Samsung Galaxy S24+ 5G: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
The usual complaints are the missing charger, battery wear after roughly two years, Wi-Fi trouble after the One UI 8.5 update, heat in weak signal areas and a 10MP telephoto that trails rivals [5][8][14][20]. Running costs are modest: a 45W USB-PD PPS adapter if you do not own one, a case, and optional Samsung Care+, with no subscription needed for the phone’s core features [8]. This page covers the US Snapdragon model SM-S926U; the Exynos variant behaves differently [5][20].
Common problems and fixes
- No charger in the box — the US retail box holds only a USB-C cable, a SIM tool and documentation, so reaching the advertised 45W speed means buying a 45W USB-PD PPS adapter separately, roughly $25-50 [8]. No defect is involved and the one-year warranty still covers parts and labor.
- Battery degradation — some owners report noticeably worse battery after about two years, and long-term health data past that point is thin [14]. The 4900mAh cell is not removable, so a refresh means Samsung service or an authorized repair shop [5].
- Wi-Fi drops after One UI 8.5 — owners report connection problems after that update that require daily restarts; the research records no confirmed fix beyond restarting the phone [14].
- Heating during heavy use — owners report heat during intensive tasks, during 4G or 5G use in poor reception areas, and during the initial setup period [20]. Lightening the workload or improving signal is the only reported mitigation.
- Telephoto limits — the 10MP telephoto is lower resolution than competitors and zoom quality degrades beyond the 3x optical point; low-light output is adequate but not class-leading [5][20]. No fix; treat the 3x lens as the usable limit.
- Slippery body and weaker resale — the glass back is slippery without a case, and resale value trails both the S24 Ultra and the base S24 [14]. A case is the practical answer.
- Early software bugs — Mashable and PhoneArena both documented bugs and issues affecting early adopters of the S24 series [17][18]. These were software-side, so check for current updates before judging a used unit.
- Storage is fixed at purchase — there is no microSD slot, so the 256GB or 512GB choice is permanent [5]. Buy more storage up front if you shoot a lot of video.
Parts and consumables
- 45W USB-PD PPS charger — not included in the US box and required for full wired speed; the research puts a separate unit at roughly $25-50 [8].
- Case — the glass back is slippery in hand, and owners describe a case as close to mandatory [14].
- Battery (4900mAh) — non-removable; replacement goes through Samsung service or an authorized repair shop, and battery life is expected to fade near the two-year mark [5][14].
- Samsung Care+ — optional extended coverage and accidental damage protection on top of the standard one-year US warranty [5][8].
Yearly running cost
Nothing is consumed on a schedule, so routine yearly spend is close to zero. The one-time extras are the $25-50 charger, a case and optional Samsung Care+ [8]. Charging itself is cheap: the 4900mAh cell supports 45W wired, 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless, and measured endurance is long enough that most owners charge once a day or less [2][3][5].
When it is a good buy
Value bands from the research checked 2026-10-15:
- Around $395-400 — strong value. GSMArena’s market aggregation put the 256GB/12GB model near $395, and at that level the 7-year update commitment, QHD+ 120Hz screen and flagship chipset are hard to beat [5][14].
- $400-600 — still good value if you want near-Ultra hardware without the S Pen, the 200MP camera or the 100x zoom [3][4].
- From $640 upward — weaker. PCMag listed verified refurbished units from $640, and at that money a newer flagship or a discounted S24 Ultra deserves a look [1].
Store prices seen in the research, worth rechecking at purchase: launch price was $999.99 for 256GB, GSMArena’s aggregation listed about $395, and PCMag listed refurbished from $640 [1][10][14]. The 512GB ceiling and the 10MP telephoto are the main reasons not to pay near launch money in 2026.
Alternatives: the Galaxy S24 Ultra adds the S Pen, a 200MP main camera and a much longer zoom range for more money [3][4]. Buyers who need class-leading low-light photos or the longest zoom should look at newer flagships [20].