Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has arrived, positioning itself as the pinnacle of Android smartphones in 2024. As a tech enthusiast, I've been eagerly anticipating this device, which promises to blend cutting-edge hardware with innovative AI features. Priced as the most expensive non-foldable Android phone on the market, the S24 Ultra aims to justify its premium tag through an impressive combination of power, versatility, and intelligence. In this comprehensive review, we'll dive deep into whether Samsung's latest flagship lives up to its lofty expectations and maintains its position as the undisputed champion of Android devices.
Design and Build Quality: A Titanium Marvel
Samsung has made some bold choices with the S24 Ultra's design, and they've paid off handsomely. The device stands tall at 162.3 mm, with a width of 79 mm and a thickness of 8.6 mm. Despite its imposing size, Samsung has managed to shave off 2 grams from its predecessor, weighing in at 232 grams. This reduction, while minimal, is impressive considering the inclusion of a new titanium frame, a material choice that echoes Apple's recent move with the iPhone 15 Pro series.
The shift to titanium isn't just about prestige; it offers tangible benefits in durability and strength-to-weight ratio. This aerospace-grade material provides enhanced resistance to scratches and dents, crucial for a device that's likely to see daily use for years. The titanium frame is available in elegant finishes of gray, violet, and black, each exuding a premium feel that's immediately noticeable.
Perhaps the most significant design change is the move to a flat 6.8-inch display. This departure from the curved screens of previous models is more than aesthetic; it offers practical benefits for S Pen usage and screen protector application. The flat surface provides a more consistent writing experience with the S Pen, addressing a long-standing concern among Note series enthusiasts.
The display is protected by Corning's latest Gorilla Armor, which promises up to four times better scratch resistance than competitive aluminosilicate glasses. This advancement in display protection technology should provide users with peace of mind, potentially reducing the need for additional screen protectors.
Samsung has retained the IP68 water and dust resistance rating, ensuring the S24 Ultra can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes. This level of protection has become standard for flagship devices but remains a crucial feature for users who demand reliability in various environmental conditions.
The distinctive camera layout on the rear continues the design language established by its predecessor, with individual lens protrusions rather than a unified camera bump. This design choice may be polarizing, but it allows for better heat dissipation and potentially reduces the risk of all cameras being damaged in case of a fall.
One aspect that may divide opinion is the slightly pointed corners of the device. While they contribute to the S24 Ultra's distinctive look, some users may find them less comfortable to hold compared to more rounded designs. However, this is a subjective point and may come down to personal preference and hand size.
Display: A Visual Feast
The S24 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, and it's nothing short of spectacular. The screen supports a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, which can scale down to 1 Hz to conserve battery life when displaying static content. This adaptive technology ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations when needed, while intelligently preserving power during less demanding tasks.
Color reproduction on the S24 Ultra's display is vibrant and accurate, with support for HDR10+ content. The peak brightness has been boosted to an impressive 2,600 nits, a significant improvement over its predecessor. This enhanced brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility, even under direct sunlight.
The shift to a flat display design not only improves S Pen functionality but also enhances the overall durability of the device. It eliminates the vulnerability of curved edges to accidental touches and makes it easier to apply screen protectors for those seeking additional protection.
Performance and Hardware: Powerhouse Specifications
At the heart of the S24 Ultra lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a powerhouse of mobile computing. This processor, built on a 4nm process, features a 1+5+2 core configuration with a prime core clocked at up to 3.39 GHz. The chipset's neural processing unit (NPU) has seen significant improvements, offering up to 4.5 times faster AI performance compared to its predecessor. This enhancement is crucial for the device's on-device AI capabilities, which we'll explore in more detail later.
Samsung has standardized the RAM across all storage variants, offering 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM regardless of whether you opt for the 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB storage option. This decision ensures consistent performance across the board, allowing for seamless multitasking and app switching even with the most demanding applications.
In benchmarks, the S24 Ultra consistently outperforms its Android competitors. Geekbench 6 scores show single-core performance around 2,300 and multi-core scores exceeding 7,000, representing a significant leap over the previous generation. Real-world performance matches these impressive numbers, with the device handling everything from intensive gaming to 8K video recording without breaking a sweat.
The gaming experience on the S24 Ultra is particularly noteworthy. Titles like "Genshin Impact" and "Call of Duty: Mobile" run at maximum settings with consistently high frame rates. The improved thermal management system, which includes a vapor chamber, helps maintain performance during extended gaming sessions by efficiently dissipating heat.
Battery and Charging: Endurance with a Caveat
The S24 Ultra retains the 5,000 mAh battery capacity of its predecessor, which might seem conservative given the power demands of the new chipset and AI features. However, the improved power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the adaptive display technology help offset these concerns.
In my testing, the S24 Ultra consistently provided a full day of heavy use, often with enough charge left for a second day with more moderate usage. Screen-on time averaged between 7 to 9 hours, depending on display settings and usage patterns. It's worth noting that using the display at its maximum QHD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate does impact battery life, but the adaptive nature of these features helps mitigate excessive drain.
Charging speeds remain unchanged from the previous generation, with support for 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. While these speeds are respectable, they fall behind some competitors offering 100W or faster charging solutions. In practical terms, the S24 Ultra can charge from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, with a full charge taking around 70 minutes.
It's disappointing that Samsung continues to omit a charger from the box, citing environmental concerns. While this practice has become industry standard, it means users will need to factor in the cost of a compatible fast charger if they don't already own one.
Camera System: Computational Photography at Its Finest
The camera system on the S24 Ultra is where Samsung's engineering prowess truly shines. The setup includes:
- A 200 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS)
- A 50 MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and OIS
- A 12 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS
- A 12 MP ultrawide camera
- A 12 MP front-facing camera
This versatile array of cameras, coupled with Samsung's advanced image processing algorithms, delivers exceptional photo and video quality across various scenarios.
The main 200 MP sensor uses pixel binning technology to produce detailed 12 MP images by default, with the option to capture full 200 MP shots when desired. The level of detail captured is impressive, especially in well-lit conditions. Samsung's color science has been refined, offering more natural tones compared to the slightly oversaturated look of previous generations.
Low-light performance has seen significant improvements, thanks in part to the larger sensor size and the AI-powered Nightography mode. The S24 Ultra consistently produces clear, bright night shots with minimal noise, rivaling and often surpassing competitors in this crucial area.
The telephoto capabilities of the S24 Ultra are particularly noteworthy. The combination of the 3x and 5x optical zoom lenses, along with Samsung's AI-enhanced digital zoom, allows for usable shots up to 25-30x magnification. While the 100x "Space Zoom" feature remains more of a marketing gimmick, the quality of zoomed images up to 30x is impressive enough to be practically useful in many scenarios.
Video capabilities have also been enhanced, with support for 8K recording at 30 fps and 4K at 60 fps across all rear cameras. The front-facing camera can now record 4K video at 60 fps, a welcome upgrade for vloggers and content creators. Video stabilization has been improved, offering smooth footage even when recording while walking or in other challenging conditions.
AI Features: The Next Frontier in Mobile Computing
The integration of AI features is perhaps the most significant advancement in the S24 Ultra, setting it apart from its predecessors and many competitors. Samsung's Galaxy AI suite includes several notable features:
Circle to Search is a standout feature, allowing users to draw a circle around any on-screen content to initiate a Google search. This intuitive interaction method streamlines the process of looking up information, making it feel almost magical in its simplicity and effectiveness.
Live call transcription and translation break down language barriers, offering real-time transcription of voice calls in up to 13 languages. This feature has practical applications for both personal and professional use, enhancing accessibility and communication across language divides.
The Chat Assist feature suggests alternative tones for messages, helping users refine their communication style for different contexts. While this feature can be helpful, it's important to use it judiciously to maintain authenticity in personal communications.
In the realm of productivity, the S24 Ultra's AI capabilities extend to note-taking and web browsing. The device can organize notes intelligently and provide summaries of articles, streamlining research and information gathering processes.
It's worth noting that while these AI features are impressive, their effectiveness can vary. Some users may find certain features more useful than others, and there's a learning curve involved in integrating these AI tools into daily workflows.
S Pen Functionality: The Legacy Continues
The S Pen remains a defining feature of the Ultra series, and its integration with the S24 Ultra is better than ever. The flat display provides a more natural writing surface, enhancing the overall experience for note-taking, sketching, and precise input.
The S Pen's functionality extends beyond simple note-taking. It's an invaluable tool for photo and video editing, allowing for precise adjustments and selections that would be challenging with finger input alone. The ability to use the S Pen as a remote control for the camera or presentations adds another layer of versatility to the device.
For creative professionals and power users, the S Pen transforms the S24 Ultra into a mobile sketchpad and productivity powerhouse. The deep integration of the S Pen with Samsung's software ecosystem, including features like handwriting recognition and Air Actions, continues to set the Galaxy Ultra series apart in the smartphone market.
Software and Long-Term Support
The S24 Ultra runs on Android 14 with Samsung's OneUI overlay, offering a polished and feature-rich user experience. Samsung has made significant strides in optimizing its software, resulting in a smoother and more responsive interface compared to previous generations.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the S24 Ultra's software proposition is Samsung's commitment to long-term support. The company promises seven years of OS updates and security patches, matching Google's support timeline for its Pixel devices. This extended support period significantly enhances the longevity and value proposition of the S24 Ultra, potentially keeping it relevant and secure well into the 2030s.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra commands a premium price, starting at $1,199.99 for the 256 GB model, $1,299.99 for 512 GB, and $1,419.99 for the 1 TB variant. While these prices are undoubtedly high, they reflect the device's position as the pinnacle of Android smartphones.
When considering the value proposition, it's important to factor in the extended software support, the versatility offered by the S Pen, and the cutting-edge AI features. For power users, content creators, and tech enthusiasts who will leverage these capabilities, the S24 Ultra can justify its price tag through enhanced productivity and creativity.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Android Experience
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands as a testament to what's possible in a modern smartphone. It successfully combines top-tier hardware with innovative AI features, creating a device that excels in productivity, creativity, and everyday use. The improvements in camera technology, particularly in low-light and zoom capabilities, set new standards for mobile photography.
While the size and price of the S24 Ultra may not appeal to everyone, those seeking the ultimate Android experience will find it hard to beat. The integration of AI features, while still in its early stages, offers a glimpse into the future of mobile computing. As these technologies mature and become more deeply integrated into daily use, the S24 Ultra's value proposition will likely strengthen further.
For professionals, creatives, and tech enthusiasts who demand the best from their mobile devices, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a compelling package that justifies its premium price tag. Its versatility as a mobile computing device, coupled with its excellent camera system and unique S Pen integration, makes it a standout choice in the flagship smartphone market.
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra not only lives up to its "big boss" status in the Android world but also pushes the boundaries of what we can expect from a smartphone in 2024 and beyond. It's a device that doesn't just meet the high expectations set for it but exceeds them in many areas, setting a new benchmark for flagship Android devices.
