The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the latest addition to Samsung’s flagship lineup, boasting a range of upgrades and new features. Released just 11 months after the Galaxy S23 series, this new smartphone comes with significant improvements in design, camera capabilities, and processing power. Let’s delve into the details of the Galaxy S24 Ultra to determine if it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
Design and Colors:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces a titanium frame, following the trend set by Apple’s Pro iPhones. The titanium frame provides a clean and stylish look, though it doesn’t significantly impact the weight compared to the previous aluminum frame. The screen design undergoes a noticeable change, moving towards a completely flat display. Samsung has been gradually reducing the edge curve over the years, and now the Galaxy S24 Ultra is almost entirely flat, marking the end of the Edge screen era. The phone is available in Titanium Gray, Black, Yellow, and Violet, with additional colors like Titanium Green, Blue, and Orange exclusively on Samsung.com.
Samsung Display:
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen continues Samsung’s tradition of delivering top-notch display technology. With a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, the screen offers higher brightness levels for HDR content and bright outdoor conditions. The QHD+ resolution ensures crisp images, and the LTPO panel supports a variable refresh rate between 1 Hz and 120 Hz. The ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the glass remains fast and accurate, providing a secure unlocking method.
Camera:
The camera setup on the Galaxy S24 Ultra sees a significant shift, with a 5x lens accompanying a new 50-megapixel sensor in the zoom camera. The main camera boasts a 200 MP sensor, while the ultra-wide and additional zoom camera maintain the high-quality standards. Samsung has made improvements in color reproduction, reducing the overemphasis on greens and toning down neon blue skies. Night shots exhibit good performance, preserving details in shadows and keeping light sources intact. The 5x zoom camera, powered by AI and a 50 MP sensor, delivers impressive results, compensating well for the absence of the previous 10x lens. The ultra-wide camera complements the main camera, though there is a slight decrease in quality due to the challenging lens.
Performance:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, slightly overclocked for Samsung flagships. The processor demonstrates powerful performance, enabling the phone’s AI capabilities for photo editing and live translations. Benchmarks indicate high scores, and daily use feels responsive and quick. Samsung has upgraded thermals for better heat dissipation, minimizing throttling during heavy app usage. In terms of performance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra competes favorably with other flagship smartphones.
Samsung Software:
Launching with Android 14 and Samsung’s One UI 6.1, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a feature-packed and user-friendly interface. One UI introduces split-screen scenes, resizable app windows, and various AI features. The S Pen suite enhances the user experience with air gestures, mouse cursor functionality, and creative tools for writing and drawing. AI features like live translation during phone calls, chat assist, generative photo editing, and article summarization add value to the user interface. Samsung promises an impressive 7 Android OS updates and 7 years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support for the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Battery and Charging:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra retains its 5,000 mAh battery capacity, providing similar endurance to its predecessor. While not a true “2-day phone,” it comfortably lasts a full day and offers extended use for casual users. The battery supports wired charging at 45 W and wireless charging at 15 W. Unfortunately, the phone does not include a charger in the box, expecting users to have compatible power bricks for optimal charging speeds. The absence of Qi2 support may disappoint some users, but the phone’s charging capabilities remain satisfactory.
Audio Quality and Haptics:
Samsung’s stereo speakers deliver above-average sound quality, though they may lack the depth found in some competitor devices. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s speakers are suitable for general use but may not surpass the “smartphone speaker” barrier for sharing music. Haptics on the S24 Ultra are consistent with the S23 series, providing a clicky, strong, and responsive feel.
Competitors:
The Galaxy S24 Ultra competes with premium flagship devices, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max as a notable competitor in terms of camera capabilities, performance, and the iOS ecosystem. On the Android side, the Pixel 8 Pro introduces AI features, showcasing Google’s commitment to this technology. Additionally, the ROG Phone 8 Pro emerges as a performance-oriented competitor with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, although its camera may not match the S24 Ultra’s capabilities.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out as an excellent smartphone with refined design, impressive camera improvements, and dependable battery life. The introduction of AI features enhances the user experience, and the promise of 7 years of software updates adds significant value. While the Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a viable option, the S24 Ultra is a compelling choice, especially for users seeking the latest advancements in smartphone technology. The phone’s high entry price is justified by its powerful hardware and long-term support, making it an easy recommendation for those looking for a top-tier device.
Pros:
- Refined design, titanium frame, flat screen
- Excellent camera with significant improvements
- Screen offers great brightness range with reduced reflections
- Base model includes 12 GB RAM
- AI features, though limited, are not gimmicky
- Impressive 7 years of software updates!
Cons:
- No improvement in charging speeds
- High price, though potential deals may offset the cost
- Charger not included in the box
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerful and feature-rich smartphone, catering to users who prioritize cutting-edge technology and long-term software support.
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