Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: is it worth upgrading?

With 2024 now closed, it’s time to take a look at the most anticipated launches of 2025. Among them, the Samsung Galaxy S25 series stands out, which will be released on January 22 during Galaxy Unpacked. But the big question is: is it worth upgrading to the Galaxy S25 Ultra from the S24 Ultra? Here we tell you everything we know so far based on the rumors about Samsung’s new flagship phone.

Design: a necessary change or just aesthetics?

The Galaxy S24 Ultra featured a boxy and rugged design, ideal for those looking for a smartphone with style that ‘conveys business’. However, the S25 Ultra could use softer angles, offering a more ergonomic and comfortable design in the hand. While some may lament the loss of that more angular look, the essence of premium will remain thanks to the titanium frame, signature porous finish, S Pen stylus, IP68 protection and dual speakers.

In terms of size, the difference will be minimal: the S25 Ultra will be 0.4 mm thinner and 14 grams lighter. Will you notice this daily? Probably not. What can attract attention are new colors. Samsung always adds to the fun by offering attractive and exclusive glasses for its online store. The S24 Ultra had options like yellow and purple, so we’re expecting something equally vibrant from the S25 Ultra.

Screen: Samsung excellence remains

When it comes to displays, Samsung is already leading the way with its Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers brightness up to 2600 nits and a dynamic refresh rate of 1-120Hz. What can be improved on the S25 Ultra? Rumors suggest there won’t be any significant changes in this section, but it’s safe to assume that features like the anti-glare coating that debuted on the S24 Ultra will remain.

This means users will still enjoy an immersive viewing experience both indoors and in direct sunlight. Biometric technology will also remain the same: an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the display and face unlock.

Performance: a new generation of chips

The most interesting aspect of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, built on a 3nm process. This innovation promises a noticeable leap in performance and energy efficiency, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple’s A18 Pro chips.

Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra, this new chip could offer even faster speeds and better thermal management. We have to be careful, though: while pure performance will be better, it will all depend on how Samsung manages heat dissipation to avoid the dreaded “throttle” – a phenomenon where the processor slows down its speed to avoid overheating.

Additionally, the base model S25 Ultra is rumored to have 12GB of RAM, as well as 16GB for the 512GB and 1TB variants. This would be an interesting improvement for users who need to solve complex tasks with high performance.

Software: more artificial intelligence and long updates

The Galaxy S25 Ultra debuts with Android 15 and a new One UI 7 customization layer. This software promises a visual redesign and additional artificial intelligence features. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra will also receive these updates, the S25 Ultra may have exclusive features that take advantage of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

What won’t change is Samsung’s commitment to extended support: both devices should receive updates for 7 years, meaning they’ll be valid until 2032.

Cameras: a subtle but effective evolution

The Galaxy S24 Ultra already has an impressive camera system: a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 3x 10MP telephoto lens, and a 5x 50MP periscope lens. The S25 Ultra is expected to increase the ultra-wide-angle lens to 50MP, which will significantly improve the quality of wide-angle shots.

Of course, the new processor will also improve image processing. This can result in photos with better dynamic range, less noise, and more accurate colors, although the underlying hardware will remain essentially the same.

Battery and charging: no surprises, but no complaints either

The S25 Ultra will retain the S24 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery, which isn’t a negative. This size already guarantees more than a day of moderate use. The difference will be the energy efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

On the charging front, it is expected to continue offering 45W wired charging and Qi2 compatibility for wireless charging. While this is standard, other competitors are exploring the possibility of using larger batteries and faster charging, something Samsung may be lagging behind.

So is it worth upgrading?

If you have a Galaxy S24 Ultra, upgrading to the S25 Ultra doesn’t seem necessary unless you’re interested in extreme performance or need the latest photography innovations. The differences, although present, are actually minor. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s slightly more user-friendly design, power, and camera and software improvements are attractive but not revolutionary.

On the other hand, if you are using an older model, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is a solid investment that guarantees you cutting-edge technology and long-term support. The decision, as always, will depend on your needs and budget, but one thing is clear: Samsung continues to lead the evolution of premium smartphones.