Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S25 Ultra
A wave of eye-catching features launched with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, impressing with its exciting technology and AI advancements. If you have an S24 Ultra or are simply curious how it compares to the S25 Ultra, our comparison guide unpacks the key differences between each handset to help you decide which is the right one for your needs.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra are available on contract or SIM-only in a variety of colour options, so you can easily pick a handset based on your preferred style.
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Dimensions – 77.6 x 162.8 x 8.2mm
• Weight – 218g
• OS – Android 15
• Display – 6.9” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Resolution – 3120 x 1440
• Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
• RAM – 12GB
• Storage – 256GB/512GB/1TB
• Rear cameras – 50MP ultra-wide; 200MP wide; 50MP telephoto 1; 10MP telephoto 2
• Front camera - 12MP
• Battery – 5,000mAh
• Water and dust resistance – IP68
• Connectivity – Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.3; 5G
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Dimensions - 79 x 162.3 x 8.6mm
• Weight - 232g
• OS - Android 14
• Display - 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• Resolution - 3120 x 1440
• Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• RAM - 12GB
• Storage - 128GB/256GB/1TB
• Rear cameras - 200MP wide; 12MP ultra-wide; 10MP & 50MP telephoto
• Front camera - 12MP
• Battery - 5,000 mAh
• Water and dust resistance - IP68
• Connectivity - Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.3; 5G
Design
The sleek design of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra replicates that of its predecessor, with rounded edges, a titanium frame, and glass front & back. Despite following in its footsteps, the S25 Ultra is actually slimmer than the S24 Ultra, shifting from a width of 79mm to 77.6mm. This might not sound substantial, but a reduction of almost 2mm can make a phone feel less cumbersome, so this gives the S25 Ultra a slight advantage if size is a concern for you.
Five cameras grace the rear of the phone, with the largest three lenses running vertically and two smaller lenses down the inside. This camera cluster arrangement has been an integral part of the S range for several years, and both phones follow this design; no change on that front.
What does change moving from the S24 Ultra to S25 Ultra is weight, with the latter handset feeling considerably lighter at 218g compared to the S24 Ultra’s 232g. From a design perspective, this is one of the biggest differences between the two and makes it easier to recommend the S25 Ultra as a travel companion.
Display
Although only slight, the display size of the Galaxy S25 Ultra saw an increase in comparison to the S24 Ultra. The switch from 6.8” to 6.9” on the Dynamic AMOLED 2x QHD+ screen is minimal, yet it makes for striking visuals when streaming or gaming. Alongside a dynamic 1-120Hz refresh rate - the same as that on the S24 Ultra - the S25 Ultra provides a smooth and speedy experience, albeit one that is extremely similar to its predecessor. Both phones also support the S Pen for a tablet-like experience and enhanced productivity.
Protected by Corning Gorilla Armor and IP68 protection, the S25 Ultra is not only durable but possesses anti-reflective properties for viewing outdoors. If the worry of damage is important to your purchase decision, it’s worth noting that the S25 Ultra has Gorilla Glass Armor 2, giving it an extra protective advantage.
Performance
The S24 Ultra was leading the way with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy CPU, and whilst it remains an excellent processor, the S25 Ultra takes the crown. With the faster Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, the S25 Ultra can handle heavier gaming sessions and streaming thanks to truly exceptional processing speeds.
This handset is nothing short of a gamer’s dream, with advanced ray tracing for ultra-realistic 3D graphics. The S24 Ultra is capable of similar results, but the S25 Ultra is the phone of choice if you want to push the boat out.
Software
The core focus of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lies in Galaxy AI, which is integrated into every aspect of the handset. The Now Brief feature is unique to the S25 Ultra, which personalises content and sends updates throughout the day on things you want to see, whether it’s news, events or messages. This doesn’t mean the S24 Ultra is lacking when it comes to AI, though, as both handsets support Call and Chat Assist for transcribing and translating conversations to make communication more accessible, as well as the Circle to Search feature; simply circle the image or piece of text on your screen to start a web search.
With such a vast number of AI features on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra, both are a great option for those wanting to experiment with artificial intelligence.
Cameras
In a dramatic upgrade, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra moved on to a 50MP ultra-wide camera, alongside 200MP wide, 50MP telephoto 1 and 10MP telephoto 2 lenses. The S24 Ultra is an excellent camera phone and really impressed us in previous analysis, but going from 12MP to 50MP is a pretty significant leap.
Camera software on the Galaxy S25 Ultra further sets this handset apart. The enhancements to Galaxy AI brought with it a wealth of features to enhance camera and editing capabilities, such as the Next Gen ProVisual Engine that makes images pop and come to life, Nightography for improved shots in low-light, and Audio Eraser to remove background noise from your videos for undisturbed sound.
Battery
Battery life is one area on the S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra where there’s very little difference between the two. Both share a 5,000mAh battery with Fast Charging support, so you can get through most of the day on either device before needing to recharge.
Summary
The Galaxy S25 Ultra packs in several enhancements that build on the superb foundations of the S24 Ultra. The choice of which to buy ultimately comes down to your needs: do you require the absolute best that Samsung has to offer, or are you happy without the improved camera array and CPU?
Whether you decide to move from the S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra, or you’re switching from a different Android handset, our handy expert guide can help you easily transfer your old data across.
FAQ’s
Should I buy the S25 Ultra or S24 Ultra?
If you want an improved camera experience and smoother performance, the S25 Ultra is the handset to choose. However, if you don’t use your phone much for photography, to play games, or to multitask between apps, the S24 Ultra is still an excellent device to go for.
What colours is the S25 Ultra available in?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Gray, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Black.