Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S25

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$614.00

Versus A$1,841.10 new

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Galaxy S25
Galaxy S25
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$852.00

Versus A$1,399.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 (released in early 2024) and the Samsung Galaxy S25 (released in early 2025) are consecutive generations of Samsung's flagship Android smartphone line. While they share a similar design philosophy and core functionalities, the Galaxy S25 introduces an updated internal processor, enhanced connectivity features, and refined software optimizations that build upon its predecessor's foundation. Both devices run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI interface, offering a consistent user experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, software support and physical resilience are key factors. Both the Galaxy S24 and S25 are designed with longevity in mind, offering extensive software update commitments.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S24, launched with Android 14, is guaranteed to receive seven years of operating system upgrades and security updates, extending its support through Android 21. The newer Galaxy S25, starting with Android 15, also benefits from Samsung's commitment to seven years of updates, meaning it will receive support through Android 22. This provides an additional year of future-proofing for the S25.
  • Physical Durability: Both models feature an Armor Aluminum frame and are equipped with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front display, offering robust protection against drops and scratches. They also carry an IP68 rating, signifying resistance to dust and submersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
  • Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both generations are part of Samsung's ecosystem, which generally provides access to parts and service. Opting for a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can further extend its practical lifespan in an eco-friendly manner.

Release year

2024

2025

Operating system

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components, influencing how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and the overall responsiveness of the device. The Galaxy S25 builds on the S24's capabilities with a newer generation of processing power.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 is powered by a current-generation processor, which delivers efficient performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and demanding applications. The Galaxy S25 features a next-generation processor, offering improved speeds and energy efficiency. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother operation, particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games or complex computational tasks.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The base Galaxy S25 model elevates this with 12GB of RAM, enhancing its ability to handle numerous background processes and demanding applications with greater fluidity.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, utilizing UFS 4.0 technology for fast data read and write speeds. This ensures quick access to files and applications.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy S24 and S25 offer high-quality viewing experiences with similar specifications in their base models.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 feature a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). This technology provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, making content appear sharp and engaging.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models achieve a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. They also support an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and responsive animations while conserving battery life when static content is displayed.
  • Viewing Experience: The consistent screen size and display technology across these base models mean that users will experience a similar high-quality visual output, suitable for media consumption, browsing, and everyday use.

Resolution

1080x2340

1080x2340

Audiovisual

Photography capabilities are a significant consideration for many smartphone users, and both the Galaxy S24 and S25 offer versatile camera systems, with the newer model benefiting from software enhancements.

  • Rear Camera System: Both the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 are equipped with a triple-camera setup on the rear. This includes a 50-megapixel wide-angle main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom with OIS.
  • Photography Performance: While the hardware specifications for the main camera system remain consistent between the base models, the Galaxy S25 benefits from optimized imaging algorithms and a 'Next Gen ProVisual Engine'. This results in improved image quality, particularly in terms of detail retention and color accuracy, even when zoomed in. Both devices offer features like AI-enhanced photography and editing tools.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both generations support video recording at up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second. For selfies and video calls, both phones feature a 12-megapixel front-facing camera.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience, from how a device connects to other technologies to its physical feel.

  • Connectivity: The Galaxy S24 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The Galaxy S25 upgrades to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, offering potentially faster wireless speeds and more stable connections, especially in congested network environments. Both models include NFC for contactless payments and a USB Type-C 3.2 port for data transfer and charging.
  • Biometrics and Sensors: Both devices feature an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. They also include a suite of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and barometers, supporting various functionalities from fitness tracking to augmented reality applications.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 measures 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and weighs 168 grams. The Galaxy S25 is slightly more compact and lighter, with dimensions of 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm and a weight of 162 grams. This minor difference can contribute to a slightly more comfortable in-hand feel for the S25, particularly for users who prefer smaller devices.

Weight

167 oz

162 oz

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.2

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 involves weighing the benefits of a newer generation against the established performance of its predecessor. Both phones offer a premium Android experience with robust build quality, excellent displays, and long-term software support.

Users who prioritize having the absolute latest processing power and slightly enhanced wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4) will find the Galaxy S25 appealing. Its increased base RAM of 12GB also provides a noticeable boost for heavy multitaskers and those who keep many applications open simultaneously. While the camera hardware on the base models is similar, the Galaxy S25's software optimizations for image processing may offer a subtle edge in photo quality for discerning users.

Conversely, the Galaxy S24 remains a highly capable device, offering the same impressive display quality, a versatile camera system, and an equally long software support commitment, albeit starting one Android version earlier. For users seeking a reliable flagship experience without needing the very latest internal upgrades, the Galaxy S24 continues to be a strong contender.

Ultimately, the decision depends on individual priorities. Users who value cutting-edge performance and the longest possible software update timeline will lean towards the Galaxy S25. Those who are content with slightly older, but still powerful, internals and a proven track record may find the Galaxy S24 perfectly suits their needs. Both models are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing a sustainable choice for consumers.

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