Galaxy S24 Ultra owners love their phones, and newer models aren't winning them over

Samsung's newer flagships are making some Galaxy S24 Ultra owners appreciate their old phone even more. They still love its design and features, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra haven't given them enough reason to let go.

That sentiment comes through in a recent Reddit discussion, where owners are celebrating the S24 Ultra and expressing disappointment with what has followed.

One commenter describes its form factor, design, and functionality as Samsung's peak. “I keep holding out for a phone better than the 24u, might be holding out forever,” says another.

The attachment runs deep enough that some are already talking about keeping their phones through the remaining years of software support (the Galaxy S24 series will receive updates till 2031).

One owner says they would get a replacement battery if needed. Another says they have already replaced theirs and are happier to keep the phone after seeing the rumored Galaxy S27 Ultra design.

Not all the rumors aren't guaranteed to be true. But their willingness to replace a battery instead of the entire phone says a lot about how satisfied these owners remain.

There are concrete reasons behind that attachment. Some prefer the S24 Ultra's boxy, Note-like appearance. Others miss the Bluetooth S Pen features Samsung removed with the S25 Ultra, including the ability to use the pen as a remote camera shutter.

We found similar feelings in other discussions. One owner who replaced a broken S24 Ultra with an S26 Ultra missed the older design and felt the improvements lacked a wow factor.

Another returned their S26 Ultra because they preferred their S24 Ultra's display, even while appreciating the newer phone's performance and cameras.

Some of us at SamMobile can relate to the affection for the design. The S24 Ultra had a flat display, but its side frame retained a slight curve that made it more comfortable to hold over the flat frames of the S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra.

Curved displays can bring durability concerns, accidental touches, and awkwardness when using the S Pen near the edges. The S24 Ultra paired the practical benefits of a flat screen with curvy sides.

Design preferences differ, naturally. One commenter prefers the S25 Ultra's flat edges enough to accept the loss of the S Pen's Bluetooth features.

Still, for many Galaxy S24 Ultra owners, newer models haven't offered enough to justify replacing their current phone. For some, the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra may not be enough to change their minds either.