The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus (256GB, Navy, unlocked) is available on Amazon right now for $679.99 — down from its original retail price of $999.99, a 32% markdown with no trade-in required. That makes it roughly $419 less expensive than the Galaxy S26 Plus, which launched in March 2026 at $1,099. What you give up at the lower price is the S26 Plus’s new main camera sensor and its next-generation processor. What you keep is a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip that independent benchmarks still rate as a top-tier mobile processor, a 6.7-inch QHD+ display with Samsung’s ProScaler AI upscaling technology, and a support commitment that runs through approximately 2032.

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked foldable event, which took place in London on July 22, shifted public attention toward the Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup. For buyers who have already decided on a conventional slab-form phone, that shift has a practical benefit: it cleared the air around the S25 Plus decision entirely. There is no new S-series flagship in the announcement queue — the Galaxy S27 series is not expected until early 2027. Buyers choosing between the S25 Plus and the S26 Plus are comparing two known quantities, and the $419 price gap between them is now the sharpest it has been.

Why Amazon Priced This at $679.99 — and Why the Timing Matters

The Galaxy S25 Plus launched at $999.99 in February 2025. The Galaxy S26 series replaced it as Samsung’s current flagship when it went on sale March 11, 2026. Price compression on the previous generation accelerated through the spring and summer: by May 2026, price-tracking tools estimated the phone’s 90-day average price had fallen to approximately $825. The current $679.99 listing is below that average.

DealNews described the current Amazon listing as the best price it had tracked for a new, unlocked S25 Plus, noting it was $220 below what Samsung’s own storefront was charging at the time. Price-tracking service Smartprix independently confirmed $679.95 as the current market low in July 2026.

The deal carries no strings. There is no carrier lock, no required trade-in, and no subscription. The phone ships with a US one-year manufacturer warranty.

ProScaler: What the Display Actually Does Differently

The S25 Plus has a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with a QHD+ resolution of 1440×3120 pixels, a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and peak brightness rated at 2,600 nits — bright enough to remain readable in direct sunlight.

What distinguishes the S25 Plus display from those in the same general price range is ProScaler. ProScaler is not a software filter applied at the app layer. It is an AI image reconstruction engine co-engineered by Samsung and Qualcomm, with Samsung’s Mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded directly inside the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor rather than operating as a separate software process. Because the processing happens inside the chip itself, it runs in real time without measurable impact on battery draw.

The practical result is that video and images rendered at lower resolutions are reconstructed toward a higher-resolution equivalent before they reach the pixel layer. Content at 480p approaches the visual quality of 720p; content at 720p approaches the look of 1080p. Samsung’s stated figure is a 40% improvement in display image scaling quality, independently noted as a “drastic improvement” by Uswitch following hands-on testing. ProScaler is exclusive to the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra — it is not present on the base Galaxy S25.

One practical detail the product listing does not highlight: ProScaler is only active when QHD+ resolution mode is manually enabled in display settings. The phone ships with FHD+ selected by default, which conserves battery but disables ProScaler. Buyers who want the upscaling benefit need to switch the resolution setting once in their hands.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy: Custom Chip, Not Off-the-Shelf

The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy in the S25 Plus is not the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite found in other Android flagships released alongside it. Samsung and Qualcomm co-developed a variant overclocked by 150 MHz above the standard specification, reaching a peak clock speed of 4.47 GHz. It is built on a 3nm process node and posts the following performance gains over the previous generation (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 used in the S24 series): 37% faster CPU performance, 30% faster GPU performance, and 40% faster neural processing.

The S25 Plus generation is also the only Samsung flagship generation in which every unit sold globally — regardless of region — shipped with identical Snapdragon silicon. The Galaxy S24 series used Samsung’s Exynos chip in Europe and other markets; the Galaxy S26 series has reverted to that dual-chip strategy, with Exynos 2600 in Europe and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the US. Buyers in any country who want to verify a consistent benchmark baseline can do so with the S25 Plus in a way they cannot with either adjacent generation.

Tom’s Guide recorded Geekbench single-core scores of 2,916 for the Galaxy S25 (which uses the same chip as the S25 Plus) against 3,531 for the Galaxy S26, a roughly 21% gap. In everyday tasks — scrolling, photography, messaging, streaming — that gap does not produce noticeable differences. It becomes relevant in sustained gaming and computationally intensive AI editing workloads.

The chip pairs with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS storage in this configuration.

Camera System: What $419 More Actually Buys at the Hardware Level

The S25 Plus runs a triple rear camera system: a 50MP wide-angle sensor (the Isocell GN3, with optical image stabilization and dual-pixel autofocus), a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The 12MP front camera supports phase-detection autofocus for portrait accuracy.

Video capture reaches 8K at 30 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second.

Buyers comparing this to the Galaxy S26 Plus on camera grounds should be aware of one specific hardware difference: the S26 Plus upgrades the main sensor from the Isocell GN3 to the newer Isocell GNG. The telephoto and ultrawide lenses are comparable across both models. The GNG sensor brings incremental improvements in low-light capture and image processing efficiency; it does not represent a generational leap. For everyday photography, independent reviewers described the camera gap between S25 Plus and S26 Plus as minor and software-driven rather than sensor-driven.

Galaxy AI camera features on the S25 Plus include Audio Eraser, which isolates and suppresses up to six categories of background sound in video (wind, crowd, music, nature, voice, general noise) entirely on-device using the Snapdragon chip’s neural processing unit. Generative Edit, AI Super HDR, and Portrait mode with AI skin-tone preservation are also present. These features run locally — none require a cloud connection to function.

The S26 Plus adds Horizon Lock video stabilization and an updated AI image signal processor for the front camera, both software-driven features that may arrive on the S25 Plus through future One UI updates.

What the S26 Plus Actually Adds — and What It Doesn’t

The $419 premium for the Galaxy S26 Plus ($1,099 vs. $679.99) buys the following confirmed upgrades from a detailed specs comparison:

The S26 Plus runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy in US-market units — the successor chip to the S25 Plus’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. Performance gains are real but not dramatic in everyday use; Tom’s Guide’s benchmark testing found roughly 21% faster single-core CPU performance. The S26 Plus also ships with One UI 8.5 built on Android 16, compared to the S25 Plus’s Android 15 with One UI 7 — though Samsung’s seven-year update commitment means the S25 Plus will receive Android 16 in a future update. The S26 Plus features an updated Isocell GNG main camera sensor, as noted above. Its wireless charging implements the newer Qi2.2 wireless charging standard, a step above the S25 Plus’s Qi2.1, enabling faster 20W wireless charging compared to the S25 Plus’s 15W ceiling.

The S26 Plus does not meaningfully change battery capacity (4,900mAh on both models), display resolution or size (both 6.7-inch QHD+), RAM allocation (12GB on both), wired charging speed (both 45W), or the telephoto and ultrawide camera hardware.

Back Market’s comparative assessment concluded that the S26 Plus “performs slightly better than the Galaxy S25+” but that “the two phones share many of the same core features” including the display, camera configuration, and build specifications. GSMArena, which conducted a full side-by-side review of both Plus models, described the S26 Plus as nearly indistinguishable from the Galaxy S25+ in design, and identified chip performance as the most meaningful differentiator between the two.

For buyers upgrading from any device older than the Galaxy S24 series, neither the S26 Plus nor the S25 Plus will feel like a step down. The question is whether the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Android 16, a new main camera sensor, and faster wireless charging are worth $419 more right now, or whether those gaps close enough over the S25 Plus’s update window to make the savings the better call.

Battery, Wireless Charging, and the Qi2.1 Standard

The S25 Plus carries a 4,900mAh battery — the same capacity as the S26 Plus — and supports 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging certified to the Qi2.1 standard, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for accessories like Galaxy Buds.

Qi2.1, introduced in 2024 as the successor to Qi2.0, maintains the magnetic alignment mechanism and the 15W output ceiling while extending the standard’s certified device ecosystem. For the S25 Plus, this means the phone will remain compatible with current-generation wireless chargers released throughout its update window — which extends to approximately 2032 under Samsung’s seven-year commitment.

Wired charging is where the S26 Plus and S25 Plus are evenly matched: both support 45W. The wireless charging story is different — the S26 Plus increases wireless charging to 20W (from the S25 Plus’s 15W) using the Qi2.2 standard, which is a tangible advantage for buyers who charge wirelessly and want faster top-ups. For buyers who charge overnight, the wireless charging gap is irrelevant. For those who depend on quick wireless top-ups during the day, the S26 Plus’s wireless charging advantage is one of the more tangible reasons to consider the premium.

The S25 Plus carries an IP68 durability rating, tested to withstand submersion at up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) for 30 minutes.

Build, Galaxy AI Software, and the Navy Colorway

The S25 Plus measures 158.4 × 75.8 × 7.3mm (6.24 × 2.99 × 0.29 inches) and weighs 190 grams (6.70 oz). Front and back surfaces use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2; the frame is Armor Aluminum 2. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 5G (including mmWave on US unlocked models), NFC, and USB-C.

The Navy colorway in this listing is a deep teal-adjacent finish — darker and more muted than a standard navy, professional in appearance without reading as generic black. It is an exclusive colorway not available across all configurations.

On the software side, the S25 Plus ships with One UI 7 based on Android 15. The Galaxy AI platform at launch included Now Brief (a lock-screen intelligence layer that surfaces contextual information based on your schedule), AI Select (an Edge Panel shortcut for summarization, image generation, and creative tasks), and Personal Data Engine (an on-device AI layer that learns usage patterns without sending data to external servers). Gemini replaced Bixby as the default conversational assistant. Gemini Live enables extended, open-ended back-and-forth conversations for planning, drafting, and research tasks.

Samsung has committed to seven years of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security patches for the S25 series. Purchased today, that commitment runs through approximately 2032 — well beyond the typical ownership cycle for a flagship phone.

Is $679.99 the Right Price to Buy?

The Galaxy S25 Plus launched at $999.99, and independent price tracking placed its recent market average at approximately $825 before this deal appeared. At $679.99, the current Amazon listing is below that average by roughly $145 and below the original MSRP by $320.

Buyers upgrading from a Galaxy S22 or older, from any iPhone generation older than the iPhone 16, or from a mid-range Android device will find a substantial performance and display improvement at this price. The S25 Plus’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, ProScaler display, and Gemini-powered AI platform are not features that appear at $679.99 in any other new, unlocked flagship on the market as of publication.

Buyers already on the Galaxy S24 Plus or Galaxy S25 series will not feel a meaningful upgrade. The hardware progression between S24 Plus, S25 Plus, and S26 Plus has been incremental at each step.

The Galaxy S27 is not expected until early 2027, and Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event has already occurred — it was a foldable-focused announcement in London on July 22 that introduced no new S-series hardware. There is no imminent reason to wait.

Frequently Asked QuestionsIs the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus worth buying now that the Galaxy S26 Plus exists?

For most buyers, yes — particularly those upgrading from anything older than the Galaxy S24 series. The S25 Plus and S26 Plus share the same 6.7-inch QHD+ display size and resolution, the same battery capacity, and a similar (though not identical) camera configuration. The S26 Plus’s meaningful upgrades are a newer processor chip, Android 16, a generationally updated main camera sensor, and faster wireless charging. At a $419 price difference, those upgrades represent real but incremental improvements. Buyers who do not specifically require them get essentially the same platform at a significantly lower entry price — with a seven-year update commitment that ensures both phones remain supported through approximately 2032.

What is the camera difference between the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S26 Plus?

The S26 Plus upgrades the main camera from the Isocell GN3 sensor (used in the S25 Plus) to the newer Isocell GNG sensor. The telephoto and ultrawide lenses are comparable across both models. The GNG sensor offers incremental low-light and processing improvements; independent reviewers described the real-world photo gap as minor and largely software-driven rather than the result of a hardware generational leap. The S26 Plus adds Horizon Lock video stabilization and an AI-improved front-camera image signal processor as software-driven camera features. Galaxy AI editing tools — including Audio Eraser, Generative Edit, and AI Super HDR — are present on both models.

Does ProScaler make a visible difference in everyday use, and how do I turn it on?

ProScaler produces a visible improvement when watching video content, particularly streams or downloads that were encoded at 720p or below. The AI upscaling engine, embedded directly in the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip rather than running as a software layer, reconstructs standard-definition content toward higher-resolution quality in real time. Samsung’s stated improvement figure is 40%. The critical practical note: ProScaler only activates when QHD+ resolution mode is manually enabled in display settings. The phone ships with FHD+ selected by default to preserve battery life. Buyers who want ProScaler active need to change this setting once after setup. The feature is exclusive to the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra; it is not present on the base Galaxy S25.

How long will Samsung support the Galaxy S25 Plus with software updates?

Samsung has committed to seven years of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security patches for the Galaxy S25 series. Purchased today in July 2026, that puts the guaranteed update horizon at approximately 2032. This is the same update window as the Galaxy S26 series and represents the longest guaranteed software support commitment from any major Android manufacturer. It means the S25 Plus is a defensible long-term investment even purchased as a one-generation-old device.

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