5 m of freshwater for 30 minutes. Samsung also notes that this resistance is not permanent and can reduce over time, so treat it as protection against accidents, not as a swimming feature.

Display: QHD+ is the big step over the base S25

The S25+ uses a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 3120 x 1440 (QHD+) resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The smaller Galaxy S25 has a Full HD+ panel, so QHD+ is one of the clearest reasons to pick the Plus over the base model. In practice that means crisper text and images on a big screen.

GSMArena describes the panel as an LTPO display with HDR10+ support and calls it a “pretty great” screen in its pros. LTPO lets the refresh rate drop when the content is static, which helps battery life. GSMArena’s spec listing and FoneArena both quote a 2,600-nit peak brightness, though Samsung India’s spec sheet does not list a brightness figure.

Performance and software

The Galaxy S25 series runs a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. Samsung’s India launch release claimed 37% more CPU, 30% more GPU and 40% more NPU performance than the previous generation, plus a 40% larger vapour chamber. GSMArena called the chip “the most powerful SoC any Android phone can enjoy right now” at the time of its review and recorded chart-topping results.

The caveat is sustained load. GSMArena found that CPU and GPU performance drop noticeably during prolonged stress tests, similar to earlier Galaxy phones, though the phone gets “warm but never hot”. FoneArena also reported throttling during gaming. Everyday use is unlikely to be affected, but long gaming sessions may be.

The S25+ launched with Android 15 and One UI 7. Samsung promised seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the series, and its India spec page lists a security update period valid until 31 January 2032. Galaxy AI features named by Samsung include Now Brief and the Now Bar, Circle to Search, Writing Assist, Drawing Assist, call transcripts and Audio Eraser, with Gemini available from the side button. Samsung’s footnote said Galaxy AI features were free until the end of 2025, so check Samsung’s current terms if a specific AI feature is important to you.

Cameras: dependable, with one weak link

The rear setup is a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS, a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom and a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide. The front camera is 12MP with autofocus. Video goes up to 8K at 30fps.

Main camera: GSMArena found daylight photos clean with good dynamic range, but softer than the sharpest rivals, especially indoors. Manually selecting Night mode gave better low-light results than the automatic mode.
2x and 3x zoom: GSMArena said the 2x crop achieved “lossless-like quality”, while the 3x telephoto was decent but “not a standout”, though it performed well in low light.
Ultrawide: GSMArena noted it is not very sharp and still has no autofocus, so close-up macro shots are not possible with it.
Selfies and video: GSMArena praised well-exposed selfies with natural skin tones, and was “extremely happy” with 4K stabilisation on the main camera.

FoneArena’s verdict was in line with this: good detail and exposure in daylight, acceptable low-light detail that improves with Night mode, and generally accurate portrait edge detection.

Battery and charging

Samsung lists a 4,900mAh typical capacity (4,755mAh rated) and up to 30 hours of video playback. GSMArena found battery life better than the Galaxy S24+ in its tests. FoneArena reported roughly a full day of heavy use, with about 6.5 hours of screen-on time on a mix of Wi-Fi and 5G at 120Hz.

Charging is where the S25+ looks dated. It supports 45W wired charging, and GSMArena measured 42% in 15 minutes, 75% in 30 minutes and a full charge in just under an hour using Samsung’s 45W adapter. GSMArena also found that the cable supplied in the box reached about 39W, so you do not need a special 5A cable. Wireless charging is 15W, and GSMArena notes the phone is Qi 2.1 Ready, which means magnetic accessories need a case with built-in magnets. There is no charger in the box, which Samsung India confirms.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Who should buy the Galaxy S25 — Who the Galaxy S25 suits, summarised from this review.

Buy the Galaxy S25+ if you want a large QHD+ screen in a light body, value long software support, use Samsung DeX, Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Buds, and prefer a compact-feeling flagship over the heavier Ultra.

Skip it if you play demanding games for long stretches, want 65W-plus charging, need a periscope telephoto or simply want the newest model. If you already own a Galaxy S24+, FoneArena described the S25+ as an incremental upgrade, so the jump may not feel large.

Alternatives worth comparing

Samsung Galaxy S26+: the successor, which opened for pre-orders in India on 25 February 2026 with 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage. Samsung says the S26 series gets seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
Samsung Galaxy S25: the smaller sibling with the same Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, a 15.64 cm (about 6.2-inch) Full HD+ display, 162 g weight and 4,000mAh typical battery, per Samsung India.
OnePlus 13: also uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with a 6.82-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED screen, a 6,000mAh battery, 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, IP68 and IP69 ratings and three 50MP rear cameras, according to GSMArena. GSMArena lists up to four major OS updates.

What to check before you order

Galaxy S25 buying checklist — What to check before you buy the Galaxy S25.

Variant: the link opens the Navy 12GB/256GB page. If you want 512GB or another colour, select it on the listing and check the title again before checkout.
Another listing: there is also another listing for the Samsung Galaxy S25+ on Amazon.in. At the time of writing it opened the same Navy 12GB/256GB page, but always confirm the configuration shown before you buy.
Charger: no adapter is included. For the fastest speeds you need a compatible 45W Samsung Super Fast Charging adapter, and a 25W Samsung charger will charge it more slowly.
Warranty and seller: check the “Sold by” name, the invoice and the warranty details shown on the listing. Samsung India’s page says the phone is manufactured by Samsung India Electronics, which helps with service support in India.
Storage: Samsung’s spec sheet lists no microSD slot, so choose enough storage up front.
Software: after setup, check for system updates, since phones can sit in stock on older firmware.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Galaxy S25+ still worth buying in 2026?

Yes, for most buyers who want a large Samsung flagship. It has a QHD+ 120Hz display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and security updates promised until January 2032. Compare it with the Galaxy S26+ on the day you buy, since the newer model is now available in India.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S25+ come with a charger?

No. Samsung India states that the Galaxy S25+ does not include a travel adapter. GSMArena reported that the box contains a USB-C cable and a SIM ejector.

How fast does the Galaxy S25+ charge?

It supports 45W wired charging. In GSMArena’s test it reached 75% in 30 minutes and a full charge in just under an hour with Samsung’s 45W adapter. Wireless charging is 15W.

Is the Galaxy S25+ waterproof?

It is water-resistant, not waterproof. The IP68 rating is based on lab tests of up to 1.5 m of freshwater for 30 minutes, and Samsung notes that this protection can reduce over time.

What is the difference between the Galaxy S25 and S25+?

Both use the same chip and 12GB RAM. The S25+ has a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ screen, a bigger 4,900mAh typical battery, 45W charging and weighs 190 g, while the S25 has a 15.64 cm (about 6.2-inch) Full HD+ screen, a 4,000mAh typical battery and weighs 162 g.

Can I expand the storage on the Galaxy S25+?

Samsung India’s specification page does not list microSD support, so pick 256GB or 512GB based on how much storage you expect to need over several years.

Bottom line

The Galaxy S25+ remains a well-rounded large flagship: a sharp QHD+ display, top-tier performance for daily use, a light body, IP68 protection and a long update window. Slow-ish charging, no charger in the box and an average ultrawide camera are the main compromises. See the Samsung Galaxy S25+ Navy 12GB/256GB on Amazon.in and confirm the storage and colour before you order.