Are you considering upgrading your smartphone this year? Samsung might have just made that decision a little more complicated, as the Samsung Galaxy S24 release date arrives.
The impressive new phones — arriving in three versions — have powerful processors, camera improvements, and AI-enhanced features.
With these advancements in mind, it begs the question: is upgrading to the Galaxy S24 range worth it?
Key Takeaways
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 series lands in the next 24 hours — bringing native AI into the smartphone world, arriving in three models and an array of colors.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra model comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and titanium construction, with a 6.8″ QHD+ display ensuring vibrant visuals even under sunlight.
- Camera improvements include a 5x optical zoom lens and AI-powered features for stunning photography.
- Storage and memory options range up to 1TB, and 12GB RAM cater to power users.
- AI integration enhances productivity with features like Live Translate and AI-enhanced S Pen, and the lineup’s IP68 rating ensures water resistance.
Samsung S24 Range Comparison Guide: Side-by-side
Galaxy S24 Ultra | Galaxy S24+ | Galaxy S24 | |
---|---|---|---|
Price | $1,299.99 | $999.99 | $799.99 |
Samsung Claims | Best for Photography & AI Editing | Best for Content Streaming | Best for Everyday Powerhouse |
Screen Size | 6.8″ | 6.7″ | 6.2″ |
Display | QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X | QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X | FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
Battery | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | 4000mAh |
Processor | Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 | Exynos 2400 | Exynos 2400 |
Wide Angle (Rear) | 200 MP | 50 MP | 50 MP |
Memory | 12GB | 12GB | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB |
Fast Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
S Pen compatible | Yes | No | No |
Water resistant? | IP68 (1.5m for 30 mins) | IP68 (1.5m for 30 mins) | IP68 (1.5m for 30 mins) |
Weight | 232g | 196g | 167g |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Specs: A Closer Look
The beating heart of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which boasts a 30% increase in CPU speed compared to its predecessor. This leap in processing power guarantees that users can effortlessly handle demanding tasks like gaming, high-resolution video processing, or seamlessly managing apps simultaneously. It’s specifically designed to meet a user’s needs with speed and efficiency.
Samsung has moved from aluminum to titanium construction for the outer shell for enhanced durability and a sleeker overall appearance.
Additionally, they have upgraded the screen on the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a 6.8-inch display that provides peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits. This improvement ensures crystal viewing under bright sunlight conditions.
On the camera side, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has undergone changes based on feedback.
It replaced the 10x optical zoom lens with a 5x optical zoom lens and includes a 50MP sensor, and users can capture high-quality photos at 10x zoom with digital zoom.
In terms of storage options, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers choices including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. It also boasts a 5,000mAh battery that supports fast charging up to 45W. Alongside its 12GB RAM across all variants, these features ensure that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is not an ordinary phone but a powerhouse capable of handling any task.
Naturally, the most important specification is color, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be available in Black, Green, Orange, Gray, Black, Violet, and Yellow, all branded “Titanium”.
Can AI Revolutionize Smartphone Intelligence?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also leading the way in smartphone technology by embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as part of its design and functionality. With little to differentiate smartphones today, AI is becoming the next driving force of new smartphones.
One impressive feature of the Galaxy S24 Ultra is its “Circle to Search” function, resulting from Samsung’s collaboration with Google. This clever tool allows users to draw a circle on their screen to initiate a search for related images or information. It showcases how AI seamlessly integrates with search technology, revolutionizing our ability to find and access data efficiently.
The language barrier becomes a thing of the past with the Galaxy S24 Ultra “Live Translate” feature. Powered by AI, this function enables real-time voice and text translations during calls, making communication smooth and barrier-free. It represents a step towards creating a world where understanding each other becomes effortless.
In addition, the S Pen, now enhanced by AI capabilities, revolutionizes note-taking. With integrated AI, it can summarize notes, convert them into formats, and even check for spelling errors. This significantly improves productivity while enriching the user experience through features seamlessly integrating with Android 14 and One UI 6.1 interfaces.
However, the impact of AI extends beyond utility functions; it also dramatically influences photography and entertainment aspects. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 50MP lens with a 5x optical telephoto camera, where AI plays a role in optimizing image quality. Whether improving low-light photos or refining the details in portraits, Samsung demonstrates its expertise in integrating hardware and software through its AI-powered camera system.
The S24 truly excels in providing an entertainment experience, especially regarding gaming and video content. AI technology enhances performance in both areas, allowing users to engage fully in full-year activities. Furthermore, by incorporating Baidu’s Ernie AI for users in China, these innovative features adapt across markets without compromising their effectiveness.
During the Samsung AI Forum 2023, we were introduced to Samsung Gauss, a new generative AI model. This suggests that Samsung will continue prioritizing and investing in AI technology, making this another significant year.
If AI is locked to a browser, then despite its extraordinary impact on the world over the last 18 months, there’s still a limit to how far it can spread. The Galaxy stepping up with integrated AI is a testament to the boundless possibilities of AI and its increasing impact on our everyday lives.
The Bottom Line
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra goes beyond being just another smartphone by showcasing Samsung’s commitment to innovation. This is evident through the introduction of enhanced features powered by AI technology.
The S24 represents a combination of highly anticipated new features and user-centered design, and we suspect it also sets a new standard in the smartphone industry, opening doors for future advancements of AI in mobile technology.
But whether it’s time for you to jump on board and hit upgrade will depend entirely on the last smartphone you purchased and your resistance to FOMO.