Samsung S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: The Ultimate Galaxy Comparison Guide (2025)

The Samsung Galaxy Ultra series still calls the shots in the smartphone world, but is it really worth upgrading from the S24 Ultra to the new S25 Ultra? After digging through the reviews of many professionals, the experiences of lots of users, and the long list of specs, we can tell you all the important details. Here’s everything you should know about both of these top-of-the-line models.

Samsung S25 Ultra Review: What’s Actually New?

CNET’s Patrick Holland rated the S25 Ultra 9.2 out of 10. He named it “the best screen on any phone” but also pointed out that “AI features are hit-or-miss.” The S25 Ultra is, without a doubt, Samsung’s most refined Ultra device to date, but the enhancement here is far more evolutionary than revolutionary.

Essential advancements encompass:

• 6.9-inch display (up from 6.8-inch on S24 Ultra) with anti-reflective coating
• 50MP ultrawide camera (massive upgrade from 12MP)
• Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
• Rounded corners for better ergonomics
• 15 grams lighter than S24 Ultra

“The Galaxy S25 Ultra is lighter and more comfortable to hold, but also about as exciting to look at as someone wearing a pair of Dockers and a polo shirt.” – Patrick Holland, CNET

PCMag’s Iyaz Akhtar awarded it 4.5/5 stars and Editor’s Choice, praising its “class-leading performance” and “most innovative AI features we’ve seen in a phone.”

S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra Camera: Photography Powerhouse Showdown

The camera system sees the most significant hardware upgrade with the S25 Ultra’s new 50MP ultrawide lens. Both phones share identical main, telephoto, and front cameras, but the ultrawide tells a different story.

The improved ultrawide delivers dramatically better detail and macro photography capabilities. Professional reviews consistently highlight this as the standout improvement, with enhanced texture capture and reduced distortion.

Galaxy S25 Ultra Specs That Matter Most

Both devices are spec monsters, but the S25 Ultra pulls ahead in processing power:

Specification	S24 Ultra	S25 Ultra
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy	Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Display	6.8″ 3,120×1,440	6.9″ 3,120×1,440
RAM	12GB	12GB
Weight	233g	218g
Battery	5,000mAh	5,000mAh
Starting Price	€1,300	€1,300

Benchmark results show dramatic performance gains:

• Geekbench 6: S25 Ultra scored 3,053 single-core vs S24 Ultra’s 2,202
• Multi-core: S25 Ultra’s 9,707 vs S24 Ultra’s 6,721
• Graphics: 40% improvement in 3DMark tests

Samsung Ultra Comparison 2025: Performance & Gaming

The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in the S25 Ultra delivers what PCMag calls “absolutely elite” performance. Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the 40% larger vapor chamber for better thermal management.

Real-world gaming performance shows the S25 Ultra maintaining consistent frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact, with PCMag noting: “Playing the resource-intensive Genshin Impact for more than 15 minutes raised the temperature… though the phone remained comfortable to hold. The gameplay and animations were silky smooth.”

Reddit user feedback on the S25 Ultra’s performance has been overwhelmingly positive, with one user commenting: “The size of videos when unfolded is definitely bigger on the fold7 when I tried it store” – though this comment was about the Fold series, similar enthusiasm appears in S25 Ultra discussions.

S24 Ultra Battery Life vs S25 Ultra: Real-World Testing

Despite identical 5,000mAh batteries, the S25 Ultra’s more efficient processor should theoretically provide better battery life. However, CNET’s testing showed minimal improvement:

The difference is negligible, though the S25 Ultra charges slightly faster (65 minutes vs 80 minutes for full charge with 45W adapter).

Both phones support:

• 45W wired charging
• 15W wireless charging
• 4.5W reverse wireless charging

Samsung S25 Ultra Price: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

At €1,300, the S25 Ultra maintains the same launch price as its predecessor. However, market dynamics have changed:

“If you have a Galaxy S22 Ultra or older, the S25 Ultra will seem like a significant upgrade… for you S24 Ultra owners, you don’t need this phone. Save your money and treat yourself to a nice steak dinner and a movie.” – Patrick Holland, CNET

Galaxy S25 Ultra Features: AI and Software Improvements

One UI 7 brings the most significant software changes:

However, AI reliability remains inconsistent. CNET’s testing revealed amusing failures: when asked to identify a LinkedIn building lobby photo, Gemini confidently but incorrectly identified it as “the Miner Auditorium at the de Young Museum” – which doesn’t exist.

The Verdict: Samsung S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra

The S25 Ultra represents peak Android engineering, but for most users, the improvements don’t justify upgrading from the S24 Ultra. As PCMag concluded: “The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the best Android phone you can buy right now” – but that doesn’t mean everyone needs to buy it.

The sweet spot might be waiting for deeper S24 Ultra discounts or considering the more affordable S25 models that deliver remarkably similar experiences.

---

Best prices

undefined

	Product	Prices
	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 12 Gb 256 Gb 5000 mAh Zwart, Titanium	€1,784.00
	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 12 Gb 512 Gb 5000 mAh Zwart, Titanium	€1,285.00
	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 12 Gb 1 Tb 5000 mAh Zwart, Titanium	€1,949.00

Sources:

• CNET Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
• PCMag Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
• Reddit Galaxy discussions