Flagship phones do not stay at flagship prices for long, and the renewed market is where last year's best hardware finds a second audience. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, in its unlocked US version with 512GB of storage, is exactly the kind of phone that benefits from that arrangement, because the hardware that made it a premium device is still excellent long after the retail price has fallen. I spent two weeks with a renewed unit to judge whether the savings are real and whether the second hand condition changes the experience.
Before the details, the standard note. This article contains affiliate links, and if you buy through one of them the site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. That commission does not change what I test or what I recommend, and the phone reviewed here was set up and used exactly the way a buyer would use it.
The rest of this review covers the renewed condition, the camera system that carries the phone's reputation, the display and battery, and whether a second hand flagship beats a new mid range phone.
Design and Build
The S24 Ultra is a big phone, and there is no hiding that fact. The flat 6.8 inch display sits inside a titanium frame that is lighter and tougher than the aluminum used in older models, and the whole device has a squared, substantial feel that reads as premium in the hand. The titanium back in Titanium Black is matte, which resists fingerprints far better than glossy glass, and the phone feels solid enough that a case feels optional rather than essential, though a case is still wise for a renewed purchase.
What you actually receive with a renewed unit depends on the grading, and the one I tested arrived in very good shape. The frame had no visible dents, the display was free of scratches, and the S Pen slid cleanly into its slot. The difference from a new phone was cosmetic at most, which is the reassurance most renewed buyers are looking for. The buttons remain firm, the USB C port seated a cable correctly, and the speakers sounded full, all signs that the unit was properly inspected before resale.
Key Features
The camera is the reason to buy an S24 Ultra, and the hardware is still class leading. A 200 megapixel main sensor anchors a quad camera array that adds a 12 megapixel ultra wide, a 10 megapixel 3x telephoto, and a 50 megapixel 5x periscope lens. That combination covers a staggering range of focal lengths, and the periscope zoom is the feature that separates this phone from nearly everything else on the market, because it delivers usable, sharp telephoto shots at 5x and beyond.
The display and the S Pen round out the package. The 6.8 inch QHD AMOLED panel is bright, punchy, and smooth, and it handles outdoor visibility with ease. The built in S Pen adds a stylus experience that no rival offers, useful for signing documents, taking handwritten notes, and precise photo editing. The phone also runs the full suite of Galaxy AI features, including real time translation and generative editing, and it supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the glass.
Real-World Performance
Over two weeks the phone behaved like a current flagship, because in terms of raw speed it is one. Apps opened instantly, multitasking stayed fluid, and games ran at high settings without the frame rate dipping. The renewed unit was configured clean and had no trace of the previous owner beyond the standard setup process, which is the mark of a properly wiped device. Day to day, the S24 Ultra feels every bit as fast as phones that cost twice as much new.
The camera earned the headline treatment it usually gets. Daylight shots from the 200 megapixel sensor are rich with detail, and the 5x periscope lens delivered zoomed shots that stayed sharp enough to crop into, something no digital zoom can match. In low light the phone holds its own, pulling clean images from dim interiors, and portrait mode separated subjects convincingly. The camera app is fast to launch and quick to shoot, which matters because the best photo is often the one you can capture quickly.
Battery life is the variable renewed buyers watch most closely, because it depends on the health of a cell that may have been charged hundreds of times. On this unit the 5000mAh battery delivered a full day on a single charge with mixed use, ending the evening around twenty percent, which is right where a new S24 Ultra lands. A heavier day of video and camera use pushed it closer to the limit, so a power bank is a sensible companion on travel days, and fast wired and wireless charging both worked as advertised.
The daily experience held up in the less obvious ways. The speakers are loud and clear, call quality was solid on the unlocked unit across major carriers, and the S Pen worked reliably every time I pulled it out. Nothing about the renewed unit suggested it had been mistreated, which is the reassurance that makes this category work.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Outstanding camera system with a true 5x periscope zoom
- Bright, smooth 6.8 inch QHD AMOLED display
- Fast performance that still matches current flagships
- Built in S Pen for notes, documents, and editing
- Unlocked US version works with major carriers and eSIM
- Renewed price well below the original retail cost
Cons:
- Renewed condition varies, so battery health is a gamble
- Large and heavy, not comfortable for small hands
- Charging speed is modest compared to rival flagships
- Galaxy AI features may require a subscription over time
How It Compares
The main decision for a budget buyer is whether a renewed flagship beats a new mid range phone, and the table below lines up the trade offs.
| Feature | Renewed S24 Ultra | New Mid Range Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | 200MP with 5x zoom | Good main sensor, weak zoom |
| Display | 6.8 inch QHD AMOLED | Mid tier panel, lower brightness |
| Performance | Flagship tier | Mid range tier |
| Warranty | Limited renewed coverage | Full manufacturer warranty |
| Price | Lower | Comparable |
| Extras | S Pen, periscope zoom | New battery |
If photography and display quality are your priorities, the renewed S24 Ultra wins clearly, because no mid range phone can touch the periscope zoom. If you value a fresh battery and a full warranty above all else, a new mid range phone is the safer choice. The renewed flagship makes sense when you accept a little risk in exchange for flagship camera hardware.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the renewed S24 Ultra if you want a top tier camera without paying top tier prices, if you take advantage of the S Pen for work or notes, or if you simply prefer the best display available at this price point. It is an especially strong choice for photographers who want zoom range without carrying a separate camera.
Skip it if the size is a deal breaker, if you need a guaranteed fresh battery and full warranty, or if you prefer a lighter phone that slips into a pocket more easily. For everyone else, this is the most flagship phone you can buy on a budget. You can check the current price of the renewed Galaxy S24 Ultra on Amazon when you are ready.
How We Test
I used the renewed S24 Ultra as my primary phone for two weeks, testing the camera across daylight, low light, and full zoom, and logging battery life on mixed days. I set up a new eSIM alongside a physical SIM, ran the phone through standard apps and games, and examined the unit for cosmetic or functional defects at every stage.
I did not stress test the battery to its limits or open the device to inspect the cell, so renewed condition will vary unit to unit, and buyers should weigh that in their decision. For a thorough look at the S24 Ultra when it was new, The Verge has a detailed review of the Galaxy S24 Ultra that covers the full camera and software story. The renewed S24 Ultra listing on Amazon shows the current grading and pricing.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Renewed: Questions People Ask
What does renewed mean for a Galaxy S24 Ultra?
A renewed unit is a returned or trade in phone that is inspected, repaired if needed, and cleaned before resale, so it arrives in working condition at a lower price.
Is a renewed S24 Ultra carrier locked?
The US version here is unlocked, so it accepts most SIM cards from major carriers and also works with eSIM service.
How good is the S24 Ultra camera?
The 200 megapixel main sensor with a dedicated 5x periscope zoom lens captures sharp, detailed photos in daylight and handles low light well.
How long will the battery last on a renewed S24 Ultra?
Battery health varies by unit, but the 5000mAh cell reliably gets most users through a full day on a well maintained renewed phone.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
