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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the latest iteration in Samsung’s premium Galaxy S series, setting new benchmarks in smartphone technology. With cutting-edge hardware, an AI-driven software experience, and a refined design, the S24 Ultra aims to solidify its position as the best Android flagship of 2024. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into a comprehensive review of this powerhouse device.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S24 Ultra carries forward the premium look and feel of its predecessor but refines it with some subtle changes. The device features a titanium frame, making it both lighter and more durable than last year’s aluminum-clad S23 Ultra. This change improves its in-hand feel, giving it a sturdy yet comfortable grip. The back panel is made of Corning Gorilla Glass Armor, offering increased scratch resistance.
The phone retains its boxy design with slightly curved edges, ensuring a refined aesthetic. It also maintains the S Pen slot, a signature feature that differentiates it from other flagship devices. The IP68 rating for water and dust resistance remains intact, making it reliable in harsh conditions.
Display: A Visual Delight
Samsung is known for its industry-leading displays, and the 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel on the S24 Ultra does not disappoint. It features a refresh rate of 1Hz to 120Hz, adapting dynamically based on content, ensuring a smooth yet power-efficient experience.
The screen reaches an astounding 2,600 nits of peak brightness, making it one of the brightest smartphone displays on the market. Whether under direct sunlight or in a dark room, content looks vivid and crisp. The colors are vibrant, and the contrast levels are unmatched, making this display perfect for media consumption, gaming, and productivity.
Performance: Powerhouse with AI Enhancements
Samsung has partnered with Qualcomm to deliver a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset in select markets, while others get Samsung’s own Exynos 2400. Both variants promise top-tier performance with improved power efficiency and AI-driven optimizations.
The S24 Ultra comes with 12GB of RAM, ensuring seamless multitasking. Storage options range from 256GB to 1TB, catering to power users who need ample space for apps, photos, and videos.
Samsung has emphasized AI-powered features in the S24 Ultra, particularly with Galaxy AI. Some notable AI capabilities include:
- Live Translate: Real-time language translation during calls.
- Generative Editing: AI-assisted photo editing that can remove objects, change backgrounds, and more.
- Note Summarization: Intelligent note-taking with automatic summaries and categorization.
These AI integrations aim to enhance everyday usability, making the phone smarter and more intuitive.
Camera: A Photography Powerhouse
Samsung has upgraded the camera system on the S24 Ultra, making it one of the most versatile smartphones for photography and videography.
Camera Specifications:
- 200MP primary sensor (f/1.7, OIS) – improved with AI-powered enhancements for better low-light performance.
- 50MP periscope telephoto lens (5x optical zoom, f/3.4) – a significant upgrade from the 10x zoom in the S23 Ultra.
- 10MP telephoto lens (3x optical zoom, f/2.4) – offering flexibility for portrait shots.
- 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2, 120-degree field of view) – ideal for landscape and macro photography.
- 12MP front-facing camera – optimized for selfies and video calls.
Camera Performance:
The 200MP sensor captures stunning details, and thanks to pixel binning technology, it produces crisp and vibrant 12MP shots with excellent dynamic range. Low-light performance has seen improvements with Nightography AI, reducing noise and enhancing clarity.
The 50MP periscope lens replaces the previous 10x optical zoom, but the AI-powered Super Zoom ensures quality even at 100x Space Zoom. This is a strategic shift, as Samsung now emphasizes AI-driven image processing over pure optical zoom.
Video recording capabilities remain strong, supporting 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, and super slow-motion options. The enhanced stabilization makes handheld recording smoother than ever.
Battery Life and Charging
The S24 Ultra packs a 5,000mAh battery, offering all-day usage even with heavy tasks. Thanks to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400, battery life is improved over the S23 Ultra, with up to 8 hours of screen-on time under normal usage.
Charging speeds remain unchanged:
- 45W wired charging – can charge 65% in 30 minutes.
- 15W wireless charging.
- Wireless PowerShare – reverse wireless charging for accessories like Galaxy Buds.
While the charging speed is decent, Samsung still lags behind competitors offering 100W+ fast charging.
Software: One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI
Samsung’s One UI 6.1, based on Android 14, offers a refined and feature-rich experience. The interface is clean, customizable, and packed with enhancements.
With Galaxy AI, Samsung brings AI-powered tools to everyday usage. Chat Assist helps refine messages, Transcript Assist can summarize recordings, and AI-powered call screening filters spam calls.
Samsung has committed to 7 years of OS updates, matching Google’s Pixel lineup. This ensures long-term software support and security updates.
Gaming and Multimedia
The S24 Ultra is a gaming beast, thanks to the Adreno 750 GPU (in Snapdragon variants) and Xclipse 940 GPU (in Exynos variants). Games like Genshin Impact, PUBG, and Call of Duty Mobile run at max settings without frame drops.
The stereo speakers, tuned by AKG, deliver immersive audio with Dolby Atmos support, making media consumption a pleasure. The vibration motor is improved, enhancing haptic feedback for a premium touch.
S Pen: Productivity at Its Best
The S Pen remains a game-changer for note-taking, sketching, and productivity. Latency is lower than ever, making writing feel natural. Handwriting-to-text conversion is now faster and more accurate, thanks to AI enhancements.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $1,299, making it one of the most expensive smartphones in the market. However, the premium hardware, AI features, and software longevity justify the price.
Variants:
- 256GB / 12GB RAM – $1,299
- 512GB / 12GB RAM – $1,399
- 1TB / 12GB RAM – $1,599
