Short answer: Yes — Buy it if you want Android. Best all-around Android phone with 7 years of updates and Galaxy AI.
Worth it for: Android users, Samsung ecosystem users Skip if: iPhone users, budget buyers Better alternative: N/A
Here's what makes S24 stand out: Samsung committed to 7 years of updates. That means support until 2031. No other Android manufacturer matches this longevity.
When It IS Worth It
You want the best Android experience. S24 is the most polished, most supported Android phone. Period.
Software updates matter to you. 7 years of OS and security updates. Pixel is close, but Samsung's longer.
You want AI features now. Circle to Search, Live Translate, AI photo editing — Galaxy AI is genuinely useful.
You're in the Samsung ecosystem. Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, SmartThings — it all works together smoothly.
When It Is NOT Worth It
:
You're happy with your current phone. If it works, it works. Don't upgrade for the sake of upgrading.
You're on an S23. Incremental upgrade. AI features are coming to S23 too.
Budget is tight. S24 FE or A-series phones give 80% of the experience for much less.
You prefer iPhone. Ecosystem switching is painful. Stay where you are.
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Current S23 owners — Upgrade is marginal, AI features coming via update
- Budget buyers — S24 FE or Galaxy A series is better value
- iPhone users — Don't switch ecosystems casually
- Pixel loyalists — Pixel 8 has similar updates commitment, pure Android
- Those with working phones — Upgrade when needed, not wanted
Galaxy S24 vs. S24+ vs. S24 Ultra
| Feature | S24 | S24+ | S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $999 | $1,299 |
| Display | 6.2" | 6.7" | 6.8" |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | 12GB |
| Telephoto | 3x | 3x | 5x |
| S Pen | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Battery | 4,000mAh | 4,900mAh | 5,000mAh |
My recommendation:
- S24: Best value for most people
- S24+: If you want bigger screen and battery
- S24 Ultra: Only if you need S Pen or 5x zoom
Galaxy AI: Actually Useful?
The AI features that matter:
Circle to Search: Draw around anything to search. Actually fast and useful.
Live Translate: Real-time call translation. Works for phone calls and video.
Generative Edit: Remove objects, fill backgrounds in photos. Hit or miss quality.
Note Assist: Summarize, format, translate notes. Helpful for meetings.
My honest take: Galaxy AI is more useful than most phone AI features. It's not gimmicky. Circle to Search alone changes how you interact with the phone.
Samsung vs. Pixel vs. iPhone
| Factor | Galaxy S24 | Pixel 8 | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $699 | $799 |
| Updates | 7 years | 7 years | ~6 years |
| AI features | Galaxy AI | Gemini | Apple Intelligence |
| Camera | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ecosystem | Samsung | Apple |
The decision: All three are great. Choose based on ecosystem, not specs. They're all flagship-quality.
The 7-Year Update Promise
Why this matters:
| Year | Galaxy S24 Status |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Launch |
| 2026 | Still current |
| 2028 | Still updated |
| 2031 | Last major update |
That's buying a phone and keeping it for 7 years with full support. Unprecedented for Android.
Caveat: Samsung hasn't proven this yet — it's a promise. But their track record on S-series support is good.
What Annoys Me About Galaxy S24
- One UI bloatware. Samsung apps duplicating Google apps. Clutter.
- 8GB RAM on base model. Should be 12GB in 2024+.
- Slow charging. 25W is slow compared to Chinese phones with 100W+.
- Expensive repairs. Samsung repair costs are high.
- Similar to S23. Incremental upgrade, not new.
S24 vs. S23: Worth Upgrading?
| Feature | S24 | S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| AI features | Galaxy AI | Coming via update |
| Updates until | 2031 | 2027 |
| Display | Brighter | Great |
My take: If you have S23, don't upgrade. Galaxy AI is rolling out to S23. The hardware difference is minor. Wait for S25 or S26.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung.com | $799 | Trade-in deals, sometimes freebies |
| Amazon | $750+ | Often discounted |
| Carriers | Varies | Usually with trade-in requirements |
| Best Buy | $799 | Price match available |
Pro tip: Samsung.com trade-in deals are often the best value, especially with an old phone to trade.
Cheaper or Better Alternatives
- N/A
| Alternative | Price | My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 9 | $799 | Better camera processing, cleaner software, 7 years of updates. The thinking person's Android. Full review |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | $649 | 85% of the flagship for $150 less. Same software, slightly worse camera |
| iPhone 15 | $799 | Same price. Better ecosystem integration, worse customization. Your preference on iOS vs Android decides this. Full review |
| OnePlus 12 | $700 | Faster charging, better battery, similar specs. Less software polish |
Check out our Annual Phone Upgrades review for comparison. Check out our Foldable Phones (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip, Google Pixel Fold) review for comparison.
Final Verdict
worthit — it for Android. The Galaxy S24 is the best mainstream Android phone with 7 years of updates and genuinely useful AI features.
Skip if you have S23. Incremental upgrade. Galaxy AI is coming to your phone.
Consider S24 FE for value. Same AI features, slightly lower specs, significant savings.
FAQ
Is Galaxy S24 worth it over Pixel 8?
Both are excellent. S24 has more features, longer promised support (7 vs 7 years now matched), and Galaxy AI. Pixel 8 has cleaner software and pure Android. Choose based on preference.
Is Galaxy S24 worth it over iPhone 15?
Don't switch ecosystems casually. Both are excellent. If you're in the Android ecosystem, S24 is great. If you're in Apple ecosystem, stay there.
Should I wait for Galaxy S25?
If your current phone works, you can always wait. S25 will be incremental too. If you need a phone now, S24 is excellent.
Is 8GB RAM enough on Galaxy S24?
For most people, yes. Samsung's optimization makes 8GB work well. If you're a power user running many apps, consider S24+ with 12GB.