The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra are the heavyweights of the Android world, representing the pinnacle of Samsung’s “Ultra” philosophy. While the S24 Ultra made headlines in 2024 with its flat display and initial “Galaxy AI” features, the new S25 Ultra for 2026 focuses on a radical ergonomic shift. Moving away from the sharp, boxy corners that defined the Note-DNA for years, the S25 Ultra introduces a softer, rounded-corner design that is significantly thinner and lighter.
This comparison is for current Ultra owners considering an upgrade and professionals looking for the ultimate productivity tool. In this guide, you will learn how the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip transforms performance and whether the upgraded 50MP Ultra-Wide camera justifies the jump to the latest model.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
| Display | 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2600 nits) | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (2600 nits) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm) |
| RAM & Storage | 12GB/16GB | 256GB – 1TB | 12GB RAM | 256GB – 1TB |
| Rear Camera | 200MP + 50MP + 10MP + 50MP | 200MP + 12MP + 10MP + 50MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh (45W Wired) | 5,000 mAh (45W Wired) |
| OS | Android 15 (One UI 7.1) | Android 15 (Updated) |
| Price | Starts at $1,299 | $999 – $1,099 (Discounted) |
Design & Build Quality
This is where the most tangible difference lies.
- Ergonomics: The S24 Ultra is famous for its sharp, rectangular corners that can dig into palms. The S25 Ultra adopts rounded corners and a narrower width (77.6mm vs 79mm), making it much more comfortable to hold.
- Weight & Slimness: Samsung shaved off 14g, making the S25 Ultra (218g) noticeably lighter than the S24 Ultra (232g). It is also slimmer at 8.2mm.
- Materials: Both use a Titanium frame, but the S25 Ultra uses Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which offers even better scratch resistance and the same industry-leading anti-reflective properties.
Conclusion: The S25 Ultra feels like a more modern, refined evolution that prioritizes comfort, whereas the S24 Ultra feels like a rugged, classic “Note.”
Display
Both displays are incredible, but the S25 Ultra pushes the screen-to-body ratio further.
- Screen Size: The S25 Ultra moves to 6.9 inches thanks to thinner bezels, while the S24 Ultra stays at 6.8 inches.
- Anti-Reflection: Both use Gorilla Armor to reduce glare by up to 75%, but the S25 Ultra’s “Armor 2” is slightly more efficient at maintaining contrast in direct sunlight.
- Watching Videos: S25 Ultra (The larger screen and thinner bezels are more immersive).
- Gaming: S25 Ultra (More surface area for controls).
- Reading: Both are equal, featuring the best anti-reflective tech in the industry.
Performance & Daily Usage
The Snapdragon 8 Elite in the S25 Ultra is a generational leap.
- Chipset: Built on a 3nm process, it offers roughly 45% better CPU performance and 40% better GPU efficiency than the S24 Ultra’s chip.
- RAM: The S25 Ultra introduces a 16GB RAM option, which is a massive help for the new “Now Brief” and advanced Galaxy AI features that require more on-device memory.
- UI Smoothness: One UI 7.1 on the S25 Ultra features completely rebuilt animations that feel more fluid than any previous Galaxy version.
Gaming Performance
- FPS Stability: In Warzone Mobile or Genshin Impact, the S25 Ultra maintains higher frame rates with less thermal throttling thanks to the more efficient 3nm architecture.
- Ray Tracing: The Adreno 830 GPU in the S25 Ultra delivers a 40% boost in graphical fidelity, making it the best gaming phone Samsung has ever produced.
Conclusion: The S25 Ultra is a powerhouse for “Pro” gamers, while the S24 Ultra remains more than capable for casual play.
Camera
- Main Sensor: Both use the 200MP sensor, but the S25 Ultra features an updated ProVisual Engine for better low-light processing.
- Ultra-Wide: This is the big upgrade. The S25 Ultra jumps from 12MP to 50MP, resulting in much sharper landscape shots and better macro photos.
- Zoom: Both share the 3x and 5x optical setup, but the S25 Ultra’s AI-enhanced 100x Space Zoom produces cleaner images with less digital noise.
Tip: Buy the S25 Ultra if you take a lot of wide-angle or architectural photos; for standard zoom, the S24 Ultra still holds its own.
Video Recording
- Nightography Video: The S25 Ultra’s new ISP (Image Signal Processor) reduces grain in low-light 4K videos significantly better than the S24 Ultra.
- 8K Video: Both record 8K, but the S25 Ultra can now handle 8K at 30fps with more advanced HDR processing.
Battery Life & Charging
Surprisingly, Samsung kept the 5,000 mAh battery and 45W charging for both.
- Endurance: Due to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the S25 Ultra typically lasts about 1–1.5 hours longer in screen-on time (SOT) tests.
- Wireless Charging: The S25 Ultra supports 25W wireless charging, an upgrade over the 15W on the S24 Ultra.
Pros and Cons
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
| Pros: Much more comfortable rounded design, 50MP Ultra-Wide, Snapdragon 8 Elite speed. | Pros: Much cheaper now, classic boxy design preferred by some, identical 200MP main camera. |
| Cons: Higher starting price, no increase in wired charging speed (still 45W). | Cons: Heavier and bulkier, corners can be uncomfortable, only 12GB RAM limit. |
Price & Value for Money
The S25 Ultra starts at a premium $1,299. Meanwhile, the S24 Ultra can often be found for under $1,000, making it the “Value King” for those who want 90% of the Ultra experience for $300 less.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Buy S25 Ultra if: You found the S24 Ultra too heavy or uncomfortable, or you want the absolute fastest Android phone for AI and gaming.
- Buy S24 Ultra if: You are on a budget. It still has 7 years of software support and the same incredible screen and main camera sensor.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the better overall phone because it finally fixes the “comfort” issue of the Ultra line while providing a massive performance boost. However, for most users, the S24 Ultra remains the best value for money in 2026.
FAQs
- Does the S25 Ultra have a better screen? It’s slightly larger (6.9″) and has a newer protection layer (Armor 2), but peak brightness remains the same.
- Is the S-Pen different? No, the S-Pen functionality and latency are identical on both.
- Does the S25 Ultra charge faster? Only wirelessly (25W vs 15W). Wired charging is still 45W on both.
- Is the S25 Ultra lighter? Yes, it is 14g lighter, which is very noticeable.
- Which is better for students? S24 Ultra, as the price drop makes it much more affordable while still offering the S-Pen for note-taking.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on specifications, research, and user feedback as of early 2026. Actual performance may vary depending on usage and software updates.
