In the tech world, we often encounter minor upgrades annually, but the contrast between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is striking. Here’s everything you need to know.

Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: Clash of the Titans [Video]

From a hardware standpoint, the differences between the Galaxy S24 and S25 series are minimal. Most people aren’t likely to consider replacing their flagship phone merely a year after purchase. However, attractive trade-in offers or upgrade plans might provide compelling reasons to make the switch.

If you find yourself interested, continue reading, but don’t anticipate significant differences between the Galaxy S24 and S25 Ultra this year.

Hardware and Design

Two noticeable changes in the hardware of the Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra are the design and display. Apart from that, the underlying technology remains consistent.

This consistency has both upsides and downsides. The revised shape and reduced dimensions result in thinner bezels and an expanded display area, while the flatter design improves usability. Additionally, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is 14 grams lighter than its predecessor, at 218 grams compared to 232 grams.

This weight reduction, though it seems minor, becomes apparent when you hold both devices. However, the sharper corners may feel uncomfortable, so a protective case is advisable. Fortunately, the overall lighter design advantages remain beneficial, even with a case.

As for the displays, aside from a nearly imperceptible increase to 6.9 inches and slightly thinner bezels, they are quite comparable. Both models feature advanced anti-glare coatings, impressive peak brightness, and excellent in-display fingerprint scanners, making them top choices for mobile displays.

The S25 Ultra’s entirely flat screen gives it an advantage over the S24 Ultra, which has a slight bezel where the display meets the edge of the frame. This might seem trivial, but it could present a vulnerability in case of drops. Moreover, despite the slight discomfort with the sharper corners, the S25 Ultra’s design makes it easier to grip, with or without a case.

Another design alteration includes the S Pen, which has been slightly downsized in the S25 Ultra due to the removal of certain features and Bluetooth connectivity. As a result, it now serves solely as a traditional stylus, losing some hands-free capabilities. If these features are essential to you, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the better option.

Software and Performance

The core components of both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra are largely the same, apart from the anticipated performance enhancement from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to Snapdragon 8 Elite. This may lead to some misunderstandings concerning the actual improvements in user experience.

Users can expect a similar overall experience when utilizing various features of One UI 7, which is still in its Beta phase for the S24 series as of February 2025. When performing routine tasks, differences between the two models are nearly imperceptible. However, users may notice performance boosts with tasks that leverage AI capabilities, specifically with the S25 Ultra’s multimodal functions.

This advanced capability allows the device to handle multiple on-device requests simultaneously, ultimately enhancing the user experience, albeit currently limited to Samsung applications.

If AI functionalities are not a priority for you, this brand-specific toolset will have little impact on how you utilize either the Galaxy S24 Ultra or S25 Ultra. While the stable release of One UI 7 is not yet universal for all S24 models, users can expect significant improvements to the interface, offering a smoother and refined experience. Features like the Now Bar introduce passive AI functionalities and reboot the Live Activities concept for the lock screen.

With the forthcoming Android 15, the S24 series is expected to feel even more fluid, enhancing usability as it transitions toward the S25 lineup. However, changes may not be highly noticeable once the update extends to a broader audience.

Regarding performance, the updated chipset will yield minor enhancements except in activities demanding substantial CPU and GPU resources, including gaming, which should deliver a more enjoyable experience thanks to an improved thermal management system in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both devices can handle high-performance emulation, making them appealing choices for gaming enthusiasts.

A key reason to retain the earlier model is that it will continue receiving OS updates for six years. Both phones are promised seven years of updates, ensuring long-term support for users.

Camera

The camera specifications show minimal changes, with Samsung incorporating new lens covers and upgrading to a 50MP ultrawide lens. Other than that, the camera systems are identical, boasting a 200MP primary sensor, a 10MP 3x optical periscope lens, and a 50MP 10x optical lens. The S24 Ultra features a 12MP ultrawide, while the S25 Ultra has made the shift to a 50MP ultrawide sensor.

With the chipset upgrade, image processing may experience enhancements through new algorithms focusing on better sharpness and reduced motion blur and noise. However, the improvements may be subtle, with only slight visual differences when examining images from both models side by side. Even the upgraded ultrawide does not produce a significant enhancement. Some incremental adjustments are evident, but most users might struggle to identify the differences in photos, including selfies.

This similarity carries into video performance as well. Under certain low-light conditions, the Galaxy S24 Ultra appears to outperform the S25 Ultra. These discrepancies might stem from minor tuning variations that allow for a more natural video quality on the newer device.

Battery

Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra share identical 5,000mAh batteries, including their charging technology. Users will find 45W wired, 15W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging capabilities. Expect approximately one hour for a full charge from 0-100% with a compatible charger.

Samsung smartphones have consistently excelled in battery longevity. For those actively gaming or recording videos and photos, the Galaxy S25 Ultra can provide extended usage times. Both devices are excellent for heavy usage scenarios.

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: Is there Enough Change?

About Upgrading: 9to5Google frequently offers tailored product recommendations. However, we may advise against upgrading for various reasons, including increased costs, minor performance improvements, or environmental considerations. Your decision to upgrade is ultimately personal, and our goal is to empower you with the best information possible.

Aside from the design enhancements, the differences between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra are minimal. Prospective buyers should only consider upgrading if they can secure a remarkable trade-in offer or are enticed by new color options. The differences are negligible, and users may miss some of the S Pen’s wireless functionalities.

While it may seem unnecessary to state, the older the device, the more significant the upgrade experience tends to be when moving to a new model. The Galaxy S25 Ultra represents one of the smallest advancements in the Android spectrum in recent years. Beyond a new design, the only substantial modification is to the ultrawide camera. From a technological standpoint, the absence of extensive upgrades is underwhelming.

Some critics could argue that Samsung has strayed from impactful innovation recently, especially due to the lack of strong competition in North America, with only OnePlus 13 posing a potential threat on paper. This lack of competition has resulted in smaller changes than we’ve seen in the past, somewhat diminishing the appeal of a generally high-performing flagship Samsung Galaxy device.

If you are set on acquiring the Galaxy S25 Ultra, various retailers offer it, including Samsung.com, Amazon (with a $200 gift card), Best Buy, and major carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.