The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is no longer Samsung's newest Ultra phone, but it is still one of the most sensible premium Android buys in 2026 if the price is right. The real question is not whether it can still perform. It can. The better question is whether you should buy the S24 Ultra instead of paying more for a newer Ultra, stepping down to the regular Samsung Galaxy S24, or choosing another flagship entirely.
Short answer: the S24 Ultra is still worth buying in 2026 for buyers who want a large display, S Pen, excellent zoom cameras, strong battery life, long software support, and premium Samsung build quality at a lower price than a current-year Ultra. It is less compelling if you want the newest Galaxy AI features first, the lightest phone, the fastest chip available, or official brand-new retail stock with full local warranty certainty.
Who this is for
The S24 Ultra is best for power users, mobile photographers, business users, students, creators, and anyone who wants one phone that can handle work, video, gaming, notes, and travel. The built-in S Pen is still a major reason to choose it over most Android phones. If you sign PDFs, annotate documents, sketch ideas, or take handwritten notes, the S24 Ultra gives you a capability that many newer non-Ultra flagships still do not match.
It is also a strong fit for buyers in Nigeria who want a premium Samsung phone without paying the highest 2026 flagship price. For shoppers comparing used, open-box, renewed, and imported units, the S24 Ultra can deliver better long-term value than a newer midrange phone because it has stronger cameras, a sharper display, better materials, Wi-Fi 7, UWB, and a longer remaining software horizon than older Galaxy S models.
Key specs and buying context
Area | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Why it matters in 2026 |
Display | 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, adaptive 1-120Hz, up to 2,600 nits peak brightness | Still excellent outdoors, for video, gaming, reading, and productivity. |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Still fast for apps, multitasking, camera processing, and most games, though newer Ultra models are stronger for AI and sustained gaming. |
Memory and storage | 12GB RAM with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage options | Choose 512GB or 1TB if you record a lot of 4K/8K video because there is no microSD slot. |
Cameras | 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto, 12MP selfie | Excellent zoom range and reliable flagship image quality, especially compared with midrange phones. |
Battery and charging | 5,000mAh battery, up to 45W wired charging, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare | Battery health matters more than the spec if buying used; ask for battery condition and test charging. |
Connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, UWB | Good long-term connectivity, but 5G value depends on network coverage where you live and work. |
Durability | Titanium frame, Gorilla Armor, IP68 water and dust resistance | Premium build, but used units still need careful inspection for drops, water exposure, and screen repairs. |
Software support | Launched with Android 14 and One UI 6.1; Samsung promised seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates | This is a major reason the S24 Ultra still makes sense in 2026. |
Performance in 2026
The S24 Ultra remains fast in normal use. Social apps, banking apps, photo editing, split-screen multitasking, DeX-style productivity, and heavy browsing still feel flagship-grade. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy was not a short-lived chip, and the 12GB RAM configuration gives the phone enough breathing room for serious multitasking.
Where newer phones pull ahead is sustained gaming, thermal efficiency, and AI-heavy workloads. If you play demanding games for long sessions at high settings, a newer Ultra or a dedicated gaming phone may hold peak performance longer. If you mostly browse, stream, edit photos, shoot video, use WhatsApp, manage documents, and occasionally game, the S24 Ultra still has more power than most people need.
Camera and video: still the main reason to buy it
The S24 Ultra's camera system is aging well because it was built around versatility. The 200MP main camera is strong for daylight, portraits, and detailed scenes. The 3x and 5x telephoto combination is useful for events, travel, product shots, lectures, church services, concerts, and distant subjects. The 100x Space Zoom remains more of a specialized feature than something you will use daily, but the practical 3x, 5x, and 10x range is still very useful.
For video, the phone is still a strong tool for creators, especially if you need a phone that can shoot high-resolution clips, handle social media content, and pair with Samsung's editing features. Newer 2026 flagships may deliver better low-light video and more advanced AI editing, but the S24 Ultra still beats most midrange options by a wide margin.
Battery, charging, and used-condition checks
On paper, the 5,000mAh battery and 45W wired charging remain competitive. In real buying conditions, the important variable is battery health. A heavily used 2024 unit may not last like a lightly used or certified renewed unit. Before buying a used S24 Ultra, check whether it charges normally with a proper USB-C PD PPS charger, whether wireless charging works, whether the phone heats unusually, and whether the battery drops sharply under camera or gaming use.
Also remember that Samsung's fastest charging result depends on the correct 45W adapter and a compatible 5A USB-C cable. If the seller includes a random charger, do not assume you are getting full charging speed. This matters for Nigerian buyers because replacement chargers are common, but not all are genuine or properly rated.
Software support and Galaxy AI
Software support is one of the strongest arguments for the S24 Ultra in 2026. Samsung announced seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the S24 series, which means the phone should remain supported far beyond a typical two-year upgrade cycle. That gives the S24 Ultra better longevity than older Samsung flagships such as the S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra.
Galaxy AI is also part of the S24 Ultra story. The phone introduced features such as Live Translate, Interpreter, Chat Assist, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, Circle to Search, Generative Edit, and Instant Slow-mo. In 2026, newer Galaxy phones may receive some AI tools first or run certain features faster, but the S24 Ultra remains a strong AI-capable device. Buyers should still treat AI as a bonus, not the only reason to buy the phone. Display, camera, battery, S Pen, and update support are the more dependable long-term reasons.
5G and network fit in Nigeria
5G is worth having, but it should not be the only reason you choose the S24 Ultra. In Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major areas, 5G coverage can be useful where your carrier supports it well. Outside strong coverage zones, LTE performance may matter more day to day. Before paying extra for a 5G flagship, check your SIM, carrier band support, and real coverage in the places you spend time.
For imported units, confirm the model variant, eSIM support if you need it, and whether the phone is network-unlocked. A cheap locked unit can become expensive if it does not work properly with your preferred Nigerian network.
Trust, warranty, and originality checks
The biggest buying risk in 2026 is not performance. It is condition and authenticity. When buying the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra from Ogabassey or comparing marketplace listings, prioritize transparent condition notes, return terms, warranty coverage, and clear variant information. Ask whether the device is new, open-box, used, refurbished, or renewed. Those labels should affect the price.
Inspect the IMEI, S Pen, cameras, display edges, charging port, speakers, microphone, fingerprint sensor, and water-damage indicators where possible. Check that the screen is not a low-quality replacement and that the camera lenses are not foggy or scratched. IP68 resistance is not permanent, and a repaired or previously opened unit may not have the same water resistance as a sealed phone.
Trade-offs
The S24 Ultra is large and heavy. At about 232-233g depending on market variant, it is not ideal for one-handed use or small pockets. The square shape is great for the S Pen and productivity, but some buyers will find it less comfortable than newer rounded designs.
It also lacks expandable storage, so storage choice matters. The 256GB model is fine for many users, but creators and frequent travelers should strongly consider 512GB or 1TB. Finally, while the camera system is excellent, Samsung's newer Ultra phones can offer improved AI processing, better efficiency, and newer camera refinements.
Alternatives to consider
If you want the same Samsung ecosystem in a smaller and cheaper package, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is easier to carry and still powerful, but it lacks the S Pen, Ultra zoom system, larger battery, and QHD+ Ultra display experience. It is the better pick for buyers who want a premium Samsung phone without the Ultra size.
If you want a bigger Samsung screen mainly for notes, media, and study, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra can complement a phone rather than replace it. It makes more sense for students, artists, and productivity users who already have a good phone but want a large display and S Pen workspace.
If you are comparing generations, read Ogabassey's Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S25 Ultra comparison for a narrower upgrade decision. If your budget points you toward older Ultra models, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2026 guide is useful, but remember that the S24 Ultra has the stronger software-support promise. You can also browse current Ogabassey smartphones to compare availability before deciding.
FAQ
Is the S24 Ultra in 2026 still worth buying?
Yes, if the price is meaningfully lower than a current Ultra and the unit is original, clean, and covered by a trustworthy warranty or return policy. It is still fast, still has a top-tier display, still has excellent cameras, and still has years of promised software support remaining.
Is the Samsung S24 Ultra in 2026 better than buying a new midrange phone?
For camera quality, display quality, S Pen productivity, build, and long-term performance, the S24 Ultra will usually beat a new midrange phone. A new midrange phone may be better only if you need a fresh battery, lower price, sealed packaging, and simple warranty coverage more than flagship features.
What should I check before buying a used S24 Ultra?
Check IMEI status, network unlock, battery behavior, charging speed, S Pen connection, camera focus, speaker quality, fingerprint sensor, display burn-in, screen replacement quality, and warranty terms. Avoid units with unclear repair history, unusually low prices, or missing variant details.
Should I buy the S24 Ultra or save for a newer Ultra?
Buy the S24 Ultra if value matters more than having the newest chip and newest AI features. Save for a newer Ultra if you want the longest possible update runway from 2026 onward, improved AI performance, newer camera tuning, and the latest Samsung hardware design.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still a strong buy in 2026, but only as a value flagship, not as a no-questions-asked premium purchase. Its display, cameras, S Pen, battery size, performance, and update commitment still hold up very well. The main buying decision is price and condition. A clean unit at the right price is easy to recommend. A worn unit with weak battery health, unclear warranty, or suspicious repair history is not.
For most Ogabassey shoppers, the best move is to compare the live price and availability of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra against the regular Galaxy S24, newer Ultra models, and current smartphone deals before paying. If the S24 Ultra lands comfortably below newer flagships while keeping trustworthy condition and support, it remains one of the smartest premium Android choices in 2026.
Sources
Watch our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra unboxing
See the S24 Ultra design, display, S Pen, and first setup details before deciding if it still beats newer flagship alternatives. Watch the video on YouTube.
