Mobiles are a part of everyone’s life today, but when it’s time to replace them, it can sometimes come with a pretty high budget. You will encounter plenty of budget, mid-range, premium, and sub-premium smartphones on the market, and sometimes it all gets confusing. Why do we pay more specifically for a Samsung S-series when we can just buy an A-series? Or why should we purchase a more powerful mobile phone, and what is it actually needed for?
Today, I want to talk to you about one of Samsung's budget-friendly and completely value-for-money models that I purchased 15 months ago, and to this day, it still handles its assigned duties perfectly. This is the Samsung A25 series, which I bought at the beginning of 2025. At that time, this model was certainly not brand new, but I bought it completely brand new and sealed for just $250. Yes, this is exactly what an S22 display replacement costs, which is both strange and funny. For those who haven’t seen the post about what happened to my S22, what issues it has, and how I ended up buying the S23 model, you can check that post out here.
Let's start with the fact that the budget segment features the highest number of brands and smartphone specs. This is the segment where manufacturers try their hardest to compete in terms of price-to-performance and grab the consumer's attention. However, Samsung has always stood out among them. To be honest, this is mostly driven by its brand name; you can buy plenty of other great mobile brands in this price category. But since Samsung is famous for its S, Fold, and Flip series, as well as producing tons of other tech, it retains its popularity, and because of this, consumers often settle on Samsung.
I chose this specific Samsung representative for one simple reason: I needed to buy this mobile for a family member, and the main goal was to get a smartphone with the best possible specs at a low price. Of course, we are talking about a budget model here. We must understand that we cannot demand the same performance, camera quality, or build from a budget model as we do from a flagship. That is precisely why this model couldn't really brag about its design or cameras.
However, there was one detail that is very interesting. In this price category, you won't be able to buy Samsung's more powerful A-series models, like the current A36 or A57—their prices are much higher, especially considering our goal is a budget purchase. This is where the biggest plus of this phone shined through: I bought this model at this price with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Meanwhile, at the current price in local stores, an A37 with 128GB costs $360. It’s worth noting that Samsung is running a similar promotion right now on the A26 models, so you can grab a great deal—getting the same 8/256GB model for around $250.
But why this specific model? The logic isn't that complicated. Years ago, the popularity of the A-series started with the A3, A5, and A7 models. These models came out about 11 years ago, and their charm lay in their excellent build quality and good performance for that era. Most importantly, there was a huge price gap. Back then, the S-models were truly great phones but quite expensive, whereas a model like the A3 cost exactly $250. Over time, prices changed, and the A-series became more of a mid-range lineup—I'm talking about the A36 and A57 models. However, the A25, A26, and also the A27 represent that sweet spot where it's truly worth spending your money. The A27 is still a bit expensive for now, but its price will definitely drop by the end of the year. Right now, you can get the A26 at an amazing price.
Of course, this post isn't dedicated to those looking for a powerhouse phone with heavy performance. This article is meant for those who need a daily driver for casual social media use, taking simple photos, and general day-to-day tasks. As for performance, I wouldn't really say that Samsung's A37 and A57 models have strong performance either; in that case, it's definitely worth adding some cash and getting a Fan Edition (FE) model, which, despite its own share of issues, is still a flagship smartphone.
Now, let's look at the pros and cons of the A25 that I personally purchased. Despite its price, you get a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. Even though the storage speed standard is UFS 2.2 (which is an older standard), it is still well-synchronized with the Exynos 1280 processor of this model and delivers good performance for what it is. Also, the large storage will help you capture plenty of photos and videos—after all, you can never have too much storage. As for the RAM, apps are getting heavier by the day, and the demand in this regard is high, making this a double win. I always recommend picking the 8GB model when buying.
Another major plus is its 5000 mAh battery, which helps this not-so-power-hungry phone last a long time before demanding a charger. I also want to count the inclusion of the 3.5mm jack as a plus, which is a true rarity nowadays. This isn't a bad thing; on the contrary, wired headphones are much more comfortable for many people. Of course, it's worth mentioning that when you buy a new Samsung, it comes with many years of software support. In my personal opinion, though, try not to update the software unless the older version creates an actual issue (like an app requiring a newer Android system). This is easily explained: when new software versions come out, they are often heavier, and this is especially noticeable on budget models. You might encounter lags or other unpleasant hiccups. Also, it's a 5G model, which I want to list as a positive.
Naturally, it has its downsides too. This includes its outdated design, which is especially noticeable from the front display—its selfie camera notch cutout (a U-notch rather than a modern punch-hole), its chipset which isn't very powerful so you can't expect to play heavy games, and the plastic body. But I want you to think about this for a second: in real life, a plastic body is actually much easier to maintain and care for. The real downside here is that this model is not waterproof, so make sure to keep it away from splashes.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this model, even a used one. Its price on the secondhand market is practically dirt cheap, and you can find many sellers on eBay offering this exact model. However, if you've decided to buy a brand new one, then go for the A26 while it's still widely available.