Samsung’s Ultra lineup is famous for pushing limits, and with the S25 Ultra now out, people are asking: is it worth the upgrade? The Samsung S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra debate is hotter than ever, especially for tech fans and serious mobile users. Both are high-end beasts packed with power, but how different are they really? We’ve tested, compared, and broken things down so you don’t have to.
Design
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mixing them up; they look very similar. But the S25 Ultra introduces slightly rounder corners, which might seem small, but actually makes the phone sit nicer in the hand. The S24 Ultra had sharper edges, which gave it a bold look but didn’t win points for comfort. On the back, the camera rings are now more prominent on the S25 Ultranot everyone will love that, but they do help protect the lenses. Both phones still have a premium, titanium frame, although the S25’s version is lighter and more refined.
Box Opening & Build Quality
Samsung’s minimalist box hasn’t changed. You get the phone, a USB-C cable, and the usual paperwork, no charger. When it comes to build, though, there’s been an upgrade. The S24 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2; the S25 Ultra jumps to Gorilla Armor 2, which feels a bit tougher and less reflective. Drop tests show a slight improvement, but both feel incredibly durable. The titanium on the S25 also makes the whole thing feel more premium.
Display & Resolution
Both devices feature top-tier AMOLED displays with adaptive 120Hz refresh rates, and they’re absolutely gorgeous. The S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch screen, while the S25 Ultra stretches it just a bit more to 6.9 inches. Bezels are trimmed slightly too. The resolution remains similar around 1440 x 3120but the S25 Ultra’s new LTPO 3.0 tech improves power efficiency and makes animations feel even smoother. Colors are punchy, blacks are deep, and outdoor brightness is solid on both, but the S25 handles reflections slightly better.
Speakers, Mics & Buttons
Audio gets a tiny bump on the S25 Ultra. The stereo speakers are a bit louder, with clearer separation between highs and mids. It’s not a huge jump, but you’ll notice it watching Netflix or gaming. Microphones also improve slightly with better noise separation when recording. Buttons are in the same spot, and they feel clicky and responsive on both models.
Build Details: Back, Sides, Bezels
From the back, the S25 Ultra maintains that clean, flat design. It’s minimal, matte, and doesn’t pick up many fingerprints. The camera rings are slightly thicker now, giving off a bolder look. The sides are more gently curved, so the phone feels less blocky in your palm. Bezels shrink down slightly on the S25, giving the screen more room to shine.
Fingerprint Sensor & Weight
Under-display fingerprint scanners are identical in terms of techQualcomm’s ultrasonic sensors, fast and reliable. Where the S25 Ultra gets an edge is weight. At 218 grams, it’s noticeably lighter than the 232g S24 Ultra, thanks to the improved titanium frame. You’ll definitely feel the difference in long-term use.
Camera Showdown: Ultra-Wide Surprise
Here’s where things get interesting. Both phones still have a 200MP main sensor, and it’s great in both. But the S25 Ultra makes a bold move: it swaps out the 10MP ultrawide for a 50MP one. That’s a huge leap in detail and makes macro shots incredibly sharp. Telephoto zoom remains: 3x and 5x optical on both. Night photos are better on the S25, especially in ultrawide mode. Selfies are similar (12MP), but video sees upgrades, with better HDR and new features like Log recording for serious content creators.
Photo, Video, Ultra-Wide & Macro Use
In day-to-day use, you’ll notice the S25 Ultra produces slightly more natural colors, while the S24 Ultra leans cooler. Video is smoother on the S25, with better stabilization and richer audio. There’s no standalone macro lens, but the 50MP ultrawide on the S25 acts as one and it does a better job than the S24’s setup. If you shoot close-up or landscape shots often, the S25 Ultra is clearly ahead.
Software: Galaxy AI Levels Up
Out of the box, the S24 Ultra runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1, while the S25 Ultra ships with Android 15 and One UI 7. The big news? AI. Both support Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search, Generative Edit, and Live Translate, but the S25 Ultra goes further. It gets exclusive tools like video background eraser, AI call transcription, and even real-time voice recording with summary. These features may eventually come to the S24, but they run smoother and faster on the newer chip.
Performance: Snapdragon Showdown
The S24 Ultra has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is already super fast. But the S25 Ultra introduces the Gen 4 (called “Snapdragon Elite Gen 1” in some markets), built on a 3nm process. The result? Around 30–35% better performance and significantly better heat management. Everyday use feels similar, but open 5–10 apps or edit 4K video, and the S25 Ultra keeps its cool while the S24 might warm up a bit.
Gaming & Heating
Gamers take note: the S25 Ultra runs cooler, longer. The larger vapor chamber really helps here. Frame rates are steady, and the phone doesn’t throttle as quickly under load. The S24 Ultra is no slouch, but it runs hotter in marathon sessions. Both support ray tracing, but it’s smoother on the S25 thanks to the stronger GPU.
Storage, RAM & Chipset
Storage options are mostly the same256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. But the S25 Ultra has faster UFS 4.0 across all models, and it starts with 16GB RAM compared to the 12GB on S24 Ultra. That extra memory matters if you’re running lots of background apps or switching between games and social apps quickly.
Battery Life, Charging & Backup
Both phones pack a 5,000mAh battery, but the S25 Ultra lasts longer about an hour or more in real-world usage. This is thanks to the more efficient chip and screen. Charging speeds remain the same: 45W wired, 15W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. One plus: the S25 Ultra now supports Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, a step toward MagSafe-style accessories on Android.
Battery Timing & Charging Time
Expect around 14 hours of screen time on the S25 Ultra, compared to 13 on the S24. Charging from 0 to 65% still takes about 30 minutes on both. The S25 Ultra uses newer battery tech designed for 2,000 full charge cycles, so it should age better over time.
Connectivity & SOS
Both phones support 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 7, and Ultra Wideband (UWB). The S25 Ultra upgrades Bluetooth to 5.4, offering better low-energy connectivity. USB-C speeds are identical with USB 3.2 support. Emergency SOS features exist on both, but the S25 Ultra adds a new feature that automatically starts video recording if an SOS is triggered, a small but potentially life-saving addition.
Colors & Finishes
The S24 Ultra offered shades like Titanium Black, Yellow, and Orange (online exclusive). The S25 Ultra takes a more refined route with colors like Silver Blue, Jade Green, and Pink Gold. It’s more elegant, less flashy. Both have matte finishes and resist fingerprints well.
Price & Value
Here’s the deal: the S25 Ultra starts at $1,199, just like the S24 Ultra did. But now you can find the S24 Ultra on sale for as low as $899, making it a great deal if you don’t need the latest AI tools or camera upgrades. The S25 Ultra is more future-proof, but the S24 Ultra gives you flagship performance at a discount.
Compare & Verdict
So in the Samsung S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra matchup, who wins? If you already own the S24 Ultra, there’s no huge reason to upgrade unless you care about photography or AI features. But if you’re coming from an older phone, the S25 Ultra is the better long-term buy. It’s lighter, smarter, cooler, and just that bit more polished in all the right places.
FAQs
Is the Samsung S25 Ultra really better than the S24 Ultra?
Yeah, in most ways it is. The S25 Ultra gives you better ultrawide photos, smarter AI tools, cooler performance, and a slightly lighter build. But the gap isn’t massive unless you’re into pro-level features.
Should I upgrade from the S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra?
Honestly, if you already have the S24 Ultra, you’re still rocking one of the best phones out there. Upgrade only if you’re after the newer AI tools or if the improved ultrawide camera really matters to you.
Does the S25 Ultra have better battery life than the S24 Ultra?
Yes thanks to a more efficient chip and screen tech, the S25 Ultra lasts about an hour longer with similar use. Not a game-changer, but noticeable.
Are there major camera differences between the two?
Definitely. The main sensor is the same, but the S25 Ultra has a new 50MP ultrawide lens, which takes sharper, more detailed shots especially noticeable in close-up and landscape photos.
How’s the gaming experience on both phones?
Both are excellent for gaming. But the S25 Ultra runs cooler for longer sessions, thanks to its upgraded chip and better thermal management. Less lag, less heat.
Which phone has better AI features?
The S25 Ultra. While the S24 Ultra supports Galaxy AI, the newer model offers more tools and smoother performance with them. Think real-time video summaries, AI call transcripts, and smarter editing.
Is the design of the S25 Ultra different from the S24 Ultra?
Slightly. The S25 has softer edges and a more comfortable grip. Not a total redesign, but enough to feel a bit nicer in hand.
What’s the weight difference?
The S25 Ultra is about 14g lighter than the S24 Ultra, thanks to a lighter titanium frame. You’ll feel it if you use the phone a lot during the day.
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