Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24: New chip promises an exciting upgrade
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Intro
The Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S24 are two iterations of Samsung’s flagship line, but if you’re wondering whether the S25 is worth upgrading to, the answer depends on what you value most. While the S25 introduces some refinements, many core features remain unchanged, making this more of an incremental update rather than a game-changing leap.
At first glance, the S25 looks similar to the S24, but under the hood, there’s a new chipset, enhanced AI features, and slight design tweaks that make it feel a bit more modern. If you’re coming from an older phone or care about having the latest tech, the S25 might catch your eye. But if you already own the S24, the upgrades might not feel significant enough to warrant an immediate switch.
In this comparison, we’ll break down the differences in design, display, performance, cameras, and battery life to give you a clear picture of what’s changed—and what hasn’t.
In this comparison, we’ll break down the differences in design, display, performance, cameras, and battery life to give you a clear picture of what’s changed—and what hasn’t.
Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24 differences:
| Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Elite 37% faster CPU, 30% faster GPU, 40% faster NPU | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 a reliable but less powerful processor. |
| Advanced ray tracing and Vulkan API improvements | Capable performance for most tasks but lacks the advanced efficiency of the S25 |
| Slimmer bezels, and refined ergonomics with softer edges | Slightly bulkier and heavier, with a more traditional design |
| Lighter by 6g | - |
| 6.2-inch screen with new ProScaler engine | 6.2-inch screen, excellent quality but no advanced upscaling features |
| Same camera hardware | 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3X telephoto cameras |
| Introduces ProVisual Engine for better low-light performance, Virtual Aperture, and 10-bit HDR video recording | Reliable triple-camera system but lacks the new ProVisual Engine and video enhancements |
| Maintains the same 4,000mAh capacity | 4,000mAh Offers good battery life but without the efficiency gains of the S25 |
Table of Contents:
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Design and Display
Even more compact than before
The only way to discern one from the other when looking at them is through the new rings for the three cameras. | Image by PhoneArena
The Galaxy S25 refines the design of the S24 with subtle changes. It’s 6g lighter, 0.4 millimeters thinner, and while this is a small difference, we could feel it when holding the two phones. Samsung's base flagship was already famous for being a compact powerhouse, and the S25 is even more so than its predecessor.
The S25 is a bit smaller but otherwise the same as the S24. | Image by PhoneArena
Both phones share the same matte aluminum frame and glass back, ensuring a premium feel. However, the S25’s softened edges make it more comfortable to hold for long periods. If you’ve handled the S24, the S25 will feel familiar yet slightly more refined.
In terms of durability, both models are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance.
The color options on the S25 are:
- Navy
- Silver Shadow
- Icy Blue
- Mint
And the S24 colors are:
- Amber Yellow
- Marble Gray
- Onyx Black
- Cobalt Violet
The two displays are practically the same. | Image by PhoneArena
The Galaxy S25 uses the same size 6.2-inch OLED display as the S24. The overall quality remains similar, with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and FHD (1080p) resolution delivering smooth scrolling and crisp detail.
One exciting new addition on the S25 is ProScaler, a feature that uses AI to sharpen videos and text. This makes lower-resolution content look better. We are yet to test how much difference this makes in real life, but it does sound promising.
We didn't notice any notable differences between the Galaxy S25 and S24 during our display lab tests. Both get equally bright and have similar color accuracy.
Both models also have reliable biometric options, including ultrasonic fingerprint sensors and face recognition, which work as expected. Overall, while the S25’s display is marginally better, the differences are not significant.
One exciting new addition on the S25 is ProScaler, a feature that uses AI to sharpen videos and text. This makes lower-resolution content look better. We are yet to test how much difference this makes in real life, but it does sound promising.
Display Measurements:
We didn't notice any notable differences between the Galaxy S25 and S24 during our display lab tests. Both get equally bright and have similar color accuracy.
Both models also have reliable biometric options, including ultrasonic fingerprint sensors and face recognition, which work as expected. Overall, while the S25’s display is marginally better, the differences are not significant.
Performance and Software
The main reason to upgrade
The S25 comes with the first 3nm Android processor. | Image by PhoneArena
The biggest upgrade in the Galaxy S25 is its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which offers a 37% faster CPU, 30% faster GPU, and 40% better AI performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24. This makes the S25 better for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing against demanding apps.
Samsung has also added new AI features that make the S25 more versatile:
Samsung has not confirmed, whether the new AI features will arrive on the Galaxy S24 series with the One UI 7 update. The company is is still evaluating whether that will be possible. Specifically the Cross-App Actions feature might be possible only with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so we wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't trickle down to last year's generation.
Samsung has also added new AI features that make the S25 more versatile:
- AI Select—A smarter way to interact with on-screen content, such as creating GIFs or identifying objects.
- Cross-App Actions—Lets you complete multi-step tasks across apps with one command, like saving a recipe directly from Gemini to your Samsung Notes app.
- Now Brief and Now Bar—These tools summarize your day and provide live updates right on the lock screen.
Both the Galaxy S25 and S24 promise seven years of software updates, which is great for long-term use. So, as far as support goes, you shouldn't feel too pressured to get the S25 over the S24.
Lastly, another exciting new feature on the Galaxy S25 is satellite connectivity. Since this is related to the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, so it is not likely to arrive on the S24.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is visibly more powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 according to our performance benchmark tests. The phone generally feels snappier during regular use, and we noticed there was zero lag, unlike the S24 and previous models.
But it seems the new processor might be a bit too powerful for the S25's small body, as prolonged stress resulted in earlier thermal throttling compared to last year's model. Samsung might be able to fix this by a future software update, but that remains to be seen.
Camera
Only software improvements, but good ones
No new camera hardware... | Image by PhoneArena
PhoneArena Camera Score:
The new Galaxy S25 achieved a lower score during our camera lab tests compared to its predecessor. The main areas where we noticed a degradation in image quality was with the main camera, which looks a bit softer in some cases.
The Galaxy S25 keeps the same camera hardware as the S24, featuring a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide lens, and 10MP telephoto lens. Samsung claimed the S25's new ProVisual Engine improves image processing, promising better dynamic range, reduced noise, and sharper details. Unfortunately, we were not convinced that's the case after we took camera samples with the S25 and S24.
- Noise reduction in video —Using the new Spatio Temporal Filter (STF), it analyzes movement to more effectively reduce noise
- 10-bit HDR video—Brings richer colors and more detail compared to the S24’s 8-bit video.
- Galaxy Log —A professional-grade video format for advanced color grading.
- Virtual Aperture — Available in the Expert RAW camera mode, it lets you adjust depth of field from f/1.4 to f/16 without using portrait mode.
- Improved Portrait Studio — Better skin tones in Portrait photos and more accurate expressions in generative edits.
Camera Samples
Since there are no hardware upgrades, it's not surprising that the only differences we can see here have to do with the post-processing. Samsung has leaned towards a more neutral and natural look, ditching the high-contrast approach of the Galaxy S24. This way you have less instances of weird-looking lighting and colors, so we consider the new look an improvement over the last one.
Video Quality
Samsung has dialed down the contrast with the Galaxy S25, resulting in a more natural-looking video compared to the S24. This also means that the shadows are not as dark, so there's more detail visible in them.
Unfortunately, the HDR performance appears to have taken a hit, as you can see when the camera turns towards the sun—the sky is overexposed so it looks completely white, whereas the S24 shows a blue sky with clouds.
Video stabilization looks the same between the two models until you use the zoom. At that point the S25 image looks more stable compared to the jitter visible with the S24.
Battery Life and Charging
Small but meaningful upgrades
Finally, longer battery life! | Image by PhoneArena
Both the Galaxy S25 and S24 have a 4,000mAh battery, so no changes in raw capacity. However, the S25’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is more efficient, meaning you’ll likely get better battery life under similar usage conditions.
PhoneArena Battery and Charging Test Results:
So, our battery life tests show that the new Snapdragon 8 Elite does indeed offer better efficiency, increasing the overall battery life estimate by about 30 minutes. The biggest difference comes during browsing and gaming, with the new model scoring about 2 hours more for each.
Charging speeds have, sadly, not changed.
Disappointingly, the Galaxy S25 still has 25W wired charging, slower than the 45W speeds on the S25 Plus model (and many other Android rivals).
You also have unchanged 15W wireless charging speeds, and 4.5W for reverse wireless charging.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick specs comparison, but make sure to take a look at our detailed Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24 specs page for more information.
| Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm 162g | Size, weight 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm 168g |
| Screen 6.2-inch AMOLED 120Hz ProScaler AI | Screen 6.2-inch AMOLED 120Hz |
| Processor Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm | Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4nm |
| Versions: 12/128GB 12/256GB 12/512GB LPDDR5 UFS 4.0 | Versions: 8/128GB 8/256GB 8/512GB LPDDR5 UFS 3.1 |
| Cameras: 50MP main 12MP ultra 10MP 3X zoom 12MP front | Cameras: 50MP main 12MP ultra 10MP 3X zoom 12MP front |
| Battery: 4000 mAh | Battery: 4000 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 25W wired 15W wireless 4.5W reverse-wireless | Charging: USB-C 25W wired 15W wireless 4.5W reverse-wireless |
Summary
Not much has changed from last year. | Image by PhoneArena
The Galaxy S25 refines the formula established by the S24 without reinventing the wheel. It’s faster, lighter, and smarter, with thoughtful but somewhat gimmicky upgrades like ProScaler for low resolution video, Virtual Aperture for creative camera work, and improved AI features for a more seamless experience.
But if you’re already using the S24, these changes might not feel significant enough to upgrade immediately. Not mention that some of them might come to the S24 in future software updates, although there is no word from Samsung on that end just yet.
For those coming from an older device or looking for a polished flagship at a reasonable price, the Galaxy S25 is an excellent choice. Starting at $799, it offers enough improvements to keep Samsung’s flagship line competitive while maintaining the familiar quality users expect.
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