So what exactly separates the Galaxy S25 Ultra from the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and do users truly need to spend extra for the newer version?

You do not have to chase the newest Galaxy Ultra to enjoy a premium experience - and more importantly, you can save a substantial amount of money.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts some of the most powerful hardware currently available in the smartphone market, but it comes with a hefty price tag of around US$1,300.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in 2024, still offers formidable specifications. Despite being just one generation older, it is now sold new for around US$950. On the used market, prices can drop to roughly US$544 - less than half the cost of the latest model. That makes it a genuine bargain.

Of course, if you are currently using an S24 model and looking to resell it, this level of depreciation may not feel pleasant. But if you are upgrading from an older phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra suddenly becomes a high-end option at a highly attractive price.

Is one generation worth the difference?

The question is whether a single generation gap is enough to put the Galaxy S24 Ultra at a disadvantage against the current flagship. On paper, at least, it is remarkably difficult to tell them apart.

Both phones feature large displays with identical resolution and refresh rates.

Both run on high-performance Qualcomm chips paired with 12GB of RAM, offer 200-megapixel main cameras, titanium frames and IP68 water and dust resistance.

And of course, both house the S Pen inside the body for note-taking or sketching during work. In fact, the S Pen on the S24 Ultra retains certain features that were removed from the stylus on the S25 Ultra.

With the Galaxy S26 lineup, including the S26 Ultra, already rumored to launch soon, the pattern feels familiar.

If current leaks prove accurate, the S26 Ultra may bring only modest upgrades. At that point, the S25 Ultra’s price will likely drop sharply, and the cycle of “buy last year’s flagship to save money” will repeat itself once again.

Camera: differences that are hard to see

Camera upgrades are typically the centerpiece of each annual smartphone refresh. On paper, the Galaxy S25 Ultra does introduce some improvements, such as a higher-resolution 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

However, Samsung has not dramatically changed its camera formula in recent Ultra models.

In real-world use, photos from the two phones are extremely difficult to distinguish. Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra deliver images with wide dynamic range, accurate colors and high levels of detail.

Their zoom capabilities are equally impressive, and night mode performance remains among the best available.

The higher-resolution ultra-wide camera may capture slightly more detail, but the difference is noticeable mainly when comparing images side by side. In daily use, most people are unlikely to see a meaningful gap.

Performance: stronger, but necessary?

One of the biggest upgrades on the Galaxy S25 Ultra lies in its processor.

It runs a customized version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Benchmark tests suggest the newer chip is about 25% more powerful.

Yet in everyday usage, the difference is not dramatic. Both devices run demanding 3D games such as Genshin Impact and PUBG at maximum settings with stable frame rates.

Photo editing in Adobe Lightroom feels smooth, and Android 16 with Samsung’s One UI 8 responds quickly and fluidly.

The S25 Ultra is undeniably more powerful, but do you actually need that extra headroom? It is a bit like comparing a Ferrari with a Mercedes - the Ferrari may offer superior performance, but the Mercedes easily covers 98% of daily driving needs.

Software and long-term support

On the software side, both phones run Android 16 with Samsung’s latest One UI 8 interface. AI features such as live translation, noise removal, drawing assistance, and Google tools like Gemini Live and Circle to Search are available on both models.

The primary difference lies in support duration. As the newer device, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will receive updates one year longer than the S24 Ultra.

However, Samsung has committed to seven years of software support for the S24 lineup, meaning it will continue receiving updates and security patches at least until 2031. In other words, the Galaxy S24 Ultra still has a long life ahead.

Battery and overall experience

Both Ultra models are equipped with 5,000mAh batteries, and real-world battery life is nearly identical. Users can comfortably get through a full day of use, often with power left for part of the next day.

In some continuous video playback tests, the Galaxy S24 Ultra even achieved slightly better results.

If purchasing a used S24 Ultra, the battery may have experienced minor wear, but after one year of use, degradation is typically minimal. Both devices support 45W wired fast charging and reverse wireless charging.

Price makes the decision

At first glance, many might expect the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S24 Ultra to differ significantly. In reality, they are strikingly similar across camera performance, battery life, software features and overall user experience - with the main distinctions being the processor and price.

Given the current price gap, choosing the Galaxy S24 Ultra, especially on the used market, is a highly sensible decision.

You save hundreds of dollars while still owning a powerful, premium device with long-term software support.

And this logic extends beyond Samsung. As companies like Apple, Google and OnePlus continue offering high-performance smartphones with extended software updates, consumers may find that buying brand-new models is no longer essential - at least not in the near future.

Hai Phong