Galaxy S24 Vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:£273.00

Versus £817.67 new

See options
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:£647.00

Versus £1,249.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24, released in January 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in February 2025, represent different tiers within Samsung's flagship smartphone offerings. While both devices run on the Android operating system and offer a premium experience, the S25 Ultra distinguishes itself with a larger display, a more advanced camera system, and enhanced performance capabilities, catering to users with more demanding needs.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are designed for extended use, benefiting from Samsung's commitment to software support.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S24, released in early 2024, ships with Android 14, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra, released in early 2025, ships with Android 15. Both models are expected to receive up to seven years of major Android OS upgrades, ensuring they remain current with the latest features and security updates for a considerable period.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S24 has demonstrated a high repairability score of 9 out of 10, with features like easily removable battery pull tabs and accessible internal components. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, while showing improvements over previous Ultra models, received a provisional iFixit repairability score of 5 out of 10. It features easier battery swaps with pull tabs and a modular camera design, but screen removal can be challenging.
  • Build Materials: Both devices feature robust construction. The Galaxy S24 uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back with an aluminum frame. The Galaxy S25 Ultra steps up with Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back, coupled with a titanium frame, offering enhanced durability.

Year of Release

2024

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key area where these two devices cater to different user expectations, with the newer model offering a more robust experience for intensive tasks.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 is powered by a current-generation processor, which provides smooth operation for everyday applications, multitasking, and moderate gaming. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a newer, more advanced processor, designed to deliver significantly faster CPU, GPU, and AI performance, making it well-suited for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and complex AI tasks.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options up to 512GB. The Galaxy S25 Ultra generally includes 12GB of RAM in most regions, with some markets offering a 16GB option, and provides storage configurations up to 1TB, supporting more extensive multitasking and larger file storage.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24, with its 4000 mAh battery, offers approximately 1.5 days or 34 hours of typical use, performing well for communication tasks but consuming more power with camera or social media use. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, provides solid battery life, supporting its more powerful components and larger display for extended periods.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is vibrant, though the Ultra model provides a more expansive and refined display.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, offering a Quad HD+ resolution for sharper details.
  • Brightness and Clarity: Both devices achieve a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The S25 Ultra further enhances outdoor visibility with an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare.
  • Refresh Rate: Both models feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and responsive interactions.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440x3120

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both devices are capable, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a more versatile and advanced setup, particularly for zoom and ultrawide photography.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. The Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a quad-camera array, including a 200MP main sensor, a significantly upgraded 50MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens, providing greater flexibility and detail across zoom ranges.
  • Photography Performance: The S24 delivers good everyday photos with improved image processing for more natural colors, and its 3x optical zoom is effective. The S25 Ultra offers consistently sharper and less noisy photos, especially at 3x, 5x, and 10x zoom levels, and its new ultrawide sensor captures more detail.
  • Video Capabilities: Both phones support 8K video recording. The S25 Ultra introduces advanced video features like LOG capture, appealing to users who require more control over their video footage.

Front camera

12 megapixels

12

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate these smartphones, impacting daily usability and specialized functions.

  • Connectivity: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy S24 features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The newer Galaxy S25 Ultra upgrades to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, offering potentially faster wireless speeds and improved connection stability.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 is a more compact device, weighing 168g and measuring 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm, making it easier for one-handed use. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is larger and heavier at 218g and 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, but its refined design makes it feel comfortable to hold despite its size.
  • Unique Features: The Galaxy S25 Ultra integrates an S Pen, offering enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and navigation, though some advanced S Pen features like Bluetooth-powered Air Actions have been removed. Both phones feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Weight

167 g

233 g

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.9

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 Ultra cater to distinct user preferences within the premium smartphone market. Users frequently praise the Galaxy S24 for its compact size, comfortable handling, and strong repairability score, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a smaller device without significant compromises on performance for everyday tasks. Its battery life is generally considered good for its size, and the camera system delivers reliable results for most users.

Conversely, the Galaxy S25 Ultra receives acclaim for its expansive and vibrant display, its highly versatile and improved camera system, and its top-tier performance, which handles demanding applications and multitasking with ease. Users appreciate the integrated S Pen for productivity and the enhanced durability features. However, some users note its larger size and weight as a potential drawback for one-handed use. The S25 Ultra's camera, while excellent, is sometimes described as a modest update over its predecessor in certain aspects, though the ultrawide and telephoto improvements are recognized.

Users prioritizing a more compact form factor, excellent repairability, and solid all-around performance for daily use may find the Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Those who require the absolute latest in display technology, a highly advanced and versatile camera system, superior processing power for intensive tasks, and the functionality of an S Pen will likely lean towards the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Both devices offer a premium Android experience, and choosing a quality-assured refurbished option for either model presents an eco-friendly alternative for making an informed decision.

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