Synology DS1525+ overview
Not two weeks ago, Synology started to release their new X25 series of NAS models starting with the new DS925+ (4-bay version).
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Overview article of the new DS925+ 4-bay NAS
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Overview article of the new DS1825+ 8-bay NAS
Today, we got not one but two new X25 models. The 5-bay version, DS1525+, and the 8-bay larger brother, the DS1825+.
The global launch of this model is scheduled for the end of the month, beginning today in the APAC regions. Unlike the DS925+, which
surprised some users with the removal of the 10G expansion option, the DS1525+ includes all features.
Its capable performance, compact size, and versatile configuration options make it ideal for IT enthusiasts, creative professionals, and businesses of various sizes
Before we dive into a comprehensive review later on (separate article), let's quickly explore this model and identify the changes compared to the previous version, the DS1522+, of this 5-bay NAS.
: Specifications
Similar to the DS925+ and its predecessor, the DS923+, which had minimal differences in hardware specifications, this model appears to follow the same pattern—at least initially.
The most significant change is again at the rear of the device, similar to the DS925+, with the upgrade from a dual-core to a quad-core AMD CPU.
The new DS1525+ is equipped with a familiar AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core CPU @2.2GHz, retaining the same 8GB of ECC RAM as before (expandable to 32GB), but features fewer network ports than its predecessor.
While the DS1522+ had four 1GbE ports, the DS1525+ aligns with the other X25 models by including a dual 2.5GbE network interface.
As before, the NAS includes a single proprietary PCIe expansion slot, allowing for an upgrade with Synology's 10GbE network interface. Being a DS1525+, it can accommodate up to 15 drives (either 2.5" or 3.5") through new dual USB-C expansion ports, which can be utilized with the new DX525 5-bay expansion unit.
The following links are 2023 reviews of the DS723+ and DS923+ and their 10G speed test
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For more 10G speed results be sure to visit the DS723+/DS923+ reviews on how well these small NAS boxes running the same CPU and 10G adapter perform
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10G speed tests with DS923+
Beyond these updates, the rest of the specifications remain unchanged from the previous version. Weighing around 2.7 kg without drives and offering a 3-year warranty (extendable up to 5 years with Extended Warranty Plus), this revision of the popular 5-bay model provides a range of features suitable for home, enthusiast, and business use.
The DS1525+ offers intuitive and comprehensive file management, media organization, and backup options right out of the box
As previously mentioned, the DS1525+ will be available worldwide by the end of the month, priced similarly to the current DS1522+, at approximately €730 (including tax), although this may vary by region.
: Synology and 3rd party drive support
Based on the official information that was announced on April 16th, the following changes are in effect.
Düsseldorf – April 16, 2025 – Following the success of the High-Performance series, the company is now increasingly relying on Synology’s own storage media for the Plus series models, which will be released starting in 2025. Users will thus benefit from higher performance, increased reliability, and more efficient support. “With our proprietary hard drive solution, we have already seen significant benefits for our customers in a variety of deployment scenarios,” said Chad Chiang, Managing Director of Synology GmbH and Synology UK. “By expanding our integrated ecosystem to the Plus series, we aim to provide all users—from home users to small businesses—with the highest levels of security and performance, while also offering significantly more efficient support.”
For users, this means that starting with the Plus series models released in 2025, only Synology’s own hard drives and third-party hard drives certified according to Synology’s specifications will be compatible and offer the full range of functions and support.
There will be no changes for Plus models released up to and including 2024 (excluding the XS Plus series and rack models). Furthermore, migrating hard drives from the existing Synology NAS to a new Plus model will continue to be possible without restrictions. The use of compatible and unlisted hard drives will be subject to certain restrictions in the future, such as pool creation and support for issues and failures caused by the use of incompatible storage media. Volume-wide deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic hard drive firmware updates will only be available for Synology hard drives in the future. Tight integration of Synology NAS systems and hard drives reduces compatibility issues and increases system reliability and performance. At the same time, firmware updates and security patches can be deployed more efficiently, ensuring a high level of data security and more efficient support for Synology customers.
This means that on day one of the release, no official 3rd-party drive will be supported unless they have passed the certification. How the certification of 3rd-party drives will go remains to be seen, but we can see that Synology drives will not be, in fact, exclusive.
For the DS1525+, Synology supports all 3.5", 2.5", and a comprehensive list of NVMe drives. Additionally, due to recent policy changes, drives migrated from an earlier model will also function, although they may operate with limited features.
Another note to point out is that this new policy is affecting the HDD lineup of drives, not SSDs. Meaning that while 3rd party SSDs will be unverified they will still be usable.
The up-to-date 2025 policy is also explained in more detail in the Synology KB article on the following link.
Synology Inc.
Unlike the two and four-bay versions of the latest 2025 models, this all-encompassing device is an ideal starting point for those seeking enhanced on-device power and increased network throughput, particularly with 10G capabilities.
A more detailed review will be provided once the device becomes available, if not sooner.
