The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts top-tier specifications but carries a $1,300 price tag. In contrast, the previous Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers comparable performance at a fraction of the cost, available new for $950 or used for around $544. This makes the older model an attractive option for buyers seeking high-end features without the premium expense.
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra represents the latest in flagship smartphones, featuring a custom Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a titanium frame with IP68 dust and water resistance. However, its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra from 2024, matches it closely in many areas, including a massive display with the same resolution and refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, a 200-megapixel main camera, and the included S Pen stylus. Both devices support seven years of software updates, with the S24 Ultra guaranteed support until at least 2031.
Key differences are subtle. The S25 Ultra's processor scores about 25% higher in benchmarks compared to the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, yet everyday tasks like gaming on titles such as Genshin Impact or photo editing in Adobe Lightroom feel equally smooth on both. Camera performance remains excellent across the board, with wide dynamic range, accurate colors, and strong zoom and night modes; the higher ultrawide resolution on the S25 Ultra offers minor detail gains noticeable only in direct comparisons. Battery life is nearly identical, with both packing 5,000mAh batteries that last a full day or more, and the S24 Ultra even edged out in a three-hour video streaming test.
Software is another parity point: both run Android 16 under One UI 8, including Samsung's AI features like live translation and drawing assist, plus Google's Gemini Live. The S25 Ultra gains an extra year of support, but the S24 Ultra's longevity remains robust. Visually, the S25 Ultra introduces flat edges, diverging from the S24 Ultra's design, and loses some S Pen functionalities present in the older model.
For consumers upgrading from older phones, the S24 Ultra on the used market represents significant savings—less than half the S25 Ultra's price—without sacrificing core capabilities. This approach extends to other brands like Apple and Google, where previous generations often suffice for most users amid incremental annual upgrades.
