The first two months of 2025 marked an exciting start for smartphone enthusiasts in Nepal, as Samsung and OnePlus unveiled their latest flagship models in the market. The arrival of the Samsung S25 series and the OnePlus 13 has intensified competition in the premium smartphone segment, which had already heated up a few months earlier with the launch of the iPhone 16 series. The first two months of 2025 marked an exciting start for smartphone enthusiasts in Nepal, as Samsung and OnePlus introduced their latest flagship models to the local market. The launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and the OnePlus 13 has further intensified competition in the premium smartphone segment, which had already seen a surge in activity with the release of the iPhone 16 series a few months prior.

Here we present specifications of these phones.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung’s premium flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, boasts a stunning 6.9-inch QHD+ LTPO display with a refresh rate that dynamically adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz and an impressive peak brightness of 2,600 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility. Unlike its boxier predecessors, this model embraces rounded edges and features Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass on both the front and back, reinforced with a titanium frame. The device comes in four color options - Black, Gray, Silver Blue and White Silver.

On the camera front, the S25 Ultra features a 200MP wide-angle lens, a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom and a 50MP ultra wide lens. The 12MP front camera ensures high-quality selfies and smooth video calls. For videographers, the device supports professional-grade recording in LOG mode, offering 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the phone delivers exceptional performance for multitasking and gaming. It offers up to 16GB of RAM and a massive 1TB of storage. The 5,000 mAh battery supports 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Running on One UI 7, based on Android 15, Samsung has promised seven years of software and security updates on the new phones.

Galaxy S25+

Positioned between the standard S25 and the Ultra, the Galaxy S25+ sports a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with 1440p+ resolution and an adaptive 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate. Its Armor Aluminum frame, crafted from recycled materials, offers durability while maintaining an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the S25+ delivers 37% faster CPU performance, 30% better GPU efficiency, and a 40% improvement in AI processing, according to the company. It comes with 12GB of RAM and offers 256GB or 512GB of storage.

To enhance thermal efficiency, the device includes a larger vapor chamber for better cooling. The 4,900 mAh battery provides all-day power, with 45W wired fast charging reaching 65% in just 30 minutes. The camera setup mirrors that of the Galaxy S25, featuring a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto lens (3x zoom), and a 12MP ultra wide lens.

Like the Ultra, the S25+ runs One UI 7 on Android 15 and will receive seven years of software and security updates.

Galaxy S25

The entry-level Galaxy S25 comes with a 6.2-inch 1080p+ LTPO OLED display and 120 Hz refresh rate. It is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, and features an Armor Aluminum frame made from recycled materials while maintaining an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Like its siblings, it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offering 37% improved CPU performance, 30% better GPU efficiency, and a 40% faster Neural Processing Unit (NPU). It includes 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB.

The camera system consists of a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. A 12MP front camera ensures sharp selfies. It also supports 10-bit HDR video recording and offers improved low-light video capabilities. The 4,000 mAh battery supports 25W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) and 15W Qi wireless charging for all-day reliability.

OnePlus 13

OnePlus launched its OnePlus 13 smartphone in the Nepali market on February 5, 2025, offering a single 16GB/512GB variant priced at Rs 1 41,999. The phone boasts a sleek, minimalist design, with a refined camera island and enhanced durability, featuring IP68 and IP69 ratings—a significant improvement over the OnePlus 12’s IP65 rating.

The 6.82-inch BOE X2 OLED display features 8T LTPO technology, delivering QHD resolution and an incredible peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The slightly shorter and wider form factor provides a more comfortable grip, while the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor ensures fast and secure unlocking.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor offers a 45% increase in CPU performance and a 44% boost in efficiency. The Adreno 830 GPU provides a 40% performance improvement, making it a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking.

The camera system, developed in partnership with Hasselblad, features three 50MP sensors, 50MP Sony LYT-808 primary sensor (OIS, f/1.6), 50MP periscope telephoto lens (3x optical zoom, 120x digital zoom, OIS) and 50MP Samsung JN5 ultrawide lens. On the front, the 32MP selfie camera delivers sharp and vibrant images.

The phone is powered by a 6,000 mAh Silicon Carbide battery which supports 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging. Despite its large battery, it can reach 50% in just 13 minutes and fully charge in 36 minutes.

(This report was originally published in  March 2025   issue of New Business Age Magazine.)