Galaxy S24+ • Unlocked vs Galaxy S25 Ultra • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in February 2025, represent two distinct offerings within Samsung's premium smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the S25 Ultra, as the newer model, introduces advancements primarily in its camera system, display technology, and overall performance capabilities. This comparison will explore the practical differences between these two smartphones to help users determine which aligns best with their needs.

When considering the longevity of a smartphone, several factors come into play, including software support, physical durability, and the expected practical lifespan for everyday use.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S24 Plus was released in January 2024, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra followed in February 2025. Both devices are promised seven years of operating system and security updates from their respective release dates. This means the Galaxy S25 Ultra will receive software support for one year longer than the S24 Plus, extending its functional life.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 Plus features an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its front and back panels, offering robust protection against everyday wear. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, on the other hand, incorporates a titanium frame and the newer Gorilla Glass Armor 2. While Gorilla Glass Armor 2 is designed for enhanced drop resistance, some reports suggest its scratch resistance might be similar to or slightly less than its predecessor. Both models are IP68 rated for dust and water resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S25 Ultra has received a provisional repairability score of 5 out of 10, indicating some improvements in ease of repair compared to previous Samsung flagships. Information on the S24 Plus's specific repairability score is less detailed, but generally, Samsung devices have seen efforts towards improved repair access.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for smooth daily operation, from launching applications to handling demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a powerful processor that handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, being a newer generation device, features an even more advanced processor designed for enhanced efficiency and speed, resulting in quicker app loading times and smoother transitions, particularly noticeable in intensive applications and gaming.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer 12GB of RAM as standard, ensuring capable multitasking. The S25 Ultra also has options for 16GB of RAM in certain configurations, which can provide additional headroom for extremely heavy multitasking or specialized applications. Storage options for the S24 Plus go up to 512GB, while the S25 Ultra offers configurations up to 1TB, catering to users with extensive storage needs.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 Plus houses a 4900 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for most users, with some tests indicating up to 41 hours on a single charge. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a slightly larger 5000 mAh battery. Optimized software and the newer processor contribute to efficient power management, with tests showing the S25 Ultra lasting over 17 hours in adaptive refresh rate mode and even longer in standard mode.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both the Galaxy S24 Plus and S25 Ultra offer high-quality viewing experiences.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both smartphones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their deep blacks and vibrant colors. The S24 Plus has a 6.7-inch screen with QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), offering excellent clarity. The S25 Ultra boasts a slightly larger 6.9-inch display, also with QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 or 1400x3120 pixels), providing an expansive viewing area.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models achieve a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. They also feature adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This dynamic adjustment helps conserve battery life while providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations when needed.
• Screen Protection: The S24 Plus uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection. The S25 Ultra upgrades to Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2, which is designed to offer enhanced durability against drops and also features anti-reflective properties to reduce glare.

The camera systems on both the Galaxy S24 Plus and S25 Ultra are designed to capture high-quality images and videos, though the Ultra model offers more advanced capabilities.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup: a 50MP wide-angle main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 Ultra elevates this with a quad-camera system, including a 200MP wide-angle main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom. The S25 Ultra's higher resolution ultrawide and additional 5x optical telephoto lens provide greater flexibility and detail, especially at longer zoom ranges.
• Photography and Video Features: Both phones offer advanced photography features, including improved low-light performance and AI-powered enhancements for editing and instant slow-motion video. The S25 Ultra further enhances video capabilities with 10-bit HDR recording, a 'Galaxy Log' format for professional color grading, and support for 4K video at 120 frames per second, alongside 8K at 30 frames per second. The S24 Plus also supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second.
• Front Camera and Audio: Both devices are equipped with a 12MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. For audio, both offer capable speaker output for media consumption. The S25 Ultra also features enhanced microphone quality for calls and recording.