Motorola ThinkPhone 25 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 aims to disrupt the flagship space with a focus on long-lasting battery life and a competitive price point. It directly challenges the established dominance of phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which represents the pinnacle of Android performance and features. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, helping you determine which best aligns with your priorities.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and value, the Motorola ThinkPhone 25 is the stronger choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins for those demanding the absolute best performance, brightest display, and most versatile camera system, justifying its higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola ThinkPhone 25 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, October 012024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 11Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aramid fibre back, plastic frameGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions154.1 x 71.2 x 8.1 mm (6.07 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1220 x 2670 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~462 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.36 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSAndroid 14, up to 5 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, PDAF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, HDR10+
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging68W wired, 50% in 11 min 15W wireless45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type4310 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon BlackTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsXT2409-6SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
Price€ 350.20 / £ 278.98$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery50:44h endurance, 1200 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Motorola ThinkPhone 25

  • Exceptional battery life (50:44h endurance)
  • Faster wired charging (68W)
  • More affordable price point

  • Less powerful processor than the S24 Ultra
  • Display likely less bright and advanced

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Industry-leading performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)
  • Brilliant and bright display (1447 nits)
  • Versatile and high-quality camera system

  • Significantly higher price
  • Shorter battery life compared to ThinkPhone 25

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1447 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the ThinkPhone 25’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s panel technology and brightness advantage are substantial. The S24 Ultra likely utilizes an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the ThinkPhone 25. The S24 Ultra’s superior brightness and likely LTPO technology provide a more immersive and efficient viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

The S24 Ultra’s camera system, while details are limited in the provided data, is expected to feature a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities than the ThinkPhone 25. The S24 Ultra’s focus is on both photo and video quality, leveraging its powerful ISP. The ThinkPhone 25’s camera performance is likely good for its price point, but it won’t match the S24 Ultra’s versatility and image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S24 Ultra’s OIS system will also be more robust, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra, with its 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 prime core and 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 performance cores, represents a significant leap in performance over the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 powering the ThinkPhone 25. The Dimensity 7300’s octa-core configuration (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is capable, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s architecture and higher clock speeds deliver superior CPU and GPU performance. The S24 Ultra’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances responsiveness, while the ThinkPhone 25’s RAM specification is unknown. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the S24 Ultra.

Battery Life

The Motorola ThinkPhone 25 shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 50:44h of usage. While the S24 Ultra scores a respectable 13:49h in active use, the ThinkPhone 25’s longevity is a clear advantage. The ThinkPhone 25 also boasts faster wired charging at 68W (50% in 11 minutes) compared to the S24 Ultra’s 45W (65% in 30 minutes). Both support 15W wireless charging, and the S24 Ultra adds 4.5W reverse wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the ThinkPhone 25. The ThinkPhone 25’s superior battery life and faster wired charging make it ideal for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola ThinkPhone 25 if you need exceptional battery endurance, a clean software experience, and a flagship-level device without breaking the bank. You'll appreciate its 50:44h endurance and fast 68W charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prefer a cutting-edge display with 1447 nits of brightness, the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for demanding tasks, and a professional-grade camera system with advanced features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 handle graphically intensive games compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
While the Dimensity 7300 is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a substantial performance advantage in demanding games. Expect lower frame rates and potentially reduced graphical settings on the ThinkPhone 25 for titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile, compared to the consistently high performance achievable on the S24 Ultra.
❓ Is the 68W charging on the ThinkPhone 25 fast enough for users accustomed to 80W or 120W charging?
68W charging is still very fast, topping up 50% of the battery in just 11 minutes. While slower than some competitors, it’s a practical speed that minimizes downtime. The ThinkPhone 25’s exceptional battery life also reduces the need for frequent top-ups.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to previous generations. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged, intense gaming, the S24 Ultra’s advanced cooling system is expected to mitigate this effectively, maintaining consistently high performance for longer periods.
❓ What kind of software support (updates) can ThinkPhone 25 users expect compared to the S24 Ultra?
Samsung typically provides longer software support (up to 7 years of OS updates) for its flagship devices like the S24 Ultra. Motorola’s software support is generally shorter, typically around 3 years of OS updates. This is a key consideration for users who prioritize long-term software security and feature updates.