When Samsung launches a new Galaxy S series, it’s always a bit of an event. The S series is one of the top phones on the market, and new releases are met with intrigue over the latest cameras, designs, and market-leading specs. But with the Galaxy S25 series, there’s something even bigger going on under the hood - and it’s all about AI.
Rather than just making things a little faster or a little flashier, Samsung’s Galaxy AI is changing the way we use our phones. It's about working smarter, not harder - and honestly, who doesn’t need a bit more of that in their life?
Here’s a closer look at how Samsung is putting AI front and centre with the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra - and why AI features are something you need to start noticing and using.
Galaxy AI: Smarts Built Right In
Most of us are familiar with AI and how it integrates into our favourite tech now, but if you’re not, and you’re picturing a robot voice telling you what to do, relax - Galaxy AI isn’t like that.
Instead, it’s all about smart, helpful features that fit seamlessly into the apps and tasks you already use every day. No big learning curve.
Think of it like having a really good personal assistant in your pocket - one that doesn’t judge your dodgy selfie angles, or how you had to use the calculator to double check your 7 times tables.
And the best part? A lot of Galaxy AI’s magic happens right on the device itself, so it’s fast, private, and always ready to go.
Why On-Device AI Matters
Let’s face it, every tech manufacturer seems to be going on and on about AI right now, but what really makes Galaxy AI stand out is how much of it happens directly on your phone. This AI is ready to go, and all you have to do is jump on board.
What does that mean exactly? Faster responses, better privacy, and no annoying loading screens when you’re trying to get stuff done.
Whether you’re editing photos, translating a call, or generating a new wallpaper, most tasks don’t need to ping off to the cloud and back. Your Galaxy S25 phone handles it then and there, keeping things smooth, secure, and lightning quick.
It’s one of those behind-the-scenes differences that you feel, even if you don’t always notice it, and once you get used to it, there’s no going back.
Break the Language Barrier with Live Translate
We’ve all been there - trying to order food overseas, asking for directions, or just calling someone whose first language isn’t English, and just not getting anywhere.
Samsung’s Live Translate feature has been designed to jump in and save the day (and you from embarrassment). It translates phone calls in real time, right inside the native Phone app. You speak, and they hear it in their language. They reply, you hear it in yours.
It’s like having a personal interpreter on call at all times. Oh, and it works for text and in-person interactions too!
No third-party apps. No awkward back-and-forth. Just smooth conversations, even across different languages.
If you’re a traveller, have international family or friends, or just want to impress someone, this is one of those ‘once you’ve tried it, you can’t go back’ features.
Smarter Photos, Endless Possibilities
Picture this: you take the perfect shot... and later spot someone pulling a weird face in the background. Classic.
With the Galaxy S25 series, those little photo bombs - and any other unwanted extras - are no longer a big deal.
Photo Assist gives you AI-powered tools that can:
Erase unwanted objects
Remove reflections and shadows
Reframe and adjust your shot after the fact
Turn a quick doodle into a realistic image with Sketch to Image
Or create a whole new scene using Generative Edit
It’s like having your own mini photo studio (and creative suite), minus the confusing software and expensive gear.
Whether it’s fixing up your own selfies, nudging your mates closer together in group shots (without them knowing), or getting creative with your edits just because you can - the AI Photo Assist tool on the Galaxy S25 series make your memories look exactly the way you want them to… not the way they accidentally turned out.
Upgraded Notetaking
If you’re like most, chances are your current notes app is full of half-finished lists and random thoughts. While there’s no harm in a good brain dump from time to time, when it’s time to actually get things done, a little structure can go a long way.
That’s where Note Assist comes in - and on the Galaxy S25 series, it’s not just helpful. It’s a full-on productivity upgrade.
With Galaxy AI Note Assist, your phone can now summarise long notes, suggest titles, and even auto-format messy blocks of text into something that actually looks legible (and possibly even intelligent). Suddenly, you’re not just saving thoughts - you’re actually keeping track of them.
Got messy handwriting? No worries - the S Pen’s AI handwriting recognition can convert your scrawl into neat text, while also correcting spelling and grammar as it goes. It’s like your scribbles go through a secret editor before anyone else sees them.
And if you’re more of a voice-note person, Transcript Assist will turn those rambles into tidy, searchable text - so you’re not stuck rewinding three times to figure out what you meant by “that thing from earlier”. Honestly, voice recordings can, sometimes, be the worst.
There’s also PDF translation, in-person conversation translation (you might recognise that from earlier), and even smart Note Covers that help you visually organise everything at a glance. It’s ideal for students juggling various subjects, professionals managing multiple projects, or anyone whose brain runs a little faster than their fingers can type.
Bonus: the same AI smarts also apply to your messages and emails. So, you’ll be skimming the important bits faster than ever before.
Customisation Gets a Boost with AI Wallpapers
Not every AI feature has to be serious, right? In fact, many AI features, like the Photo Assist we spoke about earlier, are designed to add a bit of fun to your day-to-day life.
Sometimes you just want your phone to look cooler than everyone else's.
With the Galaxy S25 series, you can now generate custom AI wallpapers based on simple prompts. Want a neon city? A mythical forest? A cat dressed as an astronaut? The choice is yours.
The possibilities are almost endless, and it’s a super fun way to make your device feel truly yours.
Small detail? Sure. But if your screen time is 5 hours a day, it’s the little things that can make your day feel special.
Why Galaxy AI Actually Matters
It’s easy to think of AI as a buzzword - something that gets thrown around because it sounds cool.
But with Galaxy AI, Samsung’s not just giving you fancy tech for tech’s sake. They’re making real-life tasks easier, faster, and kind of fun.
This is AI that saves you time. AI that fixes the little annoyances. AI that quietly helps behind the scenes until a time where it’s become just another part of your day, something you can’t go without.
And because it’s built into the apps you already use - from your camera to your phone calls to your notes - you don’t have to change the way you use your phone. It just works better.
Smarter, Faster, and Way More Fun
If you’re already sold (understandable), we’ve actually only scratched the surface. The Galaxy S25 series is packed with so many more clever little tools that pop up exactly when you need them. There’s Circle to Search, which lets you Google anything on your screen just by circling it with your finger, there’s Now Brief, which learns about you and delivers personalised briefings throughout the day, Now Bar, which displays handy information on your lock screen, and much more. It’s all about saving time, reducing friction, and letting you focus on what actually matters - whether that’s smashing through work or spiralling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole at lunch (or during work!).
The Galaxy S25 series isn’t just about bigger screens, faster chips, or fancier cameras - although, yes, it delivers all of that too. It’s about making your everyday life that little bit smarter and smoother, courtesy of Galaxy AI.
From Live Translate to magic photo edits to note-taking that actually makes sense, Galaxy AI brings something genuinely fresh to the table.
If you’re ready for a phone that doesn’t just keep up with you but actually helps you out along the way, the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra are definitely worth checking out.
Explore the full Galaxy S25 Series here - and see how smart your next phone could be.
This article was created in a paid partnership with Samsung New Zealand.
