Synology DS925+ Released

The Synology DS925+ is a 4 bay NAS, which will be replacing the still pretty new, DS923+. Overall the unit has a few new features including the much awaited addition of built in 2.5GbE networking. This has been very long awaited.

But the unit also brings with it a hard drive requirement which requires only synology compatible hard drives, which has been a huge step back from previous allowances.

Overall the DS925+ is a DS923+ with a few hardware improvements (including a new USB-C expansion bay) and new software lockdowns

The DS925+ has really 4 major changes to its hardware:

• Upgraded CPU (AMD Ryzen V1500 -> AMD Ryzen V1500B)
• Upgraded Network ports (1-2.5GbE)
• New USB-C connection for DX525 expansion unit
• Missing the PCIe Upgrade port for 10GBE

Of this list the thing that I am by far the most excited about is synology finally defaulting to 2.5GbE ethernet! This is something that I know everyone has been waiting on, and while it did come at the cost not including the optional 10GbE add in card, for a 4 bay NAS this will not be missed by most people. Though it does make it a poor unit to put SSDs in

The DS925+ is the first of the Synology 2025 models, and with it comes the new hard drive requirements. Synology will be requiring only Synology Commutable drives on each of their 2025 + models. This means that buying off the shelf drives that are not on the compatibility list, will cause you issues, though the full extent is waiting to be seen.

Synology has stated that there will be a compatibility list of third party drives, but that has yet to be seen:

It should be noted that the DS923+ does not have the ability to upgrade to 10GbE, but given the built in 2.5GbE network ports, this likely will not be missed by most users buying a 4 bay HDD NAS unit, however it does start to matter with larger units such as a DS1525+

While official MSRP has not yet been seen, it is is expected that the DS925+ will have the same $599 USD MSRP as the DS923+

I have yet to receive my unit for review, so only time will tell how this unit is. Overall in a vacuum, and without the 2025 hard drive lock in, this unit would be a welcome upgrade. Some users will miss the ability to upgrade to 10GbE, but those users generally should get a larger NAS with more horsepower. While the majority of users will appreciate the 2.5GbE built in and everyone will enjoy the CPU bump.

However we do not live in a vacuum and the hard drive lock in is going to leave users with a bad taste in their mouths, especially ones who buy without reading reviews first