In this article, we will provide an in-depth comparison of the Samsung S24 Ultra and the Samsung S25 Ultra, focusing on design, performance, display, camera, battery, and new features.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra series has been at the forefront of smartphone innovation, offering cutting-edge technology and premium features. The Samsung S24 Ultra, released earlier in 2024, was heralded as a high-end flagship with superior performance, camera capabilities, and an impressive display. Now, with the release of the Samsung S25 Ultra, users are eager to know how it compares to its predecessor and whether it’s worth upgrading.
1. Design and Build Quality
Samsung S24 Ultra:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra maintains Samsung’s iconic premium design, featuring a sleek glass front and back with a sturdy aluminium frame. The phone’s dimensions offer a balance between a large display and a comfortable grip. It has IP68 water and dust resistance, ensuring durability for daily use.
The S24 Ultra also boasts curved edges, making it visually appealing and comfortable to hold, while still being robust. The camera module remains neatly arranged on the back, with lenses flush with the surface, preventing any noticeable camera bumps.
Samsung S25 Ultra:
The Samsung S25 Ultra builds on the design language of the S24 Ultra but introduces subtle refinements. While the core design elements, such as the glass and aluminium construction and IP68 rating, remain, the S25 Ultra is slightly slimmer and lighter, making it easier to handle despite its large screen size. The camera module has been redesigned for a more modern look, with less prominent lenses that sit more flush with the back panel.
image credit:Gsmarena & Oneleaks
One of the key design improvements in the Samsung S25 Ultra is the integration of recycled materials in the construction, aligning with Samsung’s ongoing sustainability efforts. This gives the S25 Ultra an eco-friendlier edge, appealing to environmentally-conscious consumers.
Verdict: Both phones are beautifully designed, but the S25 Ultra offers slight improvements in weight and environmental sustainability, making it a more refined option.
2. Display
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display offers a QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440), providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and impressive clarity. The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and an excellent gaming experience. HDR10+ support enhances video playback quality, making it perfect for streaming.
The S24 Ultra’s display is one of its standout features, offering excellent brightness levels and outdoor visibility.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
The S25 Ultra takes the display experience to the next level with its upgraded 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 3X display. It retains the 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution but introduces an adaptive refresh rate that can drop down to 1Hz to conserve battery when static content is displayed. This not only improves battery life but also makes for a smoother user experience. The S25 Ultra also introduces improved peak brightness, making it easier to view under direct sunlight.
Samsung has also enhanced the display’s color accuracy and responsiveness, making it even more suitable for content creators, gamers, and multimedia enthusiasts.
Verdict: The S25 Ultra wins in this category, with a slightly larger, more advanced display, offering better power efficiency and enhanced brightness.
3. Performance
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
The S24 Ultra is powered by the Exynos 2400 (global variant) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in select markets like the U.S.). It comes with up to 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. The S24 Ultra delivers outstanding performance, handling multitasking, gaming, and heavy apps with ease. Its advanced cooling system ensures that the phone remains cool during intensive tasks.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
The Samsung S25 Ultra is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, offering even faster performance than its predecessor. Along with up to 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 2TB, the S25 Ultra is designed to handle even more demanding applications and workflows. The new chipset brings faster AI processing, improved graphics performance, and better power efficiency.
Samsung has also introduced enhanced AI-based performance optimizations in the S25 Ultra, allowing it to intelligently manage tasks and prioritize apps, further improving speed and responsiveness.
Verdict: The S25 Ultra has a clear performance edge thanks to its newer processor, more RAM, and smarter optimizations.
4. Camera System
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
The S24 Ultra’s camera system is one of its strongest features, boasting a 200MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom capabilities. It also features 100x Space Zoom and advanced image processing, allowing for incredible detail, even in low-light conditions. The camera is ideal for photography enthusiasts and videographers alike.
The S24 Ultra’s video recording capabilities are top-notch, supporting 8K video at 30fps, along with multiple shooting modes like Pro Video, Super Slow-mo, and Director’s View.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
Samsung takes the camera game up a notch with the Samsung S25 Ultra, introducing an improved 250MP primary sensor. This larger sensor captures more light, resulting in brighter, clearer images, even in challenging lighting conditions. The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses have also seen improvements, with more refined image stabilization and faster focusing.
The S25 Ultra enhances its Space Zoom feature, offering sharper images at higher zoom levels, making it even more versatile for long-distance photography. The 8K video recording capability remains, but the S25 Ultra introduces improved frame rate stabilization and AI-based enhancements for better dynamic range in videos.
Verdict: While the S24 Ultra already offers an impressive camera setup, the S25 Ultra pushes the boundaries further with its upgraded sensors and better zoom and stabilization technology.
5. Battery Life and Charging
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
The S24 Ultra comes with a 5,000mAh battery, providing a full day of usage on a single charge. It supports 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. Battery life is solid, but heavy users may need to charge by the end of the day.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
The S25 Ultra retains the 5,000mAh battery but introduces more advanced power management through its adaptive display and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, offering improved battery efficiency. The result is longer battery life, especially during periods of light use. Additionally, the S25 Ultra supports faster 65W wired charging, making it one of the fastest-charging phones in its class.
Wireless charging remains at 15W, but the S25 Ultra’s reverse wireless charging is slightly faster than its predecessor.
Verdict: The S25 Ultra offers better battery life overall and faster charging, making it the more practical choice for heavy users.
6. Software and Features
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
The S24 Ultra shipped with Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI 6.0. It offers various Samsung-specific features like Samsung DeX for desktop-like functionality and support for the S Pen, which is stored in the body of the phone.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra:
The S25 Ultra launches with Android 15 and One UI 7.0. It introduces even more AI-powered features, improved customization options, and enhanced privacy controls. Samsung DeX is more seamless than ever, and the S Pen has been further refined for lower latency and more intuitive input. The S25 Ultra also comes with new software features tailored to the phone’s camera system, allowing for even more advanced editing and AI-based photography tools.
Verdict: The S25 Ultra comes with the latest software and enhanced features, making it more future-proof.
Conclusion
Both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are exceptional smartphones, but the S25 Ultra builds on the strengths of its predecessor with significant upgrades in performance, camera quality, display, and battery life. While the S24 Ultra remains a fantastic device, the improvements in the S25 Ultra make it a more attractive option for users seeking the latest in mobile technology. For those who prioritize cutting-edge performance, camera innovation, and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the clear choice.
Arthur is a senior member of the communications team who has worked at several well-known companies over the past 10 years. As a writer with many years of experience in the technology sector, focusing on reviewing mobile phones and accessories, he has written about many products or has been hands-on with them at some point
