Few phones have sparked as much curiosity about their own successor as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024 with a 200MP camera, titanium frame, and Galaxy AI — but a year later, with the S25 Ultra on shelves, the question is whether to buy one now or skip it. This guide cuts through the noise with Ireland-specific pricing, real-world specs, common pitfalls, and an honest comparison against its newer sibling.
Display size: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X · Battery capacity: 5000 mAh · Main camera: 200MP quad tele camera · Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 · Storage options: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB · Release date: January 2024
Quick snapshot
- 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 120Hz (Samsung Ireland specs page)
- 200MP main camera with 50MP periscope telephoto (Vodafone Ireland device guide)
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset (Samsung Ireland product page)
- 5000 mAh battery with 45W wired charging (Gomibo.ie pricing)
- Exact reason for discontinuation beyond typical lifecycle (Samsung Ireland)
- Whether long-term software support will extend past 2028 (Senetic.ie)
- January 2024: Galaxy S24 Ultra announced and released (Samsung Ireland)
- Early 2025: Galaxy S25 Ultra announced, S24 Ultra discontinued (Samsung Ireland)
- S24 Ultra remains a strong choice if found under €1,000 (Gomibo.ie pricing)
- S25 Ultra expected to bring Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and lighter build (Samsung Ireland)
Six key specs, one pattern: the S24 Ultra was built to be the complete package. Here’s how the numbers stack up.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | January 2024 |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 232 g |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256/512 GB, 1 TB |
| Display | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Main camera | 200 MP f/1.7 |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired, 15W wireless |
Is It Worth Upgrading Your S24 Ultra to the S25 Ultra?
Performance gains
The S25 Ultra is expected to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, while the S24 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (Vodafone Ireland chipset listing). Early leaks suggest a 15–20% CPU uplift, but for day-to-day tasks — social media, messaging, video streaming — the Gen 3 remains buttery smooth. The upgrade makes sense only if you’re into heavy gaming or 8K video editing on the go.
You’ll gain raw compute speed, but lose nothing critical by sticking with the S24 Ultra. The Gen 3 still handles every app available in 2025 without breaking a sweat.
Camera improvements
The S24 Ultra’s 200MP main sensor, paired with a 50MP periscope telephoto offering 5x optical zoom, remains a class leader (Samsung Ireland camera specs). The S25 Ultra reportedly improves low-light processing and adds a new ultra‑wide sensor, but the hardware gap is narrow. Most users won’t notice a difference without side‑by‑side pixel peeping.
AI features
Both models run Galaxy AI, including Live Translate and Circle to Search (Samsung Ireland AI features page). Samsung has committed to bringing future AI updates to the S24 Ultra, so you won’t be left out of new features until at least 2026.
Battery life
The S24 Ultra packs a 5000 mAh battery with 45W wired charging (Vodafone Ireland battery specs). The S25 Ultra keeps the same capacity but adds slightly faster wireless charging. In real-world use, both comfortably last a full day; the difference is negligible.
The S24 Ultra still delivers 95% of the experience you’d get from the S25 Ultra. S24 Ultra owners: wait another year. New buyers: grab the S24 Ultra at a discount.
Which Is Better: S24 Ultra or S25 Ultra?
Design and build
Both phones use titanium frames and Gorilla Armor glass (Samsung Ireland design page). The S25 Ultra is rumoured to be a few grams lighter, but the S24 Ultra’s 232 g weight is already manageable. The S Pen slot remains identical.
Display quality
Both feature a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 3120×1440 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 2600 nits peak brightness (Vodafone Ireland display specs). You’re looking at the same screen, period.
Camera capabilities
The S24 Ultra’s quad‑tele camera — 200MP main, 50MP periscope (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x), and 12MP ultrawide — is virtually unchanged in the S25 Ultra (Samsung Ireland camera details). The main difference is software processing; the S25 Ultra may get slightly better HDR and night mode.
Performance and software
Both run One UI 6.1 at launch and will receive updates for seven years (Samsung Ireland software policy). The S25 Ultra’s newer chip won’t change your daily experience.
Five comparison points, one pattern: the real difference is generational, not revolutionary.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (expected) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB (expected) |
| Main camera | 200 MP f/1.7 | 200 MP (refined processing) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Weight | 232 g | ~225 g (rumoured) |
The pattern: the S25 Ultra is an incremental update. For most people, the S24 Ultra offers the same core experience at a lower price.
How Much Does the Samsung S24 Ultra Cost in Ireland?
Retail prices from Samsung Ireland
Samsung Ireland lists the Galaxy S24 Ultra starting at €1,449 for the 256GB model (Samsung Ireland shop). The 512GB and 1TB versions cost €1,569 and €1,809 respectively.
Carrier deals with Three, Vodafone
Vodafone Ireland offers the S24 Ultra on bill‑pay plans; the device guide lists full specs but not live pricing (Vodafone Ireland). Three Ireland typically bundles the phone with unlimited data plans, bringing the upfront cost down to €49–€99 on high‑tier contracts.
Second‑hand and refurbished prices
Resellers like fone4u and eBay Ireland list refurbished S24 Ultra units from around €1,000. Gomibo.ie offers the EU model at €910 (Gomibo.ie listing), while Senetic.ie lists it at €1,477 (Senetic.ie). Prices vary widely, so shop around.
What this means: if you’re on a budget, the refurbished route can save you €400–€500 without losing any core capability.
What Makes the Samsung S24 Ultra Special?
Quad tele camera system
The 200MP main sensor paired with a 50MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom) is unique to the Ultra line (Vodafone Ireland camera specs). It captures detail that even some dedicated mirrorless cameras struggle to match.
AI‑powered features (Galaxy AI)
Galaxy AI brings Live Translate for calls, Circle to Search, and photo‑editing tools that can remove objects or adjust lighting (Samsung Ireland AI page). These aren’t gimmicks; they genuinely save time.
S Pen integration
The built‑in S Pen with improved low latency makes note‑taking and photo editing precise (Samsung Ireland S Pen details). No other flagship offers this.
Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz
The 6.8‑inch panel with 2600 nits peak brightness is legible even under direct Irish sunlight (Vodafone Ireland display). HDR10+ support makes watching Netflix or YouTube a treat.
The catch: the S24 Ultra packs so many features that it can feel overwhelming — but that’s exactly why it appeals to power users.
What Are the Most Common S24 Ultra Problems?
Battery drain issues
Some users report faster battery drain after One UI updates, particularly in the first few days while the system re‑optimises (Samsung Ireland support forum). A full charge cycle usually resolves it.
Overheating during heavy use
Recording 8K video or playing graphics‑intensive games can cause the phone to warm up noticeably (Vodafone Ireland thermal notes). Samsung has released patches to manage throttling.
Camera focusing problems
In low‑light conditions, the camera’s post‑processing can produce soft images (Samsung Ireland camera comments). Switching to Pro mode or using the 50MP mode helps sharpen details.
Software bugs and stuttering
Early builds of One UI 6.1 had occasional stuttering in the app drawer and notification shade (Samsung Ireland update log). Most of these were fixed by the 6.1.1 update.
Upsides
- Exceptional camera versatility (200MP + 50MP telephoto)
- Brightest display in its class (2600 nits)
- Built‑in S Pen and Galaxy AI
- Seven years of software updates
Downsides
- Can get warm under heavy load
- Battery drain after major updates
- No headphone jack or expandable storage
- Heavier than some rivals (232 g)
The trade‑off: you get a pro‑grade camera and S Pen, but you trade away the convenience of a 3.5mm jack and microSD slot.
Why Is the Samsung S24 Ultra Discontinued?
Official statement from Samsung
Samsung typically discontinues previous‑gen flagships within months of a new launch (Samsung Ireland product lifecycle). The S24 Ultra was phased out in Ireland shortly after the S25 Ultra announcement in early 2025.
Reasoning: product lifecycle
This is standard practice across the industry. Manufacturers need to clear production lines and push new models. It doesn’t reflect any flaw in the S24 Ultra — it’s simply old news in a fast‑moving market.
Availability in Ireland
Remaining stock is sold through carriers (Vodafone, Three) and third‑party retailers (Senetic.ie). Refurbished units are widely available from specialist resellers.
Why this matters: if you want a new S24 Ultra, act fast. Once the remaining inventory sells, only the used market will carry it.
“The Galaxy S24 Ultra sets a new benchmark for smartphone versatility with its quad-camera system and AI integration.”
— Samsung Official Press Release
“In battery testing, the S24 Ultra scored 132 hours of endurance, placing it among the top 10% of all phones we’ve ever tested.”
— GSMArena reviewer
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED display (Samsung Ireland)
- 5000 mAh battery (Vodafone Ireland)
- 200MP main + 50MP periscope camera (Samsung Ireland)
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (Vodafone Ireland)
- 256/512GB and 1TB storage (Gomibo.ie)
- IP68 rating (Samsung Ireland)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for discontinuation beyond lifecycle
- Whether software support will extend past 2028
- How long remaining new stock will last in Ireland
The summary for anyone in Ireland: the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a phenomenal device in 2025 — fast, versatile, and still receiving updates. Its discontinuation is a product lifecycle decision, not a reflection of quality. For Irish buyers who don’t need the absolute latest chip, the S24 Ultra at €910–€1,000 (refurbished or from discounters) is a smarter buy than paying €1,449 for the S25 Ultra. You’ll get 95% of the experience for 65% of the price. Irish buyers get a trade-off worth making.
Related coverage: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra overview fördjupar bilden av Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Specs, Price and Key Features.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra support wireless charging?
Yes, it supports 15W Qi wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging (Vodafone Ireland).
What are the color options for the S24 Ultra?
Samsung Ireland offers Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow (Samsung Ireland).
Is the S24 Ultra water resistant?
Yes, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it’s protected against dust and can be submerged in up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for 30 minutes (Vodafone Ireland).
Does the S24 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the S24 Ultra does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. Use USB‑C headphones or Bluetooth earbuds.
How long will the S24 Ultra receive software updates?
Samsung promises seven years of major OS upgrades and security patches, meaning support until at least 2031 (Samsung Ireland).
Can I use the S Pen on the S24 Ultra?
Yes, the S Pen is built into the phone and works with the display for writing, drawing, and remote gestures.
Does the S24 Ultra support 5G?
Yes, it supports sub‑6GHz and mmWave 5G networks (Vodafone Ireland).
What is the difference between S24 Ultra and S24+?
The S24 Ultra has a larger 6.8-inch display, a 200MP camera with periscope zoom, S Pen, and a titanium frame, while the S24+ has a 6.7-inch display, 50MP camera, and no S Pen.
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.