Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series has been on sale for most of 2025, but early December is arguably the best time all year to buy one. Massive Cyber Week discounts on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, fresh software news around One UI 8.5, a new 3D Capture camera mode, and December’s security patch are all landing at once. Here’s a complete look at Samsung S25 news and prices as of December 4, 2025.
Galaxy S25 series overview: models and launch pricing
The Galaxy S25 family now consists of:
- Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S25+
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Galaxy S25 Edge
- Galaxy S25 FE (mid‑range spin‑off, but closely related)
At launch, Samsung kept prices in line with the Galaxy S24 generation. In the US, the official MSRPs were: [1]
- Galaxy S25: from $799.99 (128 GB)
- Galaxy S25+: from $999.99
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: from $1,299.99 (256 GB)
In Europe, the base Galaxy S25 came in at €899 for the 128 GB version. [2]
Under the hood, all flagships share a Snapdragon 8 Elite “for Galaxy” chip in most markets, combined with Samsung’s Galaxy AI features and Android 15 at launch, plus a promise of seven years of OS and security updates, extending support into the 2030s. [3]
Current official Galaxy S25 prices (Samsung US) – December 4, 2025
On Samsung’s own US store, the base Galaxy S25 already sits below its original MSRP thanks to long‑running promotions: [4]
- Galaxy S25 (unlocked, 128 GB)
- Was: $799.99
- Now: $699.99
- Galaxy S25 (unlocked, 256 GB)
- Was: $859.99
- Now: $759.99
Storage and color options (Blueblack, Coralred, Pinkgold, Icyblue) are still widely available in early December. [5]
The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains Samsung’s showcase device, and its full official price ladder (before discounts and trade‑ins) is: [6]
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 256 GB – $1,299.99
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 512 GB – $1,419.99
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 1 TB – $1,659.99
Samsung is also selling the Galaxy S25 Edge – a curved‑screen model that sits between the S25+ and Ultra – from around $1,219.99 unlocked in the US. [7]
On top of the base prices, Samsung’s Cyber Week offers page advertises: [8]
- Up to $480 instant trade‑in credit on Galaxy S25 models
- Up to $120 credit toward a storage upgrade
Combined with retailer promos (see below), this means very few buyers are actually paying full sticker price in December.
The biggest Galaxy S25 Ultra deals right now
If you’re hunting for Samsung S25 news and prices specifically around the Ultra, Cyber Week 2025 is huge:
- Android Central reports that Samsung has revived its Black Friday deal for Cyber Monday and beyond: the 512 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra direct from Samsung for $859.99, a $560 discount from the original $1,419.99, with a free upgrade from 256 GB to 512 GB and no required trade‑in. [9]
- TechRadar similarly highlights a $850 price for the 512 GB S25 Ultra via Samsung, after a $450 upfront discount or with trade‑in rebates up to $750. It describes this as a record‑low unlocked price for the Ultra and notes it’s now priced close to the base iPhone 17 in the US. [10]
- Tom’s Guide calls this the S25 Ultra’s “lowest price yet,” pointing to US deals where: [11]
- 256 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra: $899
- 512 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,019
- UK shoppers are seeing roughly 19–20% discounts on both capacities, depending on color.
Taken together, major tech outlets confirm that the 512 GB Galaxy S25 Ultra is sitting around the $850–$860 mark in the US this week, while the 256 GB model has dropped just under $900 at select retailers. [12]
These prices are dramatically below Samsung’s posted MSRP and unlikely to last once Cyber Week ends.
Carrier pricing: Galaxy S25 on Verizon and others
If you prefer carrier billing, Verizon lists the S25 lineup on 36‑month, 0% APR payment plans roughly as: [13]
- Galaxy S25 – from about $22.22/month (36 months)
- Galaxy S25+ – from about $27.77/month
- Galaxy S25 Ultra – from about $36.11/month
- Galaxy S25 Edge – from about $30.55/month
These monthly prices translate back to familiar US MSRPs (around $799, $999, $1,299, and $1,099 respectively), but carriers often stack bill‑credits if you open a new line, switch networks, or trade in a recent flagship.
Earlier in the year, even smaller carriers like Boost Mobile ran aggressive launch offers such as port‑in pricing that knocked the S25 Ultra 256 GB down to around $599.99 for switchers. [14] While those specific promos are now archived, they show the type of discounts that may return around future sales events.
Used and resale Galaxy S25 prices (Swappa, December 4, 2025)
If you’re comfortable buying used or “mint” condition phones, the second‑hand market is significantly cheaper than new retail.
On specialist marketplace Swappa, which tracks real‑time used prices, current averages for December 4, 2025 look roughly like this for the Galaxy S25: [15]
- Unlocked Galaxy S25 128 GB
- ~$510 average sale price
- ~$222 average trade‑in value
- Carrier‑locked 128 GB S25
- AT&T: ~$492 resale, $166 trade‑in
- T‑Mobile: ~$507 resale, $150 trade‑in
- Verizon: ~$489 resale, $135 trade‑in
- Spectrum: ~$450 resale, $48 trade‑in
- Unlocked Galaxy S25 256 GB
- ~$561 resale, $257 trade‑in
There’s also a smaller market for “Unlocked non‑US” variants of the S25 256 GB at higher prices (around $800+), typically imported devices that may lack some local bands or carrier support. [16]
For buyers, that means you can often land a lightly used base S25 for around $500–$550, versus ~$700 new, while still benefiting from many years of software support.
New Galaxy S25 feature news: 3D Capture and XR integration
The most Galaxy‑specific news today is about 3D Capture, a new camera mode that ties into Samsung’s just‑launched Galaxy XR headset.
A fresh report from Samsung‑focused site SammyGuru (published December 4, 2025) explains that 3D Capture is rolling out via the Camera Assistant module in Good Lock and is available only on a shortlist of devices: [17]
- Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S25+
- Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Galaxy S25 Edge
- Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Galaxy Z Flip 7
- Galaxy XR headset (for playback)
Key points from the report: [18]
- Feature requires Android 16 with One UI 8 and substantial processing power.
- S25 series phones can capture 3D photos (12 MP) and 3D videos at 1080p/30 fps.
- The Galaxy S25 Ultra can go further with 3D 4K (2160p) video at 30 fps.
- 3D Capture is triggered via a new headset icon in the main camera UI; content is best viewed inside the Galaxy XR headset, though compatible XR devices that support MV‑HEVC can also play it.
For S25 owners, this effectively turns your phone into a portable 3D camera, which is a big differentiator versus many Android rivals going into 2026.
Software news: One UI 8.5 leak and December 2025 security patch
One UI 8.5: next major update headed for the Galaxy S25 series
The next big Samsung skin update, One UI 8.5, looks set to land on the Galaxy S25 range very soon:
- Android Central reports that a reputable leaker has posted the full changelog for One UI 8.5 ahead of its beta launch, with Samsung planning the first phase of the beta specifically for Galaxy S25 users from around December 8, 2025. [19]
- A parallel report from Notebookcheck digs into the changelog, highlighting upgrades such as enhanced theft protection, revamped battery stats pages, and more flexible power‑saving modes. [20]
- A separate TechRadar piece notes that One UI 8.5’s Device Care settings add a “Block apps with excessive ads”toggle, suggesting Samsung is finally cracking down on spammy apps and improving day‑to‑day UX on phones like the S25 Ultra. [21]
Taken together, the leak suggests S25 owners can expect:
- A refreshed Quick Settings panel and UI polish
- Expanded Galaxy AI tools beyond what shipped at launch
- More granular battery and security controls
- Better control over intrusive in‑app advertising
Given Samsung’s seven‑year update promise, One UI 8.5 is likely just the second step of a long software journey for the S25 series. [22]
December 2025 security patch
On the security side, Samsung has already detailed its December 2025 patch, which will also roll out to the Galaxy S25 family: [23]
- The patch contains around 68 vulnerability fixes, spanning Android framework, Samsung’s own software, and vendor components.
- No devices had received the update at the time of the initial write‑ups, but Samsung’s December rollout roadmap includes the Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S25 Edge and S25 FE among the early recipients.
For prospective buyers, this is reassuring: Samsung is still prioritizing its latest flagships with fast, detailed security updates near the end of their first year on the market.
Galaxy S25 specs that matter for pricing
Why are people still paying close to flagship money for a phone launched 10–11 months ago? A quick spec recap helps explain it.
Galaxy S25 (base model)
According to detailed spec sheets and launch coverage: [24]
- 6.2‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 120 Hz display (up to ~2,400+ nits)
- Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip (3 nm)
- 12 GB RAM, up to 512 GB storage (UFS 4.0)
- 4000 mAh battery with 25 W wired and 15 W wireless charging
- IP68 water/dust resistance
- Full Galaxy AI suite (Circle to Search, Call Transcript with Live Notes, Generative Edit, etc.)
Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Ultra adds nearly every “wishlist” spec reviewers expect from a halo Android phone: [25]
- 6.9‑inch high‑brightness 120 Hz AMOLED
- Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, 12 GB+ RAM, up to 1 TB storage
- 5,000 mAh battery
- Advanced quad‑camera system, usually headlined by a 200 MP main sensor plus dual telephoto lenses
- Full S‑Pen support, premium build, and extended Galaxy AI tools
Between hardware and software support, the S25 Ultra still competes with late‑2025 flagships like the Pixel 10 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, making those ~$850 Cyber Week prices look very aggressive.
How to choose: Galaxy S25 vs S25+ vs S25 Edge vs S25 Ultra
If you’re trying to decide which S25 model to buy while the deals are still active, consider:
- Galaxy S25
Best for: one‑hand usage, lower up‑front cost, flagship performance at the smallest size.
Why choose it: Still fast, still AI‑enabled, significantly cheaper new and used than the Ultra. [26] - Galaxy S25+
Best for: people who want a larger 6.7‑inch display and bigger battery without paying Ultra money. [27] - Galaxy S25 Edge
Best for: fans of curved screens and a slightly more premium feel than the S25+, but who don’t need the Ultra’s full camera package or S‑Pen. [28] - Galaxy S25 Ultra
Best for: camera enthusiasts, power users, and stylus fans. With current $850–$900 deal prices, it offers the best long‑term value if you budget allows. [29]
If you don’t care about curved displays or S‑Pen support, the base Galaxy S25 at around $700 new or ~$500 used is the price‑to‑performance sweet spot right now.
Should you buy the Galaxy S25 now or wait?
Some buyers are wondering whether to grab a discounted S25 or wait for the Galaxy S26. A Korean business report notes that Samsung is heavily marketing the S25 on its AI capabilities while already preparing the S26 for launch with revised chip strategies in the US and other regions. [30]
Practical takeaways:
- Buy now if
- Consider waiting if
- You always buy the latest Samsung flagship and don’t mind paying close to full price in early 2026.
- You want to see how Samsung’s next‑generation chipset strategy (likely Snapdragon vs Exynos vs “Elite” variants) shakes out region by region. [33]
Either way, the Galaxy S25 series is not about to become obsolete: with seven years of OS and security updates, even a discounted S25 bought in December 2025 should remain secure and feature‑rich well into the 2030s. [34]
Quick buying tips for Galaxy S25 in December 2025
- Compare Samsung.com with carriers and retailers.
Samsung’s own trade‑in credits plus storage‑upgrade promos may beat carrier offers, especially if you’re buying unlocked. [35] - Check used pricing before trading in.
Marketplaces like Swappa show that your old phone might be worth more sold privately than traded in. [36] - Watch for One UI 8.5 beta timing.
If you’re excited about new software features, consider buying a model explicitly listed in Samsung’s December rollout roadmap (the S25 series is). [37] - Confirm regional bands and warranty if importing.
Non‑US unlocked variants can be more expensive and may offer limited LTE/5G support on certain carriers. [38] - Always re‑check prices before purchase.
Cyber Week discounts can change daily; the prices in this article are accurate as of December 4, 2025, but may move quickly afterward.
If you’re looking for a flagship Android phone that balances long‑term software support, new AI features, and aggressive end‑of‑year pricing, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series is in a very strong position right now—especially the S25 Ultra at its current Cyber Week lows.
References
1. www.businessinsider.com, 2. www.phonearena.com, 3. en.wikipedia.org, 4. www.samsung.com, 5. www.samsung.com, 6. www.samsung.com, 7. www.samsung.com, 8. www.samsung.com, 9. www.androidcentral.com, 10. www.techradar.com, 11. www.tomsguide.com, 12. www.androidcentral.com, 13. www.verizon.com, 14. www.reddit.com, 15. swappa.com, 16. swappa.com, 17. sammyguru.com, 18. sammyguru.com, 19. www.androidcentral.com, 20. www.notebookcheck.net, 21. www.techradar.com, 22. en.wikipedia.org, 23. www.sammobile.com, 24. www.phonearena.com, 25. www.tomsguide.com, 26. www.phonearena.com, 27. www.samsung.com, 28. www.samsung.com, 29. www.androidcentral.com, 30. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com, 31. www.androidcentral.com, 32. www.androidcentral.com, 33. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com, 34. en.wikipedia.org, 35. www.samsung.com, 36. swappa.com, 37. www.gizmochina.com, 38. swappa.com
