Galaxy S24+ vs Galaxy S25

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25, launched in February 2025, represent successive generations within Samsung's flagship smartphone series. While both devices offer a premium Android experience with Samsung's One UI, they cater to slightly different user preferences through variations in their physical size, display resolution, and battery capacities. The Galaxy S25 introduces a newer generation processor and an extended software support timeline, building upon the foundation set by its predecessor.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S25 offer substantial software support, ensuring a prolonged functional lifespan.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S24 Plus was launched with Android 14 and is guaranteed to receive seven years of operating system and security updates, extending its support until approximately 2031. The Galaxy S25, released a year later with Android 15, also benefits from Samsung's seven-year update policy, meaning it will receive software support for an additional year, until around 2032.
• Repairability: Both models demonstrate a commendable level of repairability. The Galaxy S24 Plus has received repairability scores ranging from 8.0 to 9.0 out of 10, with features like easily removable back plates and accessible batteries with pull tabs. Similarly, the base Galaxy S25 and its variants, including the S25 FE and S25 Ultra, have also shown good repairability, with scores around 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10, indicating that components like the battery are designed for relatively straightforward replacement.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Given their robust build quality and extensive software support, both devices are designed to remain current and secure for many years. The Galaxy S25 offers a slight edge in software longevity due to its later release, potentially appealing to users who prioritize the absolute longest possible update cycle.

Performance is a key area where newer generations typically bring advancements, and the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S25 are no exception, though both offer capable experiences.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is powered by a current-generation processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy in some regions, Exynos 2400 in others), providing smooth operation for demanding applications and multitasking. The Galaxy S25 features a newer generation processor (Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy), which offers enhanced processing capabilities and improved energy efficiency. This translates to faster app loading, more fluid transitions, and potentially better handling of future software demands on the S25.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices come with 12GB of RAM, enabling efficient multitasking and smooth switching between numerous applications. For storage, the Galaxy S24 Plus offers 256GB and 512GB options. The base Galaxy S25 is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, while its larger variants (S25+ and S25 Ultra) offer higher capacities up to 1TB.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a 4900 mAh battery, which users report provides impressive endurance, often lasting a full day or even two with moderate to heavy use. The base Galaxy S25 features a 4000 mAh battery. While Samsung states the S25 can last a full day with mixed usage, some users have expressed expectations for better battery performance, especially with heavy use. The S24 Plus generally offers a longer battery life in typical usage scenarios compared to the base S25.

The visual experience on both the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S25 is characterized by vibrant displays, though they differ in size and resolution.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, known for deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts a larger 6.7-inch display with a QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), resulting in a high pixel density that provides sharp and detailed visuals. The base Galaxy S25 has a 6.2-inch display with an FHD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), offering clear visuals suitable for everyday use, though with less sharpness than the S24 Plus.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices achieve a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. They also feature an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and responsive interactions while optimizing power consumption. The S24 Plus also incorporates a higher PWM refresh rate, which can contribute to reduced eye strain for sensitive users.
• Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection. The base Galaxy S25 also uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while its Ultra variant features the even more robust Corning Gorilla Armor 2.

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S25 offer versatile camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle main sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The base Galaxy S25 maintains a similar configuration with a 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 10 MP telephoto lens. This setup allows for flexibility in capturing different perspectives, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots.
• Photography Performance: Both devices are capable of producing excellent photos in good lighting conditions. The S24 Plus is noted for its strong daylight performance and good low-light capabilities. The S25, with its newer processor and 'Next Gen ProVisual Engine', aims to further enhance image processing, potentially offering improvements in detail, color accuracy, and low-light performance. Both also incorporate AI-powered features for photo editing and enhancement.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones support high-resolution video recording, including 8K at 30 frames per second on the S24 Plus. The S25 also offers robust video capabilities. For audio, both devices are equipped with stereo speakers, providing an immersive experience for media consumption. Microphone quality for calls and recording is generally clear on both flagship models.