ULTRA SHOWDOWN: Samsung S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra – Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Introduction
Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra series has long been the gold standard for Android flagships, blending cutting-edge technology with premium design. With the 2025 release of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the tech giant aims to refine its formula further, but how does it stack up against its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra? This in-depth comparison dives into every critical aspect—design, performance, camera, battery life, and more—to help you decide whether to upgrade or save.

1. Design & Build: Slimmer, Lighter, but Familiar

The Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces subtle yet impactful design tweaks. Measuring 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm and weighing 218g, it’s 6% lighter and 0.4mm thinner than the S24 Ultra (232g, 8.6mm thick), making it more comfortable for prolonged use. Both models feature titanium frames, but the S25 Ultra upgrades to Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on the front, enhancing scratch resistance and reducing glare compared to the S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Armor.

The S25 Ultra also adopts softer, rounded corners and slimmer bezels, achieving a 92.5% screen-to-body ratio (vs. 88.5% on the S24 Ultra). While the IP68 rating remains unchanged, the S25 Ultra’s refined ergonomics cater to users prioritizing comfort without sacrificing durability.

Verdict: The S25 Ultra wins on ergonomics and display polish, but the S24 Ultra’s robust build still holds up well.

2. Display: Bigger Screen, Brighter Future

The S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (vs. 6.8-inch on the S24 Ultra), both offering QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels) and a 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Key upgrades include:

• 15% smaller bezels for a more immersive experience.
• ProScaler technology for sharper upscaling of lower-resolution content.
• 2600 nits peak brightness (same as S24 Ultra) but with improved anti-reflection coating.

While both screens are stellar, the S25 Ultra’s marginally larger canvas and enhanced clarity give it an edge for media enthusiasts.

3. Performance: Power Meets Efficiency

Under the hood, the S25 Ultra debuts the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a 3nm chip boasting 30% faster CPU and 37% faster GPU than the S24 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Benchmarks tell the story:

• AnTuTu 10: 2.26M (S25 Ultra) vs. 1.95M (S24 Ultra).
• Geekbench 6 Single-Core: 3,147 (S25) vs. 2,271 (S24).

The S25 Ultra also features a larger vapor chamber and advanced thermal materials, ensuring sustained performance during gaming or 8K video editing. While the S24 Ultra remains a powerhouse, the S25’s efficiency gains (thanks to the 3nm architecture) translate to 8% longer battery life in synthetic tests.

Verdict: Power users and gamers will appreciate the S25 Ultra’s raw speed, but the S24 Ultra is no slouch for everyday tasks.

4. Camera: Megapixels vs. Practicality

The camera showdown reveals nuanced trade-offs:

The S25 Ultra’s 50MP ultra-wide sensor captures 4x more detail in landscapes and low light, but its smaller pixels (0.7µm vs. 1.4µm) can struggle in dim conditions without computational aid. Meanwhile, both share identical 200MP main sensors and 5x periscope telephoto lenses, though the S25 Ultra’s ProVisual Engine enhances color accuracy and reduces over-sharpening.

Controversy Alert: Some reviewers note the S25 Ultra’s inconsistent autofocus in fast-paced scenarios, a rare step backward from the S24 Ultra’s reliability.

Verdict: The S25 Ultra excels in ultra-wide photography and video refinement, but the S24 Ultra remains a dependable all-rounder.

5. Battery & Charging: Small Gains, Big Stamina

Both phones pack a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. However, the S25 Ultra’s efficient chipset extends screen-on time:

• Video Playback: 31 hours (S25) vs. 30 hours (S24).
• Real-World Test: 12h 2m (S25 Ultra) vs. 8h 33m (S24 Ultra) in a stress test, though the latter’s older battery may skew results.

6. Software & Updates: Future-Proofing

The S25 Ultra launches with Android 15 and One UI 7, while the S24 Ultra runs Android 14 (upgradable to 15). Both promise 7 years of OS updates, ensuring long-term relevance. New AI features like Audio Eraser (S25 Ultra) and enhanced Galaxy AI tools refine productivity, though core functionalities overlap between the two.

7. Price & Value: Is Newer Always Better?

• S25 Ultra: Starts at $1,300 (pre-order).
• S24 Ultra: Now discounted to ~1,000–1,100.

For 200–300 less, the S24 Ultra delivers 90% of the S25 Ultra’s capabilities. However, photographers and power users might justify the premium for the S25 Ultra’s 50MP ultra-wide lens and Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Final Verdict: Who Should Upgrade?

• Choose the S25 Ultra If: You crave the latest tech, shoot ultra-wide frequently, or demand peak performance.
• Stick with the S24 Ultra If: You want flagship quality at a discount and can live without minor upgrades.

Samsung’s iterative approach means the S25 Ultra refines rather than revolutionizes. For most, the S24 Ultra remains a stellar choice—but for early adopters, the S25 Ultra’s polish is hard to resist.