Samsung Unveils Three S25 Phones, Including the Flagship S25 Ultra

It’s early 2025, and the weather is still cold, making it the perfect time for Samsung to kick off the year’s flagship smartphone race with its latest barrage of devices. This year, Samsung has introduced three S25 phones, ranging from the $800 S25 to the $1,300 S25 Ultra.

The S25 Ultra: A Powerful and Feature-Rich Flagship

The flagship, S25 Ultra, is a powerful and feature-rich device that boasts a substantially upgraded ultrawide camera sensor. It also features a 3nm Snapdragon Elite for Galaxy, a collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm that augments its computational photography skills and more. The phone also boasts incredible battery life, making it a great option for those who want a device that can last all day.

However, the S25 Ultra looks very similar to last year’s model, which makes it a less impressive update, given its price. Despite this, it is still a great phone that can go toe-to-toe with the iPhones and Pixels of this world.

The Galaxy S25: A Solid Premium Phone with a Gorgeous Screen

The Galaxy S25 is priced the same as the last few S-series base models and offers a solid premium phone experience with a gorgeous screen. The phone’s hardware remains largely the same, with incremental improvements to the camera, courtesy of behind-the-scenes processing, and that incredible battery life. However, if you were thinking of upgrading from an S24 (or S23, even S22), it’s a hard pitch.

The Biggest Tech Stories You Missed

The biggest tech story this week is around DeepSeek AI, the open-source chatbot that reportedly requires far less computing power than competitors and was developed on a (relative) shoestring budget. It subsequently put stocks related to AI, like NVIDIA, into a tailspin, although they have somewhat recovered.

DeepSeek’s had brief success, even stimulating a response from President Trump. However, OpenAI says Chinese startups are cribbing the models of US AI companies. It claims rivals are persistently trying to copy the technology of existing AI companies, adding that OpenAI and its partner Microsoft have been banning accounts suspected of “distilling” its models.

CVS Launches App with Cabinet Unlocking Feature

CVS has launched an app that allows select users, without needing staff, to shop for items typically locked away in its stores. The feature is only available to loyalty program members and in a handful of unnamed stores. It was being trialed in just three stores but will be expanded to 10 to 15 stores. (There are over 9,000 CVS locations in the US.)

Incention: A Desperate Attempt to Make New Hollywood IP with AI Fans and the Blockchain

By the headline alone, this sounds terrible, but you should read Devindra’s takedown in full. So many questions: Why the name? Why even make Incention? Who wants this? Does it smell like a blockchain-scented Quibi? Yes, yes it does.

AMA or AEA?

We’re bringing back Ask Engadget, with an entirely new email address: askmat@engadget.com. Aside from spamming free trials of apps and streaming services, let’s put it to use.

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What is the best Galaxy phone under $500? Are refurb iPads worth it? My Roomba stole my girlfriend, please advise.