This analysis examines whether Samsung's latest flagship justifies its €200 premium over its predecessor. We'll explore design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience to help you make an informed decision.
Design and build quality
The Galaxy S25 features subtle refinements to Samsung's established design:
- The chassis is 0.4mm thinner (7.1mm vs 7.5mm) while maintaining the same length and width
- Both phones use Armor Aluminum 2.0 frames with IP68 water resistance
- Both weigh 196g (±0.5%)
- The S25's edges have a slightly larger curve radius, improving comfort during extended use
- Internal structure testing shows identical torsional strength at 14.2N·m/degree
Display technology
Samsung maintains display consistency between generations:
- 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel
- 2340×1080 resolution (416ppi)
- 100% DCI-P3 color coverage
- 1,600 nit peak HDR brightness
- 1-120Hz variable refresh rate
- 3.4ms pixel response time
- 4.8% reflection rate under bright light
Performance
The S25 introduces significant processing improvements:
- Uses Snapdragon 8 Elite For Galaxy globally
- Features a 1+3+4 core configuration with Cortex-X5 prime core at 3.8GHz
- Benchmark improvements over S24:
- Antutu v10: 30.1% faster (1,823K vs 1,402K)
- Geekbench 6: 21.8% faster single-core, 28.2% faster multi-core
- GFXBench: 55.1% better graphics performance
- Better thermal management maintains 92.4% peak performance under load vs 83.7% on S24
Camera System
Both phones share identical camera hardware:
- 50MP main camera (ISOCELL GN3, f/1.8)
- 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom, f/2.4, OIS)
- 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120° field of view)
Key differences:
- S25 shows 11.2% less noise in digital zoom
- S25 prioritizes noise reduction in low light
- S24 captures better shadow detail
- S24 maintains slightly better video quality at the same bitrate
Battery and charging
Despite identical 4,000mAh batteries:
- S25 lasts 13 hours 42 minutes vs S24's 13 hours 8 minutes
- Gaming endurance: 6h19m vs 5h47m
- VoLTE talk time: 33h vs 29h
- Both phones:
- Charge 0-100% in 73-78 minutes with 25W charging
- Support 15W wireless charging
Audio performance
The S25 brings audio improvements:
- Extended bass response (280Hz vs 320Hz)
- Lower distortion (1.8% vs 2.1% THD)
- Better midrange accuracy (±1.8dB vs ±2.7dB)
- Slightly lower maximum volume (109.3dB vs 111.4dB)
Verdict
The S25 offers meaningful upgrades for specific users:
1. Performance enthusiasts who need maximum processing power
2. Users who value audio quality
3. Those who run demanding apps for extended periods
The S24 remains an excellent choice for:
1. Value-conscious buyers, especially after price drops
2. Users who prioritize camera quality
3. Those who don't need maximum processing power
With Samsung's seven-year update commitment, both phones will receive support through 2031. The S24 typically retains 92-97% of its value after one year, while the S25 is projected to retain 85-89%.
Choose the S25 if you need its processing advantages. Pick the S24 if you want similar core features at a lower price point.
