We might be jumping the gun on this one but if you’re reading this, we’re fairly certain you’re considering an upgrade to the S24 Ultra and looking for reasons to commit to the deal. Announced on 17 January and released on 31 January 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has been a highly anticipated device for the last couple of months, primarily due to the AI features it promised during the Samsung AI Forum 2023. From Samsung’s own collection, there are many other models you could consider as your next purchase—the Galaxy S24 vs S21 or comparing a more recent release, the Galaxy S24 vs S23 upgrade—but making a decision here depends on what features you’re personally looking for. For those caught wondering “Should I get Galaxy S24 Ultra?” or “What are the benefits of the Galaxy S24 Ultra?” we’re going to break down some important details.
Image: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Should I Upgrade to the S24 Ultra?
If you want a straight answer on whether the Galaxy S24 Ultra is worth it, then yes the smartphone is a phenomenal purchase for most people and has a sufficient range of features so that you’re almost certain to find something that works for your needs—if you’re upgrading from a considerably older model. One of the best reasons to upgrade to the S24 Ultra is the potential for long-term use. Samsung has stated that their latest smartphone will receive seven years of support and updates as opposed to the three-four years promised on most other devices. If you’re upgrading from a model that is a couple of years old already, then you’ll see an instant value for money if you intend to use this device for just as long.
What isn’t as interesting is the price of the phone. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is priced at $1299.99 for 256GB, $1419.99 for 512GB, and $1659.99 for 1TB of storage space. The base S24 model starts at $800 and has many of the same features as the S24 Ultra along with the seven-year update, so if you’re considering the S24 series, the base model would still be an ideal transition for you.
Image: Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs S21—Upgrading to the Galaxy S24 Is Worth It
If you’re currently running on a Samsung Galaxy S21, then it might be a very good time to upgrade to the S24 Ultra or the S24, just to have a more updated version of the device at your service. The S24 is priced at $800, approximately where the S21 stands, with comparable specs to define it as well. Similarly sized, both devices have the 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate and are equally matched in overall storage. While comparing the Galaxy S24 vs the S21, the two main things to consider are the camera and the AI features.
The S21 has the older Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor but the Galaxy S24 runs on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. In some countries, the S24 is powered by the Exynos 2400 which is pretty efficient too. Not only does it mean a faster phone with better responsiveness, but the processor is designed to do the heavy lifting to support the AI features that are available on the device. The Live Translate feature, Transcript assistance, Summarize feature, and Circle to Search are some nifty aids on the S24 series.
Considering the Galaxy S24 vs the S21 camera, both devices have a triple-camera setup but the 50MP main camera on the S24 performs much better than the 12MP main camera on the S21. The S21 has a 64MP telephoto camera but the S24 still wins with a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The AI supports the camera and refines photo editing and we’re likely only at the first stage of what the S24 series will be capable of. Upcoming software upgrades could perhaps enhance what the S24 is capable of with AI.
The S21 will stop receiving any software updates soon and the value of the device will fall immediately, making it harder to get rid of by the end of the year. If a phone upgrade is on the cards for you, then upgrading to the S24 should be an easy answer for you.
Image: Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs S23 Upgrade
The S21 is easier to replace but with a more recent model like the S23 that was released in February 2023, the decision becomes a little more difficult. The S24 and S23 are more evenly matched—similar displays, adaptive refresh rates, evenly scaled cameras, etc. The Galaxy S23 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which is not too far off from the Gen 3, and the device should receive upgrades till 2028. The older device was also launched at a similar price of $800.
If you’re considering an upgrade to the S24 from the S23, then the main deciding factor will come down to how appealing the AI features are for you. Even that may not be a long-term factor as reports indicate that the AI features will arrive on the S23 series with future software updates. The newer device is only slightly brighter and quicker but there are not too many reasons to make another purchase so soon after the 2023 model. If you don’t have the S23 but are currently considering investing in either one, then the S24 may as well be your first choice.
Image: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Why Switch to the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
If you’re making a new phone purchase and aren’t looking for anything over the top, the S24 is a good place to stop your search. If you’re looking for a seriously juiced-up camera and an upgraded frame and design, then despite the higher price point you’ll be glad to know that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is worth it. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and the additional AI features remain the main reason to upgrade to the S24 Ultra. The S24 outperforms the S23 Ultra in most benchmark tests according to CNET, which is an appealing detail if you’re a heavy user of your smartphone and need something that will be able to handle all your processing needs. Or if you need a phone to handle your gaming habits, it works well for that purpose too.
Why switch to Galaxy S24 Ultra? If you like a more metallic finish and a flat screen instead of the curved glass that Samsung usually opts for, then the upgrade design of the S24 Ultra might appeal to you. The benefits of the Galaxy S24 Ultra extend to the camera—a 200 MP wide rear camera, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP lens with 3x optical zoom. According to Samsung, “You can now transform your social accounts into photographic masterpieces with top-tier cameras that capture images in exceptional quality—even after dark—with AI-enhanced Nightography and Photo Assist.” It’s the AI detail that shines every time with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
If you don’t have the S23 Ultra and are upgrading from a lower/older model then the in-built S Pen might be of interest to you. The pen makes the device more versatile and gives you the room to write and make quick notes of your own with greater ease and for someone looking for that sort of interaction with their smartphone, this could be one of the benefits of the Galaxy S24.
Should I get a Galaxy S24 Ultra? Only if you’re upgrading from S21 or an older model, or considering the transition from another company’s smartphones does the upgrade to the S24 Ultra make sense. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a good phone and it has a very noteworthy potential to keep growing over the next few years. At the end of the day, the next few updates you see on the Samsung Galaxy series will likely focus on the AI feature and not anything too revolutionary outside of it. If you don’t have a need for a new phone or you have the S23 Ultra right now, you might as well wait for the next iteration of the Galaxy and see if the hardware gets any upgrades.