By I’ve been using Samsung’s Ultra flagships since the S21 Ultra, and every January, I face the same question my friends and readers ask: “Should I buy now or wait for the next one?”
This year, that question is more complicated than ever. The S24 Ultra is currently available with solid discounts, the S25 Ultra just launched, and leaks about the S26 Ultra are already making people second-guess their decisions.
After spending months with the S24 Ultra and closely following everything about the S25 Ultra launch, I’m going to break down exactly what each phone offers, who should buy what, and whether waiting for the S26 Ultra makes any sense.
No fluff, no spec-sheet copying. Just honest insights to help you make the right decision.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Still Worth It in 2025?
Let me start with the phone I currently use: the S24 Ultra.
Key Specs:
- 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (3120 x 1440)
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor
- 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB storage options
- Quad camera: 200MP main, 50MP 5x telephoto, 10MP 3x telephoto, 12MP ultra-wide
- 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging
- S Pen included
- Titanium frame
Current Price in India: The S24 Ultra launched at ₹1,29,999 for the base 12GB/256GB variant. As of early 2025, you can find it for around ₹1,09,999 to ₹1,14,999 during sales, and sometimes even lower with exchange offers.
In the US, it launched at $1,299 but now regularly sells for $1,099-$1,199.
What I Actually Like About It:
The S24 Ultra’s camera system is genuinely excellent. That 200MP sensor isn’t just a spec-sheet number. In good light, the detail is incredible, and the 5x optical zoom is something I use almost daily. Night photography is where it really shines compared to older Samsung phones.
The S Pen integration is smoother than ever. I don’t use it constantly, but for quick notes, precise photo editing, and signing documents, it’s genuinely useful.
Battery life easily gets me through a full day of heavy use. I’m talking 6-7 hours of screen-on time with 5G, plenty of camera usage, and social media scrolling.
The Real Drawbacks:
Charging speed is frustratingly slow compared to Chinese competitors. 45W sounds decent on paper, but it takes about 65 minutes for a full charge. My friend’s OnePlus charges twice as fast.
It’s heavy. At 232 grams, you definitely feel it in your pocket. After a few hours of holding it, my hand gets tired.
The titanium frame, while premium, shows fingerprints constantly. I ended up using a case anyway.
Who Should Buy the S24 Ultra Right Now:
If you can get it for under ₹1,10,000 in India (or under $1,100 in the US) with exchange offers, it’s genuinely a great deal. The performance difference with the S25 Ultra isn’t massive for everyday users, and you’re saving significant money.
This makes sense if you’re coming from an S21 or older, or switching from another brand.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: What’s Actually New?
The S25 Ultra launched in late January 2025, and I got hands-on time with it at a Samsung event.
Key Specs:
- 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (slightly larger)
- Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (Qualcomm’s latest)
- 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB storage options
- Improved quad camera system with better AI processing
- 5,000mAh battery with 45W charging
- S Pen included
- Refined titanium design with slimmer bezels
Official India Pricing:
- 12GB/256GB: ₹1,29,999
- 12GB/512GB: ₹1,39,999
- 12GB/1TB: ₹1,59,999
Release Date: The Galaxy S25 Ultra was officially announced on January 22, 2025, with pre-orders starting immediately. General availability in India began February 7, 2025.
Current Offers in India (As of Early 2025):
Yes, Samsung is offering attractive launch deals. During the pre-order and launch period, buyers can get up to ₹12,000 cashback through select bank cards (HDFC, SBI, ICICI typically). Additionally, no-cost EMI options for 6-12 months are available, making the effective monthly payment around ₹10,800 for the base model.
Exchange bonuses of up to ₹8,000 extra over regular trade-in value are also part of launch offers.
What’s Actually Better Than S24 Ultra:
Processor performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite is noticeably faster, especially in sustained gaming. Benchmarks show about 30% better performance, but in real-world use, I noticed the difference mainly in camera processing speed and AI features.
Slimmer design: Samsung shaved off about 15 grams. It might not sound like much, but it genuinely feels better in hand during extended use.
Camera AI improvements: The S25 Ultra has better computational photography. Low-light photos have less noise, and portrait mode edge detection is more accurate. However, the hardware is similar to S24 Ultra.
Software support: Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates from launch, meaning this phone will get updates until 2032. The S24 Ultra also got this promise retroactively, but buying newer means more future-proofing.
What Didn’t Change (Honestly):
Charging speed is still 45W. Disappointing.
Battery capacity is identical at 5,000mAh. Battery life is slightly better due to the more efficient processor, but we’re talking maybe 30-45 minutes extra screen time.
The camera hardware is almost identical. The improvements are mostly software-based.
Real Talk About Value:
The S25 Ultra is the better phone technically, but is it ₹20,000+ better than a discounted S24 Ultra? For most people, probably not.
If you want the absolute latest tech and plan to keep the phone for 4-5 years, the S25 Ultra makes sense. If you’re more value-conscious, the S24 Ultra at its current price is the smarter buy.
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: What We Know (And Don’t Know)
Here’s where I need to be completely honest: the S26 Ultra doesn’t exist yet, and most information is based on leaks and industry patterns.
Expected Launch: January 2026 (following Samsung’s typical schedule)
Rumored Specs (Based on Credible Leaks):
- 6.9-inch display with potential under-display camera
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 or Samsung’s own Exynos 2500 (region-dependent)
- Possible 16GB RAM option for the first time
- Upgraded camera sensor with better low-light performance
- Variable aperture lens (rumored)
- Faster 65W charging (finally)
- Same 5,000mAh or possibly 5,500mAh battery
What Colors Might the S26 Come In?
Samsung typically launches with 4-5 colors. Based on their recent pattern and early leaks, expect variations of:
- Titanium Gray
- Titanium Black
- Titanium Violet
- Titanium Yellow or Green (exclusive online colors)
However, take color leaks with caution—Samsung often changes these closer to launch.
Expected Price in India:
Based on Samsung’s pricing patterns, the S26 Ultra will likely start at ₹1,34,999 to ₹1,39,999 for the base variant. Flagship prices have been creeping up consistently.
What’s Likely to Be Different:
If the rumors are accurate, the S26 Ultra might finally address the charging speed issue. Moving to 65W would be a meaningful upgrade.
The camera improvements are expected to focus on video capabilities and low-light performance rather than megapixel counts.
Samsung might introduce more AI features tied to Galaxy AI, possibly with on-device processing improvements.
Should You Wait for It?
This is the question I get most often: “Should I wait for the S26 Ultra?”
My honest answer: Only if your current phone is working fine and you’re not in urgent need.
The S26 Ultra is still about 11-12 months away from launch. That’s a long time to wait, especially if you’re struggling with an old, slow phone now.
By the time the S26 Ultra launches in January 2026, the S25 Ultra will have received several software updates and will be available at a discount. It might actually be the better value then.
Head-to-Head: S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra
Let me break down the practical differences that actually matter:
Performance in Daily Use: Both phones handle everything smoothly. Unless you’re a heavy mobile gamer playing Genshin Impact at max settings for hours, you won’t notice the processor difference.
Camera Quality: In perfect lighting: Nearly identical. In low light: S25 Ultra has a slight edge with better noise reduction. Video recording: S25 Ultra has smoother stabilization. Zoom quality: Essentially the same.
Battery Life: S24 Ultra: 6-7 hours screen-on time S25 Ultra: 6.5-7.5 hours screen-on time
Both easily last a full day for most users.
Software Experience: Both run One UI 7 (or whatever the latest version is when you read this). The S25 Ultra will get updates one year longer.
Build Quality: S25 Ultra feels slightly more refined with slimmer bezels and better weight distribution.
Winner: S25 Ultra is objectively better, but the S24 Ultra offers better value for money.
Buying Guide: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
After testing these phones and talking to dozens of people who’ve bought them, here’s my honest recommendation:
Buy the S24 Ultra if:
- You can get it for under ₹1,10,000 with offers
- You don’t need the absolute latest specs
- You’re upgrading from a phone that’s 3+ years old
- Value for money matters more than having the newest model
Buy the S25 Ultra if:
- You plan to keep the phone for 5+ years
- You want the best Samsung currently offers
- You’re a heavy mobile photographer/videographer
- The ₹12,000 cashback and EMI offers bring it within your budget
- You’re upgrading from S22 Ultra or older
Wait for the S26 Ultra if:
- Your current phone works perfectly fine
- You specifically want better charging speed
- You can afford to wait 11-12 months
- You always want the newest tech regardless of price
Skip the Ultra series if:
- You don’t use the S Pen at all
- You rarely use zoom cameras
- You’re not a power user
- Budget is tight (consider S24+ or S24 FE instead)
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Best Time to Buy: Timing Your Purchase
I’ve tracked Samsung’s pricing patterns for years. Here’s when you get the best deals:
Best times to buy in India:
- During launch pre-orders: (January for new models) – You get cashback, extra exchange value, and bundled offers
- Samsung Festive Days: (August-September Diwali sales) – Usually 10-15% off with exchange bonuses
- Amazon Great Indian Festival / Flipkart Big Billion Days: (October) – Additional bank offers stack with discounts
- End of financial year: (March) – Samsung clears inventory before new financial quarter
Worst time to buy: November-December. Festive sales are over, and new launch is approaching. Prices stabilize, and offers are minimal.
For the S24 Ultra right now: February-March 2025 is actually an excellent time. The S25 Ultra launch has pushed down S24 prices, and retailers are clearing stock.
Country-Wise Pricing: Where Is the S25 Ultra Cheapest?
This is a question I get constantly, especially from people considering international purchases.
Based on current official pricing (converted to approximate USD):
Cheapest:
- USA: $1,299 (₹1,08,000 approx) – Cheapest due to direct pricing without heavy import duties
- UAE/Dubai: Around $1,350 (₹1,12,500) – Popular for Indians traveling
- Hong Kong: Approximately $1,380 – Tax-free status helps
Mid-range:
- Singapore: Around $1,450
- UK: £1,249 (approximately $1,550) – VAT included
- India: ₹1,29,999 ($1,560) – Import duties and GST inflate prices
Most expensive:
- Brazil: Often 40-50% more expensive than US due to import taxes
- Turkey: High local taxes make it very expensive
Should you buy internationally?
I’ve done this myself. Here’s the reality:
Pros: Save ₹15,000-20,000 on the base model if buying from US/Dubai
Cons:
- No official warranty in India
- Different charger (US version needs adapter)
- No exchange offer benefits
- Risk during travel
- Different cellular bands might affect 5G in some areas
My take: If you’re already traveling and can bring it back, worth it. Don’t make a special trip just to save money—the hassle isn’t worth it.
My Final Recommendation
After everything I’ve shared, here’s what I’d do if I were buying today:
If you’re in India right now and need a phone: Buy the S24 Ultra at a discounted price. You’ll save ₹20,000+, get essentially 90% of the S25 Ultra experience, and avoid the “new launch premium.”
If money isn’t a constraint and you want the latest: Go for the S25 Ultra with the cashback offers. The no-cost EMI makes it more manageable, and you’re getting a phone that’ll comfortably last 5 years.
If you’re not in a hurry: Wait for the S24 Ultra to drop to ₹1,05,000 or below by April-May 2025. That’s the sweet spot for value.
Don’t wait for the S26 Ultra unless your current phone is working perfectly. A year is too long to wait based on rumors and leaks.
The bottom line: Both the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra are excellent phones. Your decision should be based on how much you’re willing to spend and how long you plan to use the phone, not on which has the flashier spec sheet.
I’m still using my S24 Ultra daily, and honestly, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything crucial by not immediately upgrading to the S25 Ultra.
What phone are you currently using, and which Ultra are you leaning towards? Drop a comment—I respond to everyone and love hearing about people’s upgrade journeys.