Galaxy S24 Release Date: Tips & Tricks

Samsung’s working on new Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra models and there are some steps potential buyers should take before they arrive.

The company’s picked January 17th for the Galaxy S24’s Unpacked event. This means the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra should all hit shelves in late January or early February after a pre-order period.

The Galaxy S24’s release date is still a few weeks away, but some of you may want to hang back and wait for its arrival.

If you think you might want to do that, here are some tips that will help you prepare for the release of Samsung’s next flagship Galaxy S smartphone.

Track Galaxy S24 Rumors

If you’re at all interested in the next Samsung Galaxy S model, you’ll want to keep your eyes on the Galaxy S24 rumor mill as we push into 2024.

We’ll see a steady drip of Galaxy S24 rumors in the weeks ahead. And in typical Samsung fashion, we expect leaks to outline virtually everything there is to know about these devices long before the company takes the stage to launch them.

While leaks ruin the company’s element of surprise, they will help you, the shopper, set proper expectations about the Galaxy S24’s specs and release date and help you decide if waiting is worth it.

For the latest about the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, check out our roundup.

Get Familiar with Android & One UI

If you’re using an old Galaxy S device or an Android phone that wasn’t made by Samsung, and you plan to upgrade to a new Galaxy S, make sure you get comfortable with the current version of Android and Samsung’s One UI software.

The current version of Android is Android 14 and the most up-to-date version of Samsung’s One UI software is One UI 6. If you’re already running this software on your phone you can skip this step.

If you’re currently using older software, use this time to get a feel for this firmware. It’s not for everyone.

Going hands-on with this software will be important, especially if you’re planning to move to a new Galaxy S from another Android OEM or Apple’s iPhone.

For more about Samsung’s Android 14 update, check out our guide.

Decide How Much Storage You Need

You’ll want to use this time to decide how much storage you might need on your new device. Some of you will be fine with the least amount of storage, but others will likely need to upgrade. Picking the right storage capacity will help you save money.

Galaxy S24 storage rumors suggest we may not see any big changes. In other words, the Galaxy S24’s storage might fall in line with the Galaxy S23’s.

Here are the Galaxy S23 storage options:

• Galaxy S23: 128GB & 256GB
• Galaxy S23+: 256GB & 512GB
• Galaxy S23 Ultra: 256GB, 512GB & 1TB

We don’t know how much the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra will cost, but if you think you’ll need one of the larger storage variants, you might want to start saving.

Look at Other Galaxy Phones

Before you decide to wait, make sure you shop around starting with Samsung’s other Galaxy options.

The Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra are the obvious in-house alternatives. These are Samsung’s current flagships and they are among the best smartphones you can buy right now.

Of course, you may also want to check out the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Samsung’s vast catalog of budget devices.

Make sure you go hands-on with as many of these as you can before you make a decision to wait for the Galaxy S24 series.

Research Galaxy S24 Alternatives

We also recommend digging into Galaxy S alternatives that fall outside of Samsung’s ecosystem. Here are a few of the best alternatives on the market right now:

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• Google Pixel 7
• Google Pixel 7 Pro
• OnePlus 11

If you aren’t married to buying a Galaxy phone, be sure you dig into these devices in the days, weeks, and/or months ahead.

Make a Plan for Your Current Phone

You may want to start making a plan for your current phone right now.

If you plan on selling your current device to help offset the cost of your new smartphone, you’ll want to track prices at popular resellers.

You’ll also want to keep your current phone in good condition because that’s how you’ll get the most money back from some resellers when trade-in offers arrive at launch.

On the other hand, you might know of a friend or relative who could benefit from your current device. Ask around and see if anyone might need a hand-me-down after you upgrade.

Research Carriers

Like the Galaxy S23 series, we expect the Galaxy S24 series to come with 5G connectivity. If your next phone will be your first 5G device, shop around and see which network works best in your area.

If you’re unhappy with your current provider’s coverage and/or plan, use this time to dig into competitors and see if you can find a better fit.