Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+ and S24 hands-on review

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series, launched during the 2024 Galaxy Unpacked event, signifies the pinnacle of Samsung’s high-end Galaxy S lineup. Unveiling on January 17, 2024, in San Jose, California, these smartphones succeed the Galaxy S23 series and stand out as the world’s first to integrate generative artificial intelligence. 

Boasting significant hardware upgrades and aligning with the trend set by Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 8, the Galaxy S24 lineup showcases enhanced intelligence through Galaxy AI. With features integrated into One UI 6.1, Samsung’s 2024 focus on AI is evident, positioning the Galaxy S24 phones as the smartest in the company’s lineup, featuring advanced capabilities that elevate the overall user experience.

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra: Display

The Galaxy S24 lineup continues to feature OLED panels, now with a slightly more diversified range of sizes compared to the previous models.

The Galaxy S24 series features improved displays on all of its models, showing small but noticeable advancements over the S23 models. Slightly bigger screens provide more real estate in the S24 and S24+ models without compromising style. The S24 features a 6.2-inch FHD+ display, while the S24+ elevates to a 6.7-inch QHD+ display for superior image quality.S24 Ultra takes the lead with its 6.8-inch QHD+ screen.

All three devices in the S24 series have upgraded displays with increased brightness of 2,600 nits, which is a significant improvement from the S23 range’s 1,750-nit displays. These phones have maintained a 120Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for gaming enthusiasts who want smooth visuals. Additionally, the S24 series features larger vapor chamber cooling systems, with the S24 Ultra having the most significant improvement.

In terms of specifics, the S24 Ultra’s appeal extends beyond its size, emphasizing features like S Pen compatibility. While the S24 Ultra remains the largest at 6.8 inches, the S24+ matches it in resolution and size, narrowing the gap between the two models. Overall, the S24 series presents advancements in display technology, brightness levels, and cooling systems, offering a comprehensive upgrade for users seeking an immersive and high-performance experience.

Software:

The Galaxy S24 series debuts with a powerful software foundation, running on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1 overlay. Samsung’s commitment to software longevity stands out, promising an impressive seven years of both OS and security updates, aligning with Google’s support duration for the Pixel 8 series. 

Notable features include Samsung’s desktop-like Dex software and the return of Bixby, which remains distinct from the phone’s Galaxy AI software. 

The S24 series also introduces customization options with Android 14, enhancing user experience with features like customizable lock screens and fingerprint-based sign-ins for third-party apps. 

Additionally, the use of the Exynos 2400 chipset in the standard S24 models diverges from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the U.S. markets, potentially impacting performance capabilities. 

The S24 Ultra, however, retains the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, ensuring top-tier performance. Overall, the Galaxy S24 series offers a robust software experience with a focus on long-term support and innovative features.

Cameras:

The camera prowess of the Galaxy S24 series sets a new standard. All devices leverage Galaxy AI for smart photo editing, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to elevating the photography experience across the entire Galaxy S24 lineup.

S24 and S24 Plus: The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus have similar specifications to their predecessors, featuring a triple-camera setup that includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. Complemented by a 12MP f/2.2 selfie camera, this duo excels in delivering high-resolution photos and a remarkable 30x Space Zoom.

S24 Ultra: In contrast, the S24 Ultra emerges as the photography powerhouse in the lineup, showcasing a groundbreaking 200MP main camera and an enhanced 50MP 5x telephoto lens. With a 12MP ultrawide and a front-facing 12MP selfie camera, the S24 Ultra promises unparalleled detail and zoom capabilities, setting a new standard for business and content creation.

Batteries and charging:

The Galaxy S24 series is designed to meet the varying power needs of users. 

Galaxy S24: In terms of battery specifications, the Galaxy S24 features the smallest capacity at 4,000mAh.

Galaxy S24 Plus: According to the spec sheet, The S24 Plus boasts a robust 4,900mAh battery, approaching the Ultra’s capacity and ensuring an enduring power performance that aligns with flagship standards.

Galaxy S24 Ultra: The S24 Ultra has the biggest battery capacity—5,000 mAh—but it hasn’t been tested in real-world conditions yet.

Storage and RAM:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series offers various RAM and storage configurations to meet the needs of different users.

S24: In terms of storage and RAM options, the Galaxy S24 offers two configurations: 256GB and 512GB storage choices paired with 8GB of RAM.

S24 Plus: Moving up the line, the Galaxy S24 Plus enhances the RAM to 12 GB, a notable upgrade from its predecessor, while maintaining the storage options at 256 GB and 512 GB.

S24 Ultra: On the other end, the S24 Ultra takes it a step further with a substantial 12GB of RAM and diverse storage capacities, offering 256GB, 512GB, and an expansive 1TB. This top-tier device caters to users who demand substantial performance and extensive storage options.

All these devices boast fast LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring efficient multitasking and providing ample space for both business and personal use. With storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, users have the flexibility to tailor their device selection based on their specific preferences and work requirements, with the enhanced RAM in the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra facilitating seamless multitasking experiences.

AI capabilities:

Yes, the Galaxy S24 lineup has indeed been upgraded with the integration of Galaxy AI, which enhances productivity and creativity across various devices. This is a major attraction for users who are constantly on the lookout for new and innovative features.

These native AI tools are powered by Google’s Gemini foundational models and include Circle to Search, Live Translate for real-time multilingual communication, and advanced editing capabilities like horizon adjustment and subject manipulation in photos. 

The AI tools also extend to communication tools like Transcript Assist and Tone Tweak, improving text interactions.

 Notably, the S24 AI features will be rolled out to the S23 lineup, Z Flip 5, and Z Fold 5 by mid-2024, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to evolving AI-driven experiences.

Specs: 

Conclusion: 

Our hands-on review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, and S24 impressed us with their cutting-edge features and innovations. A standout element is the powerful Galaxy AI integration, enhancing the user experience with advanced tools. The diverse camera systems and display options cater to different preferences. With strong battery capacities, improved charging, and extended software support, the S24 series positions itself as a significant player in the smartphone market.  For those seeking high performance and a wide range of features, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 lineup is a compelling option due to its commitment to innovation and attention to detail.