Samsung Galaxy S24
By Muhammad Tahir · Updated June 2026 · how we review
How long will it last?
Official promiseSupported until January 2031 · Buy-by January 2029
Samsung promises 7 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until January 2031 — buying it today still gets you about 4.5 years of safe use (verified June 2026).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this
TrueCost
Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.
7% above the $300–600 median ($9.50/mo, dying phones excluded)
Is the Galaxy S24 worth buying in 2026?
Yes — it's safe to buy today: 54 months of software support remain, at $10.14 per month of safe use.
Our verdict
The compact flagship that started Samsung's seven-year update era — near-top-tier performance and the full Galaxy AI suite in a genuinely one-handed body, now a used-market bargain if you can live with its modest 4,000mAh battery.
Pros
- Seven years of OS and security updates run to January 2031 — matching Google and Apple, and rare for a 2024 Android phone
- Genuinely compact at 6.2 inches and 167g, with no performance compromise for the smaller size
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US and Canada) stays fast for demanding games and years of One UI updates; other regions get the Exynos 2400
- Brilliant 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X peaks at 2,600 nits and stays readable in direct sun
- Full Galaxy AI toolkit — Circle to Search, Live Translate, generative photo edit — plus IP68 water resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Cons
- The 4,000mAh battery is the smallest in the S24 line — heavy users will be reaching for a charger by evening
- Charging is slow for a flagship: 25W wired reaches roughly 60% in 30 minutes, and wireless is just 15W
- The 3x telephoto is capable but there's no long-range zoom — the S24 Ultra's 5x periscope is a different league
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+ (2340×1080), 1–120Hz, up to 2600 nits |
|---|
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 50MP |
|---|---|
| ultra-wide | 12MP |
| telephoto 3x | 10MP |
| front | 12MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 4,000 mAh |
|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 147.0 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 167 g |
| Materials | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 14 with One UI 6.1 at launch |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | 7 OS upgrades · 7 years of security updates (official promise) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Galaxy S24 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, especially used. Around $549 it undercuts most new mid-rangers while delivering flagship performance, a 120Hz AMOLED screen, and roughly five more years of updates — stronger long-term value than nearly anything new at that price.
How long will the Galaxy S24 be supported?
Through January 2031: seven years of OS and security updates from its January 2024 launch, one of the longest software commitments on any Android phone.
Which chip does the Galaxy S24 use?
US and Canadian units run the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, while most other regions get Samsung's own Exynos 2400. Both are fast, though the Snapdragon tends to run cooler under sustained load.
Is the S24's battery big enough to last a day?
For light-to-moderate use, yes — the 4,000mAh cell will see out a normal day. But gaming, heavy camera use, or a lot of 5G will have you topping up by evening, and at 25W it recharges slower than most rivals.
Should I buy the Galaxy S24, S24 FE, or S25?
The S24 is the most compact and usually the cheapest used. The S24 FE is larger with a bigger battery but a slower chip; the S25 adds the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite and more RAM for on-device AI. If size and price matter most, the S24 still holds up; if you want the latest performance, step up to the S25.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.