Look, I get it. We all love that “new phone” smell. There is something undeniably addictive about peeling the plastic off a fresh slab of titanium and glass, knowing you’ve got the absolute pinnacle of mobile engineering in your pocket. But as we sit here in February 2026, just days away from Samsung’s next big Unpacked event, I’ve got to be the bearer of some slightly annoying news: you probably shouldn’t be looking at the latest model. In fact, you should probably be looking backward.
According to CNET, the Galaxy S24 Ultra—a phone that’s now technically two generations old—is currently the undisputed king of value. While the tech world is buzzing about the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, there’s a massive elephant in the room. That elephant is the S24 Ultra, and it’s currently sitting on the used market for less than half the price of the current S25 Ultra. We’re talking about a device that can be snagged for around $544, compared to the eye-watering $1,300 entry fee for its successor.
It’s a classic case of diminishing returns. We’ve reached a point in smartphone evolution where the “next big thing” is often just the “previous big thing” with a slightly different coat of paint and a beefier price tag. And honestly? My wallet is starting to feel the fatigue, and I suspect yours is too.
The “Mirror Image” Design Fatigue
If you put the S24 Ultra and the S25 Ultra side-by-side on a table, you’d have a hard time telling them apart without a magnifying glass. They both sport those massive, gorgeous displays. They both have the same identical resolutions and refresh rates that make scrolling through social media feel like butter. They both have that rugged titanium frame and an IP68 rating, meaning they’ll both survive a clumsy drop into a puddle or a spilled latte.
It’s not just about aesthetics, though. It’s about the fact that Samsung has seemingly hit a design ceiling. When the hardware is this good, where do you even go? According to a 2023 Statista report, the average lifespan of a smartphone in the U.S. has stretched to nearly three years as consumers prioritize value over incremental yearly updates. People are realizing that if a phone from 2024 looks and feels like a phone from 2025, there’s very little incentive to pay the “newness” tax.
And let’s talk about the S-Pen. For many of us, that little stylus is the only reason we buy the Ultra in the first place. It’s the ultimate tool for doodling during boring Zoom calls or pretending to take serious notes. Interestingly, the S24 Ultra actually holds onto a few “nifty tricks” that were mysteriously stripped away in the S25 Ultra’s version of the stylus. It’s one of those rare cases where the older model actually offers *more* functionality in a specific niche.
“The S24 Ultra is still a powerhouse of a phone, but because it’s one generation old, it’s less than half the price of the current model on the used market. Seriously.”
— CNET Editorial Staff
Performance Peaks and the “Ferrari” Problem
One of the loudest arguments for upgrading is always the processor. The S25 Ultra launched last year with a custom version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which theoretically wipes the floor with the S24 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In benchmark tests, you’re looking at about a 25% jump in raw power. That sounds impressive on a bar chart, doesn’t it?
But here is the reality check: for 98% of what you do, that extra 25% is invisible. It’s the Ferrari vs. Mercedes analogy. Sure, the Ferrari has more horsepower and can hit 200 mph, but you’re still driving in a 35 mph zone to get groceries. The Mercedes is already exceptionally good for every single thing you need to do. I’ve spent time with both, and navigating the Android 16 interface feels just as snappy on the S24 as it does on the S25. Even demanding games like Genshin Impact or heavy photo editing in Adobe Lightroom run beautifully on the older chip.
A 2024 report by Deloitte found that roughly 45% of consumers are keeping their devices longer because the “perceived improvement” in performance has plateaued. We’ve reached “Peak Phone.” When your two-year-old device can still render 4K video and handle complex AI tasks without breaking a sweat, the urge to spend another $1,300 starts to feel less like a necessity and more like a habit we need to break.
The AI Equalizer: Software Doesn’t Age Like Hardware
In the past, buying an older phone meant you were stuck with “old” software. That’s just not the case anymore. Both of these phones are currently running Android 16 with Samsung’s One UI 8 skin. This means the S24 Ultra has access to almost every single “cutting-edge” AI feature that Samsung and Google have cooked up over the last year.
Whether it’s Circle to Search, Gemini Live, or those clever audio erasers that remove the sound of a barking dog from your videos, the S24 Ultra handles them all. Samsung has done a surprisingly good job of democratizing their software features across their flagship lineup. This levels the playing field significantly. If the software experience is 95% identical, you’re essentially paying several hundred dollars extra for a slightly different camera sensor and a newer model number in your “About Phone” settings.
Camera Specs vs. Real-World Results
Speaking of cameras, the S25 Ultra did bring a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor to the party, which is a step up from the S24 on paper. But let’s be real—unless you are printing billboard-sized photos of your lunch, you are not going to notice the difference. Both phones take stunning images with wide dynamic range and incredible low-light performance. The night modes are superb on both. In a blind test, most of us would struggle to pick a winner between a sunset shot taken on an S24 Ultra versus one taken on the S25 Ultra.
Is the S24 Ultra still getting updates?
Yes, Samsung has committed to long-term software support for its flagship devices. The S24 Ultra is expected to receive major Android updates and security patches for years to come, making it a viable long-term investment even in 2026.
Should I wait for the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The S26 series is expected to be announced on February 25, 2026. While rumors suggest it might finally offer a significant design overhaul, it will likely launch at a premium price. If you need a phone today and want the best bang for your buck, the S24 Ultra remains the smarter financial choice.
The Smart Money Move
So, what’s the takeaway here? If you are a tech enthusiast who absolutely must have the latest and greatest, you’re probably already waiting for the S26 Unpacked event next week. And that’s fine. But for the rest of us—the people who want a phone that works perfectly, takes great photos, and doesn’t require a second mortgage—the S24 Ultra is the “hack.”
The depreciation that hurts sellers is a gift to buyers. According to Pew Research Center data, roughly 15% of American adults are “smartphone-only” internet users. For that group, the device isn’t just a toy; it’s their primary connection to the world. Investing in a high-end flagship like the S24 Ultra at a mid-range price point is the most logical way to ensure you have a reliable, powerful tool without overpaying for the marketing hype of the current cycle.
Don’t let the shiny ads for the S26 or the “current” S25 Ultra fool you. The S24 Ultra was a masterpiece when it launched, and in the grand scheme of things, two years is a blink of an eye in the modern tech world. Save your money, grab the “older” powerhouse, and laugh all the way to the bank. Or, you know, use that extra $700 to buy something else you’ve been eyeing. Maybe a nice pair of headphones to go with your “new” bargain phone?
This article is sourced from various news outlets. Analysis and presentation represent our editorial perspective.
