With the release of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, many people are asking: is it worth upgrading if you already own the Galaxy S23 Ultra? These two models are separated by two generations, and while the S25 Ultra introduces some exciting improvements, it’s important to weigh these changes against the price of an upgrade. Having had the opportunity to test both smartphones, here’s a comparison to help you decide.
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Display: A True Upgrade After Two Years?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra sports a slightly larger 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED X2 screen, compared to the 6.8-inch display on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. While the increase in size is modest, it comes with thinner bezels, making the display feel more expansive. But the changes don’t stop there. The S25 Ultra is equipped with Gorilla Armor 2 glass, which drastically reduces reflections while also improving durability against drops and scratches. On top of that, the brightness is cranked up to an impressive 2600 nits, compared to the S23 Ultra’s 1750 nits.
In terms of color calibration, the S25 Ultra edges ahead, offering brighter and more vibrant colors. That said, the S23 Ultra still offers a top-notch display that’s more than sufficient for most users. Overall, the S25 Ultra takes the lead here, but the S23 Ultra isn’t far behind in terms of display quality.
A Slightly More Rounded Design for the Galaxy S25 Ultra
In the two years since the S23 Ultra, Samsung has made some subtle design tweaks. The S25 Ultra has slightly more rounded edges and flatter sides, making it easier to hold, even with its sizable build. Personally, I find the S25 Ultra’s design more appealing, though both phones are hefty. The S25 Ultra weighs 218 grams and has a thickness of 8.2 mm, while the S23 Ultra is slightly heavier at 233 grams and measures 8.9 mm thick.
In addition, the S25 Ultra comes with a titanium frame, adding a premium feel and reinforcing the phone’s overall sturdiness. The design has evolved, but both models remain impressive in terms of aesthetics.
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: What Does This Mean for Gaming?
With two generations of processors between them, there’s no surprise when it comes to performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the S25 Ultra is a substantial upgrade over the S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Benchmarks show a significant performance boost, with the S25 Ultra hitting scores of 2899 in single-core and 9033 in multi-core tests on Geekbench 6, compared to 1881 and 4906 on the S23 Ultra.
For mobile gamers, the S25 Ultra’s enhanced power means better graphics performance, particularly in ray tracing for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections. Additionally, the S25 Ultra manages heat more effectively, keeping temperatures more stable during heavy usage.
Despite these improvements, the S23 Ultra still holds its ground, offering more than enough power to run demanding games like Genshin Impact at max settings without a significant battery drain. For most users, the S23 Ultra will still be more than capable.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra a Better Camera Phone?
When it comes to the camera, both the S23 Ultra and S25 Ultra are equipped with a 200 MP (f/1.7) main sensor and a 10 MP (f/2.4) 3x telephoto lens. However, the S25 Ultra brings some notable upgrades. The ultra-wide sensor is now 50 MP (f/1.9), compared to the 12 MP (f/2.2) on the S23 Ultra, offering more detail in wide shots. Additionally, the S25 Ultra has a 5x optical telephoto lens (f/3.4), replacing the S23 Ultra’s 10x (f/4.9), and it captures better details even at higher zoom levels.
While the S23 Ultra is still a strong contender in photography, the S25 Ultra benefits from improved software processing, producing brighter images with more accurate color reproduction. In particular, the ultra-wide shots on the S25 Ultra stand out, capturing more detail and producing better sharpness and color accuracy.
Battery Life: Nearly a Draw
Both the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S25 Ultra come with a 5000 mAh battery, so there isn’t much of a difference in terms of size. The S25 Ultra does feature better optimization, especially with its newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, allowing it to last slightly longer on a single charge. However, there’s nothing groundbreaking here. Both devices support 45W fast charging, which gets you back up to full in just over an hour.
Despite the optimization improvements, Samsung has not introduced any major advancements in battery technology, so it’s not a dealbreaker if you’re already using the S23 Ultra.
Much of the Innovation Is Software-Driven
Samsung has focused heavily on software with the S25 Ultra, especially in terms of artificial intelligence. The latest version of One UI (One UI 7) brings new icons, widgets, and an improved control panel, making navigation more fluid and intuitive. But the most significant changes come from the array of intelligent features:
- Now Bar, which shows context-based information like music, directions, or even game scores on your lock screen.
- Now Brief, a summary of your day generated in the morning and evening.
- Action Cross App, enabling the AI to perform multiple actions at once, like finding a restaurant and sending the details to a friend.
- Magic Audio Eraser, which removes background noise from your videos.
- Enhanced image generation and sound-based search to find relevant content.
Many of these features are exclusive to the S25 Ultra, but they will likely trickle down to other Samsung devices in the near future, including the S23 Ultra.
Should You Upgrade from the Galaxy S23 Ultra to the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
While the S25 Ultra clearly outperforms the S23 Ultra in several areas, such as performance, camera quality, screen brightness, and software features, it might not be worth upgrading for everyone. The S23 Ultra remains an excellent device, capable of handling demanding tasks and producing stunning photos. Plus, with two more years of software updates, it’s not yet outdated.
If you’re currently using a Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Ultra, or even an older model, the S25 Ultra is a fantastic choice. It’s one of the best smartphones of the year, offering cutting-edge performance and features. But if you already own the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it’s probably worth holding off for the S26 Ultra or S27 Ultra, which are likely to bring even more significant improvements.
In conclusion, unless you’re looking for drastic upgrades in camera or performance, the S23 Ultra still holds up well and can serve you for at least another couple of years. However, if you’re due for an upgrade and want the latest and greatest, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is an impressive choice.