Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S24 Ultra
An honest, side-by-side look at the Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S24 Ultra decision — specs, camera, battery and our price — so you can buy the right one with confidence.
Samsung changed less between the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra than the price gap suggests. Both are titanium, both carry the S Pen, both shoot on the same 200MP main sensor, and both are promised seven years of Android updates.
The S25 Ultra's real gains are the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a slightly bigger 6.9-inch screen with thinner bezels, a 50MP ultrawide in place of 12MP, and softer corners that make it easier to hold. What it loses is the S Pen's Bluetooth remote features, which Samsung dropped.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: specs side by side
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
| Display | 6.9" AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.8" AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Camera | 200MP main, 5× + 3× tele, 50MP ultrawide | 200MP main, 5× + 3× tele, ultrawide |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Standout | S Pen, titanium frame, 7 years of updates | Built-in S Pen, titanium frame, Galaxy AI |
| Our price from | £585 | £490 |
The verdict
On the second-hand market the S24 Ultra is the value play by a wide margin. You keep the 200MP camera, the S Pen, the titanium frame and update support running to 2031 — for several hundred pounds less than the S25 Ultra.
Buy the S25 Ultra if you want the fastest Android chip on sale and the upgraded ultrawide for close-up work. Buy the S24 Ultra if you want 90% of an Ultra for a lot less, and you will never notice the chip difference in messaging, photos and video.
Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if…
You want the newest Ultra hardware — Snapdragon 8 Elite, the 50MP ultrawide and the largest screen — and the longest update runway.
Shop tested & certified Galaxy S25 UltraBuy the Galaxy S24 Ultra if…
You want the Ultra experience at the lowest price: same 200MP camera, same S Pen, same titanium, years of updates left.
Shop tested & certified Galaxy S24 UltraCommon questions
Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra a big upgrade over the S24 Ultra?+
Not for most people. The camera system, S Pen and build are near-identical; the gains are the faster Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a marginally larger screen and a 50MP ultrawide. If you are buying pre-owned, the S24 Ultra is the better value by a distance.
Does the S25 Ultra S Pen still work with the S24 Ultra?+
The pens are physically compatible for writing and drawing, but the S24 Ultra's pen has Bluetooth air-gesture features that the S25 Ultra's pen does not. Each phone ships with the correct pen for it.
How long will the Galaxy S24 Ultra get updates?+
Samsung committed the S24 Ultra to seven years of Android OS and security updates from its January 2024 launch — cover runs to around 2031, which is longer than most people keep a phone.