Samsung's new Galaxy S24 has a slightly larger screen, a bigger battery and a new processor compared to its predecessor. Though it's an appreciated improvement over the Galaxy S23, Samsung's newest addition to the Galaxy S family is better-suited to people who are upgrading from a device that's several years old.

When deciding whether to upgrade, the answer typically comes down to the age and condition of your current device, as well as how much you're willing to spend. The Galaxy S23 is only about a year old and will receive the same new Galaxy AI software features as the Galaxy S24, so it still has plenty of mileage in it. But if you have an older phone like the Galaxy S20, you'll have a lot to gain from upgrading.

You'll also want to consider whether your phone is still receiving new versions of Android. Samsung only provides operating system upgrades for a certain number of years, which can vary depending on the phone model.

Here's a look at how the Galaxy S24 compares to older Galaxy S phones. The same general advice can apply to the Galaxy S Plus series, since those phones typically have the same processor and camera as the Galaxy S.

Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy S23

The Galaxy S23.

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If you have a Galaxy S23, you can feel good about holding on to it for a while longer. Even if you purchased the phone at launch, the processor and battery are only about a year old. That means you're likely still experiencing long battery life and smooth performance. The cameras on the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 are also mostly the same, and Samsung is also bringing Galaxy AI to its previous-generation phones in a software update. 

Galaxy AI refers to a suite of new software features such as Circle to Search (search for almost anything on Google just by circling it on screen), Generative Edit (a tool for moving and manipulating objects in photos) and Live Translate (translate phone calls in real time), among others. It was the centerpiece of Samsung's Galaxy S24 launch, but the fact that Samsung is bringing it to the Galaxy S23 shows that the company wants Galaxy AI to be a big part of its mobile lineup -- not just its newest phones.

The Galaxy S23 also gets four generations of software updates, meaning it'll continue to get new versions of Android and Samsung's One UI software for a few more years.

The bottom line: Even though the Galaxy S24 has a bigger battery and a newer processor, don't upgrade from the Galaxy S23 yet. Given that it's just about a year old, there's still plenty of life left in it. 

Galaxy S24 vs. Galaxy S22

The Galaxy S22.

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The Galaxy S22 won't be getting Samsung's new Galaxy AI features, but there's still plenty to love about this phone. Assuming your Galaxy S22 is still in good condition, you can rest assured knowing it has a similar camera as the Galaxy S24 and a processor that's still relatively new. Annual processor upgrades usually make only a marginal difference in general performance, so your Galaxy S22 should still feel fast enough for everyday tasks.

The biggest improvement you're missing is the Galaxy S24's larger battery, which my CNET colleague Patrick Holland praised in his review. But unless you're really struggling to get through the day with your Galaxy S22 -- which you shouldn't be for a phone that's only 2 years old -- that alone isn't reason enough to upgrade. The Galaxy S22 will get four years of software version updates, so it should continue to get new features through 2026. 

The bottom line: Between the Galaxy S24's larger battery and Galaxy AI features, there's surprisingly a lot that feels new if you're coming from the Galaxy S22. But that doesn't mean you need to upgrade. The Galaxy S22 is only roughly 2 years old, so it should still be in good enough condition to provide smooth performance and satisfactory battery life. There also haven't been major changes to the camera or charging speeds in the last two generations, and you'll continue to get new software for years to come.