Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Power, Performance and Precision

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (starting at $1,299.99) is only Samsung phone with an S Pen, continuing Galaxy Note tradition. It features a powerful processor, a great display, excellent cameras and smart features all in one device. If you don’t need S Pen or advanced zoom, more affordable Galaxy S24+ (starting at $999.99) could be a better option. However, S24 Ultra’s overall performance makes it the top choice among premium Android phones.

This smartphone excels in camera quality, battery life and performance, standing out against rivals like iPhone 15 Pro Max. While the price may seem high, it’s worth it for many users. Phone lasts over a day on a single charge, takes stunning photos, and is great for gaming. It even has features like Samsung DeX that let you use it like a mini laptop. However, the software can be confusing and has too many hidden settings. Despite this, Galaxy S24 Ultra remains a top pick, though iPhone 15 Pro is simpler and more enjoyable to use.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Specification

Feature	Description
📏 Size	162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm
⚖️ Weight	232 g
📱 Display	6.8-inch AMOLED, 2,600 nits brightness
📺 Resolution	QHD+
🔄 Refresh Rate	1Hz – 120Hz
🖥️ Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
💾 RAM	12 GB
📦 Storage Options	256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
📱 Operating System	Android 14, 7 years of upgrades
📷 Rear Cameras	200MP (wide), 12MP (ultra-wide), 50MP (periscope), 10MP (telephoto)
🤳 Front Camera	12MP
🔋 Battery	5,000 mAh
⚡ Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless
🎨 Colors	Titanium Violet, Gray, Black, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange

Galaxy S24 Ultra Price and Value

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is more expensive than last year’s Galaxy S23 Ultra and price increase is noticeable. While S23 Ultra already had many features, S24 Ultra makes only slight improvements. However, its long-term value may improve with Samsung’s promise of seven years of major Android and security updates which is longer than what Apple offers with its devices. This extended support could be valuable but we won’t know for sure until the seventh year.

Unfortunately, trade-in deals and launch offers for S24 Ultra aren’t as appealing as last year’s, meaning you’ll likely pay hundreds more than your trade-in value if you’re upgrading. There have been some discounts on platforms like Amazon, lowering price by around $150 or £200, but it remains one of the most expensive phones available. If you’re wondering whether this phone is worth its high price, you might be looking for Galaxy S24 Plus instead which is probably a better deal. S24 Ultra is for those who want a top-tier phone that stands out from the rest and its price reflects that uniqueness.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Design

Galaxy S24 Ultra looks very similar to Galaxy S23 Ultra. While there are minor changes, like the speaker grills and microphone positions, overall design remains almost the same. The phone has a polished and classy appearance but lacks visual excitement at first glance. However, if you look closely, the back glass features layers of metallic paint that give it a unique depth especially in the natural grey titanium and violet finishes. Each color is carefully designed to match new Gorilla Glass Armor back.

Samsung has chosen titanium for the frame this year, but it hasn’t significantly reduced the phone’s weight. S Pen, a key feature, adds a fun element with its satisfying click and useful capabilities, such as acting as a Bluetooth remote for the camera. This year, phone has a flat screen, moving away from previous curved design, making it feel larger, though it remains comfortable to hold. Overall, Galaxy S24 Ultra combines style and functionality, making it a standout device.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Display

Galaxy S24 Ultra has an impressive display that shines in both bright sunlight and dim rooms. It’s large, sharp and vibrant especially when using the Vivid color setting. Display can automatically adjust its brightness and color based on surrounding light, reaching a peak brightness of 2,600 nits in direct sunlight—almost as bright as you need it to be. There’s also an Extra Dim option that lets the screen stay visible at just one nit of brightness, which is useful for checking messages in dark places like a movie theater.

While phone has an always-on display mode, Samsung’s special S-View cases still allow users to see time, weather and notifications through a small window, adding convenience. However, display could be improved with a higher refresh rate of 144Hz, which some other phones offer. Additionally, it’s disappointing that S24 Ultra doesn’t support Dolby Vision which can enhance video quality for streaming services like Netflix. This absence seems odd since Samsung supports Dolby Audio. Overall, display is fantastic but could benefit from these enhancements.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Software

Galaxy S24 Ultra has complicated software that makes it hard to find new features. While it offers some cool AI tools, many aren’t very useful.

Samsung knows the software is messy but it hasn’t fixed it yet. The settings are crowded, and finding options can be confusing.

Some AI features, like translating phone calls, work well but others like writing assistant, are not very helpful. The keyboard also has problems with strange autocorrect mistakes that make typing tough.

Voice Recorder app isn’t as good as one on Google Pixel, lacking live transcription. Photo editing tools are less impressive compared to Pixel too.

A good feature is DeX, which lets you connect your phone to a monitor and use it like a computer.

Samsung promises seven years of updates but there are worries about whether they can keep this promise. Some features might even become subscription-based.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Review

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features impressive cameras with both strengths and weaknesses.

First, its 5x zoom lens offers better colors than the previous 10x zoom but sacrifices some detail. Overall, it remains one of the best zoom options available on a smartphone.

In terms of image quality, S24 Ultra delivers photos with richer colors and more depth compared to the S23 Ultra. While it may not capture every detail, the pictures look nicer and more appealing.

When compared to iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone takes better shots at 5x zoom. However, at 25x zoom, S24 Ultra retains more detail and provides better color accuracy.

Samsung has also made improvements in color accuracy, making photos appear more natural and vibrant.

Despite these enhancements, S24 Ultra still struggles with low-light photography. Other phones like Google Pixel 8 Pro, perform better in dim conditions.

Overall, the S24 Ultra is best camera phone available, excelling in close-up and portrait shots with realistic skin tones.

For photo editing built-in tools are decent but using apps like Adobe Lightroom offers more advanced features and control.

Samsung aims to enhance its moon photography capabilities using AI but this feature has yet to be tested due to cloudy weather.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Performance

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the fastest Android phone, beating iPhone 15 Pro Max in performance tests. It’s great for gaming and everyday tasks.

You can play games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact at high settings without lag. If you connect a Bluetooth controller, gaming becomes even better.

Compared to the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro which is designed for gaming, the S24 Ultra performs better with higher frame rates.

For non-gamers, editing photos in Adobe Lightroom is quick and smooth, faster than previous Galaxy S23 Ultra. However, some new AI features can slow things down a bit.

Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Battery Life

Galaxy S24 Ultra has outstanding battery life, lasting about 16 hours and 45 minutes on tests which is better than iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Instead of a bigger battery, Samsung improved how the phone uses power, so it lasts longer. You can change settings like brightness to save battery. There are also options to limit apps and dim the display.

One helpful feature, Adaptive Power Saving, adjusts battery use based on your habits but is hard to find in the settings.

Phone charges quickly at 45W, taking around 45 minutes to fully charge. While some phones charge faster, the S24 Ultra still does well.

It supports 15W wireless charging and can charge other devices, but it doesn’t come with a charger in the box. You’ll need to buy one separately for the fastest charging speed.

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Conclusion:

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of best phones you can get, with great cameras, long battery life and strong performance for gaming and work. But its software can feel a bit messy which stops it from being perfect.

If you care most about hardware, this phone is an excellent pick. But if you like simple, easy-to-use software, you might not love it. If Samsung fixes software in future updates, S24 Ultra could be the best phone overall.

Even with some small issues, it’s still top camera phone in 2024, offering sharp photos, great zoom and lots of shooting options.