Galaxy S25 vs S24 vs S23: What are the differences?

Samsung's Galaxy S series has long been a frontrunner in the smartphone market, offering annual updates that promise sleeker designs, smarter features, and genuine competition for Apple’s range of iPhones. With the recent release of the Samsung Galaxy S25, it's time to examine how it stacks up against its predecessors, the S24 and S23, and analyse the key differences. Has there been a revolutionary leap or have we just seen incremental upgrades? Let's find out.

Design & Display: Subtle Shifts

Let’s be honest - most of us slap a chunky case on our phones within five minutes of unboxing. But that doesn’t mean design doesn’t matter! Whether you care about weight, dimensions or just want to show off a shiny new gadget at brunch, we’ve got the lowdown on how these phones look and feel.

Galaxy S23: Introduced in 2023, the S23 featured a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels.

Galaxy S24: The S24, released in 2024, slightly increased the display size to 6.2 inches while maintaining the same resolution.

Galaxy S25: The latest S25 continues with the 6.2-inch display but introduces a thinner and lighter design, weighing just 162 grams and measuring 7.2mm in thickness.

While the display size and resolution have remained relatively consistent, the S25's design refinements contribute to a more comfortable in-hand feel.

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Performance: Powering Up

Processor chit-chat can sound like gobbledygook to the uninitiated, but don’t worry - we’ve decoded the lingo. If you’re wondering which phone is faster than a squirrel after an espresso, this section is for you!

Galaxy S23: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the S23 delivered solid performance for its time and is still well regarded.

Galaxy S24: The S24 upgraded to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400, depending on the region, offering improved efficiency and performance.

Galaxy S25: The S25 takes a significant leap with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, boasting a 37% faster CPU, 30% faster GPU, and 40% faster NPU compared to the S24.

For users seeking top-tier performance, the S25 stands out with its substantial processing upgrades.

Camera Capabilities: AI Enhancements

Say cheese! Whether you're snapping selfies, sunsets, or 437 pictures of your beloved pet mid-yawn (hi Kiki!), here's what each phone's camera can actually do (spoiler: probably a lot more than you’ll ever need).

Galaxy S23 & S24: Both models feature a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto lenses.

Galaxy S25: While maintaining the same camera hardware, the S25 introduces advanced AI features like Audio Eraser for isolating and adjusting sounds in videos, and improved low-light performance.

The S25's AI-driven enhancements provide users with more versatile and refined photography and videography tools.

Battery Life & Charging: Which performs best?

No one likes a mobile that taps out by tea-time. We’ve taken a look at how long each phone lasts, how fast they charge, and whether you’ll likely be desperately searching for a plug socket by 4pm.

Galaxy S23: Equipped with a 3,900mAh battery, the S23 offered decent battery life for daily use, at best lasting for 19 hours during browsing testing.

Galaxy S24: The S24 increased the battery capacity to 4,000mAh, providing improved longevity. This lasted slightly longer than the S23, at 20 hours in a similar test.

Galaxy S25: Retaining the 4,000mAh battery, the S25 benefits from the energy efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, resulting in better overall battery performance, lasting an impressive 21 hours.

While the battery capacity hasn't changed significantly, the S25's optimised power management ensures slightly longer usage between charges.

Software & AI Features: Smarter Than Ever

AI is everywhere now - it finishes your texts, edits your photos, and might even know what you’re having for dinner (pizza again? You devil, you!). Samsung’s latest phones are basically your own tiny, polite assistant. But how helpful is it really? Let’s dig in.

Galaxy S23: Running on Android 13 with One UI 5.1, the S23 provided a smooth user experience but lacked advanced AI features.

Galaxy S24: Introduced Galaxy AI with features like Circle to Search, Generative Edit, and Live Translate, enhancing user interaction and making it more useful when you’re out and about.

Galaxy S25: Expands on AI capabilities with a personal AI concierge, Now Brief for contextual updates, and seamless app interactions, all powered by One UI 7 and integrated with Google Gemini. AI feels more ‘baked in’ and fluid to use moment-to-moment and day-to-day. Fancy!

The S25's AI advancements offer a more personalised and intuitive experience.

Conclusion: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Time for the million-pound question (OK, more like £1,200, but still): should you upgrade? If your current phone is running fine and you’re not bothered by shiny new features, you might just want to hang tight while companies like Samsung improve AI integration (and we are predicting bigger shifts and improvements coming in the next couple of years). But if you’re currently carrying around an ancient artefact or just crave a cutting-edge handset, keep reading...

From S23 to S24: If you're using the S23, the S24 offers modest improvements in battery life and AI features.

From S24 to S25: The S25 presents significant enhancements in processing power, AI capabilities, and design, making it a compelling upgrade for S24 users seeking the latest innovations.

From S23 to S25: For S23 users, the S25 delivers substantial upgrades across the board, making it a worthwhile investment for those desiring the latest technology and peak performance.

From an older Samsung or other Android phone: If you’re upgrading from a Galaxy S21 or earlier, or from a different Android brand entirely, the S25 could offer a noticeable leap in performance, AI features, and software longevity, making it a great choice for future-proofing.

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy S25 represents a step forward in Samsung's flagship line-up, particularly in AI integration and performance. While the design changes are subtle, the internal enhancements and software advancements make it a standout choice for users looking to experience the pinnacle of modern smartphone technology. If you are looking to switch from Apple to Android, and you’re looking for the best of the best, you can’t go wrong with the latest Samsung (though it may also be worth checking out the Google Pixel 9, the OnePlus 13 or the Oppo Find X8 Pro as they’re all high quality handsets with a lot going for them).

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