What to expect from Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25 Ultra, AI features, and more – ZDNet
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Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.As the CES dust settles, Samsung is gearing up for its Unpacked event this coming Wednesday, where the company is slated to launch the newest additions to its Galaxy S Line, plenty of AI updates, and, maybe — just maybe — a surprise or two. Also: 4 surprise products that we could see at Samsung Unpacked 2025If you want to experience the announcements as they happen live, you can tune into the Samsung Unpacked livestream next week. Here’s how and what you can expect to see during the keynote.Samsung Unpacked will take place next week on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The event will start at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET and will be live-streamed for everyone to watch. Also: Samsung teased its stretchable Micro LED display at CES – my phone started to feel boringThe physical event, reserved for media, super fans, and industry experts, will take place in San Jose, California. ZDNET will be on the ground, bringing you the latest. Even though Samsung Unpacked is taking place in San Jose on an invite-only basis, all members of the public are invited to attend the event virtually via a livestream which will be found on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom, and Samsung’s YouTube channel when the event begins. If you’re unable to tune in, don’t fret! ZDNET will be covering the event at length, with live updates found on the ZDNET site, as well as ZDNET’s Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. In the description for the event, Samsung revealed some details of what will be launched, including the new Galaxy S series of smartphones and “a new chapter in mobile AI.” For an in-depth look at what to expect, keep reading below. Considering that Samsung’s Unpacked invitation reads, “The new Galaxy S series is about to set the bar once again for mobile AI experiences now and into the future,” it’s nearly certain that the S25 lineup will launch at the event. When Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 8 Elite in October, the company shared that Samsung would be one of the leading manufacturers to adopt the mobile platform. With this event being Samsung’s first release since the Snapdragon 8 Elite launch, it’s likely the S25 lineup will sport Qualcomm’s newest chipset. Also: Leaked Nothing Phone 3 email teases AI-powered flagship – but I’d rather see thisThe chipset will bring major improvements to smartphones, especially in the AI space with support for on-device processing, which will result in faster processing speeds, less latency by forgoing sending data to the cloud, and increased security, as data doesn’t have to leave the device.The Snapdragon 8 Elite has already launched in North America in the OnePlus 13, in which ZDNET’s Kerry Wan found the chipset to “gracefully” tackle day-to-day tasks such as bouncing between productivity apps. However, its performance with graphic-intensive applications is a bit less efficient. In terms of form factors, many leaks give us a good idea of what the phones will look like. An Android Headlines report claims the Galaxy S25 will have a 6.2-inch screen, the Galaxy S25 Plus will have a 6.7-inch screen, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a 6.9-inch display. Images within the report also reveal that the S25 lineup will all have rounder edges, but other than that, it seems like all three will be staying very close to their current design. The color ways for the base models will include Iceblue, Mint, Navy, and Silver Shadow and for the Ultra will include Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silver Blue, and Titanium White Silver, according to the report. In the public invitation, Samsung described the new AI developments as “premium Galaxy innovations that bring seamless convenience into every moment of your life.” That statement reminded me of Apple Intelligence’s concept of personal AI which, when completely rolled out, should blend AI seamlessly into users’ everyday workflows on their smartphones for constant assistance. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Samsung unveils its own take on Apple Intelligence. Also: Samsung’s next-gen Galaxy Ring 2 may launch at UnpackedAs noted above, the new smartphones will likely be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, thereby enhancing the smartphone’s ability to handle compute-power-demanding AI features and on-device processing that personal AI assistance entails.Additional AI-driven photo-editing features could include AI relighting, magic audio eraser, and an AI pet photo-taking feature demoed by Qualcomm back in October — plus more text-generating features sprinkled throughout the devices. Long-standing rumors suggest Samsung is working on more cutting-edge technology, such as a successor to its smart ring, the Galaxy Ring 2; smart glasses; and its take on the Apple Vision Pro. A recent report claims that the Galaxy Ring 2 will be launched at Unpacked and will feature improved battery life of up to seven days, more accurate health data sensors, two new sizes, and improved AI. Even if Samsung doesn’t actually launch it next week, the company may tease it — much as it did at last year’s Unpacked with the first Galaxy Ring. Also: Forget the Ray-Ban Metas: Samsung’s upcoming smart glasses are the wearables I’ve been waiting forA full unveiling of Samsung’s take on the Meta Raybans and the Apple Vision Pro is unlikely. However, it’s possible that the company takes a similar approach to the Galaxy Ring, and teases these with promotional imagery or a quick video.
