Samsung Galaxy A25 5G (S256VL) Tracfone Review

 Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Review, Specs and Features

The Galaxy A25 5G offers a full HD 6.5" Super AMOLED screen, 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage and runs Android 14. It is the latest smartphone in one of Samsung's popular lineups and is newly available for Tracfone in 2024.

Along with the A25, Tracfone offers the Galaxy A15 5G, and is releasing the Galaxy A35 5G in the near future. Each of these Samsung phones offers a balance of features and varying price points. Keep up with all the new phones in our List of Latest Smartphones from Tracfone.

Let's get right to our pros and cons list.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Pros and Cons

What we Like:
-Full HD Super AMOLED screen
-Android 14
-5G and NFC
-128GB storage
-6GB RAM
-25W fast charging

What we Don't Like:
-Older processor
-No dust or water resistance
-No screen protection technology

At first glance, there is plenty to like about the A25 including the solid performance specs, latest Android OS and 5G connectivity capability. There is also the impressive display, with Samsung's popular screen technology. Many of these features, however, are similar to the Galaxy A15 which is available at a lower price. 

Additionally, some of the drawbacks for the A25, including a lack of a dust/water resistance rating or screen protection technology, are also the same as the A15. We would have hoped to see the A25 offer a bit more in this area.

What will set the Galaxy A25 5G apart and is it worth buying? Let's go over the full specs.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G (S256VL) Features and Specs

Below are the features followed by the technical specs

• Android 14
• Samsung One UI 6 
• 5G (Verizon)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Alarm Clock
• GPS
• MP3 Player
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
• Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
• SMS/MMS
• USB Charger (USB Type-C 2.0)
• Compatible with Samsung Gear Smartwatches
• Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Technical Specs
Size: 6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (6.95 oz)
Camera: Triple rear camera 50+8+2MP and 13MP front camera
Screen: 6.5" HD Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits display (1080x2340 resolution)
Processor: Octa-core Exynos 1280

Memory: 6 GB
Storage: 128 GB internal storage, supports up to 1 TB MicroSD Card
Battery: 5,000 mAh battery (non-removable) with 25W fast charging

Most consumers are familiar with the Samsung brand as they are a global manufacture and the largest consumer electronics maker (by revenue) in the world. They are based in South Korea and have a broad lineup of smartphones with their high end device, like the Samsung Galaxy S24, a contender for some of the best phones in the world.

Samsung phones are well known for their quality, something that can't always be said for some of the other brands Tracfone offers. Samsung also offers several years of OS updates and security fixes, another benefit some other brands don't include.

The Galaxy A25 5G does get some of the updated design elements of Samsung phones with a familiar layout for the charging port, beautiful screen, and it also features Samsung's UI changes. But a budget phone will have to cut some corners, and we will dive into that below.

Now let's get into the details with our review of the A25.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A25 5G Review

Touchscreen

The A25 5G brings a 6.5" touchscreen with a crisp 1080x2340 resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. What's truly exciting about this full HD display is the Super AMOLED technology, enhancing colors with deeper blacks, better brightness under sunlight, and increased saturation. 

This screen is a major selling point for the A25, and showcases how high-end features are gradually making their way into Samsung's budget-friendly phones. 

With 393 pixels per inch (ppi), the screen has excellent contrast and detail, along with a standard 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It also features 84.5% screen-to-body ratio, signaling small bezels on the sides, top and bottom. Samsung has crafted this device with excellent media capabilities, even when viewing outdoors.

However, the Galaxy A15 5G also includes a very similar 6.5" full HD screen, with slightly lower brightness rating and refresh rate, but at a lower overall price point. 

Compared to Motorola devices like the Moto G Play 2024, the Super AMOLED technology is a clear winner at the budget level.

Performance - Processor, Storage and RAM

128GB internal storage, 6GB RAM and the Eynos 1280 octa-core processor are the performance specs for the Galaxy A25. There is plenty of storage and RAM for a daily use smartphone and additional storage can be added using the MicroSD card slot.

The Exynos processor, developed by Samsung, offers 8 cores and good mix of power and efficiency. It is a capable processor and outperforms the processor in the A15. Yet the Eynos 1280 is a few years old, with it first released in 2022, and offered in the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G from that year. Even then, it was outperformed by the likes of the Pixel 6 and iPhone SE.

The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G does offer good performance, but might not keep up fully with the most demanding games and apps. And for a little more, the Galaxy A35 features an upgraded chip, and is coming to Tracfone soon.

Camera

The A25 features the popular trio of rear camera sensors found on many budget phones with a 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro. Both the main camera and ultrawide work well and deliver great images in most lighting conditions. The macro sensor leaves a lot to be desired and is generally best avoided (which is typical for most budget phones).

On the front, housed in a teardrop shape on the screen, is the 13MP selfie camera. It does a fine job snapping photos to share with friends or for video calls.

Speaking of video, the rear camera is capable of up to 4K at 30fps, and has electronic image stabilization, but only when shooting at the 1080p. The front sensor records at 1080p 30fps. Video quality is good for this price range, and 4K video recording is a surprising feature some may find very enticing, but without stabilization it is less useful. 

Samsung phones are typically known for good camera performance, and the A25 continues that trend at a reasonable price. The A25 and A15 share relatively similar cameras, but the A25 includes the 4K video recording and improved ultrawide sensor.

Shoot better photos with our list of camera phone photo tips.

Battery Performance

With a 5,000 mAh battery, expect all day battery life out of the A25 5G and sometimes more. It also recharges relatively quickly, with a 25W fast charging speed. 

There is no wireless charging capability, a feature some may wish for on this device. 

The Galaxy A25 5G is officially rated for just under 2 days talk time, and up to 16 days on standby. 

Android OS and Software Experience

The Galaxy A25 5G comes equipped with the latest Android version available (Android 14) at its release, and is also complemented by Samsung's custom software enhancements.

Android 14, introduced in late 2023, brings a host of enticing features including enhanced battery performance, expanded customization options, improved font scaling, and a range of upgraded security features. This up-to-date Android experience not only enriches functionality but also bolsters overall device security. Samsung's commitment to software updates for up to 4 years sets a benchmark in the industry, exemplifying one of the most extensive update policies among phone manufacturers.

One UI 6 is a user interface designed by Samsung to make using their phones easier and more visually appealing. Samsung fans will likely be very familiar with the various time-saving and quick customization features included. The latest version, One UI 6, has a large list of features which can be viewed on the Samsung website.

Those unfamiliar with Samsung's One UI may find it overly crowded, with Samsung apps for just about everything. For a more bare version of Android, consider the Pixel series of phones.

Grab the best apps for Tracfone users in our full list.

Design

The Galaxy A25 5G resembles Samsung's flagship Galaxy S24 in its basic exterior design, featuring a similar button layout, back panel aesthetics, and camera arrangement. While the A25 utilizes more affordable plastic materials on its sides and back, the build quality doesn't come off as excessively cheap. Notably absent are dust and water resistance features, and there's no mention of Gorilla Glass protection for the front screen.

On the side, you'll find a dual fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, accompanied by the volume rocker.

The inclusion of a headphone jack on the A25 5G is a rarity these days, and NFC capability allows the phone to function like a credit card, compatible with various virtual wallet apps. NFC is a standout feature at this price point, but its absence in many other devices is becoming more noticeable.

The device is relatively large, yet it generally fits comfortably in hand for most users. However, for those with smaller pockets or a preference for a more compact form factor, alternative options might be considered such as the Pixel lineup of phones.

Bezels on the front of the phone are not excessive, and are very similar to the A15.

Overall, the A25 5G presents a generally appealing design for this price point but it lacks an IP rating or any kind of screen protection technology. For that, users will have to go with the Galaxy A35 5G.

Conclusion

Samsung's A series phones offer a balance of features and price, and the Galaxy A25 5G is in a tricky position where it features upgrades in certain areas over the cheaper, A15 model, but not a significant upgrade. 

It is also outpaced by several key upgrades the Galaxy A35 will feature, including a newer processor, dust and water resistance, and screen protection technology.

The Samsung Galaxy A25 5G has a retail price of $219 from Tracfone, but we have already found it for under $200. At the right price, and for the right user, it is a solid phone with good performance overall and a great screen.

But if the features are not quite what you are looking for, consider one of the many alternatives that either come at a lower price, or with better features.

Where to Buy the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G from Tracfone

Get the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G w/ airtime bundle from QVC - $199 (best deal)

Get the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G on the Tracfone website - $219

Get the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G on the Walmart website - $219

The Unlocked version of the Galaxy A25 5G is also available on Amazon

We will update with more buying options as they become available.

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G User Manual

Get the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G User Manual to learn more about the device and how to setup your phone.

That concludes our review of the Galaxy A25 5G. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. 

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