Much like we noticed within the run-up to the iPhone 16 launch, we have reached a time within the yr the place somebody who’s searching for a brand new high-end Android cellphone must weigh up whether or not to purchase a current-generation Galaxy cellphone or look forward to the following technology.
Specifically, the dilemma this yr is whether or not to get one of many Samsung Galaxy S24 handsets, or look forward to the Galaxy S25 sequence, which we anticipate to launch in January or February subsequent yr.
However, in contrast to the selection going through iPhone followers, the Samsung Galaxy conundrum arises at a time when the Black Friday offers have already arrived – Black Friday correct is on November 29 this yr – which muddies the waters considerably. That’s as a result of there are Black Friday cellphone offers that characteristic cut-price Galaxy S24 fashions, which may make it tempting to leap on them now somewhat than look forward to pricier next-generation telephones.
So, what to do?
I don’t have a straightforward reply per se; my broad take could be that should you’re in determined want of a brand new Android cellphone, then grabbing a cut-price Galaxy S24 is a really sensible transfer. I’ve used the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as a secondary cellphone alongside my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and I feel it is a good do-everything system, so I can completely vouch for it. I additionally suppose the usual Galaxy S24 is good, with its slick design and a set of generative AI options.
Samsung Galaxy S24 offers you should buy proper now within the US, UK and Australia
To purchase or to not purchase?
The rub comes with the truth that the Galaxy S25 sequence to certain be an improve throughout the board from the S24. It will very possible be evolution over revolution, however some digital camera tweaks, maybe a much bigger battery, and extra energy for onboard AI instruments, can add as much as a major improve.
Furthermore, the Galaxy S24 sequence had been the primary telephones to introduce Galaxy AI, and that got here with a number of teething points in that it wasn’t at all times clear the right way to entry the sensible options or the right way to management them. As such, I believe the Galaxy S25 sequence will convey in additional neatly built-in AI options that could possibly be higher baked into the {hardware}.
My hope is that Samsung’s general Galaxy AI suite feels extra intuitive and simply accessible, with clear notes on what the AI tech is doing and what it isn’t, within the Galaxy S25 than it does within the current-generation Galaxy units.
To me, this might be a very good purpose to think about an improve, particularly as we’ve seen how the Google Pixel 9 sequence – what’s arguably a second-generation ‘AI cellphone’– provides an honest improve on the Pixel 8 sequence.
So my intestine intuition could be to let you know to attend, and should you’re not impressed by the upgrades the Galaxy S25 is bound to supply, you may in all probability nonetheless go for the Galaxy S24, which can virtually definitely get a major worth lower post-Galaxy S25 launch; within the unlikely occasion that the Galaxy S24 is rapidly discontinued by Samsung, we’d very possible see retailers attempt to clear inventory by providing items at lower costs.
If you have got any questions, do let me or the TechRadar telephones crew know. And should you’re on the hunt for a terrific smartphone proper now, go and take a look at our roundup of the most effective telephones.
