The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is here, and it's as stunning and powerful as expected. As the top-tier model in the S24 series, it has an important legacy to uphold. From what we saw at the Galaxy Unpacked event, it seems well-positioned to do just that.
So, what's the best Samsung has to offer this year? The answer is, a lot, actually.
Comparison with the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra: Starting with the feature comparison, let's see how the recently launched Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compares to its predecessor model:
| SPECIFICATIONS: | SAMSUNG GALAXY S23 ULTRA | SAMSUNG GALAXY S24 ULTRA |
|---|---|---|
| DISPLAY: | • 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED HDR10+ | 1440 x 3088p | 120Hz | • 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | HDR10+1440 x 3120p | 120Hz |
| MEMORY / STORAGE: | • 8GB RAM / 256 GB Storage • 12GB RAM /256 GB Storage • 12GB RAM / 512 GB Storage • 12 GB RAM/1TB Storage | • 12GB RAM /256 GB Storage • 12GB RAM / 512 GB Storage • 12 GB RAM/1TB Storage |
| MAIN CAMERAS: | • 200 MP f/1.7 24mm (wide), multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF. OIS • 10 MP f/4.9 230mm (periscope telephoto), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x Optical Zoom • 10 MP f/2.4 70mm (telephoto), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom • 12 MP f/2.2 13mm (ultrawide), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady Video | • 200 MP f/1.7 24mm (wide), multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS • 50 MP f/3.4 111mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x Optical Zoom • 10 MP f/2.4 67mm (telephoto), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom • 12 MP f/2.2 13mm (ultrawide), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady Video |
| FRONT CAMERAS: | • 12 MP f/2.2 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF | • 12 MP f/2.2 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF |
| BATTERY: | • 5,000mAh, Li-Ion Battery | • 5,000mAh Li-Ion Battery |
| OS: | • Android 13; upgradable to Android 14; One UI 6.1 | • Android 14; One UI 6.1 |
Design and Materials
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Like the iPhone 15 Pros, the Galaxy S24 Ultra also uses a titanium frame, which is different from the armor aluminum used in the previous model. However, unlike Apple, this change was not made to reduce the weight of the phone. The S24 Ultra reportedly weighs the same as its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, which is 232 grams.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is not just limited to durability with a titanium frame. It is also strengthened with Corning's latest 'Gorilla Armor', which increases its strength and resistance to scratches, making it more resilient to drops and everyday wear and tear.
Samsung has made another significant change by removing the curved edges that were a feature of the Galaxy Note series. Instead, the S24 Ultra has a flat, 6.8-inch Quad HD+ display. It continues to use Samsung's LTPO AMOLED technology, which offers a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
Unlike Apple, Samsung has opted to offer a splash of colour to its titanium-framed flagship. The phone is available in Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and the bright Titanium Yellow at most retail outlets. Additionally, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green and Titanium Orange variants can be purchased online directly from Samsung.com.
Cameras
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the same camera setup as its previous model, with one notable change. The previous 10x optical zoom periscope telephoto lens has been replaced with a 5x optical periscope telephoto lens. This may seem like a downgrade, but it isn't.
The optical zoom has been reduced to 5x, but overall camera quality has improved significantly. The S24 Ultra now has a 50 MP periscope telephoto lens, which is much better than the S23 Ultra's 10 MP lens. This change was achieved by averaging its zoom between 10x and 3x, resulting in a better setup.
Samsung has also improved its "ProVisual Engine", which drives these cameras. Improvements made to the engine have enhanced its Nightography feature and Space Zoom capabilities, leading to better performance in low light conditions.
Samsung's AI plays a key role in improving camera performance. Its Neural Processing Unit (NPU) ensures better post-processing in photos and offers a number of useful tools like Magic Editor to improve your photos.
It is important to note that any photo edited or generated with AI will have a small watermark and an indicator in the metadata. Samsung believes this will help allay any concerns about the use of these emerging technologies.
Performance and Gaming
Let's take a look at the performance aspect. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, unlike its smaller counterparts, the S24 and S24+, will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip in all areas. If you are particularly concerned about the processor in your smartphone, this should be a relief.
Interestingly, it uses a custom variant of the chip, which means it operates at slightly higher clock speeds than other brands using the same chip.
Samsung has announced an increase of about 53% in ray tracing performance in games thanks to enhancements made to its CPU, GPU, and NPU. This usually leads to more vibrant shadows and lighting, although the game must support this lighting technology.
Along with these chipset improvements, Samsung has also revamped its cooling solutions. The S24 series features larger vapor chambers for better heat dissipation. This ideally prevents the phone from overheating during heavy gaming or processing, thereby reducing performance throttling and the discomfort of holding a hot device.
Wi-Fi 7 Compatibility
While AI continues to be a major talking point in the tech world, including events like Galaxy Unpacked, it's important not to overlook other important advancements. One such development, first showcased in the latest gaming laptops at CES 2024, is Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.
Wi-Fi 7 promises to boost download and upload speeds by offering increased bandwidth and the ability to bundle connections across different bands. This is particularly beneficial for online multiplayer gaming, which is why gaming laptops are among the first devices to include it.
Wi-Fi 7 routers aren't widely available yet due to their recent launch. However, as they become more prevalent, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to take full advantage of this technology.
Interestingly, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the only S24 model that supports Wi-Fi 7. This is due to the differences between Snapdragon and Exynos chips. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is Wi-Fi 7 compatible, is used in the S24 Ultra. But in regions like the US, where the S24 and S24+ models also use the Snapdragon chip, it seems that the Wi-Fi 7 feature has been disabled to ensure the feature's consistency with the Exynos versions.
So, for those who are keen to use this emerging connection standard, the S24 Ultra is currently the only new Galaxy device option.
The launch of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G is a significant step in the company's mission to transform the smartphone industry. Its remarkable specifications, unprecedented features, and affordable pricing position the Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G to set a new benchmark for premium smartphones in India.