Samsung has unveiled its flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, packed with minor hardware improvements and significant software refinements. But is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy S24 Ultra? While the upgrades are subtle, Samsung has focused on enhancing the overall user experience through One UI 7. Let’s explore the differences and whether the new Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth your investment.
Specifications
| Feature | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions & Weight | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm, 232 grams | 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, 218 grams |
| Display | 6.79” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440×3120 px, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.86” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440×3120 px, 120Hz, 2600 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Cameras (Rear) | 200 MP wide, 10 MP telephoto (3x), 50 MP periscope (5x), 12 MP ultrawide | 200 MP wide, 10 MP telephoto (3x), 50 MP periscope (5x), 50 MP ultrawide |
| Cameras (Front) | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Battery & Charging | 5000 mAh, 45W wired, 25W wireless, 4.5W reverse | 5000 mAh, 45W wired, 25W wireless (Qi2), 4.5W reverse |
| Software | One UI 6.1 (upgradable to One UI 7), Android 14 | One UI 7, Android 15 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, NFC, UWB | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, NFC, UWB |
| Storage Variants | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB (12/16 GB RAM) | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB (12/16 GB RAM) |
| Build | Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2 |
| Colors | Black, Gray, Violet, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange | Black, Gray, Blue, Silver |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,09,999.00 | Starting at ₹1,29,999.00 |
Design and Build
The Galaxy S25 Ultra refines the design of the S24 Ultra with slightly thinner and lighter dimensions. The curved edges make it more comfortable to hold, and the new Gorilla Armor 2 glass ensures better durability, giving it a premium feel. If you value build quality and ergonomics, the Galaxy S25 Ultra may appeal to you more.
Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, delivering up to 40% faster multi-core performance and 44% improved efficiency over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While these improvements are impressive, the S24 Ultra already performs exceptionally well in everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. For most users, the performance upgrade may not justify the higher price.
Cameras
Both phones feature a 200 MP main camera and a 50 MP periscope lens with 5x zoom. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra upgrades the ultrawide lens from 12 MP to 50 MP, significantly enhancing its versatility for photography enthusiasts. This improvement makes a noticeable difference in ultra-wide shots, offering sharper details and better low-light performance.
Battery and Charging
The battery capacity remains unchanged at 5000 mAh with identical 45W wired and 25W wireless charging speeds. However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces Qi2 wireless charging, offering faster and more efficient wireless power delivery. If you frequently rely on wireless charging, this could be a game-changer.
Software
The Galaxy S25 Ultra debuts with One UI 7 on Android 15, featuring new Galaxy AI tools and the Now Bar for productivity enhancements. However, the S24 Ultra will also receive the One UI 7 update, reducing the software gap between the two. Unless you need the absolute latest software out of the box, the S24 Ultra remains an excellent option.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers incremental updates in design, performance, and camera quality, but it comes with a higher starting price of ₹1,29,999. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has dropped to ₹1,09,999, making it a more budget-friendly choice for most users.
Who Should Upgrade?
- Power users looking for top-notch performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
- Photography enthusiasts wanting a superior ultrawide lens.
- Users with older models like the S22 Ultra or earlier.
For current S24 Ultra owners, the upgrades in the Galaxy S25 Ultra are minimal and likely not worth the extra expense. Stick with your current phone unless you find the ultrawide camera or Qi2 charging particularly compelling.
Would you consider upgrading to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, or is the Galaxy S24 Ultra still the better choice for you? Let us know in the comments below!
