Samsung Galaxy S25 Leak Has Me Feeling Worried

Critics have rightly pointed out that Apple tends to recycle its iPhone designs, offering little change from year to year. The iPhone 16 Pro, for example, still showcases the aesthetic introduced with the iPhone 11 Pro, a design that has remained unchanged for five years. Meanwhile, it appears that Samsung is following a similar approach with its upcoming Galaxy S25 series.

According to insights from Android Headlines and @OnLeaks, leaked images of the standard Galaxy S25 reveal a design that closely resembles that of the Galaxy S23 and even several mid-range models in the Galaxy A and M lines.

The general layout appears to remain unchanged, featuring the vertically aligned camera array on the back and a centrally placed front-facing camera. The most significant alteration is the thinner bezels, mirroring the leaked images of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Angle side and front view of leaked Galaxy S25 renders. — OnLeaks / Android Headlines

The most recent leaks suggest that the Galaxy S25 will feature a 6.17-inch display and a more compact design along the edges. Surprisingly, Samsung is expected to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor instead of its own Exynos chips for this iteration.

While rumors indicate an increase to 12GB of RAM, the battery size continues to be underwhelming at just 4,000mAh. Historically, Samsung unveils its Galaxy S series early in the year, with 2025 likely seeing the introduction of this device in the first quarter.

A notable concern

Straight front and rear view of leaked Galaxy S25 renders. — OnLeaks / Android Headlines

While the design itself isn’t inherently bad, the prospect of a smaller chassis raises some concerns. A tighter internal structure could complicate heat management, particularly with more powerful hardware and a chipset purportedly designed to rival Apple's A-series processors.

In recent generations, I've encountered persistent heating issues with the compact models in the Galaxy S lineup. Although Samsung has continually sought to improve thermal management, most efforts appear focused on the high-end Ultra variants.

My consistent frustration with entry-level Galaxy S devices involves frequent overheating notifications that appear during demanding tasks, such as recording high-res videos outside. Not only does the device heat up uncomfortably, but it also reduces screen brightness to dissipate heat, detracting from the overall experience.

Front and rear angled view of leaked Galaxy S25 renders. — OnLeaks / Android Headlines

I have a preference for smaller phones, which is one reason I have appreciated the Google Pixel series. However, persistent thermal issues have been a disheartening trend.

If Samsung is opting not to refresh its design this year, I sincerely hope that the Galaxy S25 will at least optimize its thermal management to effectively harness its advanced hardware within its sleek glass-and-metal body.