Galaxy A05 Vs Galaxy S25+

Galaxy A05
Galaxy A05
Starting at

Refurbished price:£89.00

Versus £144.96 new

See options
Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£549.00

Versus £958.39 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A05, released in October 2023, is an entry-level smartphone designed for essential daily tasks. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, launched in February 2025, represents a premium flagship device built for high performance and advanced features. These two models cater to vastly different user needs, primarily differing in processing power, display technology, and camera capabilities, alongside their respective operating system support timelines.

Scores

Durability

The expected lifespan and software support differ significantly between these two devices, reflecting their distinct market segments.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A05 typically receives two major Android operating system upgrades and four years of security updates from its release. The Galaxy S25 Plus, as a flagship model, is designed for extended support, promising seven years of both OS and security updates, ensuring a longer period of current software features and security patches.
  • Build Materials: The Galaxy A05 features a glass front with a plastic back and frame, offering a practical construction. The Galaxy S25 Plus incorporates more robust materials, including an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, providing enhanced durability.
  • Environmental Resistance: The Galaxy A05 does not carry an official water or dust resistance rating. The Galaxy S25 Plus, however, boasts an IP68 rating, indicating significant protection against dust ingress and submersion in water.

Year of Release

2023

2025

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A05 and Galaxy S25 Plus are tailored to their intended use cases, with substantial differences in processing power and memory configurations.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A05 is equipped with a processor suitable for general daily activities such as browsing, social media, and light applications. The Galaxy S25 Plus features a current-generation, high-performance processor, enabling smooth operation for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and advanced mobile gaming.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A05 typically comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with a microSD card. The Galaxy S25 Plus offers a more substantial 12GB of RAM and faster internal storage options of 256GB or 512GB, without microSD expansion, supporting more complex workflows and larger application libraries.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature large battery capacities, with the Galaxy A05 having a 5000mAh battery and the Galaxy S25 Plus a 4900mAh battery. The Galaxy S25 Plus, despite a slightly smaller capacity, benefits from a more power-efficient processor and display technology, which can contribute to extended usage times for its performance class.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience offered by these two smartphones varies significantly due to their differing display technologies and specifications.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A05 features a 6.7-inch PLS LCD display with an HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels). This provides clear visuals for general content consumption. The Galaxy S25 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, offering a much higher QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels) for sharper details and more vibrant colors.
  • Smoothness and Brightness: The Galaxy A05 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, suitable for everyday scrolling and video playback. The Galaxy S25 Plus features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smoother animations and a more fluid user experience, especially during gaming or fast-paced content. Additionally, the S25 Plus offers significantly higher peak brightness, improving visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Screen Protection: The Galaxy A05 typically uses a standard glass front. The Galaxy S25 Plus incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced scratch and drop resistance.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1440x3120

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A05 and Galaxy S25 Plus are designed for different levels of photographic capability and versatility.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A05 features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, suitable for basic photography and portrait effects. The Galaxy S25 Plus offers a more comprehensive triple-lens system, including a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, providing greater flexibility for various shooting scenarios.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy A05 captures clear images in well-lit environments. The Galaxy S25 Plus, with its advanced sensors and computational photography features, excels in a wider range of conditions, including low light, and offers more detailed and dynamic photos.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices can record video, with the Galaxy A05 supporting up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. The Galaxy S25 Plus can record at much higher resolutions, including 8K at 30 frames per second and 4K at 120 frames per second, offering more professional video capabilities. For selfies, the A05 has an 8MP front camera, while the S25 Plus features a 12MP front camera.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between these two Samsung smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A05 supports 4G LTE networks and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB Type-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy S25 Plus is equipped with 5G connectivity, faster Wi-Fi standards, and a USB Type-C 3.2 port, but it omits the traditional headphone jack. The S25 Plus also includes Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support for enhanced spatial awareness and device tracking.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy A05 does not feature a fingerprint sensor in some configurations, relying on traditional PIN/pattern/face unlock. The Galaxy S25 Plus integrates an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A05 weighs 195 grams and has dimensions of 168.8 x 78.2 x 8.8 mm. The Galaxy S25 Plus is slightly lighter at 190 grams and has dimensions of 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm, offering a more streamlined profile. The S25 Plus also features advanced Galaxy AI capabilities, enhancing various aspects of the user experience.

Weight

195 g

190 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.7

Mobile network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback often highlights the Galaxy A05 as a dependable device for fundamental smartphone functions, praised for its large display and long-lasting battery, making it suitable for users who prioritize communication and basic media consumption. Some common criticisms revolve around its performance limitations for more demanding applications and its camera capabilities in challenging lighting conditions. Conversely, the Galaxy S25 Plus is frequently lauded for its powerful performance, vibrant display, and advanced camera system, catering to users who require a high-end experience for productivity, gaming, and photography. Occasional feedback might mention its premium nature, but generally, it is well-regarded for its comprehensive feature set.

Users prioritizing a device for everyday communication, web browsing, and casual content viewing, who also appreciate a larger screen and extended battery life, may find the Galaxy A05 well-suited to their needs. For individuals who require top-tier processing power for intensive tasks, a superior display for media and gaming, advanced camera features, and a longer software support window, the Galaxy S25 Plus would be the more appropriate choice. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers looking to make informed and sustainable purchasing decisions.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons