Samsung is holding a Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25 where we expect the Galaxy S26 series to be announced. So if you're considering the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it's obviously a good idea to wait. But if you're absolutely set on getting one, consider its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, because it's such a great bargain right now. I'll explain.
The S25 Ultra may be among the best smartphones you can buy today, but it also demands a whopping amount of cash in return. Its $1,300 price tag puts it out of reach for many of us. Yet the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which also has excellent specs, can be had new for $950 or used for $544. It's still a powerhouse of a phone, but because it's one generation old, it's less than half the price of the current model on the used market. Seriously.
Watch this: Don't Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Save Money With a Used S24 Ultra Instead 07:54
Sure, if you're trying to sell your S24 series phone, that amount of depreciation really sucks. But if you're looking to upgrade from an older phone, then you have yourself a bargain on a high-end device.
So what difference does one generation make? Can a two-year-old model still perform like the current flagship? Let's put these phones side by side and see what we get.
Which one's which? It's difficult to tell. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
On paper, the specs are very similar. They both have massive displays with identical resolutions and refresh rates. They both have potent Qualcomm processors, 12GB of RAM, 200-megapixel cameras, titanium frames and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. And yes, both have the S Pen stylus tucked inside if you want to doodle pictures while pretending to be working. The S24 Ultra's S Pen even has several nifty tricks that were removed on the S25 Ultra's stylus.
The upcoming Galaxy S26 lineup -- including the S26 Ultra -- is expected to arrive soon. Sure, it might have a complete overhaul that justifies paying its top-end price over the cheaper previous generation. But current rumors suggest that the new phone may receive only modest upgrades.
Given that you can expect to see a sharp decrease in the price of the S25 Ultra, the same principle could apply: Save a lot of money by buying the previous generation on the used market.
From a purely numbers perspective, there's little to choose between the S24 Ultra and S25 Ultra -- certainly nothing that warrants such a steep price difference. So what are they like to use in person? Let's start with the cameras.
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