What impresses me essentially the most in regards to the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus is not the brand new Galaxy AI options, brighter screens or stable cameras. It’s the battery life. I’ve been reviewing telephones for seven years, and I’ve realized that if an organization desires folks to be keen about shopping for a brand new telephone, both make the battery last more or decrease the value. That’s it.
This story is a part of Samsung Event, CNET’s assortment of reports, suggestions and recommendation round Samsung’s hottest merchandise.
After per week of testing, I can say the bigger batteries within the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus haven’t any hassle plowing by way of an extended day of use on a single cost. The S24 Plus particularly made it two days. 9.0 Samsung Galaxy S24 Like
Longer battery life
Longer software program assist
Brighter display screen
Circle To Search
Don’t like
Telephoto photos are simply OK
AI options are hit-or-miss
9.0 Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Like
Larger, brighter, increased decision display screen
Longer battery life
Longer software program assist
Incredible efficiency
Don’t like
Camera efficiency does not match worth
AI options really feel experimental
The Pixel 8 Pro exists
While Samsung did not decrease the S24 and S24 Plus’ costs, it did increase the barrier of entry for the Galaxy S24 Ultra to $1,300. That makes the $1,000 Galaxy S24 Plus, which has virtually every thing the Ultra does, shine brighter. The S24 Plus is not a alternative for the S24 Ultra, however it’s a much better worth for the value. Nor is the Plus only a greater model of the $800 Galaxy S24, giving it an ungainly aura that any center youngster can relate to.During my time with the S24 and S24 Plus, I had a bunch chat in three totally different languages (English, French and Spanish), took images to Monty Python-levels of ridiculous with new enhancing instruments, performed video video games and took part in a Zoom video name for work. (Hey, it isn’t all glamorous reviewing a telephone.) Most of those experiences weren’t distinctive or new, however the emphasis Samsung positioned on the brand new AI options is definitely important, even when the true payoff is years down the road.Read extra: Best Android Phone of 2024The S24 and S24 Plus are great, well-built telephones which might be glorious proper out of the field simply because the practically similar S22 and S23 have been earlier than it. This similarity to the S22 and S23 could be seen as both a power, as a result of the design displays three years of refinements, or a weak point, as a result of options just like the digital camera {hardware} are basically similar to what got here out in 2022. But all of that is overshadowed by the nice battery life. You’ll by no means hear anybody complain about getting an excessive amount of battery life.If you are concerned with snagging both telephone, Samsung has a lot of Galaxy S24 sequence trade-in offers that may drop the bottom worth to $250 for the S24 and $450 for the S24 Plus.Galaxy S24 sequence pricingGalaxy S24 sequence pricing Phone Storage + RAMUS PriceUK PriceAU WorthGalaxy S24 128GB + 8GB$800£799NAGalaxy S24 256GB + 8GB$860£859AU$1,399Galaxy S24 512GB + 8GBNANAAU$1,599Galaxy S24 Plus 256GB + 12GB$1,000£999AU$1,699Galaxy S24 Plus 512GB + 12GB$1,120£1,099AU$1,899Galaxy S24 Ultra 256GB + 12GB$1,300£1,249AU$2,199Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB + 12GB$1,420£1,349AU$2,399Galaxy S24 Ultra 1TB + 12GB$1,660£1,549AU$2,799 Design the place it issues Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus’s SIM card tray, USB-C port and speaker. James Martin/CNETBoth telephones stored the squared-off aluminum design with rounded corners from final 12 months’s S23 and S23 Plus. The S24 and S24 Plus are taller, however you’d should be Ant-Man or Rick Moranis to note. The miniscule top addition accommodates new barely bigger shows (0.1 inches greater): 6.2-inch display screen on the S24 and 6.7-inch one on the S24 Plus. Compare that to the 6.8-inch display screen on the S24 Ultra.Like the S24 Ultra, each screens attain a peak brightness of two,600 nits. I discovered the shows have been simple to view whether or not taking a photograph outside beneath direct daylight or in a bar with pals checking the rating of the Warriors/Lakers sport with rising disappointment. I have never used the OnePlus 12 or its 4,500-nit show, however the screens on these telephones are loads shiny.The S24 Plus’ display screen has the next decision and may max out at QuadHD, the identical decision because the Ultra. In reality, for the reason that S24 Plus has a smaller show than the Ultra, the Plus really has the next pixel density. You cannot see the distinction, however it’s nonetheless some extent within the Plus’ favor.Whether it was watching Barbie and Escape From New York (a pairing that makes extra sense than you assume) or simply touching up a photograph that I took of the San Francisco Chronicle constructing, the Plus’ new display screen makes every thing look sharp with nice readability and shade accuracy. I actually seen this whereas studying articles; textual content popped with distinction, even at dimmer brightness ranges.A Galaxy AI future Circle to Search James Martin/CNETI cannot keep in mind two letters which have gotten extra hype lately than AI. Artificial intelligence is nothing new, however it’s a generic time period. It’s a bit like asking somebody what they’re sporting just for them to answer, “clothes.” AI covers a mess of implementations from easy algorithms and machine studying to the generative-AI which is behind providers like ChatGPT and Dall-E.Likewise AI exhibits up in a wide range of methods on the S24 and S24 Plus. Some of it’s made by Samsung, others by Google. Some of the AI options require an web connection, whereas others are carried out solely on-device.Out of each function I attempted, Circle To Search is essentially the most polished and compelling. It allows you to seek for something on the display screen simply by circling it together with your finger. For instance, I noticed a photograph of a pal on Instagram and needed to know what boots that they had on. So I pressed the house button for a second, which triggered a clear glowing filter to overhaul the display screen. Once I circled the boots, a bunch of search outcomes for Red Wing Iron Ranger boots popped up.If you have used a telephone for a when you would possibly keep in mind a time when pull-to-refresh wasn’t a factor. And then someday it was all over the place. I really feel the identical shall be true about Circle to Search. It works nicely and is not solely on the S24 sequence however on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro and can come to the S23 line as nicely.Like pull-to-refresh, I would not be shocked to see Circle To Search make it to each telephone, even the iPhone.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
See all images The translation instruments have been additionally spectacular, though language translation itself is not new to telephones. But the implementation right here is compelling, and the “new” angle is that it is achieved on gadget. I had a telephone name translated in actual time between myself, an English speaker and a pal talking Spanish. The act of pausing and ready for the interpretation to be delivered by an AI voice took getting used to. No, I do not work for the UN, however it actually felt like I may with this. The translation labored nicely sufficient, however there have been tells that it had been achieved by AI. Grammatically, phrases would generally get flipped in a Yoda-like method.I discovered the textual content message translation extra helpful. The interface seems to be clear and is intuitively constructed into the keyboard. As I discussed within the intro, it had no downside dealing with a number of languages in a single thread. The accuracy was higher, in line with my pals (one who spoke Spanish and the opposite French), and my guess is that it is as a result of we’re staying within the realm of textual content. Watch this: Samsung Reveals Its New S24 Series Phones and Their AI Chops
06:47 On the entire, none of those new AI-powered instruments are the rationale to purchase this telephone (or actually any telephone). We’re nonetheless within the generative AI telephone germination section, which ought to naturally enhance over time as extra folks use these instruments. But I feel a few of these options are helpful sufficient proper now to enchantment to on a regular basis customers and never simply tech fans.Recently, Samsung generated its personal questions round the way forward for Galaxy AI. Fine print on the producer’s web site hints that after two years, Samsung would possibly cost for the options. What’s shady to me is not that AI-powered instruments is likely to be the subsequent frontier for subscription income, however that Samsung left it to journalists to find the chance in fantastic print. What are ya, Samsung? An advert for an ’80s used automobile dealership?I spotlight extra AI-powered options under within the digital camera part, however for a deeper look learn CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco’s Galaxy AI breakdown story. Battery and efficiency are the place it is at Samsung Galaxy S24 in marble grey and the S24 Plus in onyx black. James Martin/CNETAll three new Galaxy telephones have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which when mixed with 8GB of RAM on S24 and 12GB on the Plus yielded peppy efficiency. The beneath display screen fingerprint reader is blazing quick to unlock, the digital camera app opens like a spring that is been sprung.Gaming is improbable, with each telephones dealing with every thing from Mario Kart to Diablo Immortal to Genshin Impact. The S24 did get heat to the contact sooner than than the Plus, however neither turned too scorching to carry. In benchmark testing, each telephones are proper up there with the Ultra, Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro and that iPhone 15 Pro max, even besting a few of them. The common base S24 unexpectedly scored very excessive.Geekbench v.6.0 Samsung Galaxy S24 2,255 6,875Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 2,247 6,815Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 2,202 6,721Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro 2,252 6,946Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 2,947 7,364
Geekbench v.6.0 single-core
Geekbench v.6.0 multicore
Note: Longer bars point out higher efficiency
3DMark Wild Life Extreme ScorefpsSamsung Galaxy S24 4,75228.46Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 4,80828.79Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 4,41526.4Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro 5,19531.09Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 4,19325.1 The S24 sequence runs on Android 14, and maybe the sleeper function on these telephones is that Samsung guarantees seven years of main OS updates and software program assist. That means you might maintain on to the Galaxy S24 till 2031 and nonetheless have an up-to-date model of Android on the telephone. Though I think about you’d possible want a battery alternative earlier than then.The S24 and S24 Plus have steady software program proper out of the field. That hasn’t been the case with lots of the different telephones I’ve reviewed over the previous 12 months. The iPhone 15 sequence skilled overheating due to iOS 17 which has since been remedied.Like the screens, the telephones’ batteries obtained greater. The S24 now has a 4,000-mAh battery (a 100-mAh enhance over the S23), whereas the S24 Plus has a 4,900-mAh battery that is 200-mAh bigger than S23 Plus’ battery. The Plus’ battery capability can be simply 100-mAh shy of the S24 Ultra’s 5,000-mAh battery, in yet one more signal of the nearer overlap between the 2.The bigger batteries carry a small however noticeable enchancment, which is little doubt helped by the effectivity of that new Snapdragon chip. In on a regular basis life, this exhibits up within the S24 beginning at 6 a.m. with a full battery and at 11 p.m. having 25% left. And that was a day of medium-to-heavy use over T-Mobile’s 5G and with the display screen usually being set to max brightness for photograph and video shoots for the overview.In the week I had the S24 Plus, it lasted two days on a single cost, twice ending the second day at 11% and 9% as I highlighted in my early hands-on story. In CNET’s streaming check, the place every telephone’s battery is charged to 100% and we stream a video over Wi-Fi for 3 hours, checking on the outcomes each hour, each telephones outlasted S23 fashions and have been outdone this 12 months solely by the OnePlus 12.Streaming video battery check outcomes After 1 hourAfter 2 hoursAfter 3 hoursOnePlus 12 (QHD+, 120Hz) 100%100%95%Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus (QHD, 120Hz) 97%91%87%Samsung Galaxy S24 (FHD+, 120Hz) 97%91%86%Samsung Galaxy S23 (FHD+, 120Hz) 95%88%81%Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (FHD+, 120Hz) 95%90%84%Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro (FHD+, 165Hz) 94%84%75% It’s price noting that CNET’s overview of the Galaxy S23 highlighted the improved battery life over the S22. And it is outstanding that Samsung steadily improved the common S mannequin to go from a poor battery life in 2022 to an excellent battery life in simply two years.Both telephones have quick charging however do not include the required energy brick. The S24 maxes out at 25 watts, and over 30 minutes the battery went from empty to 51%. The S24 Plus had comparable outcomes with a 45-watt charger (its most) and went from zero to 50% in the identical time.I nonetheless have extra battery and charging checks to run, together with for the 15-watt wi-fi charging that each assist. But I’ve been completely impressed to date.Cameras: the identical The Galaxy S24 Plus’ digital camera array. James Martin/CNETBoth telephones have the identical cameras on the again because the S23 and S23 Plus: a trio of huge, ultrawide and 3x telephoto lenses. The essential digital camera has a 50-megapixel sensor and may seize 50-megapixel or 12-megapixel images. The ultrawide and telephoto have a 12-megapixel and 10-megapixel sensor respectively and may seize 12-megapixel snaps, which makes me interested in the place the tele is getting these further 2 megapixels.In her S23 and S23 Plus final 12 months, CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco famous that the cameras have been largely the identical because the one on the S22 and S22 Plus. And that’s positively the case right here with the S24 and S24 Plus.In good lighting, images look nice with a good dynamic vary (the distinction between the brightest and darkest elements) and picture high quality. But in blended or dim lighting when night time mode is not triggered, particulars look gentle and processed. Take a glance under. Galaxy S24 portrait mode. Patrick Holland/CNET Galaxy S24 Plus essential digital camera. Patrick Holland/CNET Galaxy S24 essential digital camera. Patrick Holland/CNET Galaxy S24 Plus 3x telephoto digital camera. Patrick Holland/CNETWhen it involves digital camera high quality, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus can preserve tempo with the Pixel 8 and that iPhone 15 however barely. Take a glance under at images I took of an espresso bar at Four Barrel Coffee in San Francisco with the Pixel 8, iPhone 15 and S24 Plus. It was dim sufficient to problem the cameras on all three telephones whereas not darkish sufficient to activate night time mode.All three images look good. The Pixel 8 and S24 Plus uncovered their images equally and regarded the closest to actual life. The iPhone 15 brightened every thing up, which ends up in a nice-looking photograph but in addition throws off the colour temperature. In phrases of particulars (have a look at the espresso beans within the hopper), the S24 Plus’s photograph regarded a bit gentle, whereas the Pixel 8’s picture was a bit over sharpened, and the iPhone 15’s snap is someplace within the center. Galaxy S24 Plus essential digital camera. Patrick Holland/CNET Pixel 8 essential digital camera. Patrick Holland/CNET iPhone 15 essential digital camera. Patrick Holland/CNETThese outcomes bode nicely particularly for the common S24. But with a $1,000 price ticket, and competing in opposition to the likes of the Pixel 8 Pro and that iPhone 15 Pro, it is onerous to be enthusiastic about what the S24 Plus gives when it comes to pictures. It’s positively succesful, however shouldn’t be the perfect, nor does it come near what’s thought-about to be the perfect cameras on telephones as we speak. And that might be why the Galaxy S24 Ultra exists with its newer and better decision 200-megapixel essential digital camera.Cameras: the new-ish The S24 sequence has AI-powered enhancing instruments. James Martin/CNETBut wait, there’s extra. The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus have a mixture of on-board and cloud enhancing instruments for pictures and movies. The AI-powered instruments enhance the picture high quality and assist repair facets of the images I take. And these instruments supply a glimpse at how AI may assist telephones take higher images as they grow old.In the Gallery app, I can faucet and maintain on any video whereas it is enjoying and switch it immediately into slow-mo (the AI generates and provides frames to the video). The expertise is enjoyable and just like the saying goes, every thing seems to be higher in sluggish movement.Then there’s the over-the-top Generative Edit (just like the Pixel 8’s Magic Editor and based mostly on the identical underlying Google expertise) that may delete objects and other people from a photograph and fill within the empty area. I’ve but to see a flawless outcome, as there’s at all times a visual remnant or halo indicating that one thing is off. I can use the identical instrument to maneuver objects and other people, even altering their measurement, which is simply enjoyable and ridiculous. Notice the corners on the desk. Can you inform which nook had the espresso cup on it initially? Patrick Holland/CNETI discover that mundane fixes are essentially the most helpful. I can use the identical Generative Edit instrument to straighten images. I do not like Dutch Angles besides in Hitchcock movies, Terry Gilliam motion pictures and, in fact, Power Rangers. I take pleasure in leveling a photograph’s horizon, which on most telephones often means cropping in to get the specified outcome. On the S24 and S24 Plus Generative Edit can fill within the elements of a photograph, past the body that weren’t even there eliminating the necessity to crop in. The outcomes are good; see under. Can you inform the sides of the photograph have been generated by AI? Patrick Holland/CNETThe Gallery app has one other trick. I can swipe as much as see a photograph’s metadata and little buttons/tags seem with suggestions to make things better. Nearly each photograph appears to get a “remaster” tag, which in my testing means brightening elements of the photograph.The “erase reflections” repair works nicely sufficient. Take a have a look at the 2 images under, the decreased gentle glare is noticeable however on the outcomes can generally be hit-or-miss. The instrument ought to actually be referred to as “reduce reflections” as an alternative. The unique photograph. Patrick Holland/CNET After the reflections have been decreased. Patrick Holland/CNETOn the entire, the AI photograph and video options really feel extra experimental than reliable.Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus remaining phrase Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus James Martin/CNETAfter days of testing the S24 and S24 Plus by enjoying video games, texting and calling in a number of languages, taking images, recording movies and attempting out all that Galaxy AI has to supply, I’m completely satisfied to say each these telephones are excellent. Samsung did not reinvent the telephone, however it did take two nice telephones and make them higher.The problem for the S24 Plus is that Google’s Pixel 8 Pro has the identical worth and barely higher cameras. I do assume the S24 Plus is an total higher telephone in practically each different respect, even software program, which has been rock stable in my testing.And the problem for the S24 is that you may get a OnePlus 12 for a similar worth or save $100 and get a Pixel 8. I’ve used each the Pixel 8 and S24 and it is onerous to say one is certainly higher than the opposite. The S24 has a extra mature design, a greater construct and extra steady software program on the time I’m scripting this. The Pixel 8 is best at images and gives distinctive options like calling screening.If you are on a Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus and are feeling inclined to improve, now’s the time. At the top of the day, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus have nice battery life, spectacular efficiency, seven years of software program assist and a few of its Galaxy AI options present promise, however I anticipate extra from the S24 Plus’ digital camera given its $1,000 worth.Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup specs in contrast Samsung Galaxy S24Samsung Galaxy S24 PlusSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraShow measurement, tech, decision, refresh charge 6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.7-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh chargePixel density 416 ppi509 ppi501 ppiDimensions (inches) 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3 in6.24 x 3 x 0.3 in6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 inDimensions (millimeters) 147 x 71 x 7.6 mm158 x 76 x 7.6 mm163 x 79 x 8.6 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 168 g (5.93oz)197 g (6.95 oz)233 g (8.22 oz) Mobile software program Android 14Android 14Android 14Camera 50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)200-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto)Front-facing digital camera 12-megapixel 12-megapixel 12-megapixelVideo seize 8K8K8KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Storage and RAM 8GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneBattery 4,000 mAh4,900 mAh5,000 mAhFingerprint sensor Under showUnder showUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneSpecial options 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6E2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6ETitanium body, 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and dirt resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different gadgets; built-in S Pen; UWB for locating different gadgets; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Armor cowl glassUS worth begins at $800 (128GB)$1,000 (256GB)$1,300 (256GB)UK worth begins at £799 (128GB)£999 (256GB)£1,249 (256GB)Australia worth begins at AU$1,399 (256GB)AU$1,699 (256GB)AU$2,199 (256GB) How we check phonesEvery telephone examined by CNET’s critiques staff is definitely utilized in the true world. We check a telephone’s options, play video games and take images. We study the show to see if it is shiny, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water-resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes, utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark in addition to our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and enjoying graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.All the cameras are examined in a wide range of situations, from shiny daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like night time mode and portrait mode and evaluate our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally take a look at the battery life by utilizing the telephone day by day in addition to working a sequence of battery drain checks.Editors’ be aware: CNET is utilizing an AI engine to assist create some tales. For extra, see this submit.