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Anytime a new phone comes out, it can be hard to tell if it's actually worth upgrading, especially when it comes to navigating all the new features. Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy S26 series during its Unpacked event this week, but if you're unsure about dropping $1,299 on a new phone, I don't blame you.
Also: Samsung Unpacked 2026 recap: All the news on Galaxy S26 Ultra, Privacy Display, Buds 4 Pro
Even if you have a two-year-old Samsung Galaxy S24, you may be considering how feasible it is to upgrade to the just-released S26. You may think the S26 upgrade is worth it for photography or battery life, but you'd be surprised how similar the two phones are.
I'll break down how the Samsung Galaxy S26 compares to the S24 below to help you narrow down your pros and cons list.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 if…
1. You want the best performance and AI features
The Snapdragon processor on the Galaxy S26 is a couple of generations newer than that of the S24, so you can expect better performance from the latest phone. Samsung is also more heavily leaning into artificial intelligence (AI) features with each generation, and this year is no exception.
The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor offers faster performance than the Gen 3, better power efficiency, and more capable AI processing. This year's Galaxy S26 series features significantly hyped up AI capabilities, including an upgraded Circle to Search that can recognize multiple objects at once (like a full outfit), the ability to choose your AI agent, and proactive suggestions.
Also: 5 phones you should seriously consider instead of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
It's worth noting, however, that even if an S26 delivers faster app launches and multitasking, you can expect the software features to also come to the S24. The biggest difference is that the S26's optimized hardware will likely make for better performance when using the AI experiences.
2. You're partial to battery life and longer update support
The Samsung Galaxy S26 features a larger battery than the S24, at 4,300mAh compared to 4,000mAh. This translates into more reliable battery life, giving you a longer use time. The S26 has a slightly improved fast charging feature that gets you to 55% in 30 minutes, compared to 50% on the S24, which can translate into more effective top-ups.
Also: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: I need the Privacy Display feature on my iPhone ASAP
While Samsung offers seven major OS updates for both the Galaxy S24 and the S26, the former launched with Android 14 while the latter will ship with Android 16. This makes the newer phone more future-proof if you were to buy today, as it'd feature longer update support.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 if…
1. You're happy with the S24's photography
Let's be honest, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is very much an iterative upgrade — we're only seeing some minor improvements and no big hardware-exclusive features. While the new Gen 5 processor in the S26 is faster and more efficient, many aspects of the device haven't improved, including the physical cameras.
Also: Why my favorite Samsung S26 feature announced at Unpacked isn't camera or AI related
Both rear and front cameras on the S26 have the same specifications as the S24, down to megapixels and aperture. Samsung has improved the sensors and is implementing image-processing upgrades to improve image quality. These upgrades are slight, but mean night photos and editing may look better on the S26.
2. You don't see the need for an upgrade
Overall, when you compare the specs of the Galaxy S26 to the S24, you likely won't see a glaringly obvious need for an upgrade — and that's okay. Compared to the S24, the Galaxy S26 offers a slightly larger display with 0.1 inches more of viewing space, a 300mAh larger battery, 10% faster charging, and slightly better image processing.
Also: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S26 Plus vs. S26: Which model should you buy? I compared
These alone may not be enough to upgrade from a phone that is only two years old. If you have an older Galaxy flagship and want a newer option without breaking the bank, a $650 Galaxy S24 is quite compelling in 2026.
Specifications
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 |
Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|
|
Display |
6.3-inch, 411ppi, 2340×1080, 120Hz |
6.2-inch, 416ppi, 2340×1080, 120Hz |
|
167g |
167g |
|
|
Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB/12GB with 256GB/512GB | 8GB/12GB with 128GB/256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 4,300mAh, Super Fast Charging 55% in 30 mins, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 | 4,000mAh, 50% in 30 mins |
| Camera | 50MP wide f1.8, 12MP ultrawide f2.2, 10MP telephoto f2.4, 12MP front | 50MP wide f1.8, 12MP ultra-wide f2.2,10MP telephoto f2.4, 12MP front |
| Operating System | Android 16, up to 7 major upgrades | Android 14, up to 7 major upgrades |
| Price | Starting at $900 | Starting at $650 |
Writer's choice
When comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 to the S24, I'm leaning towards better savings over flashier features. The Galaxy S26 doesn't include major hardware upgrades or groundbreaking features — the specs, weight, look, and feel all suggest the day-to-day experience with an S26 isn't that different from an S24. This is especially true if you only need the 128GB of storage, which is available with the S24.
