The Samsung Galaxy S24 series has out with a bang, introducing three new phones aimed directly at challenging the top offerings from Apple and Google. We've got the pocket-friendly Samsung Galaxy S24, the bigger Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, and the feature-packed Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in the lineup.
No
matter which models you choose, you'll find that the essential Galaxy AI
features are present across the board, along with a wide range of color options
to suit your favorites. While the S24 Plus may steal the attention with its
significant upgrades, don't overlook the standard S24, which boasts a larger
display with thinner bezels, improved brightness, a new chipset, and a more
robust design.
We've
thoroughly examined the prize of the series, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, in
our comprehensive review. It's a extraordinary smartphone that could be just
what you're looking for in an Android device. And for those interested in the
other models, fear not – we've explored deep into the standard S24 and provided
hands-on coverage of the S24 Plus.
Extraordinarily, Samsung has already begun rolling out the first update for these phones, promising enhancements that will elevate their performance, particularly in the realm of photography, making them better than ever.
Samsung's Galaxy S
phones have always been among our top picks for the best smartphones, and we
have high prospects for the new Galaxy S24 series. With their inspiring
features and cutting-edge technology, we anticipate that all three models will
earn a fashionable spot on our list. Stay tuned to find out where they rank
among the competition.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Cheat Sheet
- New Chipset: The
S24 series features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (in the US)
and Exynos 2400 for Galaxy (in the rest of the world), offering enhanced
power and efficiency.
- Larger Display: Enjoy
a large 6.2-inch display with slimmer bezels and a smaller front camera
punch hole compared to the Galaxy S23.
- Dynamic Refresh Rate: The
refresh rate now ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, a important upgrade from the
48Hz to 120Hz range on the S23.
- Higher Brightness: Experience
brighter visuals with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, surpassing last
year's model.
- Enhanced Camera: The
addition of a new 2x sensor-cropped optical zoom enhances the flexibility
of the rear camera design.
- OS and Security Updates: Benefit
from seven generations of OS and security updates, aligning with the
industry leader, Google.
- Reviewed Design: The
S24 boasts a 10% stronger Armor aluminum frame and improved ergonomics for
a more durable and comfortable device.
- Enhanced Battery: Enjoy
longer usage with a larger 4,000mAh battery, an upgrade from the 3,900mAh
battery in the S23.
- Worth and Availability: The
Samsung Galaxy S24 series starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 and is
available now, having shipped on January 31.
Samsung Galaxy S24: Specs Comparison
|
Feature |
Galaxy S24 |
Galaxy S24 Plus |
Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|
Dimensions |
147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm |
158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm |
162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm |
|
Weight |
167g |
196g |
232g |
|
Frame |
Enhanced Armor Aluminum |
Enhanced Armor Aluminum |
Titanium |
|
Display |
6.2-inch AMOLED, 1Hz to 120Hz |
6.7-inch AMOLED, 1Hz to 120Hz |
6.8-inch AMOLED, 1Hz to 120Hz |
|
Resolution |
2,340 x 1,080 |
3,088 × 1,440 |
3,088 × 1,440 |
|
Chipset |
Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Samsung
Exynos 2400 for Galaxy |
Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 / Samsung
Exynos 2400 for Galaxy |
Galaxy-optimized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|
RAM |
8GB (LPDDR5X) |
12GB (LPDDR5X) |
12GB (LPDDR5X) |
|
Storage |
128GB / 256GB (UFS 4.0) |
256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0) |
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
|
Main Camera |
50MP |
50MP |
200MP |
|
Ultra-wide Camera |
12MP |
12MP |
12MP |
|
Telephoto Camera |
10MP, 3X optical zoom |
10MP, 3X optical zoom |
10MP, 3X and 10X optical zoom |
|
Selfie Camera |
12MP |
12MP |
12MP |
|
Battery Size |
4,000mAh |
4,900mAh |
5,000mAh |
|
Charging |
25W wired, 15W wireless |
45W wired, 15W wireless |
45W wired, 15W wireless |
|
Colors |
Midnight Black, Stone Gray, Royal Blue,
Golden Amber |
Midnight Black, Stone Gray, Royal Blue,
Golden Amber |
Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium
Purple, Titanium Gold |
|
Samsung.com Exclusive Colors |
Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Jade Green |
Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Jade Green |
Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Jade Green |
Also Read: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Specifications & Price
Samsung Galaxy S24: Release Date and Price
The Samsung Galaxy S24,
along with the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra, made its debut at the
Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California on January 17. Preorders for all
three models began on the same day, followed by their official release on
January 31.
Pricing:
|
Storage |
US Price |
UK Price |
AU Price |
|
128GB |
$799 |
£799 |
N/A |
|
256GB |
$859 |
£859 |
AU$1,399 |
|
512GB |
N/A |
N/A |
AU$1,599 |
The Galaxy S24 is
available in three storage alternatives: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Amusingly,
Australia skips the 128GB model and offers a higher capacity 512GB variant
instead, priced at AU$1,599. The 128GB model sells for $799 / £799, while the
256GB version costs $859 / £859 / AU$1,399. Notably, there's a significant discount
in price compared to the previous year's model, especially in the UK where the
base 128GB S24 is £50 cheaper than its precursor, which was priced at £849.
Samsung Galaxy S24: Design and Display
The Samsung Galaxy S24
introduces a fresh design approach with its new One-Mass Design language. While
it may look like its predecessor at first glance, the S24 stands out with its straighter
sides and a refined frame that trenches the sleek finish for a lightly textured
feel. This design meeting between Apple and Samsung is apparent, making both
devices look more alike than ever.
Crafted from enhanced Armor Aluminum, the S24 boasts a frame that's 10% stronger than before, ensuring durability without compromising on style. The device is encased in Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, maintaining its IP68 dust and water opposition rating.
 |
| Display & Design |
When it comes to colors, all three S24 models offer a foursome of finishes. However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's color options are began with 'Titanium'. The S24 and S24 Plus are available in Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, or Amber Yellow, with three exclusive options—Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, and Jade Green—available only on Samsung.com.
Despite being slightly
taller, the Samsung Galaxy S24 maintains a similar size and weight to its
predecessor, which is quite impressive considering the larger 6.2-inch display.
This achievement is attributed to the compliment frame and thinner, more
uniform bezels, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the device. Moreover, the
reduced size of the punch hole front camera contributes to a more immersive
viewing experience.
In a prominent improvement,
Samsung has successfully implemented the full 1Hz to 120Hz adaptive refresh
rate from the Ultra model to the S24 and S24 Plus. This enhancement not only
delivers a more power-efficient display compared to the S23 but also boosts
peak brightness to an impressive 2,600 nits (with a high brightness mode of
1,600 nits). As a result, users can expect improved outdoor visibility and
enhanced HDR visuals.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Software Features
The Samsung Galaxy S24
comes with Samsung's latest One UI 6.1 software, built on Android 14. This
ensures a smooth and familiar user experience, with the addition of exciting
new features powered by 'Galaxy AI'.
Among these new features
is Circle to Search, a collaboration with Google that allows users to search
anything on their screen with a long press of the home button. Tone Nip,
integrated into the Samsung Keyboard, analyzes typed sentences to suggest
alternatives based on the desired tone. Additionally, the S24 offers generative
wallpapers, providing users with fresh and unique backgrounds regularly using
AI technology.
Real-time two-way
translation, including written text and spoken word during calls, is now
seamlessly integrated into the Galaxy S experience.
Samsung has dedicated to
providing seven generations of both OS and security updates, aligning with
Google's standards. This ensures users stay up to date with the latest software
advancements, with the first software update for the Galaxy S24 already continuing
out on February 16, bringing enhancements like a Vivid mode slider and improved
photo quality.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Camera Features
 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Camera |
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 features a strong camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens.
- Presenting a new 2x optical zoom option, the S24 offers greater flexibility in capturing distant subjects.
- With the Pro Visual AI Engine, the S24 promises smarter photo enhancements, including sound reduction, vibrant colors, and improved low-light performance.
- Enjoy AI-based Edit Suggestions, which intelligently enhance photos by suggesting portrait effects, adjusting color and contrast, and removing reflections.
- Understanding additional features like generative fill for correcting twisted shots, resizing subjects in a scene, and viewing videos in slow motion with frame utterance up to 120fps.
- Associations with third-party apps enable HDR capture and review directly from platforms like Instagram, enhancing the overall photography experience on the S24.
Galaxy S24 Performance & Battery
Chipset Variety: Whether you're in the US or elsewhere, the Galaxy S24 offers
different chipsets - Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for US users and Exynos 2400 for
others.
Performance Equality: While the performance gap between these chipsets isn't fully
clear yet, past experiences suggest Snapdragon's superiority. However,
Samsung's latest Exynos 2400 might bridge that gap with improved efficiency and
battery life.
Boosted Storage: All S24 models now boast faster and more efficient UFS 4.0
storage, eliminating the disparity seen in previous models.
Sufficient RAM: Enjoy smooth multitasking with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, available
across all variants.
Improved Charging: The S24 supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging,
ensuring you're always powered up. Plus, the larger 4,000mAh battery brings the
standard and Ultra models closer than ever in battery capacity.
Galaxy S24 View
In the impressive structure
of things, the Galaxy S24 seems like a modest evolution from its predecessor,
at least from a theoretic position. However, with some delicate design modifications
and, more notably, a significant infusion of practical AI capabilities, this
device could prove to be quite impressive.
While it may not boast the extravagant allure of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the standard Galaxy S24 offers a compelling combination of affordability and functionality. With its competitive pricing and robust features, it stands a good chance of earning a coveted spot on our list of top smartphones.