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Partly true, but not as a global price increase. A report published in South Korea on January 20, 2025, said Galaxy S25 models with 256GB of storage would stay near Galaxy S24 prices, while 512GB versions would cost about ₩15,400 more. The report also described a preorder storage-upgrade offer that could let eligible buyers get 512GB for the 256GB price. U.S. launch prices did not rise at the entry level, and the U.S. base Galaxy S25 was not listed in a 512GB configuration.
What the South Korean report said
The headline came from a pre-launch South Korean pricing report, not an announcement of a worldwide Samsung price policy. It said 256GB Galaxy S25 models would be priced broadly in line with comparable Galaxy S24 models, while 512GB versions would rise by ₩15,400. At the time, that amount was roughly $10–$11, but it should not be read as a U.S. price increase: regional pricing, taxes, and product lineups differ. Maeil Business Newspaper’s report was published January 20, two days before Samsung announced the phones.
| Model | Reported 256GB price | Reported 512GB price | Reported change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 | ₩1,155,000–₩1,160,000 | ₩1,313,400 | ₩15,400 more than the S24 equivalent |
| Galaxy S25+ | ₩1,353,000 | ₩1,511,400 | ₩15,400 more than the S24 equivalent |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | ₩1,698,400 | ₩1,856,800 | ₩15,400 more than the S24 equivalent |
These are reported South Korean figures, not confirmed global MSRPs. In particular, “the 512GB version” does not describe the same set of phones in every country: storage configurations vary by model and market.
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Why was the reported increase limited to 512GB?
The report did not establish a confirmed reason, and Samsung did not announce that the increase was caused by any particular component. Higher memory costs, a strategy of keeping entry prices attractive while charging more for higher capacity, or the effect of a storage-upgrade promotion are possible explanations—not confirmed facts. The defensible takeaway is simply that the report described a higher regular price for the 512GB tier while keeping 256GB prices broadly steady.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.7‑inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display (3120 × 1440) with adaptive 1‑120 Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — providing a large, sharp, and very bright screen.
How the preorder storage upgrade changed the effective price
A higher regular price does not necessarily mean an eligible preorder customer paid more. Samsung’s “double storage” offers in some markets upgraded buyers from 256GB to 512GB at the 256GB price. That makes 512GB a promotion benefit, not proof that Samsung permanently reduced its list price.
The documented offers were regional and time-limited. In India, Samsung’s official terms described a free 256GB-to-512GB upgrade for the S25+ and S25 Ultra, with a stated value of ₹12,000, for preorders from January 23 through February 6, 2025. Samsung India’s terms set out the offer. Samsung Australia’s preorder terms listed a $200 storage-upgrade value for participating 512GB S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra models. Samsung Australia’s terms describe that promotion.
Rank #2
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Offers can differ by country, model, retailer, color, stock, and purchase date. Before treating an upgrade as free, check whether it is automatic or requires a code, whether it applies to your sales channel, whether it stacks with trade-in credit, and whether the advertised value is an instant discount or a later rebate. Once a preorder offer ends, the regular 512GB price may apply.
What U.S. buyers need to know
Samsung’s official U.S. launch announcement listed starting prices of $799.99 for the Galaxy S25, $999.99 for the S25+, and $1,299.99 for the S25 Ultra. Samsung opened preorders on January 22, 2025; general availability began February 7. Those starting prices did not represent an entry-level increase over the prior generation. Samsung’s U.S. launch announcement gives the launch pricing and dates.
Rank #3
- 6.7" LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 480Hz PWM, HDR10+, 3120x1440px Quad HD+, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 512GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 3900mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 200MP, f/1.7, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Digital Zoom up to 10x, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
The U.S. storage lineup also makes the headline easy to misread. Samsung’s U.S. MSRP documentation listed the base S25 in 128GB and 256GB, not 512GB; the S25+ and Ultra had 512GB options. The listed prices were:
| U.S. model | Storage | MSRP reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 | 128GB | $799.99 |
| Galaxy S25 | 256GB | $859.99 |
| Galaxy S25+ | 256GB | $999.99 |
| Galaxy S25+ | 512GB | $1,119.99 |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | 256GB | $1,299.99 |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | 512GB | $1,419.99 |
On that U.S. MSRP list, moving from 128GB to 256GB on the base S25 was a $60 premium; moving from 256GB to 512GB on the S25+ or Ultra was $120. Those are U.S. storage-tier price differences, not the reported ₩15,400 Korean increase. Samsung’s March 2025 U.S. MSRP file documents the configurations and prices.
Rank #4
- SAMSUNG Galaxy S25+ Cell Phone, 512GB AI Smartphone, Unlocked Android, AI Camera, Fast Processor, ProScaler Display, Long Battery Life, 2025, BlueBlack (Renewed)
Europe and other markets: check local pricing
Pre-launch European reporting was not uniform. A leaked retail listing cited by Tom’s Guide suggested prices including €964.90 for the 128GB S25, €1,026.90 for its 256GB version, and €1,151.90 for a 512GB version; it also listed higher-capacity S25+ and Ultra configurations. Other coverage said European prices could remain close to S24 levels. Android Authority’s coverage of the regional leaks likewise cautioned that pricing could vary by market.
A leaked retailer price is not the same as an official Samsung price. Nor does a UK storage option establish that the same configuration was sold in the U.S.: Samsung’s UK product information, for example, listed the base S25 with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. For a purchase decision, use the official local launch or product listing and the retailer’s actual current price rather than converting the Korean figure or relying on a pre-launch leak. Samsung’s UK launch information covers its market separately.
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Is 512GB worth paying for?
Storage cannot be expanded with a microSD card on the Galaxy S25 family, so the capacity you buy is effectively fixed. A free upgrade during an eligible promotion can make 512GB the easy choice; without one, weigh the extra cost against how you actually use your phone.
- Consider 512GB if you record a lot of 4K or 8K video, keep large games or offline media on the phone, expect to own it for several years, or prefer not to manage cloud storage and backups.
- 256GB is likely enough if you mostly stream, use cloud photo backup, take ordinary photos and short videos, and replace your phone every two or three years. It may also be the better value when the 512GB premium remains large after discounts and trade-ins.
Compare the net checkout price, not just the advertised upgrade value. Carrier bill credits can require a qualifying line or continued installments, and retailer offers may have different eligibility or stock limits. If you rely on cloud storage, consider its recurring cost and your need for connectivity; if you back up to an external drive, factor in the drive’s cost and the extra file-management steps.
Launch MSRP is not today’s street price
The figures above explain the launch-era report and official U.S. MSRP references; they are not a quote for a phone available now. Samsung’s later U.S. MSRP file, dated March 2026, still lists examples such as the S25 256GB at $859.99, S25+ 512GB at $1,119.99, and S25 Ultra 512GB at $1,419.99, while marking some S25 entries end-of-life. Remaining-stock prices and availability can differ substantially. Samsung’s March 2026 MSRP file is a reference record, not a live retailer quote.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
