Galaxy S24 Ultra in 2026: still one of the smartest phone buys around
Photo: SimonWaldherr via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updates until 2031, an S Pen that still has Bluetooth, and a price far below the S26 Ultra. Here is how the S24 Ultra stacks up against the two newer Ultras. At a glance Spec Detail Released January 2024 Chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Display 6.8-inch flat QHD+, anti-reflective Gorilla Armor Cameras 200MP main, 50MP 5x, 10MP 3x, 12MP ultrawide Battery 5,000 mAh, 45W wired Updates Seven years, until 2031 Why it is still a smart buy The Galaxy S24 Ultra set the template Samsung still uses: a flat anti-glare screen, a built-in S Pen, a 5x periscope camera and seven years of updates. It got One UI 8.5 in 2026 and will keep getting Android and security updates until 2031. That long support is what makes it smart to buy now. You pay a used or clearance price and still get around five years of updates, which is more than many brand new mid-range phones offer. S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra vs S26 Ultra S24 Ultra (2024): Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 12MP ultrawide, sharp square corners, 232 g, and an S Pen with Bluetooth Air Actions. S25 Ultra (2025): Snapdragon 8 Elite, a sharper 50MP ultrawide, rounded corners, lighter at 218 g, but the S Pen lost Bluetooth. S26 Ultra (2026): Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a brighter f/1.4 200MP main camera, 60W wired and 25W wireless charging, and a slimmer 214 g body. The S26 Ultra is the best phone of the three. The S24 Ultra is the best value, and for most people the day to day difference is small. Where the S24 Ultra still wins The S Pen. If you use the pen as a camera remote or to control slides, the S24 Ultra is the last Ultra with a Bluetooth S Pen. The screen. The anti-reflective glass is a big deal outdoors. It is still one of the easiest phone screens to read in bright sun. Price. It often costs hundreds less than an S25 Ultra and far less than an S26 Ultra. Where it shows its age The 12MP ultrawide is the weakest camera, especially in dim light. Charging at 45W wired and 15W wireless is slow next to the S26 Ultra. The square corners dig into your hand more than the rounder newer models, and at 232 g it is heavy. Battery wear is the other thing to watch on a phone this age. Our full guide, Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra still worth buying in 2026?, shows how to check battery health and what else to test before you pay. The good and the bad What works Updates until 2031 Bluetooth S Pen with Air Actions Anti-reflective flat screen Versatile 3x and 5x zoom Big savings over newer Ultras What doesn’t Weak 12MP ultrawide Slow charging by 2026 standards Heavy with sharp corners Who it’s for Buy it if you want the Ultra experience, big bright screen, S Pen and huge zoom, without paying Ultra prices. Skip it if you want the lightest Ultra, the best ultrawide camera or fast charging. Alternatives worth a look Galaxy S25 Ultra, a year newer, lighter, better ultrawide. Galaxy S26 Ultra, the best camera and charging, the highest price. The verdict: The value flagship to beat in 2026, mostly because Samsung will keep updating it until 2031.
