1. Introduction: Premature Aging or Complete Maturity?
1.1. S24 Ultra's Position in the 2025 Market
In the world of technology, one year is a long time. Chinese phones with 120W chargers and 24GB of RAM have arrived, and Samsung has introduced the S25 series with a new design (rounded corners). However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra sits in a unique position. This phone is no longer the "newest," but it is definitely not "old." It now plays the role of the "Rational Choice." It represents a mature product that has overcome its teething issues and stands as a reliable titan against newer, more expensive, but potentially less stable competitors.
1.2. The Golden Buying Opportunity
In global markets, the price of the S24 Ultra has dropped by about $300 to $400 compared to its launch price ($1300). Meanwhile, the S25 Ultra is expected to launch with a potential base price of $1400. The main question is: Is that 15% extra power in the new model worth this massive price difference? For 90% of users, the answer is likely no, making the S24 Ultra the smart money buy of 2025.
2. Design & Build Quality After One Year
2.1. Titanium: Marketing or Reality?
I (Tekin Plus reviewer) used this phone for a full year without a case to test the Grade 2 Titanium frame's durability. The result? The titanium frame is incredibly resistant to major impacts and drops, acting as a solid shield. However, it is not immune to "Micro-scratches." Keys in pockets and rough surfaces have left tiny marks, especially on the darker color variants. The sharp corners, a signature of the Ultra line, remain an ergonomic complaint, digging into the palm during long sessions—a problem rumors say the S25 fixes with rounded edges.
2.2. Flat Display: Samsung's Best Decision
After years of curved screens, the S24 Ultra went flat. After a year of use, I can confidently say this was Samsung's best decision.
1. Installing screen protectors is cheap and easy; no more expensive UV glue domes.
2. The S-Pen no longer slips off the edges when drawing or taking notes.
3. "Ghost Touches" have been reduced to absolute zero. The usability improvement far outweighs the loss of the "infinity" aesthetic.
2.3. The Magic of Gorilla Glass Armor
The anti-reflective coating on this phone is magical, even in 2025. When other phones (even the iPhone 16) act like mirrors under direct sunlight, reflecting your face back at you, the S24 Ultra shows deep blacks and clear content. This feature maintains its effectiveness over time, provided the oleophobic coating hasn't completely worn off. It's a feature you don't realize is vital until you switch back to a reflective screen.
3. Display: Still Unrivaled
3.1. Visual Experience
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 2600 nits brightness is still one of the best on the market. In our side-by-side tests with new Chinese flagships boasting 4000+ nits (which are often peak numbers for small areas), the S24 Ultra still holds the advantage in Color Accuracy and HDR management. The sustained brightness is impressive, ensuring readability in the harshest deserts or brightest snow.
3.2. PWM Dimming
The only area where the phone's age might show is the PWM Dimming rate (Pulse Width Modulation). Newer Chinese phones offer higher frequency dimming (like 3840Hz) which is easier on sensitive eyes in dark environments. Samsung's lower frequency might cause eye strain for a small percentage of users during nighttime reading, though for the vast majority, it remains imperceptible.
4. Hardware & Performance: The Dragon Hasn't Aged
4.1. Stability After Updates
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset is still a monster. Unlike previous years where Samsung updates occasionally slowed down phones (planned obsolescence theories aside), the S24 Ultra has become even smoother with the reception of One UI 7 (Android 16). Animations are lag-free, and app switching is instant. The optimization between hardware and software has peaked.
4.2. 2025 Gaming Test
We tested heavy new games of 2025 (like the updated Warzone Mobile and Genshin Impact with new textures). The S24 Ultra can still run these games at maximum settings with a stable 60 FPS. The large Vapor Chamber cooling system ensures that even in long sessions, we don't experience severe thermal throttling. It gets warm, yes, but it doesn't drop frames like the Exynos-based predecessors.
5. Camera: Software Evolution
5.1. The Miracle of Updates
At launch, the S24 Ultra's camera suffered from issues like Shutter Lag and noise in zoom. However, over the year, Samsung released 5 major camera updates that resolved these issues. Image processing has become more natural, moving away from the severe "Over-sharpening" of the past. The "Camera Assistant" module in Good Lock allows users to prioritize speed over quality, finally fixing the shutter lag for capturing moving kids or pets.
5.2. 5x Zoom: The Right Decision?
Many worried about the removal of the 10x optical zoom. After a year, our final verdict is: The 50MP 5x zoom is far more practical. This lens offers incredible quality for portraits and mid-range photography (which is used more often). Furthermore, the 10x digital zoom crop from this sensor, aided by AI, shows little difference from the optical 10x of the S23 Ultra, while offering better low-light performance.
5.3. Videography
In the Android world, it remains the king of video. The stability, switching between lenses at 4K/60fps, and audio capture are unmatched. While the iPhone still holds a slight edge in ProRes workflow, for 99% of users, the S24 Ultra is a pocket cinema camera.
6. Software & AI: Galaxy AI Reality Check
6.1. Which Features Stuck?
Samsung marketed AI heavily. But in practice, what do we actually use?
Most Used: Circle to Search has become a daily habit. It's faster than typing. Also, "Note Summarization" is a godsend for students and journalists.
Least Used: "Live Translate" for calls is still a bit slow and robotic, often creating awkward pauses in conversation. It's a party trick more than a daily tool for most.
6.2. 7-Year Support
This phone updates until Android 21! Buying it today means it still has 6 years of software life left. This is the S24 Ultra's biggest advantage over new mid-rangers or older flagships. It holds its resale value better because of this longevity.
7. Battery & Charging: The Achilles Heel
7.1. Battery Health
After a year of daily charging, our test unit's Battery Health has reached about 92%. This is normal degradation, but it means the 5000mAh battery no longer lasts 1.5 days like on day one; it's strictly a one-day phone now. Heavy users will need a top-up by evening.
7.2. 45W Charging
This is where the S24 Ultra feels old. When Chinese phones charge in 20 minutes, waiting 65 minutes for a full charge on the S24 Ultra in 2025 is annoying. It is the only part of the phone that doesn't feel "Flagship." Samsung's refusal to push charging speeds is a safety conservatism that hurts the user experience.
8. Comparison with Galaxy S25 Ultra: Should You Upgrade?
According to leaks, the S25 Ultra features a more ergonomic body (rounded), Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, and 16GB of RAM base.
Upgrade If: You are tired of the sharp corners of the S24 digging into your hand, or you need insane processing power for on-device AI generation.
Keep (or Buy S24) If: You are a regular user. The performance difference in daily tasks and even photography isn't significant enough to justify the upgrade cost.
9. Tekin Plus Verdict: The Final Judgment
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in 2025 remains one of the most complete packages in the mobile world. It is like a "Fine Wine" that has gotten better with time and software updates.
If your budget doesn't stretch to the S25 Ultra, buying the S24 Ultra at its current reduced price is the smartest move possible. You get 95% of the new flagship experience for 30% less money. It is a powerhouse that will not let you down.
- Value for Money in 2025: 9/10
- Durability & Build: 10/10
- Camera: 9.5/10
- Battery & Charging: 7/10
- Tekin Plus Score: 9.2/10 (Highly Recommended)