What Are Synology NAS Product Refreshes and What is Synology’s Logic?

When Synology introduces a new wave of NAS devices, it’s easy to assume that each new model is a significant leap forward. However, many of these launches are better classified as product refreshes, not entirely new product lines. This distinction matters. A refresh typically reuses a core hardware platform—such as the chassis, CPU, or layout—but includes modest updates like better network interfaces, more memory, or small component shifts. In 2025, Synology rolled out one of its broadest refresh cycles in years, affecting models across their two-bay, four-bay, five-bay, and eight-bay portfolios. Understanding what a refresh actually is helps users make more informed decisions, especially when evaluating whether to upgrade or wait.

Synology refreshes its products for a few practical reasons. First, component availability and pricing change over time. CPUs and other hardware elements that were once expensive or reserved for high-tier models often become more affordable, making them suitable for use in lower-tier devices. For example, the AMD V1500B processor, once exclusive to mid-tier and enterprise NAS systems, has trickled down into several 2025 refreshes like the DS925+ and DS1525+. Similarly, market-wide transitions—such as the shift from 1GbE to 2.5GbE—are reflected in these updates, allowing Synology to modernize existing models while keeping their manufacturing costs and prices relatively stable.

One of the key things that sets a refresh apart from a brand-new NAS model is Synology’s commitment to product tier consistency. Devices like the DS725+, DS425+, or DS1825+ aren’t being built to reinvent the wheel. Instead, they exist to preserve the price-to-performance balance that their predecessors established in the Synology product lineup. By holding onto the same CPU, expanding RAM slightly, and upgrading network ports from 1GbE to 2.5GbE, Synology keeps these NAS solutions within their traditional target audience—be it home users, prosumers, or small businesses. The physical design and key feature sets are familiar, and that’s deliberate. Refreshes aim to improve what already works, not redefine the category.

It’s also worth recognizing that Synology’s product refreshes are not aimed at recent buyers. If you just picked up a DS723+ or DS923+ last year, you are not the intended audience for the DS725+ or DS925+. Instead, these refreshes are aimed at users still running a DS216+, DS416, or DS1813+—users who are five to ten years deep into their existing systems. For them, the new hardware represents a meaningful leap forward, even if it looks modest on paper. When you compare a DS916+ to a DS925+, the differences in memory, CPU threads, M.2 caching, and DSM features become much more pronounced.

Pricing also plays a central role in Synology’s refresh strategy. For the most part, Synology tries to keep prices stable across generations, despite inflation and rising manufacturing costs. For example, the DS425+ and DS225+ refreshes, though modest in their hardware upgrades (mainly 2.5GbE LAN replacing 1GbE), still aim to hit the same price points as their DS423+ and DS224+ predecessors. This can make refreshes seem less appealing to new buyers comparing specs on a chart, but it serves long-term users who value Synology’s software ecosystem, consistent performance, and extended support.

One notable outlier in Synology’s refresh strategy is the continued use of the Intel Celeron J4125 processor, particularly in models like the DS425+, DS225+, and DS625slim. Despite Synology’s tendency to update hardware every 2–3 years based on market trends and component availability, the J4125—originally launched in 2019—feels increasingly outdated in 2025. Intel itself has moved away from the Celeron/J-series naming convention entirely, transitioning to more efficient and capable platforms like Alder Lake-N and N-series processors. This shift highlights just how long in the tooth the J4125 has become. With no support for newer instruction sets, lower efficiency compared to modern equivalents, and limited future compatibility, its continued presence in refreshed Synology NAS models stands in stark contrast to the broader trend of hardware advancement. While Synology has prioritized price consistency and DSM support, the persistence of this older CPU dampens the appeal of these refreshes for new buyers who expect more current internals at a similar price point.

Another important factor is Synology’s software-first development model. Their NAS hardware isn’t meant to push technical limits but rather serve as a stable, reliable platform for DSM (DiskStation Manager). That’s why even in refreshes, the focus is on compatibility and long-term support over flashy specs. Synology has made this clear through product cycles like the DS1825+, which retains the same CPU as the DS1821+ but gains 2.5GbE and better memory configuration—supporting the increasing demands of DSM applications without needing an overhaul of the entire system.

In summary, a product refresh in Synology’s ecosystem is not a groundbreaking redesign, but a thoughtful, incremental update within an established product profile. These refreshes ensure the long-term viability of key NAS tiers while adapting to evolving market standards like 2.5GbE, more demanding software workloads, or new expansion options. For long-time users, they offer an accessible upgrade path. For newcomers, they may seem underwhelming on paper. But in either case, they represent a balancing act between hardware, price, and software synergy, which has long been Synology’s model—whether you agree with it or not.

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Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – Get It Right, FIRST TIME!

When Synology releases a new NAS in its “Plus” lineup, users often expect a blend of practical improvements, long-term support, and a reasonable upgrade path from the previous generation. The Synology DS1825+ arrives in 2025 as the official successor to the 2020/2021-released DS1821+, carrying over much of the same core design while introducing selective enhancements—and a few contentious changes. Both are 8-bay desktop NAS systems targeted at advanced home users, small businesses, and content creators who need multi-user access, flexible RAID configurations, and extensive app support. However, while the DS1821+ was praised for its broad compatibility and modular connectivity, the DS1825+ adopts a more tightly controlled hardware ecosystem. In this comparison, we break down the key differences across hardware, ports, storage capabilities, DSM software features, and drive compatibility so you can decide which model truly fits your long-term needs—without second-guessing your choice later.

Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – Internal Hardware

At the center of both the Synology DS1821+ and DS1825+ is the AMD Ryzen V1500B processor, a 4-core, 8-thread embedded SoC with a 64-bit architecture and a base frequency of 2.2 GHz. This chip, built on the Zen architecture, offers a balance of power efficiency and multi-threaded performance suited for environments with simultaneous multi-user file access, virtual machines, and complex RAID configurations. Synology’s decision to retain the same processor in the DS1825+ reflects confidence in its reliability and capability. However, for users hoping for a jump to Zen 2 or Zen 3-based hardware, the lack of a CPU upgrade could be a disappointment—especially considering that competing vendors have started adopting newer architectures for their mid-range systems. Still, for typical NAS tasks that do not involve on-the-fly 4K video transcoding or GPU-heavy operations, the V1500B remains a stable and effective platform with AES-NI encryption support and virtualization compatibility across VMware, Hyper-V, and Docker workloads.

Thermal and power characteristics between the two systems remain largely consistent, with both featuring dual 120mm fans and an internal 250W PSU that can handle full drive loads with expansion units attached. The DS1821+ and DS1825+ are also nearly identical in physical size and structure, though the newer model has a slightly higher idle noise level—23.8 dB(A) versus 22.2 dB(A)—due to denser internal configuration and possibly fan speed curve adjustments. From an operational standpoint, the DS1825+ is marginally more power-efficient in idle states, consuming just 18.34W during HDD hibernation compared to 26.18W in the DS1821+. These marginal differences suggest a refinement in system tuning, although not a radical redesign. Overall, while the DS1825+ doesn’t revolutionize internal hardware, its doubled memory and subtle optimizations give it the edge for users planning to push DSM with multiple services or those who prefer an upgrade-free deployment experience.

Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – Ports and Connections

One of the most tangible areas of differentiation between the DS1821+ and DS1825+ lies in their external connectivity. The older DS1821+ is equipped with four 1GbE RJ-45 LAN ports, a familiar configuration that supports link aggregation and network redundancy. This setup was common in Synology’s mid-range lineup during its 2020–2022 releases, offering a total aggregated bandwidth of up to 4Gbps—assuming your switch infrastructure supports it. For many small business users, this array of ports provided simple flexibility: you could dedicate individual ports for different services or bond them for faster file transfers. However, in practice, 1GbE is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for modern workloads, especially in environments with large raw video files, database access, or multiple users performing high-speed backups.

Beyond networking, the DS1825+ introduces a notable change in expansion port design. The DS1821+ includes two eSATA ports for attaching Synology DX517 expansion units, which align with legacy expansion practices. In contrast, the DS1825+ replaces these with two USB-C-based expansion ports, designed specifically for use with the newer DX525 expansion units. While this doesn’t directly affect day-to-day operations, it signals a move toward a USB-based proprietary interface for future expansion, likely with more streamlined cabling and higher throughput potential. Additionally, the DS1825+ trims down from four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports to three, a minor trade-off that may impact users with multiple USB-connected devices such as UPS units or backup drives. Still, for most users, the improved network and expansion standards make the DS1825+ more forward-looking, even if it reduces legacy connectivity options found on the DS1821+.

Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – Storage

Both the DS1821+ and DS1825+ offer eight front-facing SATA drive bays, supporting 3.5″ HDDs and 2.5″ SSDs, with hot-swappable trays for easy maintenance and upgrades. On the surface, storage capacity and configuration appear nearly identical: both models can scale up to 18 total drives using two Synology expansion units and support RAID levels including SHR, RAID 5, 6, and 10. This makes either system a viable choice for users with large datasets, whether for media, surveillance, or business-critical file hosting. However, subtle distinctions in how storage can be configured and expanded in each model make a significant difference over time.

Storage Feature	Synology DS1821+	Synology DS1825+
Drive Bays	8 × 3.5″/2.5″ SATA (hot-swappable)	8 × 3.5″/2.5″ SATA (hot-swappable)
Max Drive Bays (with Expansion)	18 (via 2 × DX517)	18 (via 2 × DX525)
M.2 NVMe Slots	2 × M.2 2280 (cache only, 3rd-party SSDs allowed)	2 × M.2 2280 (cache or storage pools, Synology-only SSDs)
Max Single Volume Size	108 TB	200 TB (requires 32 GB RAM)
Max Internal Volumes	64	32
Supported RAID Types	SHR, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10	SHR, JBOD, RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10
Third-Party HDD/SSD Support	Fully supported (with warnings)	Blocked at install/init if not verified
Storage Pool Creation with Unverified Drives	Allowed	Blocked
Storage Pool Expansion (Unverified Drives)	Supported	Blocked
RAID Recovery with Unverified Drives	Supported	Blocked
Hot Spare (Unverified Drives)	Supported	Blocked
Storage Manager Behavior (Unverified Drives)	Warnings shown, but system fully functional	Persistent alerts, some functions disabled

The DS1825+ supports storage pools using its two internal M.2 NVMe slots, something the DS1821+ does not. On the older model, those slots are limited strictly to SSD caching, and even then, Synology allowed users to use third-party NVMe drives for read/write acceleration. In the DS1825+, Synology enables users to form full storage pools using M.2 SSDs—but only if those SSDs are from Synology’s own SNV3400 or SNV3410 series. This adds flexibility in theory, especially for users interested in all-flash configurations or high-speed tiers, but restricts user choice in practice. The DS1821+ offers more freedom in selecting SSDs and hard drives, with only non-blocking warning messages when using unverified models, while the DS1825+ actively blocks storage pool creation and system initialization with unlisted drives.

This tightening of compatibility extends into pool expansion, RAID rebuilds, and even hot spare assignments. In the DS1821+, users could freely mix third-party drives and expand pools over time using available or similarly specced HDDs—even those not on the official compatibility list. The DS1825+ takes a stricter approach: attempts to initialize DSM with unverified HDDs will fail, and pool expansion or RAID recovery with unsupported drives is outright blocked. While existing volumes from older NAS systems can still be migrated and booted, they will trigger persistent compatibility warnings in DSM, often with degraded system health indicators. This shift may offer Synology more control over performance validation and support consistency, but it limits flexibility for users relying on diverse or existing storage media—making the DS1821+ a better option for those with a mix-and-match approach, and the DS1825+ more suitable for fully standardized Synology deployments.

Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – DSM Capabilities

Both the DS1821+ and DS1825+ are powered by Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.2 operating system, offering access to a rich suite of applications for file management, backup, surveillance, virtualization, and cloud syncing. Core tools such as Synology Drive and Synology Photos provide a private cloud alternative to services like Google Drive or Dropbox, while packages like Hyper Backup and Active Backup for Business enable full-system and client-based data protection strategies. These services run similarly on both systems, but hardware differences can influence practical performance. For example, the DS1825+ ships with 8 GB of ECC memory by default, making it more responsive when running multiple DSM apps in parallel—such as Snapshot Replication combined with Virtual Machine Manager and Drive Client Sync. In contrast, the DS1821+ ships with 4 GB of memory, which may require an upgrade before achieving similar multitasking fluidity, especially in environments with more than a few simultaneous users.

DSM Feature / Capability	Synology DS1821+	Synology DS1825+
DSM Version	DSM 7.2+	DSM 7.2+
Max Internal Volumes	64	32 ▼ Reduced
Max Single Volume Size	108 TB	200 TB (requires 32 GB RAM) ▲ Increased
Snapshot Replication	256 per shared folder / 4,096 total system snapshots	256 per shared folder / 4,096 total system snapshots
Virtual Machine Manager (VMM)	Up to 8 VM / Virtual DSM instances	Up to 8 VM / Virtual DSM instances
Surveillance Station	Up to 40 cameras / 4K / 1,200 FPS (H.265)	Up to 40 cameras / 4K / 1,200 FPS (H.265)
Synology Drive Users	Up to 110 users ▲ Higher	Up to 100 users ▼ Lower
Synology Office Users	Up to 110 concurrent users ▲ Higher	Up to 100 concurrent users ▼ Lower
Hybrid Share Folder Support	10	10
High Availability Support	Yes	Yes
RAID Recovery (with unverified drives)	Supported	Blocked
Hot Spare / Expansion (unverified drives)	Supported	Blocked
Storage Manager (Unverified Drives)	Warnings only, system fully functional	Persistent alerts, functions blocked
M.2 NVMe Storage Pools	Not supported	Supported (Synology NVMe SSDs only)
M.2 NVMe Caching with 3rd-party SSDs	Supported	Blocked
Protocols Supported	SMB1/2/3, NFSv3/v4, FTP, WebDAV, Rsync, iSCSI, HTTP/HTTPS, LDAP	SMB1/2/3, NFSv3/v4, FTP, WebDAV, Rsync, iSCSI, HTTP/HTTPS, LDAP

Differences emerge in how each system handles volume structure and scaling. The DS1821+ supports up to 64 internal volumes, giving it an advantage in deployments where users need to segregate workloads—for instance, separating surveillance footage, shared team folders, user home directories, and VM storage into distinct volumes for quota management and performance tuning. This flexibility makes the DS1821+ better suited for educational institutions or small business IT teams who manage multiple user groups and need clear storage separation. The DS1825+, on the other hand, limits internal volumes to 32 but increases the maximum single-volume size to 200 TB (with 32 GB RAM installed). This makes it better aligned with large, contiguous workloads like uncompressed 4K video editing archives, security footage retention for legal compliance, or massive CAD/CAM datasets—all of which benefit more from fewer, larger volumes than from numerous smaller ones.

Service limits within DSM also subtly differentiate the two models. The DS1821+ is rated for up to 110 concurrent users in Synology Drive and Office, whereas the DS1825+ recommends a slightly lower threshold of 100 users. While the difference is marginal, it may reflect the DS1825+’s tighter memory tuning or more restrictive compatibility model, which now relies on verified Synology storage media for optimal performance. For example, in environments running Synology Office with real-time collaborative editing—paired with Drive, MailPlus, and external file sharing through WebDAV—the DS1821+ might offer more flexibility when loaded with third-party high-performance SSDs for caching. The DS1825+, restricted to Synology’s own SNV3400/3410 NVMe drives, demands tighter ecosystem compliance, which could affect responsiveness if storage performance becomes a bottleneck. Nonetheless, both models offer full support for advanced DSM modules like Synology High Availability, SAN Manager, and Hybrid Share, ensuring that users deploying in mission-critical environments still have access to the high-availability and hybrid cloud features that define Synology’s enterprise-ready platform.

Synology DS1825+ vs DS1821+ NAS Comparison – Conclusion

Choosing between the Synology DS1825+ and DS1821+ comes down to whether you prioritize modern hardware refinements or broader long-term flexibility. The DS1825+ introduces subtle but meaningful upgrades: faster 2.5GbE connectivity, double the base memory, and NVMe storage pool support—features that clearly position it as the more forward-thinking choice for users committed to staying within the Synology ecosystem. However, these improvements come with tighter restrictions, most notably in its rigid drive compatibility policy. DSM cannot be installed unless only Synology-verified drives are used, and the system actively blocks unverified drives from being used in storage pools, RAID rebuilds, or even hot spare configurations. In contrast, the DS1821+ offers more freedom—supporting a wider range of HDDs and SSDs, allowing RAID recovery and expansion with non-Synology drives, and presenting a cleaner, less obstructive DSM experience when migrating from older hardware. While it may lack the newer model’s out-of-the-box performance gains, its open-ended architecture gives users—especially those with legacy drives or mixed environments—more breathing room. For users building a NAS from scratch and willing to adopt Synology’s closed hardware ecosystem, the DS1825+ is a capable and streamlined solution. But for those looking to extend the life of existing hardware or retain control over their storage media choices, the DS1821+ remains the more versatile and user-friendly option.

Aspect	Synology DS1821+	Synology DS1825+
Pros	– Full support for 3rd-party drives (HDDs & SSDs)	– Higher default RAM (8 GB ECC pre-installed)
	– Supports RAID recovery, expansion, and hot spares with unverified drives	– 2.5GbE networking (faster out-of-the-box performance)
	– More flexible for DIY and legacy system migrations	– NVMe storage pool support (Synology SSDs only)
	– Supports more internal volumes (up to 64)	– USB-C expansion ports with newer DX525 units
	– Better choice for mixed-brand or cost-conscious deployments	– Improved volume scaling (up to 200TB per volume with RAM upgrade)
Cons	– Older network setup (1GbE x4, slower unless aggregated)	– Strict drive compatibility enforcement (Synology-only drives required)
	– No NVMe storage pool support	– Blocks DSM install with unverified drives
	– Lower default memory (4 GB, upgrade likely needed for advanced workloads)	– Fewer internal volumes supported (32 max)
		– Persistent system warnings when migrating existing arrays with non-Synology drives
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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

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If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

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