The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerhouse of a phone, but is it the best choice for the next five years? While the latest Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts cutting-edge features, I argue that its two-year-old predecessor, the S24 Ultra, is a more compelling option for budget-conscious consumers. With a design that's both bold and timeless, a display that's still among the best in the market, and a performance that doesn't leave you wanting for more, the S24 Ultra is a phone that's built to last. In this article, I'll delve into why the S24 Ultra is a better value proposition than the S26 Ultra, and why it's a phone that you should seriously consider for your next upgrade.
A Design That's Both Bold and Timeless
One of the most striking aspects of the S24 Ultra is its design. While Samsung has been moving away from its sharp-edged design language with the S25 and S26 Ultra, the S24 Ultra still has that bold, boxy Note-like aesthetic that made it stand out in a market where every other phone looks the same. The sharp edges, the titanium frame, and the flat display with uniform bezels all come together to give the phone a tool-like presence that no other Samsung phone has matched since. The build is rock solid too. After two years of daily use, the titanium frame hasn't developed any structural issues, and the Gorilla Glass Armor is still doing its job.
However, the oleophobic coating is a concern. Early units had problems where sunscreen or certain creams could strip the coating quickly. If you're picking one up now, slapping on a screen protector from day one is the smartest move. Despite this, the S24 Ultra's design is a standout feature that sets it apart from its competitors.
A Display That's Still Among the Best
Samsung has always made some of the best displays on any smartphone, and the S24 Ultra is no different. What's impressive is how well this two-year-old panel holds up against the current crop of flagships. You get a 6.8-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. In practice, that means vibrant colors for HDR video, smooth scrolling through social media, and plenty of brightness for outdoor use under direct sunlight.
Now, the S26 Ultra does bring a newer 6.9-inch panel with the much-talked-about privacy screen that limits off-angle viewing. However, the S24 Ultra's display has avoided some of the issues reported with newer Samsung panels. The S26 Ultra's display has drawn criticism for reflections and color shifting at certain angles, something the S24 Ultra's Gorilla Glass Armor handles better for everyday use.
Performance That Doesn't Leave You Wanting for More
On paper, the Galaxy S24 Ultra houses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC compared to the latest Gen 5 on the S26 Ultra. However, the older chip can still hold its own against many current flagships. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 can go toe to toe with the Google Pixel 10 Pro's Tensor G5 on single-core CPU performance and even edges ahead on multi-core tasks. In day-to-day use, the phone still runs without any noticeable lag. Apps open quickly, multitasking is seamless, and I haven't run into any situation where the processor felt like it was struggling.
Battery life is another area where the S24 Ultra continues to impress. The 5,000mAh cell, paired with Samsung's software optimization, comfortably gets through a full day of heavy use. If you use Samsung's battery protection feature to cap charging at 80-90%, you can keep your Galaxy running like new for years without noticeable battery degradation.
Software Updates That Keep the Phone Feeling Fresh
What truly makes the S24 Ultra a no-brainer for the next five years is Samsung's commitment to seven years of software updates. The phone launched with One UI 6.1 on Android 14, and it has already received the latest One UI 8.5 update based on Android 16. The update has refreshed the entire experience, from a redesigned Quick Panel to smoother multitasking with the new 90:10 split-screen feature.
One UI 8.5 also brings features that were previously exclusive to Pixel phones. AirDrop support through Quick Share, Call Screening to filter spam calls, and a much-improved Audio Eraser for cleaning up video audio are all now available on the S24 Ultra. These aren't flashy additions on their own, but stack them on top of everything Samsung has already added over the past two years, and the phone feels completely up to date.
Conclusion: The S24 Ultra is a Better Value Proposition
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a polished iteration that subtly enhances its predecessors' strong suits. It sports a more industrial, flat design with a titanium frame and a standout 6.8-inch display that's brighter and glare-reduced, offering a top-notch viewing experience. The camera system, while showing promise, struggles with consistency, but in terms of performance, it's a powerhouse with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and a solid two-day battery life.
Even after two years, the Galaxy S24 Ultra still feels like a current flagship, and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't need the S26 Ultra badge but wants a solid phone that's also a lot cheaper. Yes, the front camera could be better, and you are missing out on the fastest Snapdragon chip, which might also affect how AI-ready your phone is going to be in the years ahead. But for the cost, nothing beats the sheer value the S24 Ultra offers. While Samsung officially discontinued the S24 Ultra a few months ago, you can still find it on Amazon and other retailers at least $400 cheaper than what the S26 Ultra costs, and that price gap only makes the case stronger.
