Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

The Galaxy S26 Ultra wins this one, taking software longevity and battery decisively. Against the Galaxy S24 it's also the sounder buy at $13.62 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Galaxy S24 71 · Galaxy S26 Ultra 77 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Samsung Galaxy S24 $549

Safe to buy$9.91/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $1099

Safe to buy$13.62/mo

2026◆ Buy-by Mar 20312033

Category by category

Display

Galaxy S24 90Galaxy S26 Ultra 100

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.9-inch dynamic ltpo amoled 2x, qhd+, 1–120hz, up to 2600 nits, with anti-reflective privacy display.

Performance

Galaxy S24 92Galaxy S26 Ultra 100

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Galaxy S24 79Galaxy S26 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 3).

Battery

Galaxy S24 60Galaxy S26 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 4,000mAh — the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Galaxy S24 66Galaxy S26 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is supported until Mar 2033 — 25 months longer than the Galaxy S24.

Value

Galaxy S24 71Galaxy S26 Ultra 77

Overall value goes to the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $13.62 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy S24	Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price (street)	$549	$1099
Display	6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+ (2340×1080), 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits	6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits, with anti-reflective Privacy Display
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US)	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB	12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	4,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	25W wired, 15W wireless	60W wired, 25W wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x	200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 50MP telephoto 5x periscope
Dimensions	147.0 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm	163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9 mm
Weight	167 g	214 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Jan 2031	Mar 2033

Galaxy S24 full verdict →Galaxy S26 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.