Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra really worth its price?

Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra really worth its price?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the most ambitious smartphones in recent years. Positioned at the very high end upon its release, it was priced over €1400, which deterred some buyers. In 2026, the situation changes significantly with the arrival of refurbished models and promotions on new ones, making this model much more accessible.

Between raw power, advanced photography, integrated artificial intelligence, and premium finish, several elements come into play to judge whether this smartphone still deserves its price today.

Price significantly reduced but still high

In 2026, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is regularly found below the €700 mark in refurbished condition, a decrease of up to 50% compared to its launch price.

In the new market, some retailers offer it around €900 to €1100, depending on the offers and storage versions.

This evolution places this model in an interesting position:

  • More accessible than at its release
  • Still more expensive than the majority of Android smartphones

According to market data, high-end Samsung models lose an average of 45 to 55% of their value in two years, which explains this rapid drop.

Still impressive power in 2026

The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a very powerful chip, capable of competing with recent models. In real use, it handles without difficulty:

  • Demanding mobile games
  • Heavy applications
  • Intensive multitasking

The differences with models released in 2025 or 2026 remain contained, often around 10 to 15% on benchmarks.

With its 12 GB of RAM minimum, it offers excellent fluidity in the long term, even after several years of use.

READ ALSO iPhone 15 Pro Max refurbished: is it a good deal in 2026?

Ultra-advanced photography that still holds up to competition

One of the strengths of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains photography. Its main 200 MP sensor allows capturing a very high level of detail.

The periscopic zoom, capable of going up to 5x optical and well beyond digitally, remains among the most efficient on the market.

In real conditions:

  • Daytime photos are extremely detailed
  • Nighttime is well managed
  • The zoom maintains good quality even at long distances

According to several specialized tests, this model remains in the top 5 of the best camera phones even in 2026.

Galaxy AI and S Pen a duo that makes the difference

The Galaxy S24 Ultra integrates artificial intelligence tools directly into the system, grouped under the name Galaxy AI.

Among the available functions:

  • Real-time translation during calls
  • Automatic note summarization
  • Assisted photo editing

These tools provide real comfort in certain situations, especially for professionals or intensive users.

The S Pen, still integrated into the phone, adds an extra dimension:

  • Quick note-taking
  • Document annotation
  • Precise use for certain tasks

Few smartphones today offer this type of complete experience.

Screen and finish still at the top

The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a very high-quality AMOLED screen with high definition and adaptive refresh rate.

Result:

  • Very sharp display
  • Excellent brightness even outdoors
  • Visual comfort on all content

The titanium finish provides a more robust and premium feel. This material, more resistant than aluminum, improves the overall durability of the device.

Solid autonomy but depends on the profile

With its 5000 mAh battery, the Galaxy S24 Ultra easily lasts a full day.

With moderate use, some users reach 1.5 days, or even more.

However:

  • Functions related to artificial intelligence can consume more
  • Intensive use reduces autonomy

After two years, a refurbished battery can lose about 10 to 20% of capacity, which remains within the market average.

Refurbished a financially interesting choice

Opting for refurbished significantly changes the appeal of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

With a price often below €700, it becomes competitive against new mid-range smartphones.

According to ADEME, buying a refurbished smartphone can reduce up to 70% of emissions related to manufacturing, which also attracts buyers sensitive to this aspect.

The point to check remains:

  • The condition of the battery
  • The warranty offered
  • The reliability of the seller