For years, I’ve been an iPhone loyalist. The seamless integration of Apple’s ecosystem (my work runs on MacOS), the familiar iOS interface, the reliability of the hardware, and to some extent, the prestige it came with, at least initially, kept me tethered to the walled garden. But with the launch of the Samsung S25 series, I decided to do something drastic: I made the switch. (To sound less dramatic: I tried the Samsung S25+)
It is always hard to make a switch. The last time I did something like this was in 2018 when I decided to switch to a PlayStation after years of owning an Xbox and having the greatest of time during the early Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Black Ops days. I haven’t looked back since. But as someone who loves gaming, I do have an Xbox at home.
Back to the Samsung S25+; yes, the switch takes a while of getting used to. So after a week or two of operating on the S25+, here’s how the device holds up for an iPhone user stepping into the world of Samsung:
Design and build
The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Samsung S25+ was just how premium it felt. It’s sleek, sophisticated, and surprisingly lightweight despite packing a larger battery than my iPhone 16 Pro. The satin-like glass back resists fingerprints far better than Apple’s glossy designs, and the slightly curved edges make for a comfortable grip.
I opted for the blue variant of the S25+. It is a classy option that reminded me of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and shines better.
Samsung’s signature Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is another highlight. Coming from an iPhone, I was used to high-quality screens, but the S25+ somehow takes it up a notch. The 6.7-inch panel boasts a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, delivering an ultra-smooth experience whether I was scrolling, gaming, or binge-watching content.
The software shift
This is where the real adjustment began. iOS is known for its simplicity, but Samsung’s One UI 6.1 offers an unparalleled level of customisation. Widgets can be resized, themes can be changed, and even system-wide fonts are tweakable. The newfound control was liberating, yet overwhelming at times.
One of the biggest wins? Samsung’s Multi-Window mode. iPhones still lack true multitasking, while the S25+ lets me run two apps side by side, making productivity leaps and bounds ahead of what I was used to.
Camera performance
Apple’s camera philosophy focuses on natural, true-to-life color reproduction, while Samsung’s approach leans toward vibrancy and sharpness. The S25+’s 50MP main sensor captures stunning detail, especially in well-lit environments, and the AI-powered enhancements make even quick snaps look Instagram-ready.
Samsung’s zoom capabilities blew me away. The 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom brought faraway subjects into clear view-something my iPhone simply couldn’t compete with. However, I did notice that low-light shots sometimes had an artificial sharpness compared to Apple’s more balanced Night Mode.
Battery life & charging
One of my biggest gripes with iPhones has been the sluggish charging speeds. With the S25+’s 45W fast charging, I could go from 0 to 50 per cent in about 25 minutes. The 4,900mAh battery consistently lasted me an entire day with heavy use, a refreshing change from my previous midday charging habits.
But here’s where the switch stung the most: AirDrop and iCloud-these Apple-exclusive features are tough to replace. Samsung’s Quick Share is a decent AirDrop alternative, but if you’re in an iPhone-heavy environment, you’ll still feel like the odd one out.
That said, Samsung’s ecosystem has its own perks. Samsung DeX turned my phone into a desktop-like experience with just an external monitor and keyboard. Galaxy Buds paired effortlessly, and the deep integration with Windows made file transfers and notifications feel seamless.
Switching from an iPhone to the Samsung S25+ is not just a device swap-it’s a change in lifestyle. For those who love customisation, advanced features, and cutting-edge hardware, the S25+ is an absolute powerhouse. However, the transition comes with trade-offs, especially if you’re deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem.
For me, the switch is ongoing. While I still miss certain aspects of iOS, the S25+ has won me over in ways I didn’t expect. If you’re an iPhone user considering a change, the S25+ is an exciting new world to explore.
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