Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Successors rarely improve everything at once, which makes the Galaxy S25 versus the Galaxy S24 a good place to check what moved and what stayed put. The Galaxy S24 is up against it here: the Galaxy S25 wins 1 of the 6 areas on our scorecard, with performance as its standout.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Galaxy S25 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Tie
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Tie
- Display5.8
- Performance5.9
- Camera1.4
- Battery & Charging0.7
- Display5.8
- Performance1.9
- Camera1.4
- Battery & Charging0.7
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 has 4 GB more RAM
The numbers aren’t close. The Galaxy S25 lists 12 GB for ram, while the Galaxy S24 lists 8 GB. Opening a single app, you won’t feel the difference. With lots of tabs, a game and the camera in rotation, the Galaxy S25 has more room to work with.
-
The Galaxy S25 has a newer 3 nm chip process
A clear win for the Galaxy S25: 3 nm against 4 nm. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
-
The Galaxy S25 has a 0.02 in slimmer body
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the Galaxy S25 (0.28 in versus 0.30 in). A slimmer phone slides into pockets more easily and feels less bulky, especially once a case goes on.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S25 5.78 in × 2.78 in × 0.28 in
- Galaxy S24 5.79 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
In overall size, the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 are close enough that you’d struggle to tell them apart by dimensions alone. On weight, call it even. If a thin profile matters to you, the Galaxy S25 is 0.02 in slimmer.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 2.78 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.28 in (winner) | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 5.71 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
The display section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. The takeaway: display is not where these two differ.
Performance
Galaxy S25 leads
The Galaxy S25 dominates the performance section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. Here the Galaxy S25 offers 4 GB more RAM. More RAM lets a phone keep more apps open in the background, so switching back to them is instant instead of a reload. Anyone shopping mainly on performance should start with the Galaxy S25.
RAM
Galaxy S25: 12 GB Galaxy S24: 8 GB Extra memory also gives the Galaxy S25 more headroom for heavier apps and for software updates in the years ahead.
Process node
Galaxy S25: 3 nm Galaxy S24: 4 nm The Galaxy S25’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Call the memory & storage round a draw. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Camera
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On camera, both deliver about the same. Either phone will serve you equally well on camera.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to battery & charging. Bottom line for battery & charging: it’s a wash.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
Side by side, the software & updates figures for the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 barely differ. In short, software & updates is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2 in | 6.2 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 416 ppi | 416 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
| RAM | 12 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 10 MP | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 (One UI 7) | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 2.78 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.28 in (winner) | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 5.71 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $800 | $800 |
“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
The launch prices are identical, so value comes down to which strengths you prefer.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked January 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S25 if…
- you keep lots of apps open at once (12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 4 nm process node)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.28 in vs 0.30 in)
- you find that the improvements in the Galaxy S25 match what you need
Choose the Galaxy S24 if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Galaxy S25 or the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S25 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless the Galaxy S24 you own hasn’t given you a reason to switch.
Is the Galaxy S25 worth it over the Galaxy S24?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the Galaxy S25 offers 4 GB more RAM, a newer 3 nm chip process and a 0.02 in slimmer body compared with the Galaxy S24.
Which has better battery life, the Galaxy S25 or the Galaxy S24?
On paper, the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the Galaxy S25 or the Galaxy S24?
Neither by much. The Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the Galaxy S25 perform better than the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S25 should be the quicker of the two, with 4 GB more RAM and a newer 3 nm chip process on its side.
Which weighs less, the Galaxy S25 or the Galaxy S24?
Their weights are practically identical, so neither has a real advantage.
Executive Summary
I read spec sheets for fun, and successor comparisons like the Galaxy S25 and the Galaxy S24 are where they get interesting. The Galaxy S25 earns my vote first and foremost with 4 GB more RAM. On top of that, the Galaxy S25 adds a 0.02 in slimmer body.
For performance, the Galaxy S25 fits better. For the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the Galaxy S24 is the better match.
My pick: the Galaxy S25, though if your Galaxy S24 still does the job, keep it a while longer.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.