Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra: A Comprehensive Flagship Comparison

As two successive generations of Samsung's flagship series, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra maintain their premium positioning while showing clear iterative differences in design, hardware, and features. In this post, we'll break down the differences between these two devices across multiple dimensions.

Basics and Pricing: Slight Adjustments in Positioning

Both models follow Samsung's usual flagship release cycle:

  • S24 Ultra: Released January 31, 2024, announced January 17, 2024

  • S25 Ultra: Released February 7, 2025, announced January 22, 2025

The one-year gap aligns with users' expectations for flagship upgrades.

Pricing and Storage Options

  • S24 Ultra: MSRP $1,300 / €1,449

  • S25 Ultra: MSRP $1,299 / €1,449

Storage configurations are identical:

  • 12GB + 256GB

  • 12GB + 512GB ($1,420)

  • 12GB + 1TB ($1,660)

Samsung keeps a stable premium pricing strategy across the series.

Design and Feel: A Slimmer Titanium Flagship

Both models feature a titanium frame with a glass back, but the S25 Ultra is slimmer and more comfortable to hold.

Dimensions and Weight

Model Dimensions (in/mm) Camera Bump Weight
S24 Ultra 6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 (≈162.3 x 79 x 8.6) 0.37 in (9.5 mm) 233 g
S25 Ultra 6.41 x 3.06 x 0.32 (≈162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2) 0.36 in (9.1 mm) 218 g

Materials and Colors

  • Back glass: S25 Ultra upgraded to Armor 2, more scratch- and drop-resistant

  • Frame: Titanium on both models

  • Colors: S24 Ultra offers 7 options, S25 Ultra simplified to 4 for a more understated look

  • Both support the S Pen and IP68 dust and water resistance

Display: Slightly Larger with Minor Quality Improvements

  • S24 Ultra: 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED, 89.12% screen-to-body ratio

  • S25 Ultra: 6.9", 90.30% screen-to-body ratio

Both support 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and a peak brightness of 2600 nits.

Resolution and Protection

Model Resolution Pixel Density Glass Protection
S24 Ultra 3088 x 1440 501 PPI Corning Gorilla Glass
S25 Ultra 3120 x 1440 498 PPI Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2

Measured Performance

  • Minimum brightness: S25 Ultra 0.8 (better for night use)

  • Maximum brightness (20% APL): S25 Ultra 2,373 nits (clearer under sunlight)

Hardware and Performance: A Leap Forward

Core Chipset

Model Chip Process CPU Architecture
S24 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4nm 1x3.39GHz + 5x3.1GHz + 2x2.2GHz
S25 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy 3nm 2x4.47GHz + 6x3.53GHz

Benchmark Performance

  • GeekBench 6: S25 Ultra single-core 3137 / multi-core 9769 (≈43%-46% improvement over S24 Ultra)

  • 3DMark High Load: 6208 (25% higher than S24 Ultra)

Other hardware remains the same: 12GB LPDDR5X + UFS 4.0, Android 14 / 15, both promise up to 7 system updates.

Battery and Endurance: Efficiency Gains at the Same Capacity

  • Battery: 5,000 mAh

  • Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, reverse wireless

Measured Battery Improvements (S25 Ultra vs. S24 Ultra):

  • Overall battery life: +21 min

  • Browsing: +43 min

  • Video: +36 min

  • Gaming: +28 min

The more efficient chipset extends real-world usage across scenarios.

Camera: Upgraded Ultra-Wide, More Balanced Performance

  • Both have quad-camera setups, but S25 Ultra’s ultra-wide sees a major upgrade.

  • Ultra-wide: S24 Ultra 12MP → S25 Ultra 50MP (317% increase, f/1.9 aperture)

  • Other lenses: 200MP main, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x periscope telephoto

  • Front camera: 12MP, supports 4K video

Measured Scores

  • Overall: S25 Ultra 158 (S24 Ultra 156)

  • Photo: 165 (S24 Ultra 162)

  • Video: 150 (S24 Ultra 151)

Connectivity and Other Features

  • Bluetooth: 5.3 → 5.4

  • Wi-Fi: Both support 6/6E/7

  • 5G / LTE: S25 Ultra adds extra bands for better coverage

  • Other: Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint, NFC, UWB, aptX / aptX HD; no 3.5mm headphone jack

Noticeable Iteration, S25 Ultra Worth Waiting For

The S25 Ultra brings meaningful upgrades:

  • Slimmer body, better feel in hand

  • Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset offers significant performance boost

  • Upgraded ultra-wide camera for more balanced photography

  • Improved energy efficiency enhances battery life

If you already own an S24 Ultra and your daily needs are met, upgrading isn't urgent. But for new buyers, the S25 Ultra’s enhancements in performance, camera, and feel make it the better choice.

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