Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra picks up where the Galaxy S24 Ultra left off. If you only read one line, make it this: the Galaxy S25 Ultra takes 2 of 6 compared areas, and the performance gap is the one to look at first.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S25 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Tie
- Display7.0
- Performance5.6
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera4.5
- Battery & Charging2.8
- Display6.9
- Performance5.9
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera5.5
- Battery & Charging2.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 0.49 oz lighter build
Close, but not identical: the Galaxy S25 Ultra lists 7.69 oz and the Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 8.18 oz. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide
On ultra-wide camera, the Galaxy S25 Ultra posts 50 MP against 12 MP for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a newer 3 nm chip process
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 3 nm for the Galaxy S25 Ultra versus 4 nm for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
-
The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 0.02 in slimmer body
The gap on thickness is slim (0.32 in against 0.34 in), yet it tips toward the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 6.39 in × 3.11 in × 0.34 in
- Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.41 in × 3.06 in × 0.32 in
Neither is the “big one” here; the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are matched on size. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is 0.49 oz lighter, making the Galaxy S24 Ultra the heftier of the two. A thickness gap of 0.02 in separates them, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra on the thin side.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 3.11 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | 7.69 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Display
Too close to call
Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra cover display equally well on paper. Either phone will serve you equally well on display.
Performance
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes performance by a nose. Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra and you get a newer 3 nm chip process. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict. On performance alone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra gets the nod.
Process node
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 4 nm Galaxy S25 Ultra: 3 nm A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on memory & storage; the numbers are close throughout. Don’t let memory & storage decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Camera
Galaxy S25 Ultra leads
Slight edge to the Galaxy S25 Ultra on camera. Most buyers could live happily with either. The Galaxy S25 Ultra steps ahead thanks to a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide. Ultra-wide cameras often lag behind the main one, so the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s higher resolution helps narrow that gap. So if camera tops your list, lean toward the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Ultra-wide camera
Galaxy S24 Ultra: 12 MP Galaxy S25 Ultra: 50 MP A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
Neither the Galaxy S24 Ultra nor the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a real advantage in the battery & charging category. Treat battery & charging as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
The software & updates section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Bottom line for software & updates: it’s a wash.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8 in | 6.9 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 505 ppi | 498 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm (winner) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 200 MP | 200 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | 5× | 5× |
| Rear cameras | 4 | 4 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 W | 45 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.39 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 3.11 in | 3.06 in |
| Thickness | 0.34 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 8.18 oz | 7.69 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Titanium | Titanium |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,300 | $1,300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
There’s no launch price gap between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
Choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.69 oz vs 8.18 oz)
- you want the sharper ultra-wide camera (50 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (3 nm vs 4 nm)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.32 in vs 0.34 in)
- you want the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
For most people, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the stronger choice, unless you bought the Galaxy S24 Ultra recently.
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra worth it over the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra makes a solid case for upgrading, with a 0.49 oz lighter build, a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide and a newer 3 nm chip process over the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Which has better battery life, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra land in almost the same place.
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra bigger than the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is too small to matter.
Which is faster, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the stronger performer, with a newer 3 nm chip process.
Which has the better camera, the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads on camera specs thanks to a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Executive Summary
Upgrading from the Galaxy S24 Ultra to the Galaxy S25 Ultra sounds like a no-brainer. I’m not sure it always is. The Galaxy S25 Ultra earns my vote first and foremost with a 0.49 oz lighter build. On top of that, the Galaxy S25 Ultra adds a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is built for people who weigh the things a spec sheet can’t capture heavily, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra for people who weigh performance.
My pick: if it were my money, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but I wouldn’t upgrade from the Galaxy S24 Ultra without a specific reason.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.