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Yes—Samsung and participating retailers ran major Galaxy S24 promotions shortly before Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25 series on January 22, 2025. U.S. coverage reported up to $500 off the Galaxy S24 Ultra without a trade-in, while an “as low as $350” figure depended on trading in an eligible phone and meeting promotion conditions. That was a limited pre-launch promotion, not proof of a permanent price cut or a current August 2026 deal.
What the January 2025 S24 Ultra deal actually was
The Galaxy S24 Ultra launched in the United States in January 2024 at $1,299.99 for 256GB. Its launch storage prices were:
| Storage | U.S. launch price |
|---|---|
| 256GB | $1,299.99 |
| 512GB | $1,419.99 |
| 1TB | Approximately $1,659.99 |
Techarp’s launch-price summary provides those figures. In the weeks before Samsung announced the S25, U.S. coverage reported Samsung.com promotions offering up to $500 off without a trade-in. The same coverage cited an effective price as low as $350 after trade-in, but that was not the cash price for an otherwise unqualified buyer.
The $350 claim came from contemporaneous deal coverage. It combined the phone promotion with the value of an eligible device supplied by the customer. The exact result could vary by trade-in model, condition, storage tier, color, coupon, and deadline.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Why “as low as $350” was easy to misunderstand
Deal headlines often combine several different forms of value. Separate them before deciding whether an offer is affordable.
Instant Samsung discount
This is the amount removed from the phone price at checkout. The reported U.S. figure was “up to” $500, so it was a maximum rather than a universal discount on every configuration.
Trade-in credit
This is the value Samsung assigns to an eligible phone. It may require a particular model, working display, acceptable condition, IMEI verification, account removal, and delivery by a stated deadline.
Rank #2
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Bonus trade-in value and coupons
A temporary trade-in bonus, app-only coupon, storage upgrade, or Samsung account promotion can reduce the effective cost further. List each item separately rather than presenting the combined amount as a normal price.
Carrier bill credits
A carrier may advertise a free or heavily discounted phone while spreading credits over 36 or 48 months. Those credits are not the same as an immediate discount: leaving the carrier can make the remaining device balance due, and the plan may cost more than an unlocked alternative.
Use this calculation for a genuine comparison:
Effective cost = advertised phone price − eligible trade-in value − instant coupon − other immediate discount.
Rank #3
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Do not subtract future carrier credits, the original price paid for the trade-in phone, an estimated resale value, or a gift card you would not otherwise use. Taxes, shipping, activation charges, and financing costs remain part of the real outlay.
How the S24 Ultra compared with the S25 Ultra
Samsung announced the Galaxy S25 series on January 22, 2025, opened preorders around that announcement, and released the phones on February 7. The U.S. S25 Ultra started at $1,299.99—matching the S24 Ultra’s 256GB launch price when equivalent storage is compared. Notebookcheck’s launch coverage documents the timing and pricing.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall| Category | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch timing | January 2024 | Announced January 22, 2025; released February 7 |
| U.S. starting price | $1,299.99 for 256GB | $1,299.99 starting price |
| Processor | Previous-generation flagship platform | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Ultrawide camera | Older hardware | 50MP ultrawide |
| Battery and charging | Similar capacity and charging | Broadly similar capacity and charging |
| S Pen | Bluetooth-related functions included | Some Bluetooth-related functions removed |
| Software and AI | Galaxy AI generation, with some features delivered through updates | Newer One UI and Galaxy AI capabilities, including expanded agent-style features |
| Design | Sharper-edged design | More rounded body and refinements |
The S25 Ultra was the more meaningful upgrade for buyers coming from an older Galaxy, people who prioritize peak processor performance, or anyone specifically seeking the 50MP ultrawide camera and newer AI tools. Review coverage found the performance advantage more apparent in demanding workloads than in ordinary use, while the two generations retained similar battery and display fundamentals. See Notebookcheck’s S25 hardware details.
Rank #4
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Existing S24 Ultra owners had less reason to switch immediately. Some software features could reach older devices through updates, and the S25 Ultra’s S Pen dropped functions that the S24 Ultra retained. Software updates cannot, however, turn the S24’s processor, camera sensors, or physical design into S25 hardware.
Why Samsung discounted the older flagship
The timing fits normal product-cycle economics: Samsung and retailers needed to keep the outgoing flagship attractive while focusing attention on the incoming model, and retailers had an incentive to clear S24 inventory. Trade-ins, storage upgrades, and promotional credits also let Samsung create a lower effective price without permanently changing the published list price. That is market logic, not a confirmed statement of Samsung’s internal strategy.
Regional examples show why prices cannot be mixed. India TV reported a standard Galaxy S24 256GB reduction from ₹79,999 to ₹55,090 (India TV). Trusted Reviews reported the standard U.K. Galaxy S24 128GB at £579 versus an earlier £799 price (Trusted Reviews). Neither figure establishes a U.S. S24 Ultra price; the models, currencies, taxes, retailers, and trade-in systems differ.
Best Value
- 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with a 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to ~2600 nits peak brightness — delivering a bright, sharp screen with smooth scrolling and great outdoor visibility.
Who should buy the discounted S24 Ultra?
Choose the S24 Ultra when:
- The comparable S25 Ultra costs at least $250 to $300 more after all immediate discounts.
- You want an unlocked phone without a multi-year carrier-credit commitment.
- You value the S24 Ultra’s Bluetooth-enabled S Pen functions.
- You do not need the S25 Ultra’s newer ultrawide camera, processor, design, or AI features.
- The phone is new, unlocked, and covered by a clear warranty.
Choose the S25 Ultra when:
- The price gap becomes small after your actual trade-in.
- You are upgrading from an S22 Ultra or older phone.
- Gaming, sustained performance, or demanding camera processing matters.
- You want the newest Galaxy AI experience and a longer remaining support window.
- Resale value and having the newest model matter more than minimum cost.
Consider a refurbished S24 Ultra when:
- The saving versus a new unit is substantial.
- The seller offers a meaningful warranty and a long return period.
- You can test battery health, cameras, display, S Pen, wireless charging, and network operation.
- The device is unlocked, not blacklisted, and made with acceptable parts.
Checklist for evaluating an S24 Ultra listing
- Confirm the exact model, storage capacity, region, and whether it is new, open-box, or refurbished.
- Separate the instant phone discount, trade-in credit, coupon, gift card, and carrier credits.
- Calculate the final checkout amount including sales tax, shipping, activation, and financing charges.
- Read the trade-in rules: eligible model, condition, IMEI checks, account removal, and return deadline.
- Confirm unlocked status, warranty region, return window, and seller responsibility for repairs.
- If trading in, photograph the device, back it up, remove accounts, factory-reset it, and keep shipment proof.
- Check stock by color and storage; clearance inventory often disappears unevenly.
Bottom line for buyers today
The January 2025 promotion was real and potentially excellent, but the headline number overstated the deal unless the buyer had a valuable qualifying trade-in. A heavily discounted, new S24 Ultra offered flagship performance, cameras, display, battery life, and an S Pen at a much lower effective cost. The S25 Ultra justified its premium for buyers who wanted its Snapdragon 8 Elite platform, 50MP ultrawide camera, newer AI features, rounded design, and longer support runway.
Because the reported promotion was tied to the pre-launch period, it should not be treated as an August 2026 price quote. Check Samsung, Best Buy, Amazon, and carrier pages for the live model, condition, trade-in terms, warranty, and total cost before paying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
