Galaxy S24+ Vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

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Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:£654.00

Versus £1,249.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, 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 operate on the Android platform and offer a premium experience, the S25 Ultra distinguishes itself with a larger form factor, a more advanced camera system, and integrated S Pen functionality. The S24 Plus provides a balanced option for users seeking a high-performance device without the Ultra's specialized features.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are designed for extended usability, benefiting from Samsung's commitment to long-term software support.

  • Software Longevity: Both devices are promised seven years of major Android operating system upgrades and security updates. This means the Galaxy S24 Plus, launched with Android 14, is expected to receive updates until 2031, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which shipped with Android 15, will continue to receive support until 2032.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an Armor Aluminum 2 frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection, offering robust resistance against drops and scratches. The Galaxy S25 Ultra elevates this with a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back, providing enhanced resilience. Both models carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating protection against immersion in fresh water.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus received high repairability scores from some independent assessments, noting features like easily replaceable batteries with pull tabs. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also shows improvements in repairability, particularly with its battery design and modular camera components, earning a provisional score of 5 out of 10 from iFixit. However, screen replacement remains a complex procedure for both devices.

Year of Release

2024

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy S24 Plus and S25 Ultra cater to demanding applications and multitasking, though the newer Ultra model incorporates a more recent generation of processing technology.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, enabling smooth operation for everyday tasks, gaming, and demanding applications. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a next-generation processor, specifically optimized for the Galaxy series, which translates to enhanced speed and efficiency, particularly for intensive tasks and advanced AI features.
  • Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer substantial RAM, with the S24 Plus typically featuring 12GB, and the S25 Ultra offering 12GB or 16GB options, facilitating seamless app switching and background processes. Storage options for both models range from 256GB to 512GB, with the S25 Ultra also providing a 1TB variant, accommodating extensive media libraries and applications.
  • Battery Endurance: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, providing ample power for a full day of typical usage. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a larger 5000 mAh battery, which, combined with its more efficient processor, generally offers extended battery life, especially for heavy users.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and S25 Ultra deliver high-quality visual experiences, though the Ultra model offers a slightly larger display and potentially more advanced panel technology.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, offering an even more expansive viewing area. Both displays support HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and color accuracy.
  • Resolution and Brightness: Both models offer a sharp QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in crisp text and detailed images. Peak brightness levels reach 2600 nits on both devices, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Refresh Rate: Both the S24 Plus and S25 Ultra feature an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz. This dynamic adjustment contributes to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations while conserving battery life when high refresh rates are not needed.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1440x3120

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both the Galaxy S24 Plus and S25 Ultra are capable of capturing high-quality images and videos, with the S25 Ultra offering a more versatile and advanced setup, particularly in telephoto capabilities.

  • Main Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a triple-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a quad-camera array, highlighted by a 200MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an additional 50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom.
  • Photography Features: The S25 Ultra's higher resolution sensors and additional telephoto lens provide greater flexibility for capturing distant subjects and more detailed wide-angle shots. Both phones offer strong low-light performance, though the S25 Ultra's larger main sensor and advanced processing may yield slightly brighter and less noisy images in very dark conditions.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 8K video recording at up to 30 frames per second. For selfies and video calls, both the S24 Plus and S25 Ultra feature a 12MP front-facing camera.

Front camera

12 megapixels

12

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The S24 Plus includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, while the S25 Ultra upgrades to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, with the S25 Ultra potentially supporting faster USB 3.2/4.0 standards.
  • Dimensions and Handling: The Galaxy S24 Plus measures 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs 196g, offering a comfortable balance of screen size and portability. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a larger and heavier device at 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm and 218g, which may impact one-handed use but provides a more expansive display.
  • Unique Features: The Galaxy S25 Ultra integrates the S Pen, offering precise input for note-taking, drawing, and navigation, a feature not present on the S24 Plus. Both devices include in-display fingerprint sensors for secure authentication.

Weight

197 g

233 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

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

User feedback for both the Galaxy S24 Plus and S25 Ultra generally highlights their strengths in different areas. The S24 Plus is often praised for its balanced size, strong performance for its category, and excellent display, making it a solid choice for everyday users who want a premium experience without the largest form factor. Criticisms, when present, sometimes touch on its battery life compared to the Ultra models, though it remains robust for most.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra receives acclaim for its cutting-edge camera system, particularly its versatile zoom capabilities, and its powerful processing, which handles intensive tasks with ease. The integrated S Pen is a significant draw for users who value productivity and creative input. Some users note its larger size and weight as a potential consideration for those preferring a more compact device.

Users prioritizing a more compact yet powerful device with excellent all-around performance and a long software support window may find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its balanced features make it a reliable daily driver. Conversely, users who require the most advanced camera technology, a larger display for media consumption or productivity, and the unique functionality of the S Pen will likely lean towards the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This device caters to power users, creative professionals, and those who desire the absolute latest in mobile technology. Both models offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking premium devices.

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