Samsung Galaxy S25+ SM-S936B/DS Iceblue 256GB
The 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage provide ample headroom for AI-driven features and multitasking on this global model. Its factory-unlocked, dual-SIM design with eSIM support offers flexible international connectivity without carrier restrictions. This phone is best for frequent travelers who need a versatile Android device with strong AI capabilities and the freedom to switch networks globally.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Galaxy S25+ has solid specs on paper with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, but our data shows it lagging badly in camera, display, and battery performance. At $900 USD, it's priced like a flagship but scores like a mid-ranger. The AI features are neat but don't justify the premium. Unless you need a global dual SIM model or are locked into Samsung's ecosystem, the Pixel 9 Pro XL or OnePlus 15 are better buys.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 12GB of RAM keeps multitasking smooth
- 256GB of storage is a generous baseline
- Dual SIM with eSIM support is great for travelers
- Factory unlocked global model works on many networks
- AI features like Audio Eraser are genuinely handy for video
Cons
- Battery score is in the 9th percentile, a real weak spot
- Camera performance ranks in the bottom 7% of our database
- Display quality scores in the 6th percentile
- Feature set is thin compared to competitors at this price
- Build quality ranking is disappointing for a flagship
The proof
Performance
Let's talk about what 12GB of RAM gets you in 2025. It's enough for heavy multitasking, keeping a dozen apps alive in the background, and running most games without hiccups. The processor is listed as unknown in our data, which is frustrating for a review, but the overall performance score lands at the 43rd percentile. That's below average for this product category. You're not getting a slouch, but you're also not getting a chart-topper. Think of it as a solid B student in a class full of overachievers.
The gaming score is a 10.2 out of 100, which sounds alarming until you realize that's a relative score against other phones in our database, not an absolute measure of playability. It means this phone is not a gaming-first device. If you're into Genshin Impact at max settings or emulating Switch games, you'll probably notice frame drops and thermal throttling sooner than you would on something like the OnePlus 15 or a dedicated gaming phone. For casual games and daily use, it'll be fine. Just don't expect it to punch above its weight.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Performance
| RAM | 12 MB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| eSIM | Yes |
Design & Build
| Form Factor | bar |
| OS | Android |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the S25+ loses on camera and display, which are the two things most people care about most. Google's computational photography is still the gold standard, and our data shows the Pixel scoring dramatically higher in both categories. The Pixel also tends to get longer software support and cleaner Android updates. Samsung counters with better multitasking features and DeX, but that's a niche advantage.
The OnePlus 15 is the more interesting fight. OnePlus has been aggressive on pricing and performance, and our database shows it outperforming the S25+ in raw speed and battery life. If you're a gamer or heavy user, the OnePlus is probably the better buy. The iPhone 17 is its own thing entirely, if you're in the Apple ecosystem you're not cross-shopping this anyway. And the Razr Ultra 2025 offers a foldable experience that makes the S25+ feel a bit boring by comparison, though foldables come with their own durability questions.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S25+ SM-S936B/DS | Motorola Razr ultra 2025 | Google Pixel 10 Pro | Apple iPhone 17 | OnePlus 15 15 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | - | 7.0 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.7 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | OLED | Super Retina XDR | AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 165 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Processor | - | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Google Tensor G5 | A19 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 16 | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 512 | 128 | 256 | 512 | 512 |
| Rear Camera Mp | - | 50 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 50 |
| Front Camera Mp | - | 50 | 42 | 18 | 32 | 32 |
| Battery Capacity Mah | - | 4700 | 4870 | 3692 | 7300 | 5000 |
| Charging Wattage | - | 68 | 30 | 30 | 80 | 90 |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP48 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69K | IP68 |
| Operating System | Android | Android | Android | iOS | Android | Android |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Build | Camera | Battery | Display | Feature | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S25+ SM-S936B/DS | 14.6 | 7.2 | 9.1 | 5.8 | 15.5 | 43 | 46.1 | 8.7 |
| Motorola Razr ultra 2025 Compare | 58.2 | 79.6 | 95.3 | 98 | 92.7 | 98.8 | 82.7 | 90.8 |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Compare | 89.6 | 96.8 | 85 | 88.8 | 71.8 | 89.2 | 98.8 | 94.9 |
| Apple iPhone 17 Compare | 98.2 | 77.5 | 57.1 | 93.7 | 88.4 | 87.3 | 98.8 | 98.9 |
| OnePlus 15 15 Compare | 98.8 | 96.8 | 99.2 | 78.4 | 42.9 | 98.8 | 82.7 | 98.9 |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra Compare | 78.4 | 99.1 | 97.8 | 99.5 | 56.5 | 98 | 98.8 | 72 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $900 USD, this phone is priced like a flagship but scoring like a mid-ranger in several key areas. That's a tough pill to swallow. The 256GB storage and 12GB RAM combo is nice, but when the camera, display, and battery all rank in the bottom 10% of our database, you have to ask what exactly you're paying for. The AI features are interesting, but software tricks don't make up for hardware that lags behind.
Compare that to the competition. The Pixel 9 Pro XL and OnePlus 15 both sit in similar price territory and consistently score higher across the board in our data. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra brings a genuinely impressive camera system if photography matters to you. And if you want something with more personality, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 gives you a foldable form factor for not much more. The S25+ at $900 feels like it's asking flagship money for a phone that doesn't deliver flagship results.
We started tracking prices for this product on May 20, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
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Overview
The Galaxy S25+ is Samsung's middle child, the one that's supposed to give you most of the Ultra experience without the Ultra price tag or the built-in stylus you'll lose in a couch cushion. This particular model is the global SM-S936B/DS variant, factory unlocked with dual SIM support, which is great news if you travel or just like keeping work and personal lines separate without carrying two phones. You get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is a solid baseline for a flagship in this class.
Samsung is leaning hard into the AI angle this generation. The marketing talks about an assistant that can chain tasks together, a Now Brief feature that surfaces info before you ask, and camera tricks like Audio Eraser for cleaning up video noise. Some of that is genuinely useful. Some of it feels like features you'll try once at a Best Buy kiosk and forget about. The real question is whether the hardware underneath all that AI holds up.
And here's the thing. Our database paints a rough picture for this phone. It ranks in the bottom half for connectivity and performance, and the camera, display, and battery scores are all in the single digits percentile-wise. For a phone that's supposed to be a flagship, that's concerning. We're going to dig into what those numbers actually mean for someone buying this phone today.
Common Questions
Q: Will this phone work on my carrier?
This is the global SM-S936B/DS model, which means it's factory unlocked and supports dual SIM with eSIM. It should work on most GSM networks worldwide, but you'll want to check your carrier's specific bands against the phone's supported frequencies. In the US, it may not support all 5G bands used by Verizon or AT&T, so coverage could be spotty in some areas. T-Mobile users generally have the best luck with global Samsung models.
Q: How is the battery life on the S25+?
Based on our database, battery performance is one of the weakest aspects of this phone, ranking in the 9th percentile among comparable devices. That means most phones in this category will outlast it on a single charge. If you're a heavy user who streams video, plays games, or uses GPS navigation frequently, you'll likely need to top up before the end of the day. The AI features Samsung promotes can also drain battery faster when they're actively running in the background.
Q: Is the camera good enough for photography?
The camera ranks in the 7th percentile of our database, which is disappointing for a phone at this price point. Samsung's AI features like Audio Eraser and portrait enhancements can help in specific situations, but they can't compensate for hardware that underperforms. If photography is a priority for you, the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Xiaomi 14 Ultra will give you noticeably better results. The S25+ camera is fine for casual snapshots and social media, but it won't impress anyone who cares about image quality.
Q: What does the global model mean for software updates?
Global Samsung models typically receive updates on a similar schedule to their regional counterparts, but there can be delays depending on your region and carrier. Since this is an unlocked model, you won't have carrier bloatware slowing things down, which is a plus. Samsung has committed to seven years of software support for the S25 series, so you should get Android updates and security patches for a long time. Just be aware that some AI features may roll out at different times depending on your region.
Who Should Skip This
If you care about camera quality, skip this phone. The 7th percentile camera ranking means you'll be disappointed every time you zoom in on a photo or shoot in low light. The Pixel 9 Pro XL or Xiaomi 14 Ultra will serve you much better. If battery life is a dealbreaker, this is also not your phone. The 9th percentile battery score means you'll be hunting for chargers by mid-afternoon on heavy days. Look at the OnePlus 15 if endurance matters.
Gamers should also steer clear. The 10.2 out of 100 gaming score puts this near the bottom of our database for gaming performance. If you play demanding titles, you'll get better frame rates and cooler thermals from the OnePlus 15 or even a dedicated gaming phone. And if you're just looking for the best overall value at this price point, the Pixel 9 Pro XL beats the S25+ in nearly every category that matters.
Verdict
If you're already deep in the Samsung ecosystem, have a Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, and a SmartThings setup at home, the S25+ will slot in nicely. The AI features are more useful when they're integrated with your other Samsung devices, and the dual SIM global model is genuinely handy for frequent travelers. You'll get a reliable daily driver with plenty of RAM and storage.
But for everyone else, it's hard to recommend this phone at $900. The camera, display, and battery scores are simply too low to justify the price when the Pixel 9 Pro XL and OnePlus 15 exist. Unless you find this on a significant sale, or you specifically need a factory unlocked global model with dual SIM, you're better off looking elsewhere. This feels like a phone that exists to fill a lineup slot, not to win one.
