Why the Samsung Galaxy S24 Is Still the Best Buy Under $500 (March 2026)
What You Get for Around $450
For roughly $450, the Samsung Galaxy S24 continues to offer premium flagship hardware at a mid-range price.
Key highlights include:
- A 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness, making it easy to see even in direct sunlight thanks to Vision Booster.
- The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (U.S. version), the same flagship processor Samsung used across its high-end 2024 lineup.
- 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM paired with 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage for fast multitasking and quick app loading.
- A versatile camera system featuring a 50MP main camera, 10MP 3x telephoto lens, and 12MP ultrawide camera.
- IP68 certification for dust and water resistance.
- Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite, including Circle to Search, Live Translate, Generative Edit, Note Assist, Chat Assist, and Transcript Assist.
- A commitment to seven years of Android and security updates, keeping the phone supported until approximately 2031.
Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy A56
Samsung’s Galaxy A56 starts at about $399, putting it close enough in price to make the comparison worthwhile.
| Feature | Galaxy S24 (~$450) | Galaxy A56 ($399) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Exynos 1580 |
| Display | 6.2-inch AMOLED, 2,600 nits | 6.7-inch AMOLED, 1,900 nits |
| Peak Brightness | 2,600 nits | 1,900 nits |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Circle to Search | Yes | Yes |
| Telephoto Camera | 10MP 3x zoom | No telephoto (5MP macro only) |
| Software Support | 7 years | 7 years |
| Memory | 8GB | 6GB or 8GB |
The Galaxy A56 is a capable mid-range phone, but for roughly $50 more, the Galaxy S24 offers noticeably better value. It delivers a significantly faster processor, a brighter display, and a dedicated 3x telephoto camera, something the A56 doesn’t include in any version.
Where the Galaxy A56 Has the Advantage
The Galaxy A56 does have a few strengths.
Its 6.7-inch display provides more screen space for watching videos and gaming, while the 5,000mAh battery generally offers longer battery life than the S24’s 4,000mAh battery. It also has a slimmer profile, measuring 6.9mm compared to the S24’s 7.6mm.
If your top priorities are a larger display and longer battery endurance, the A56 remains a compelling option.
Performance Still Favors the Galaxy S24
The biggest difference between these phones is their processing power.
Even in 2026, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy remains a flagship-grade chipset. It easily handles demanding games, intensive multitasking, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI features without slowing down.
The Exynos 1580 inside the Galaxy A56 performs well for everyday use, but it can’t match the Snapdragon chip in graphics performance, sustained workloads, or AI processing.
Final Thoughts
At around $450, the Samsung Galaxy S24 isn’t simply a budget-friendly alternative—it remains a true flagship experience at a much lower price. Originally introduced in early 2024, it continues to run One UI 8 based on Android 16, with One UI 8.5 expected soon and years of software support still ahead.
For anyone shopping for an Android phone under $500 in March 2026, the Galaxy S24 continues to stand out as one of the strongest value choices available.
