Malcolm Owen
Samsung has launched three new models in its flagship Galaxy range, taking on the iPhone 15 with the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Continuing its annual tradition of early-year updates to its flagship smartphones, Samsung's update from the Galaxy S23 family to the S24 generation. Just like 2022's releases, the 2023 batch consists of three distinct models.
Galaxy S24 Ultra
The top of the range model is the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is housed in a titanium frame, available in four colors: Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow.
Inside is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, alongside 12GB of memory, and will ship in a choice of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacities. To help performance, a 92% larger vapor chamber system will assist with cooling the internal components.
Like the iPhone 15 Pro, the Snapdragon chip has hardware-based ray tracing. Graphics are rendered in real time using ray tracing, resulting in highly realistic shadows and reflections in mobile games.
Inside the chip, a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) offers a 41% enhancement in operation due to AI integration. The GPU delivers 30% more potent graphics and performance. Meanwhile, the CPU achieves 20% faster and more energy-efficient computing.
The S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch 1440p display, identical to that of the S23 Ultra. The edges of the device have a subtle curve, unlike the completely straight edges of the S24 and S24 Plus.
The main 200MP camera is joined by a 12MP ultrawide version, a 10MP telephoto that has a 3x optical zoom, and an additional 50MP camera with a 5x optical zoom. Additionally, the new Tele Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is wider than its predecessors, ensuring more stabilized shots with reduced blur.
A feature called Space Zoom, equipped with 1.6x bigger pixels and a wider Tele OIS, ensures that far-away subjects in low light are captured with stunning clarity in both photos and videos.
Samsung has added artificial intelligence features to its mobile camera system. These tools allow users to select subjects in photos to either resize, reposition, or completely remove them from the frame.
Additionally, users can alter the horizon level in a photo and, instead of cropping, utilize AI to fill in the edges of the image.
Powering the Ultra model is a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, with it also including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, and USB-C connectivity.
Galaxy S24+
The middle Galaxy S24+ has a 6.7-inch QHD+ OLED panel display and now features a 1440p resolution, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 making an appearance again for North American and Chinese customers. Other countries will be using the Exynos 2400 chipset instead.
Memory is 8GB or 12GB, depending on the model, with 256GB and 512GB storage capacities included. Battery life will be a bit longer than the previous year's version, with a capacity of 4,900mAh.
The maximum charging time remains the same at 45W. Additionally, it offers support for wireless charging using Samsung's Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, with a capability of up to 15W.
Camera-wise, the Galaxy S24+ includes a 50MP main camera with 8K video capability, a dual telephoto zoom of up to 3x, and a Space Zoom of 30x. It also has AI features like seeing a Super HDR preview before pressing the shutter.
With the exception of Wi-FI 6E support instead of Wi-Fi 7, it has the same wireless and wired connectivity as the Ultra.
Galaxy S24
The base Samsung Galaxy S24 will have a 6.2-inch OLED screen sporting a Full HD+ resolution. It will have the same chipset as the S24+, though with 8GB of memory and 128GB/256GB capacity options.
The cameras are identical to the S24+, featuring a dual aperture setup comprising rear cameras of 50MP with an f/1.8 aperture, 12MP with an f/2.2 aperture, and 10MP with an f/2.4 aperture. The front camera is equipped with a 12MP sensor at an f/2.2 aperture.
Though it will have a smaller 4,000mAh battery, it will be able to get to 50% capacity after 30 minutes of fast charging. Furthermore, it supports wireless charging through Samsung's Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 technology, capable of delivering up to 15W.
The Galaxy S24 retails for $800 and up, depending on capacity.The Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $1,300 with Samsung's S24+ beginning at $1,000. All three can be preordered at Samsung.com.
William Gallagher
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
5 Comments
Some clever camera trickery there. Keeping Apple on their toes
The Galaxy S24 does offer features like Wifi 7 and 120 Hz on all models. If iPhone 16 doesn't offer both then to me it really is an iPhone 16 SE. Wifi 6E isn't faster than 6 and Apple is usually serious about display tech. ProMotion should be in the iPhone. For iPhone 16 Pro the colors of S24 Ultra show what is possible with titanium.I do hope iPhone 16 Pro will go beyond "corporate dull". And S24 comes with 7 years of OS updates. That is better than say macOS where 5 years seems to be what Apple will offer. Perhaps Apple could do 7 years of security updates? Currently they might - or might not.
Lack of Qi 2 charging... stupid - EU is about to decide on a standard for wireless, andi it won't be Samsung. Accessories bought for S24 won't work on next genersation.
200 MP camera with FakeVision AI... tired. Return to flat display... even more tired.
This is all well and good for the hardware as it looks like it is very well made with premium materials BUT it’s still an android phone and android sucks