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Everyone wants the biggest and most powerful smartphone right now, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra fits that description. Samsung’s new top-tier phone is out, and it’s among the best smartphones available today. The Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t just any smartphone; it’s very powerful and comes with some of the most advanced AI features ever seen on a phone. It also boasts an excellent camera and long battery life. In simple terms, it’s fantastic.
But guess what? You don’t really have to purchase it. As impressive as the Galaxy S24 Ultra is, there are numerous smartphones available, and many of them match or even surpass the S24 Ultra in some important aspects.
Uncertain about spending $1,300 on Samsung’s latest? Here are five smartphones you should consider buying instead of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is the phone that made us forget about the Galaxy S24 Ultra. After a positive review, we were ready to consider the S24 Ultra as the top choice from Samsung for another year. However, the Galaxy S24 Plus entered the scene and changed our perspective.
In essence, it’s the S24 Ultra with all the “extras” carefully removed. While you miss out on the Ultra’s S Pen or periscope zoom lens, the Galaxy S24 Plus offers the same high-speed Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a 1440p AMOLED display with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, and 45W charging speeds, all for $300 less. Although you sacrifice a bit in battery and screen size, the differences are minimal – a 0.1-inch reduction in screen diagonal and 100mAh less in the 5,000mAh battery. These changes are so small that they are practically unnoticeable, and the camera performance remains excellent, even without the ultra-high megapixel counts found in its larger sibling.
Similar Performance, Cheaper Price
Certainly, the S24 Ultra offers more features, but the question is, are those extras worth an additional $300 to you? That’s a decision only you can make. From our perspective, the S24 Plus provides exceptional value for the money and stands out as the best Samsung Galaxy S model this year.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the latest model, but it’s essential to remember that “new” doesn’t always mean “better.”
While the S24 Ultra is technically an improvement, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains an incredible phone. The distinctions between the two are hardly noticeable unless you delve into the technical specifications. The older model is a gram lighter, has a few less pixels in the display, and features a slightly older processor. Nevertheless, it remains a robust, premium device with a stunning display and ample processing power beneath an attractive design.
The S24 Ultra boasts Galaxy AI as its new headline feature, but you can easily pass on that without much concern. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra still offers a substantial amount of smartphone goodness, and surprisingly, it even has a bit more than its newer counterpart. Remember the S24 Ultra’s 5x periscope zoom lens? Well, the S23 Ultra has a 10x zoom lens, which, in hindsight, seems a bit over-the-top. Who really needs that much zoom? Probably no one, and that’s precisely why Samsung phased it out. However, that’s the entire reason for the Ultra line’s existence, and we should appreciate it when it goes above and beyond. Opt for the Galaxy S23 Ultra instead, and enjoy a nice discount for nearly the same phone.
OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 isn’t trying to take down flagship phones (that’s the OnePlus 12R’s job), but there’s a solid case to call it a Galaxy S24 Ultra competitor.
OnePlus established itself by prioritizing powerful specifications and eliminating unnecessary features — essentially the opposite philosophy of the S24 Ultra, where the specs and special features are equally essential. Fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it shares the same potent processing power as the S24 Ultra. But OnePlus takes it further with up to 512GB of storage and an astounding maximum of 16GB of RAM. Complementing these specs is a 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate on a 1440p display, matching the S24 Ultra in size. This phone can go toe-to-toe with the robust Ultra and hold its ground in every aspect. It even boasts faster charging with a blazing 80-watt charging speed.
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While the camera might not match up to the S24 Ultra, it’s still a dependable shooter, and the substantial price difference more than compensates for it. The OnePlus 12 kicks off at $800, marking a remarkable $500 savings. Admittedly, this is for the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM, but these specs align with the base S24 Ultra configuration, making it a balanced comparison. If you’re after a large phone with impressive specs, the OnePlus 12 is an excellent choice that also helps you keep a good amount of money in your pocket.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google’s Pixel series may not be as widespread as Samsung’s Galaxy, but it has built a robust reputation for itself, and for some compelling reasons.
In past years, we would have readily declared the Google Pixel phone as the best camera phone. However, this year, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has surprisingly triumphed in our S24 Ultra vs. Pixel 8 Pro camera comparison. Despite this, there are still numerous compelling reasons to choose the Google Pixel 8 Pro over Samsung’s massive smartphone. The camera system remains exceptional, capturing shots with true-to-life colors and avoiding the vibrant saturation often seen in Samsung’s cameras. While the wide-angle and telephoto shots may not match Samsung’s, it would be a mistake to underestimate the Pixel 8 Pro’s outstanding camera system.
That’s not all the Google Pixel 8 Pro has in store. It shares a similar size with the S24 Ultra, ensuring you don’t miss out on that aspect, and boasts similar display specifications, including the 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. The Google-designed Tensor G3 processor is robust and swift, featuring comparable AI features to the S24 Ultra because Google pioneered them.
Clean Android
While the battery life may fall a little short, providing only a single day per charge, the Pixel’s version of Android compensates with a clean interface and useful features that don’t clutter the phone. While we appreciate One UI on the S24 Ultra, there’s no denying the extra features included, and purists will appreciate what Google brings to the table.
The last consideration is the price. The Pixel 8 Pro is a substantial phone with comparable power, camera systems, and features to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it comes at a much lower cost. The Google Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999, a whole $300 less than the S24 Ultra. Even upgrading to 256GB of storage (matching the Ultra) will cost $1,059—still significantly below the price of Samsung’s latest offering.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
A compelling reason to opt for the S24 Ultra is that it offers the forefront of smartphone technology with exceptionally powerful specifications, an impressive camera, and nearly the most advanced display money can buy. Why “nearly”? Because the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is on the market, and if you’re already investing at least $1,300 in a smartphone, why not go all-in and choose the most cutting-edge device available?
In terms of specifications, it’s comparable to the S24 Ultra, even if it’s not quite as powerful. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is an exceptional chip with more power than you’re ever likely to need, and the camera is still excellent. But we all know what the real draw here is: the folding screen. The 7.6-inch inner display has the same refresh rate as the S24 Ultra while offering almost twice the width. When using such a large tablet-like screen isn’t feasible, there’s also a 6.2-inch display on the outside.
Unlike most of the options on this list, the Z Fold 5 is more expensive than the S24 Ultra, with prices starting at $1,799. But when you’re already looking to spend a considerable amount on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and clearly want to get a bit extra, why not go a little bit further and really shoot for the stars?
Conclusion
While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts impressive specs and features, its high price tag may not be for everyone. Fortunately, numerous compelling alternatives offer similar power, camera capabilities, and innovative features, often at a more budget-friendly price. This article explores five such options, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, S23 Ultra, OnePlus 12, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and even the foldable Galaxy Z Fold 5, allowing you to make an informed decision that best suits your needs and budget.
Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.
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