The best Samsung phone you can buy for under $700 isn’t the one you think

I recently tested Now Brief on my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to see if updates had made the feature more useful. I stopped and found myself staring at the Galaxy S25 Ultra, unsure of how to feel.

Samsung did its best to make the Galaxy S25 Ultra soulless, and it shows. I understand that was the point — creating a device that would offend the least number of people on store shelves, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

That’s not the way I feel about my Galaxy S24 Ultra. It’s not the most exciting design ever, but it elicits a response. I enjoy using it.

It also includes many of the items you want in a premium smartphone in 2025, without shelling out big money.

If you’re a Samsung fan who doesn’t know which smartphone you want next, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is worth a look. Here’s why.

You’re not sacrificing that much

Premium build quality and an excellent display

I’d be concerned if the Galaxy S24 Ultra were a noticeable step-down from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it’s not.

It features Corning Gorilla Armor on the front and back, with a titanium frame. It’s a premium phone to hold, and you won’t feel like you’re using an older device.

I also prefer the slightly rounded frame on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. I was never bothered by the sharper corners, and the device maintains some of the design cues from the old Galaxy Note.

It comes down to personal preference, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra appeals to me.

You’re also not sacrificing display quality with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Its 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is gorgeous, and it has an anti-reflective coating, which makes outdoor viewing much more enjoyable.

It’s the best screen you’ll find on a phone under $700, and it’s a significant part of why the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains an attractive device after over a year.

Top-tier performance and software support

The Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t showing signs of aging anytime soon

It’ll be a long time before you notice slowdowns on your Galaxy S24 Ultra. It still flies through every app I throw at it, and AAA mobile games run smoothly.

We barely scratched the surface of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s capabilities, and there’s plenty of headroom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, thanks to its 12GB of RAM.

It’ll be powerful enough to get the best new features for years, allowing you to fully enjoy Samsung’s promised seven years of support.

Extended support is a reason why older flagships are viable choices even for casual buyers, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Samsung optimizes One UI as the Galaxy S24 Ultra ages.

One UI 7 looks fantastic on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it’s really given the device new life. One UI 8 is around the corner, but it shouldn’t provide too many changes.

Now Brief isn’t the most exciting Galaxy AI feature, but the Now Bar has become a useful tool. I love its Google Maps integration, and the Now Bar is excellent for media playback controls.

Samsung’s done an outstanding job improving its user experience in 2025, and you get to take full advantage with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

It’s hard to beat under $700

A much different conversation than in previous years

It used to be difficult to recommend older flagships to buyers. Sure, enthusiasts wouldn’t have an issue, and they weren’t bothered by devices being close to the end of their support window, but for others, it could be problematic.

With seven years of promised support, that’s no longer a problem, and excellent devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra have become viable for more buyers.

I can easily recommend a Galaxy S24 Ultra to casual buyers and still sleep at night. In addition, you pick up some legacy features, such as the Bluetooth S pen.

It’s also much more affordable. Not everyone wants to shell out $1,300 for a Galaxy S25 Ultra, and some people don’t like the idea of a monthly payment, locked into a carrier finance contract.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers an unlocked, premium phone experience for under $700.

Carrier finance deals are convenient, but if you prefer to shop for the best deals on service, it’s worth having the flexibility of an unlocked phone to take with you.

I expect a repeat performance

The Galaxy S26 Ultra rumors aren’t promising, and I’m expecting to feel the same way about the Galaxy S24 Ultra next year.

Thankfully, there are still plenty available at reasonable prices, and you can enjoy a premium Samsung experience for less.

If you’re a fan of the brand and don’t love the idea of the compromises made by midrange phones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra should be at the top of your list.