The tech giant unleashed its AI-powered Galaxy S24 series on January 17th. This Lineup, encompassing the S24 Ultra, S24 Plus, and standard S24, prioritizes AI advancements to simplify life, alongside notable hardware upgrades.
Initially, I was skeptical of phone-based AI, having witnessed Google’s Pixel 8 (2023) which heavily relies on cloud processing. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung’s phone emphasizing on-device AI, impressed us with its largely offline AI capabilities, prompting us to reconsider our stance. But is it truly the perfect phone? Let’s delve deeper into this comprehensive Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G Review Snapshot
Editor’s rating: 4.2/5
Design
Display
Software
Performance
Camera
Battery
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Pros
- Powerful Hardware
- Improved cameras
- Versatile and feature-rich software
- Long battery life
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- 7 years of software updates
Cons
- Slow Charging speed as compared to the competition
- Minimal upgrades for 23 Ultra users
- No charger in the box
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G Price & Availability
Samsung Galaxy S24 comes in two storage configurations in India-
- 8GB RAM+256GB storage- Rs. 79,999
- 8GB RAM+512GB storage- Rs. 89,999
It is available in Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, and Onyx Black shades.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Design and Build
For the past couple of years, Samsung’s S-series flagships have adhered to a consistent design philosophy. While the new S24 Ultra might initially resemble its predecessors, the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra, Samsung has implemented some meaningful upgrades that grant it a distinct identity.
Breaking away from tradition, the S24 Ultra features a flat display with slim bezels and subtly curved edges that seamlessly blend into the metallic side rails. This marks the first time since 2015 that a Samsung S flagship doesn’t boast a curved screen.
Samsung has now upgraded the build material from aluminum to aircraft-grade titanium, resulting in improved rigidity and superior scratch resistance. The flatter screen with subtly tapered edges and a sleek titanium frame contributes to a comfortable in-hand feel. While the S24 Ultra remains a large phone overall, it’s actually 2 grams lighter, 1mm wider, and 0.3mm thinner than its predecessor. If you prefer a more compact option, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ or S24 might be better suited to your needs.
Another significant upgrade this year is the screen protection. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features Corning’s latest Gorilla Glass Armor, which is claimed to be the toughest among its competitors in terms of strength and surpasses its rivals with its reduced reflectivity.
The familiar physical power key and volume rocker remain on the right edge. While the placement of the speaker grilles and primary microphone has been altered at the bottom edge compared to the previous generation, the phone retains its iconic S Pen slot, tucked away neatly in the bottom left corner. We’ll delve deeper into the design and functionality changes later in the review.
One particularly notable feature is the well-positioned Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Unlike some competitors, this sensor is placed in a natural and comfortable location, eliminating the need for awkward thumb contortions. The sensor itself is both fast and accurate, providing a seamless unlocking experience.
Following the tradition of previous Samsung flagships, the Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This means it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. However, as with most smartphones, accidental water damage is typically not covered under warranty. It’s always best to exercise caution and avoid exposing your phone to unnecessary risks.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Display and Audio
Samsung has championed the space once again. That’s right, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts off a Dynamic AMOLED LTPO display which is right at the top in most parameters. It’s a 6.8-inch panel offering 1440x3120p pixels resolution in a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a peak brightness of 2600 nits, which falls short of the OnePlus 12’s claimed 4500 nits, our real-world testing revealed the Galaxy S24 Ultra outperformed the OnePlus 12 in terms of brightness in most lighting conditions, both indoors and outdoors. This suggests factors beyond peak brightness specifications can impact a display’s perceived brightness in everyday use.
The display also shines in delivering great dynamic range and sharpness. If you consume a lot of content on your handheld device you will really enjoy this screen. Whether you are streaming regular SDR content or HDR 10+ content on OTT apps like Netflix or Prime Videos, the content will appeal to your eyes. Sadly, Samsung continues with its stand against Dolby Vision you can not enjoy that Dolby Vision on this screen.
Some users have noted that the pre-installed color profiles on the Galaxy S24 Ultra are less saturated compared to previous models. While we appreciate the focus on a natural color representation, users seeking a more vibrant display can adjust the settings. Luckily, Samsung has addressed this concern by enhancing the Vivid mode and offering further customization options.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra utilizes an earpiece and a bottom-firing speaker to produce impressive stereo separation, especially considering their size. While not the most immersive experience, the speakers still deliver clarity and punch, making them among the best-sounding in the smartphone market.
Samsung continues its commitment to immersive audio by offering Dolby Atmos support for both the speakers and headphones. However, it’s important to note that headphones will provide a superior Dolby Atmos experience.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera hardware sees minimal changes, with the exception of the periscope module. While the primary 200MP sensor with Laser Autofocus and optical stabilization, the 10MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and the 12MP ultra-wide sensor remain unchanged, Samsung has swapped the previous 10MP periscope module for a new 50MP sensor. This change comes at the expense of optical zoom capability, reducing it from 10x to 5x.
Samsung’s decision to switch from 10x to 5x optical zoom is likely a strategic choice. While the 10x zoom offered greater magnification, it may not be as widely used in everyday scenarios. Conversely, a 5x zoom may be more practical for capturing closer details or portraits. Additionally, the new 50MP periscope module boasts improved capabilities, including in-sensor zoom and enhanced optical zoom, allowing users to achieve near-10x zoom with potentially better quality compared to the previous 10x zoom. This technology also opens the door to 100x digital zoom, offering increased flexibility for users who need extreme magnification.
Moving on to results, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s pixel-binned 200MP sensor delivers impressive performance in daylight, as expected from a Samsung flagship. The company has addressed previous concerns about overly saturated colors by adjusting the software to produce natural colors without a warm tint. The primary camera captures images with excellent dynamic range and detail, both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, Samsung has reduced the digital sharpening compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, potentially resulting in a more natural look.
In low light, the default photo mode captures balanced shots with a wide dynamic range, handling both highlights and shadows well. Colors are mostly accurate. However, if you prefer a more dramatic look with enhanced details and vibrant colors, you can switch to night mode.
Both the 3x and 5x telephoto sensors capture crisp shots with excellent dynamic range, offering results comparable to those produced by the main sensor. While the 10x zoom shots achieved through the 50MP periscope module’s capabilities are slightly less detailed than those captured with the S23 Ultra’s 10x periscope lens, they still deliver impressive performance.
The ultra-wide lens complements the main camera admirably, though it presents its own set of challenges. While images at times have slightly jagged details, it still manages to capture striking landscapes or impressive shots in the right settings.
Selfies and portraits turn out great, with accurate skin tones and sufficient detail to ensure a natural look. Moving on to video, Samsung has made some improvements. The S24 Ultra can do 4K at 60FPS with optical stabilization from all cameras. Furthermore, you can shoot up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps from the primary rear camera.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra shoots excellent videos in daylight, capturing good details. Even the front-facing camera delivers high-quality video with a suitable field of view for capturing your surroundings. Additionally, excellent stabilization ensures smooth, jitter-free footage even when shooting on the move. In low light, the main and ultra-wide cameras perform adequately, but telephoto lenses are not well-suited for video due to limitations in focusing speed and low-light performance.
Samsung has introduced a novel AI feature that allows users to instantly create slow-motion videos from any existing footage, including downloaded clips or videos captured on other devices. We tested this feature on our S24 Ultra and were impressed by its functionality.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra camera system positions itself among the best, if not the very best, in the market. It boasts a high-resolution main sensor, versatile zoom options, and impressive video recording capabilities, offering a compelling package for both photography and videography enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Software & Performance
Running the latest Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1, the S24 Ultra offers a user experience packed with innovative AI features. You get to explore real-time call translation, intelligent typing assistance with Chat Assist, and creative photo editing with AI-powered effects. Additionally, One UI 6.1 introduces Circle to Search with Google and Note Assist, making your search and note-taking experience more efficient.
Some of these features are really impressive, like the article summarizer, which condenses long reads into bite-sized points without losing the main ideas. But the photo editor can be hit or miss, especially with tricky textures that need fixing.
Multitasking on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a breeze thanks to its intuitive software features. Leverage the power of split-screen scenes to customize and effortlessly switch between your preferred app layouts. Additionally, resizable floating windows allow you to seamlessly manage multiple applications simultaneously. The S Pen further elevates your experience, enabling intuitive gesture controls, precise mouse-like navigation, and of course, smooth writing and drawing.
It remains to be seen whether Samsung will extend these AI features to older Galaxy devices in the future. However, the company’s commitment to seven years of software updates and security patches is undeniably significant. Should our calculations be accurate, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to receive updates until late 2030, culminating with Android 21. This extended support timeframe ensures continued access to the latest security enhancements and potential introduction of new features in the future.
Powering the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a globally consistent, custom-tuned version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, leveraging the latest fabrication technology for optimal performance and efficiency. This enhanced chipset features a prime core clocked at 3.4 GHz, complemented by three Cortex-A720 cores at 3.15 GHz, two additional Cortex-A720 cores at 2.96 GHz, and two low-power Cortex-A520 cores at 2.27 GHz.
In practical terms, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s powerful chipset translates to faster and smoother performance across all tasks. Users can expect swift app launches, seamless video editing, and lag-free gaming experiences. This combination of processing power and efficiency promises a responsive and enjoyable user experience.
Demanding mobile games like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact run flawlessly on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, showcasing its graphical prowess. Users can expect smooth gameplay at the highest settings without experiencing performance drops. The phone’s advanced cooling system effectively dissipates heat, ensuring a comfortable user experience even during extended gaming sessions.
And for all you tech nerds out there, the Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t disappoint. It scored excellent numbers in benchmarks, showing off its serious power. In tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench 6, it blew past the competition with flying colors. And when it comes to graphics, it delivers top-notch performance, making sure your gaming experience is as awesome as possible.
For users interested in technical performance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers impressive results as evidenced by industry-standard benchmarks. It consistently achieves high scores in tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench 6, demonstrating its powerful hardware capabilities. This translates to smooth and responsive performance across various tasks, including demanding graphics-intensive applications and games.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Battery and Charging
The Galaxy S24 Ultra retains the 5,000mAh battery capacity of its predecessor. While the specific impact of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and One UI on battery life is yet to be definitively measured, our experience indicates the phone can deliver a full day of use even under heavy usage scenarios. For users with moderate phone usage patterns primarily involving messaging, browsing, and calls, extending battery life to 1.5-2 days on a single charge might be achievable.
While not the fastest charging solution on the market, the S24 Ultra’s 45W wired charging efficiently replenishes the battery, taking approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach full capacity from 0%. It also offers the convenience of 15W wireless charging for cable-free power-ups, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for topping up other devices on the go. It’s important to note that a power adapter is not included in the package.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out as a compelling Android flagship, boasting powerful hardware, versatile cameras, and a long-lasting battery. Samsung’s refined One UI with intuitive features and innovative Galaxy AI capabilities further elevate the user experience. Additionally, the phone benefits from a seven-year software update commitment, ensuring long-term support.
While the S24 Ultra carries a premium price tag, budget-conscious buyers might find the Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a viable option, especially considering its continued software support and the gradual rollout of new AI features across Samsung devices.
