SAMSUNG

How the Galaxy S25 series could struggle against Chinese competitors

The countdown to the release of Samsung’s next flagship, the Galaxy S25, is on. While we are expecting the S25 series  to bring the usual iterative improvements, we are now starting to wonder will it be enough to compete with Chinese rivals?

Despite its status as a tech giant, Samsung seems to be falling behind brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, which are advancing more quickly. Let’s dive into why the Galaxy S25 series might face tough competition from these rivals.

Battery...One of the areas where Samsung seems to be falling behind is battery life. Chinese manufacturers have embraced next-generation battery technology, like high-density silicon carbon batteries. These batteries can pack more capacity into a smaller form factor, allowing for slimmer phones with impressive battery life. For instance, the latest Vivo X200 Pro reportedly crams a whopping 6000mAh cell into a sleek 8.5mm body.

In contrast, rumors suggest the Galaxy S25 could feature the same battery capacity as the S24. There have been whispers for a while now about Samsung adopting stacked batteries in its flagship series, but there’s no strong evidence we’ll get them yet with the S25. 

Meanwhile, multiple leaks suggests that Samsung will still go with a 5,000 mAh battery for the S25 Ultra. While a 5,000 mAh battery is nothing to scoff at, it might not be enough to compete with Chinese flagships offering superior battery technology and capacity in slimmer designs.

Charging Speed...It’s not just about battery life—Samsung also lags behind its Chinese competitors in charging technology. 

Based on rumors, the Galaxy S25 series would retain the 25W wired charging for the base model (Galaxy S25 and S25+) and 45W for the Ultra variant. While these speeds aren’t slow, it’s certainly doesn’t come close to what the Chinse brands are offering. 

For example, the OnePlus 13 offers 100W wired charging speeds, while Xiaomi’s recent offerings have topped out at 90W. And the faster the charging speed, the quicker you get your phone back to life. 

Sure, Samsung might argue about the safety implications of ultra-fast charging, but some of its competitors seem to have addressed those concerns. The onus is now on Samsung to innovate or risk being left in the dust.

Camera Innovations...Camera technology is another area where Samsung has traditionally held an edge. But here too, the lines are blurring. Chinese manufacturers are pumping out phones with impressive camera specs, including 1-inch camera sensors, advanced image processing, and innovative features like zoom lenses with crazy telephoto capabilities.  

While Samsung is likely to improve the camera system on the Galaxy S25 series, it remains to be seen if it can keep pace with all the improvements coming from Chinese competitors. There have been rumors about an upgraded ultrawide camera on the S25 Ultra, but that alone may not suffice to compete in the intensifying camera wars.

Can Samsung Reclaim the Crown?...It’s not all doom and gloom for Samsung. The company still has a lot going for it. The Galaxy S series has a loyal following, and Samsung is known for its gorgeous displays, reliable software, and sleek designs.

However, if Samsung wants to maintain its position as the king of Android phones, it needs to find a way to address these emerging concerns. Here are a few things Samsung could do to stay competitive:

-Embrace faster charging: Samsung needs to find a way to offer faster charging speeds without compromising on safety.

-Push the camera envelope: Significant camera upgrades are needed to stay ahead of the curve.

-Offer more compelling features: Samsung needs to think outside the box and offer unique features that entice users to choose Galaxy over the competition.

The Galaxy S25 series launch is almost a month away, and there’s always the possibility that Samsung will surprise us with some hidden innovations. But based on the current rumors, it seems like Samsung might be playing a catch-up game this time around. Whether they can close the gap remains to be seen.

mundophone