Samsung S24 Ultra Review: All Things You Should Know
The AI Galaxy phone that saves you time
Samsung’s outdone itself again with the Samsung S24 Ultra! Just 11 months after the S23 series, this new flagship boasts exciting upgrades. But is it worth ditching your old phone for?
What’s New:
- Premium Design: A sleek titanium frame and a flat display replace the curved edges of previous models. If you miss the curve, the Samsung S23 Ultra will likely remain available at a discount.
- Powerhouse Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor delivers blazing speed.
- Camera Enhancements: A new main sensor and a 5x zoom lens promise even sharper photos and videos. Plus, expect amazing low-light shots thanks to the super-bright 2,600 nit display.
Software Smarts: OneUI 6.1 introduces handy AI-powered features.
Contents
DigityOne Verdict
CAMERA
DESIGN
DISPLAY
PERFORMANCE
SOFTWARE
BATTERY LIFE
The Samsung S24 Ultra is more than a phone. It’s a beast. It beats last year’s Ultra in every way: battery, performance, cameras. But it also costs more. And it has some flaws. The new AI features are cool, but they can make the phone slow. And Samsung’s software is old and bad. It hides the best things in endless menus. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is amazing when it works, and some features are like magic. But it still needs some work to be perfect.
Pros
- Battery: It lasts for days, even with heavy use.
- Camera: Takes stunning photos in any situation.
- Performance: Handles intense gaming and professional tasks effortlessly.
- S Pen: A unique and genuinely useful addition.
Cons
- Software: Overcomplicated and messy, hindering usability.
- AI features: Gimmicky and often inaccurate, slowing everything down.
- Elegance: Lacks the simple refinement of the iPhone experience.
Samsung S24 Ultra: a minute review
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the ultimate Android powerhouse, checking off almost every wishlist item for a premium smartphone. It boasts incredible battery life, a versatile camera system that outperforms the competition, and blazing-fast performance for gaming and work. Samsung DeX even lets you turn it into a portable laptop replacement.
So, what’s the catch? Samsung’s software is a serious letdown. It’s cluttered, confusing, and filled with half-baked AI features that slow down the experience. While the Samsung S24 Ultra is undeniably the best hardware Android has to offer, the messy software experience may turn off those seeking a streamlined experience.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Price
The Samsung S24 Ultra is more than a phone. It’s a beast. It beats last year’s Ultra in every way: battery, performance, cameras. But it also costs more. And it has some flaws. The new AI features are cool, but they can make the phone slow. And Samsung’s software is old and bad. It hides the best things in endless menus. The Samsung S24 Ultra is amazing when it works, and some features are like magic. But it still needs some work to be perfect.
The Samsung S24 Ultra is not cheap. It starts at $1,299.99 for the 256GB model, and goes up to $1,659.99 for the 1TB model. That’s more expensive than the Samsung S23 Ultra, which launched at $1,199.99 for the 128GB model. Here’s how the prices compare in different regions at launch:
| Storage | US | UK | AU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256GB | $1,299.99 | £1,249 | AU$2,199 |
| 512GB | $1,419.99 | £1,349 | AU$2,399 |
| 1TB | $1,659.99 | £1,549 | AU$2,799 |
But it could be worth it later. Samsung says it will give seven years of updates. That’s more than Apple or Google. But can we trust Samsung? Apple has done this many times. Samsung never. And there’s a catch. Samsung says the AI features may not be free forever. What does that mean? It sounds fishy. Apple doesn’t do that. We’ll see if Samsung keeps its word.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Spec
| Item | Specs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm |
| Colors: | Titanium Violet, Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange |
| Weight: | 232g |
| Screen: | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2,600-nit peak brightness |
| Resolution: | QHD+ |
| Refresh rate: | 1Hz-120Hz variable |
| CPU: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| RAM: | 12GB |
| Storage: | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| OS; Expected Upgrades: | Android 14 / One UI 6; 7 years of upgrades |
| Battery: | 5,000mAh |
| Charging: | 45W wired, 15W wireless |
| Rear Cameras: | 200MP f/1.7 wide, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 50MP f/3.4 periscope (5x), 10MP f/2.4 telephoto (3x) |
| Front Camera: | 12MP f/2.2 |
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Design
At first glance, the Samsung S24 Ultra’s design changes might go unnoticed. The switch from an armor aluminum frame to a titanium one is a key change, enhancing durability and reducing weight. Although the Samsung S24 Ultra’s 8.22-ounce weight is only slightly less than the Samsung S23 Ultra’s 8.25 ounces, it feels less dense.
The series bids farewell to its curved screen, a feature that added a slick aesthetic to previous Ultras. Instead, the Samsung S24 Ultra features a flat display that fits snugly against the titanium frame. This change, according to Samsung, makes it less likely for the S Pen to slip off the edge. However, using a case with the older, curvier Samsung S Ultra could prevent this.
Another subtle change is the 42% slimmer bezels, as per Samsung’s calculations. This is noticeable mainly at the bottom of the display, as the rest of the bezels look similar to the Samsung S23 Ultra. A potential disappointment is the lack of significant changes to the S Pen, a feature that sets the Ultra apart.
The design doesn’t evoke strong feelings either way, but the wide range of color options, like the titanium violet version, is a plus. Additionally, several cases available at launch add more functionality to the phone, such as the S-View Wallet Case’s preview window.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Display
The Samsung S24 Ultra’s display is top-notch, just as expected from a premium smartphone. It’s large, luminous, and vibrant, particularly when using the Vivid color tone option.
The display offers numerous adjustments, including adaptive brightness and color tones that gauge ambient light and tweak the display for optimal viewing. In bright outdoor light, the display can ramp up to an impressive 2,600 nits. Not the brightest out there, but more than sufficient.
The Extra Dim option is intriguing. The Samsung S24 Ultra can retain accurate color even at a mere one nit of brightness. That’s low enough to sneak a peek at messages in a dark theater, though that wouldn’t be the best etiquette.
Samsung continues to offer its unique S-View cases, which have an always-on display mode and a small window for time, weather, and notifications peeking through a wallet cover case. It’s a nifty case feature that Samsung has stuck with.
Could the Samsung S24 Ultra display be improved? Definitely. Some phone displays can hit a 144Hz refresh rate, although that might exceed what the human eye can perceive.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Performance
The Samsung S24 Ultra, powered by the AI-focused Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, outperforms in benchmark tests. For instance, its GeekBench 6 single and multi scores of 2,308 and 7,283 respectively, surpass the samsung S23 Ultra. It even outdoes the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro Max in the multicore test.
The phone’s power is evident in every interaction, from swiping the home screen to app switching, offering a fluid experience. Its graphics processing performance sets records in 3DMark’s Wild Life Unlimited test with a score of 20,627, outpacing devices like the Asus ROG Phone 8 and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Samsung S24 Ultra’s prowess is visible in games supporting ray tracing, like Diablo Immortal. The smoothness of changing shadows and lighting conditions is impressive, unlike the frame rate drop seen on the OnePlus Open with its older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon.
Despite the intensive gaming, the Samsung S24 Ultra stays cool, thanks to Samsung’s redesigned cooling system featuring a vapor chamber nearly double the size of the S23 Ultra’s.
The only hiccup is the slower video rendering time with Adobe Premiere Rush. At 42 seconds, it lags behind its rivals, including the Samsung S23 Ultra.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Software
Samsung claims that all Samsung S24 phones will receive software and security updates for seven years. That sounds impressive, but how realistic is it? AI is evolving rapidly, and a phone from 2024 may not be able to keep up with the latest features in 2031.
There may be a catch in Samsung’s terms of service. It says that Samsung can change some or all of its AI features to subscription-based ones, and limit your access to them. This could mean that Samsung plans to charge you extra for future Android updates, or only give you the basic version. It could also leave out some models from the premium features, like the Samsung S24 Ultra, which may not get Android 18 when it comes out in four years.
Samsung’s promise of seven years of updates is not very clear. It should follow Apple’s example and give every phone the same features, as long as they are not limited by hardware. For instance, the iPhone XR from 2019 got NameDrop, a new iOS 17 feature, even though it can’t use Dynamic Island. We hope that Samsung will do the same for the Samsung S24 Ultra when it gets Android 21 in 2031.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Camera
The Samsung S24 Ultra has a new camera system that sparks debate. It swaps the 10x optical zoom of the S23 Ultra for a 5x one with a higher resolution sensor (50MP vs 10MP).
This doesn’t make the camera worse, though. The Samsung S24 Ultra still has a powerful 200MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera. Plus, the 5x camera can achieve 10x zoom by cropping the image to 12MP. Samsung claims this gives the same optical quality as the previous model. And it’s believable, as other phones like the iPhone 15 have done this well with their 2x telephoto zoom.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Battery life and charging
The Samsung S24 Ultra stands out with its incredible battery life. Lab tests show it lasts a remarkable 16 hours and 45 minutes of continuous web browsing on 5G – easily beating the iPhone 15 Pro Max and even surpassing its predecessor by over two hours. Only dedicated gaming phones with massive batteries can compete.
Samsung achieved this without increasing battery size. Instead, they’ve optimized power management. While the adaptive screen settings can be aggressive, you can tweak them for consistent brightness along with other settings to eke out even more battery life.
For extreme power saving, Samsung includes features to limit apps, dim the display, and generally minimize power drain. However, a more intuitive option is the hidden “Adaptive power saving” mode. This learns your usage patterns and adjusts accordingly.
Finding Adaptive Power Saving:
It takes some digging to find the Adaptive power saving mode. Here’s how:
- Open Settings, then select “Device care.”
- Tap the Battery graph (it doesn’t look like a button, but it is!).
- ap “Power saving” (also disguised as plain text).
- Locate the three dots in the upper-right corner and tap to finally access “Adaptive power saving” settings.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: AI feature
The Samsung S24 Ultra goes beyond smartphone functionality with its suite of Galaxy AI features. These generative AI tools help you with tasks by understanding text prompts and even visual information. While some features are unique to the S24 Ultra, others might be available on older Samsung devices running One UI 6.1.
What Galaxy AI Can Do:
- Circle to Search: Identify anything on your screen (a plant, product, etc.) with your finger or S Pen and instantly get Google Search results.
- Live Translate: Communicate effortlessly with those who speak different languages. Translate voice or text in real-time using Google Translate, even offline for select languages.
Note Assist: Get quick summaries of lengthy notes, generate relevant questions, and make studying a breeze. - Generative Edit: Effortlessly resize, retouch, or enhance photos. Even move objects, fill in areas, or create entirely new images based on text prompts.
- Chat Assist: Get suggested edits to make your writing sound more professional or casual. It even helps with grammar and spelling.
Important Considerations
Galaxy AI features aim to make life easier, but they have limitations. Some require internet connections, potentially impacting data usage. Privacy concerns are valid as personal information may be collected. Accuracy, compatibility, or internet dependence can sometimes cause issues.
Should You Try It?
Galaxy AI brings unique innovation to the samsung S24 Ultra with creative and productive potential. It’s not flawless, but if you’re curious, check out Samsung’s official website or the Galaxy AI app on your device for detailed information and demonstrations.
Samsung S24 Ultra Review: Verdict
The Samsung S24 Ultra showcases Samsung’s AI vision. The Galaxy AI features are easy to use and save time. Circle to Search, Generative Edit, Instant Slow-mo, and Note Assist are smooth, while Live Translate needs more learning. The Samsung S24 Ultra shows that AI is the future.
However, the camera is not as impressive as before. Samsung replaced the 10x optical zoom with a 5x one, which is a bad move.
Still, the phone has better performance and battery life. It leads the 2024 phone market.
But the price is higher at $1,299. The AI features and the upgrades make it worth it for super phone fans or old phone owners.
