The newly released Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out as the most advanced Android smartphone of 2024 so far. With top-tier specs, a revamped design, and excellent all-around performance, it’s a compelling alternative for those who aren’t fond of Apple’s offerings. I recently had the chance to test out the S24 Ultra, and here are my detailed thoughts.
Hardware & Design
Samsung has stepped up the premium feel of the S24 Ultra with a polished titanium alloy frame that feels smooth and comfortable in hand. The casing is slightly more ergonomic than Apple’s harder edges, though the cutouts for buttons and antennas look a bit busy.
The 6.8 inches Dynamic AMOLED 2X display lives up to its reputation with incredible color accuracy in both standard and vivid modes, superior glare reduction, and impressive eye comfort that exceeds the claims of competitors. With a flat-display, the S24 Ultra is also the most usable large Android phone, offering better one-handed handling over the abundantly curved options.
Cameras
While subjective preferences exist for color profiles, Samsung has objectively improved the S24 Ultra’s image quality over the S23 series. In terms of overall performance, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other 2024 flagships. There’s better depth and layering in photos, with colors that look rich yet natural.
Performance & Battery Life
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip provides screaming fast speeds, although I noticed occasional lags in animations. This may improve with software updates. The 5,000 mAh battery reliably lasted 6+ hours for me at max resolution and manual brightness. While not best-in-class, it’s adequate for daily use.
Weaknesses?
Honestly, I can’t find any major drawbacks with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, at least based on my testing. It’s a significant step up from Samsung’s previous generations in nearly every way. The minor animation lag doesn’t overly concern me, and I was satisfied with the battery life.
Verdict
My time with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra confirms it is the most powerful Android smartphone available in 2024. The hardware refinements, camera improvements, smooth 120Hz display, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance leave little to be desired. While subjective preferences exist, the S24 Ultra gives Android fans an exceptional alternative to Apple’s offerings.
I’m pleased to see Samsung sustaining competitive energy and innovation with its Ultra series. The S24 Ultra sets a high bar in terms of premium build quality, display technology, cutting-edge specs, and software refinement. For Android loyalists unwilling to switch to iOS, this is undoubtedly the phone to get right now.
Have you been considering the S24 Ultra? Follow us @Gizmoweek, Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! I’d be happy to provide my in-depth perspective after using this impressive device as my daily driver.
