Galaxy S24+ vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in February 2025, are both premium Android smartphones from Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series. While they share the foundational Android operating system and Samsung's One UI, the S25 Ultra distinguishes itself with a more advanced camera system, a larger display, and integrated S Pen functionality, catering to users with specific high-end demands.

Both devices are engineered for extended usability, benefiting from Samsung's commitment to long-term software support and robust physical construction.

• Software Longevity: Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra are promised seven years of major Android operating system upgrades and security updates. This means the Galaxy S24 Plus, launched with Android 14, is expected to receive updates until 2031, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which shipped with Android 15, will continue to receive support until 2032.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an Armor Aluminum 2 frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection, offering resistance against drops and scratches. The Galaxy S25 Ultra elevates this with a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back, providing enhanced resilience. While Gorilla Armor 2 may offer improved shatter resistance, some reports indicate its scratch resistance might be similar to previous generations. Both models carry an IP68 rating, indicating protection against dust and immersion in fresh water.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus has received positive remarks for its repairability, particularly for components like easily replaceable batteries. The Galaxy S25 Ultra also shows improvements in repairability, especially with its battery design and modular camera components, earning a provisional score of 5 out of 10 from iFixit. However, screen replacement remains a complex procedure for both devices.

Both the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra offer powerful performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though the Ultra model typically features the latest generation of processing technology.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor (either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy or the Exynos 2400, depending on the region), enabling smooth operation for everyday tasks, demanding apps, and gaming. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a newer generation processor (likely the Snapdragon 8 Elite or Snapdragon 8 Gen 4), providing further enhancements in processing power and efficiency, which translates to even smoother multitasking and faster app loading.
• Memory and Storage: The S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM, ensuring efficient multitasking and app management. The S25 Ultra offers options for 12GB or 16GB of RAM, providing additional headroom for intensive use. For storage, the S24 Plus is available with 256GB or 512GB. The S25 Ultra offers more expansive options, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
• Battery Behavior: The S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, which users generally report as providing good battery life, often lasting over a full day with moderate usage. The S25 Ultra features a 5000 mAh battery, with many users experiencing excellent longevity, often extending to 1.5 days on a single charge. Both devices support 45W wired fast charging, allowing for quick power replenishment.

Both smartphones offer high-quality displays, delivering vibrant visuals and excellent clarity, though the S25 Ultra provides a slightly larger viewing area and potentially more advanced display technology.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, offering an even more expansive viewing experience. Both displays support HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and color accuracy.
• Resolution and Brightness: Both models offer a sharp QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in crisp text and detailed images. Peak brightness levels reach 2600 nits on both devices, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
• Refresh Rate and Protection: Both devices feature an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, contributing to smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The S24 Plus is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The S25 Ultra features Corning Gorilla Armor 2 for enhanced screen protection.

The camera systems on both devices are capable, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers a more versatile and advanced setup, particularly in terms of zoom capabilities and ultrawide photography.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom with OIS. The Galaxy S25 Ultra significantly upgrades this with a quad-camera system, comprising a 200MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and an additional 50MP periscope telephoto lens providing 5x optical zoom with OIS.
• Photography Performance: The S24 Plus delivers good daylight photos with natural colors and usable 3x optical zoom, though digital zoom can show limitations. Its low-light performance is capable but not class-leading. The S25 Ultra excels in daylight with excellent detail and color accuracy, and its multiple telephoto lenses provide strong zoom performance across various ranges. Its night photography is noted for controlled highlights and minimal noise. The S25 Ultra's 50MP ultrawide camera is a notable improvement over the S24 Plus's 12MP.
• Video and Audio: Both phones are capable of recording 8K video. The S25 Ultra further enhances video capabilities with 10-bit HDR recording. Both devices feature stereo speakers for media consumption. The S25 Ultra includes 32-bit/384kHz audio tuned by AKG.