Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review: Stellar smartphone supplemented with AI

Design

Maintaining the form factor of its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces a new titanium frame and a flat display. The titanium frame adds to the durability of the device, while Samsung improves the overall ergonomics, making the phone more user-friendly. The flat top and bottom, combined with subtle curvature on the left and right sides, improve in-hand feel despite the device’s considerable size, weight and bulk. The package is completed with industry-leading Gorilla Glass protection for both the display and back panel, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Display and audio

A notable design evolution on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the display, with a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x panel that’s brighter and has no curvature on the left and right sides. The flat screen, framed by thin, symmetrical bezels, is additionally protected by Gorilla Glass Armor, making it more resistant to scratches and scuffs. The glass’s ability to reduce reflections by up to 75 percent improves visual clarity and ensures sharpness, consistent colors and contrast across different usage environments. The responsive display is optimized for a seamless experience without sacrificing energy efficiency, and offers HDR and HDR10+ support for high dynamic range content.

Complementing the impressive display are the stereo speakers, which are characterized by their loud, clear and balanced reproduction. Notably, Samsung integrates Dolby Atmos for object-based spatial audio, improving the auditory experience, especially when using supported wireless audio accessories like the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

Camera

The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a quad-camera setup at the back, consisting of a 200-megapixel main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, a 10MP 3x telephoto with OIS and a new 50MP 5x telephoto with OIS. A 12 MP camera sensor is used on the front. The camera system maintains the legacy of the S Series and demonstrates versatility in performance across different lighting conditions, modes and focal lengths.

Under different lighting conditions, the main camera consistently delivers detailed, high-contrast results with a wide dynamic range. The ultra-wide-angle sensor performs well, although its low-light capabilities aren’t as powerful as the main sensor. It is striking that both sensors exhibit color symmetry. The ultra-wide-angle sensor, equipped with autofocus, also serves as a macro sensor for close-up shots. While competent, macro photography capabilities are somewhat limited compared to competitors who use telephoto sensors for close-up shots, eliminating the need for close proximity to the subject.

The telephoto lenses, which operate at 3x and 5x optical zoom levels, prove beneficial for portraits. However, reducing the maximum optical zoom from 10x in the predecessor to 5x changes Samsung’s traditional focus on remote zoom capabilities. Although the camera system can reach up to 100x, video quality at maximum zoom suffers due to the shorter focal length of the secondary 5x optical zoom.

Video capabilities include recording up to 4K at 60 fps from all available sensors, with smooth transitions between sensors during recording. The addition of 4K at 120fps in slow-motion recording is a welcome improvement.

The user-friendly camera interface further enhances the imaging experience and facilitates easy navigation for both novice and experienced users.

Software

The Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces a new era of mobile AI, which Samsung calls Galaxy AI, deeply integrated into the operating system to deliver a unique user experience. AI-powered features include communication, imaging and productivity aspects of the smartphone.

Communication-related AI features include a live translation feature for voice calls, which supports the Hindi language in real-time. This feature is part of the Call Assist and provides instant voice translation for both participants, complemented by a text call option for typed text narration during calls. An interpreter function enables real-time translation of personal conversations, displayed in a split screen for people facing each other.

While promising, these communication-related AI features have flaws, particularly in the translation accuracy of live translation, causing disruptions for callers on both ends. The real-time, two-way nature of translation also challenges contextual understanding.

Text translation within the Chat Assist feature, integrated into the Samsung keyboard, is more effective. Chat Assist not only translates text between apps, but also includes a built-in spelling and grammar checking tool, along with options to adjust the tone of text using different writing styles.

AI extends to the imaging experience with generative AI built into the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The photo app introduces a new editor with generative editing capabilities, allowing users to adjust angles of view, fill blank spaces, move and resize objects, and change backgrounds using GenAI. Generative edits, while neat, don’t always look completely natural. In videos, AI interpolates frames to create slow motion effects, even if the video was not originally shot in slow motion.

Additional picture features include Remaster, which improves picture quality through improved colour, contrast and dynamic range; Background blur, with various bokeh effects; and Reflections Eraser, which can remove reflections from images.

The Circle to Search feature, powered by Google, allows users to initiate searches via circular, highlight, scribble or tap gestures on the screen, eliminating the need for screenshots.

Productivity apps, such as Samsung Notes, Voice Recorder and Samsung Internet, benefit from AI integration. In the Notes app, AI automates the formatting, summarizing, and translation of notes, along with spell checks. Voice Recorder includes AI for text transcriptions, summaries and translation options. Samsung’s internet browser uses AI to generate summaries based on web page text.

In addition to AI features, the Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces numerous improvements with the Android 14-based OneUI 6 interface. The redesigned Quick Setting, expanded Quick Share compatibility with devices outside the Samsung ecosystem and an updated lock screen with AI wallpapers, widgets and customizable color schemes contribute to an enriched user experience. It is worth mentioning that Samsung has promised seven years of OS and security update for the Galaxy S24 series.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip, paired with 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a performance powerhouse. Consistent performance is maintained even during extended use, with the device resilient to graphics and power-intensive workloads without slowdowns or discomfort due to overheating. Although the phone may heat up, it prevents it from reaching temperatures that would impair performance or user comfort.

Battery

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a battery life of more than a day on a full charge, making it one of the top performers in its category. Charging with the supported 45W wired charger is fast, although not the fastest on the smartphone market.

Pronunciation

Priced starting at Rs 129,999, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is emerging as a comprehensive premium flagship smartphone, differentiated by a range of AI features that redefine the user experience. Notably, it is the only smartphone in its segment with a digital stylus (SPen) and a built-in computing platform (DeX). In this regard, the Galaxy S24 Ultra surpasses its predecessors in the Android category, establishing itself as the category leader and surpassing the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max on several key parameters.