The S25 is out. The S26 just launched. So the S24 Plus is now the sweet spot in the Samsung lineup — a flagship-grade phone at a serious discount. Here’s the honest case for and against.
At a Glance: Key Specs
Water resistance
The Real-World Case for the S24 Plus
With the Galaxy S26 series now pushing prices back up past £1,000/$1,000, the S24 Plus has done something rare for a Samsung flagship: it’s become genuinely good value. New units can be found below $600, refurbished ones dip under $400, and used models on marketplaces like Swappa start around $345. For a phone that was $999 at launch, that’s a substantial price collapse in under two years.
The key reason to care? Samsung has committed to 7 years of software updates for the S24 series — meaning this phone is officially supported until 2031. You’re not buying an aging device. You’re buying a flagship with a long runway.
Honest Pros & Cons
- QHD+ AMOLED display — Ultra-level sharpness
- 12GB RAM handles genuine multitasking
- LTPO 1–120Hz (previously Ultra-only)
- 2,600-nit peak brightness — outdoor champ
- IP68 water resistance
- Galaxy AI features baked in
- Software updates until 2031
- Price has dropped dramatically
- 8K video + solid 50MP main camera
- No macro mode (surprising at this price)
- Telephoto only 3x — Ultra has 5x
- No S Pen support
- Galaxy AI features may become paid
- Software bloat in One UI
- Exynos regions get slightly lower performance
- No titanium frame (plastic-feel Armor Aluminum)
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Buy it if you…Want a big, sharp display without the Ultra price. Are upgrading from an S21/S22/S23. Care about longevity (7-year update commitment). Want Galaxy AI without paying S26 prices. Game on your phone — Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 holds up.Skip it if you…
Need a stylus (get the S24 Ultra). Shoot a lot of zoomed photos (Ultra has 5x). Want the absolute latest — consider S25 Plus or wait for S26 deals. Are on a tight budget — the standard S24 starts ~$226 used.
S24 Plus vs. the Competition
vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra
You lose: the S Pen, 5x optical zoom, titanium frame, and a slightly larger battery. You save: $300–$400. For most people, that’s a clear win for the Plus.
vs. Galaxy S25 Plus
The S25 Plus brings Snapdragon 8 Elite and a slightly improved camera. It’s a better phone — but costs $200+ more new. The S24 Plus closes that gap quickly at used/refurb prices.
vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Pixel wins on clean software and computational photography. Samsung wins on hardware specs, display quality, and sheer size of the ecosystem. A genuine toss-up depending on your priorities.
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Why this should rank:
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- The Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip section directly targets “People Also Ask” snippets like “Is S24 Plus worth buying in 2026?”
- Covers comparison angles (vs Ultra, vs S25, vs Pixel 9 Pro) to capture long-tail traffic from those comparison searches
- 7-year update angle is the #1 underused selling point for this phone in 2026 — most competing articles miss it entirely45W charging only — rivals do faster
Where to Buy: Price Guide (May 2026)
Option Condition Price range Best for Samsung.com / Best Buy New ~$599–$699 Warranty peace of mind Swappa Used From ~$345 Best price, vetted sellers Uswitch (UK) Refurb From ~£400 UK contract + SIM deals Carrier deals New Often free on contract If you’re switching networks eBay / Facebook Used Varies widely Experienced buyers only Always verify IMEI and check for carrier lock before buying used. Swappa includes this verification automatically.
Who Should Buy It?
Buy it if you…Want a big, sharp display without the Ultra price. Are upgrading from an S21/S22/S23. Care about longevity (7-year update commitment). Want Galaxy AI without paying S26 prices. Game on your phone — Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 holds up.Skip it if you…Need a stylus (get the S24 Ultra). Shoot a lot of zoomed photos (Ultra has 5x). Want the absolute latest — consider S25 Plus or wait for S26 deals. Are on a tight budget — the standard S24 starts ~$226 used.
S24 Plus vs. the Competition
vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra
You lose: the S Pen, 5x optical zoom, titanium frame, and a slightly larger battery. You save: $300–$400. For most people, that’s a clear win for the Plus.
vs. Galaxy S25 Plus
The S25 Plus brings Snapdragon 8 Elite and a slightly improved camera. It’s a better phone — but costs $200+ more new. The S24 Plus closes that gap quickly at used/refurb prices.
vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Pixel wins on clean software and computational photography. Samsung wins on hardware specs, display quality, and sheer size of the ecosystem. A genuine toss-up depending on your priorities.
FAQ
Is the Galaxy S24 Plus still worth buying in 2026?Yes — particularly at used or refurbished prices. The 7-year software update commitment means it’s supported until 2031, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset remains fast, and the QHD+ AMOLED display still benchmarks among the best on Android. The main risk is that newer phones have overtaken it in camera zoom and charging speed.What’s the difference between the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra?The Ultra adds an S Pen, a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens (vs 3x on the Plus), a titanium frame, and a larger battery. The Plus has the same processor and nearly identical display — and costs significantly less.How many GB does the S24 Plus come in?256GB and 512GB storageoptions, both with 12GB of RAM. There is no 128GB variant for the Plus model.Does the Galaxy S24 Plus support 5G?Yes, all S24 Plus models support 5G connectivity.Is the S24 Plus waterproof?It’s IP68 rated — meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. NotNot completely waterproof, but highly water resistant.Will Galaxy AI features cost money?Samsung originally guaranteed Galaxy AI would be free through 2025. As of 2026, core features remain available, but this is worth monitoring — especially AI tools that rely on cloud processing rather than on-device computation.
Final thought: The S24 Plus is the phone equivalent of a year-old luxury car — the depreciation has happened, but the quality hasn’t gone anywhere. If you’re not chasing the newest thing for bragging rights, this is one of the most sensible Android buys available right now.
