Samsung Galaxy S25 and S24: What's New and Should You Replace Your Phone?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 , with its refreshed hardware and eye-catching new features, is ready to challenge the dominance of its predecessor, the Galaxy S24. If you're considering upgrading your Galaxy S24, or if you're considering sticking with last year's model to save money, this Galaxy S25 vs. S24 comparison can guide you. We haven't yet put the S25 through our full review process, but based on our experience, we can offer a reasonable comparison. Rest assured, we will update this comparison with our complete assessment once we have thoroughly reviewed the S25. For now, let's take a look at what Samsung's past and present models have to offer.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: Price

The Galaxy S25 retains Samsung's established pricing structure in most regions. The 128GB model starts at £799 / $799 / AUD 1,399, while the 256GB version carries a price tag of £859 / $859 / AUD 1,599. The 512GB model will be available for £979 / $979 / AUD 1,599. The new model will be available on February 7th. Samsung Galaxy S25 Cyprus prices are not yet known; we will update this article when the price is finalized.

The Galaxy S24 may see a price drop with the release of the S25. If the features offered by the Galaxy S24 meet your needs and the new features of the S25 don't make a critical difference for you, the current price of the S24 might make it a budget-friendly option. However, if the innovations brought by the S25 appeal to you, you might want to consider the new model.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: Design and Display Comparison

It's quite difficult to observe significant differences between the two phones, especially in terms of size and weight. The Galaxy S25 measures 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm and weighs 162 grams, while the Galaxy S24 measures 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and weighs 167 grams. If you held both with your eyes closed, you would probably have difficulty distinguishing them. More noticeable differences are found in the rear camera setup. Samsung has changed the finish that matched the body in the previous model, adding black frame details. The color options have also been completely revamped. The S25 comes in Icyblue, Navy, Mint, and Silver Shadow, leaving behind the S24's Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black, and Marble Grey options.

While the screen size remains at 6.2 inches, Samsung has achieved a 15% reduction in bezel width. This is good news for those who dislike bezels! Both models use Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and offer FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080), a compatible refresh rate of 1-120 Hz, and 2600 nits of pixel brightness. But perhaps the most interesting innovation is the S25's ProScaler technology. This feature promises to deliver 43% better detail by improving the scaling of low-resolution content. This feature is quite similar to Samsung's AI Upscaler Pro feature, which we tested and praised in televisions like the award-winning QN900D. Considering the scarcity of devices that offer meaningful image quality improvements in smartphones, this feature could be a significant step forward.

In short, the Galaxy S25 offers subtle but noticeable design touches while also drawing attention with its innovations in screen technology. However, the Galaxy S24 still continues to offer an impressive design and screen experience. Which one you choose may depend on how important these subtle details are to you.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: Performance and Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy S25 offers its biggest innovation compared to the S24 in the processor department. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, specifically optimized for the device, represents a significant step forward in terms of performance. Last year, some regions used the Exynos 2400, while others used the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and the Snapdragon version was considered more powerful. However, the use of the same processor across all models in the S25 series provides a major advantage.

There's also a significant upgrade in memory. The S25 series comes with 12GB of RAM across all variants, while the S24 models were limited to 8GB. This feature offers a serious improvement, especially in multitasking performance.

On the software side, Samsung's One UI 7 interface comes based on Android 15 and is supported by advanced AI features. Functions from the previous generation, such as Google Search, Live Translation, and Chat Assistant, are retained. In addition, new features such as the persistent notification bar (Now Bar) and Now Brief, which offers AI-powered daily summaries, are included in the system. The large on-device language model improves natural language processing capabilities and offers smarter solutions in areas such as photo editing. Samsung's provision of software updates for 7 years ensures the longevity of both the S25 and S24 models. The Galaxy S25 stands out as a more powerful and advantageous model in the long run compared to the S24, especially with its processor, RAM, and AI-focused software improvements.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S25 retains the core hardware specifications of the S24 while making some fine-tuning to its camera system. Both models feature a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor with dual-pixel phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) and optical image stabilization (OIS). In addition to the main camera, there's a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, PDAF, and OIS. The ultra-wide-angle camera has a 12MP f/2.2 aperture and offers a 120-degree field of view. The front camera also retains the 12MP f/2.2 sensor with dual-pixel PDAF support.

One of the areas where the S25 stands out is its Next Gen ProVisual Engine technology. This system delivers better results in noise reduction and detail preservation, especially in low-light conditions. 10-bit HDR support improves color accuracy and provides a wider dynamic range. These improvements will be particularly noticeable in challenging lighting conditions and across wide tonal ranges.

Video capabilities are similar in both models, offering 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, and 1080p slow-motion recording at 240fps. The S25 stands out with its new AI-powered editing tools. One of these, Audio Eraser, removes background noise from videos with a single touch. The advanced Generative Edit feature makes object removal or editing in photos more natural. While the S25 offers similar hardware specifications to the S24, it differentiates itself with its AI-powered photo and video editing capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: Battery and Sound

Battery capacity remains unchanged in both models. The Galaxy S25 and S24 come with a 4000mAh battery. Charging speeds are also at the same level, offering 25W wired charging (providing approximately 50% charge in 30 minutes) and 15W wireless charging support. Additionally, it's possible to charge accessories using 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

These values are quite limited when compared to the 6000mAh batteries and 90W+ charging speeds offered by competing brands like Huawei, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Nubia. However, the more efficient 3nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor could improve the S25's battery life beyond expectations. Furthermore, the improved vapor chamber cooling system could optimize power consumption by reducing heat generation. More testing is needed to confirm true performance.

In terms of audio performance, both models use a dual speaker system. They offer stereo sound with one downward-facing main speaker and one headphone speaker. Dolby Atmos support continues for both speakers and headphones. In our S24 tests, we observed that the device offered energetic and clear sound output, but it couldn't reach the subtle details offered by competitors like the Sony Xperia 1V. How the S25's audio performance is will become clear after our comprehensive tests. In terms of wireless audio connectivity, both models offer Bluetooth 5.3 support.

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: First Review

The Galaxy S25 stands out as a model that improves upon Samsung's flagship formula without making major changes. While processor performance and AI integration are prioritized, it doesn't offer radical differences in terms of hardware. The use of a single processor model and increased RAM capacity are among the significant improvements. Improvements in design and image processing are minor touches that might make a difference. For those using older Galaxy models, the S25 offers an attractive upgrade, while the differences may not be significant for Samsung Galaxy S24 owners.