It’s the right time to buy a Samsung Galaxy S25+ over any midrange phone; here’s why

I never used to recommend older flagship phones over newer midrange devices.

Software updates are important, and new features are missing from older hardware. Battery life also suffered, with newer chipsets being more efficient, even if they were less powerful.

My opinion has changed in recent years. Longer promised support from companies like Samsung and Google has made flagship phones a more viable alternative to recent midrange releases.

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is the company’s current flagship phone, yet you can pick one up for a significant discount. Here’s why the Galaxy S25+ is the phone I’d buy right now.

Gorgeous display and a premium design

Hard to beat a Samsung panel

When you choose a midrange phone over a discounted flagship, you sacrifice build quality. To keep phones at a lower price point, companies use less expensive materials and displays.

The Galaxy S25+ gives you the best Samsung has to offer. It features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its front and back, with an aluminum frame — the phone feels premium in the hand.

The Galaxy S25 Edge gets all the attention for its thinness, but the Galaxy S25+ isn’t exactly a chonker. It comes in at only 7.3mm thick, and you can feel the difference compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

You’re also getting a top-quality display with the Galaxy S25+. Midrange phones are often limited to 1080p resolutions, but with the Galaxy S25+, you enjoy a 1440×3120 resolution with outstanding clarity and contrast for games and movies.

It’s a vintage Samsung panel, and you’ll love using it.

All the power you need and excellent software

The Snapdragon 8 Elite eats

I can’t say enough positive things about the Snapdragon 8 Elite. It’s powerful and power-efficient.

If you spend a lot of time gaming or editing on your phone, the Galaxy S25+ is a fantastic choice. I’ve never experienced any slowdowns, and overheating is kept to a minimum.

Samsung has also made significant improvements to its software. I still prefer Google’s Material 3 Expressive, but One UI 7 is pleasant to use on the Galaxy S25+.

One UI 8 won’t bring too many changes, but that’s not a bad thing. Samsung’s software is clean and responsive with appealing visuals.

However, it’s the software support that is most important. Samsung promises seven years of upgrades, an impressive amount.

The Galaxy S25+ is less than a year old, but it’s comforting to know I have over six years of support left — it makes the value even greater.

A more efficient chipset has other benefits. I would’ve loved it if Samsung included a larger battery for 2025, but I have seen improved performance from its 4,900mAh cell.

It’s not a small battery by any means, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite sips power, which is something I was concerned about at launch.

Impressive cameras and a fantastic price

Amazon has the best deal

I’m pleased with the photos I get from the triple lens setup on the Galaxy S25+. Samsung gives a warmer tone to photos, which I enjoy. It makes the images look better on social media, which is a plus for me since I prefer a more saturated image.

I also love the versatility, with a 50MP primary sensor, a 10MP 3x optical zoom lens, and a 12MP ultrawide.

Normally, I wouldn’t expect to compromise on a camera system if I’m paying $1,000. However, on midrange phones, you often get either a telephoto lens or an ultrawide, forcing you to choose which is more important to you.

If you pick up a Galaxy S25+, you get the best of both worlds.

The Galaxy S25+ really shines when you consider the price. Yes, carrier discounts and other sales help you save on a new Galaxy S25+.

However, if you’re comfortable with a pre-owned model, you can save even more. You can score a Galaxy S25+ on Amazon Renewed for around $580 — an outstanding value.

These devices are less than a year old, and with Amazon’s generous return policy, you can ensure you get a fantastic unit. It’s hard to beat all that flagship power for around the price of a new midrange phone.

It’s difficult not to recommend a Galaxy S25+

With flagship smartphones receiving extended support, it’s easier than ever to secure an excellent deal on a device without too many compromises.

The Galaxy S25+ is among the best Samsung has to offer, and I’d jump at the chance to own one for under $600.