Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 still worth buying?

The Galaxy S24 isn't outdated, but buying one today doesn't necessarily make sense thanks to alternatives.

Samsung's Galaxy S24 arrived in January 2024 as an $800 flagship. More than two and a half years later, it's still a capable phone, but the price of a refurbished model can make it difficult to recommend. Renewed, unlocked units are available for around $350, while better-condition or higher storage listings can exceed $400. Samsung's Certified "Re-Newed" S24 starts at $519.

That puts the S24 in competition with brand-new mid-range phones, some of which offer better battery life, newer camera hardware and longer remaining software support. For most people spending $400 to $500, a newer phone is the better value. The S24 is still worth considering if you find it for a considerably lower price, particularly if you want a smaller phone with flagship-level performance.

The S24 has a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it more compact than many newer phones without sacrificing a smooth screen. The US model uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which still has plenty of power for everyday apps and demanding games. It also supports wireless charging and has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. International versions may use the Exynos 2400 CPU, so check the model carefully before buying.

Its cameras remain capable, too. The 50-megapixel main camera is joined by a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a dedicated 3x telephoto lens. That setup gives the S24 an advantage over mid-range phones that rely on cropping the main image when zooming. The cameras aren't flawless, though. Our Galaxy S24 review found that low-light photos could look dark and noisy compared with those from competing flagships.

The phone also has a substantial amount of software support left. Samsung promised seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending into 2031. That gives the S24 several more years of support, although a phone released in 2026 will have even more of its update period ahead of it.

Battery condition is the biggest unknown when buying a used or refurbished S24. Its 4,000mAh battery performed well when new, lasting about 24.5 hours in our video rundown test. But lithium-ion batteries wear with use, so our results can't tell you how much capacity remains in a particular second-hand phone. If you're able to handle a phone before buying it, visit Settings > Battery > Battery information to check its health.

A cosmetic grade such as "excellent" doesn't necessarily mean the battery has been replaced. Ask the seller whether the phone has a new battery, what minimum battery health is guaranteed and what the warranty covers. A lower purchase price becomes less attractive if the phone will soon need a battery replacement.