Galaxy S24 Plus Hands-On: Samsung’s Ultra Might Not Be the One to Buy

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 Ultra at its Unpacked occasion earlier this month, you would be forgiven in case you forgot that there have been two different telephones launched: the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. The hype for the Ultra (and the Galaxy Ring) principally overshadowed the opposite two. And that is a disgrace as a result of after utilizing the S24 and S24 Plus for the previous two days, I’m beginning to suppose that the very best Samsung telephone to get in 2024 may not be the Ultra.
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Most of my time has been spent testing the Galaxy S24 Plus which has been an absolute delight. If the S24 Plus had been an illustration, it will principally be the Venn diagram overlap between the common S24 and the S24 Ultra. But this yr, the S24 Plus skews a bit extra in direction of the Ultra, and the Ultra skews a bit dearer, due to a $100 value enhance. All of this has turn into a little bit of a conundrum for me as I obtained to know the S24 Plus higher. Is the $1,000 (£999, AU$1,699) Galaxy S24 Plus a poor man’s Ultra?Read extra: Best Android Phone of 2024While its aluminum design, squared off sides and that iPhone-like rounded corners are only a greater model of the common S24, the Galaxy S24 Plus has a brand new display screen that has the identical decision because the S24 Ultra. In truth, because the S24 Plus has a smaller 6.7-inch show, in comparison with the 6.8-inch one on the Ultra, the Plus really has a better pixel density. It’s solely an 8-pixel distinction and I do know most individuals cannot see it. I am unable to see it myself, however in my coronary heart I do know it is extra and that is one thing.The Plus and Ultra have the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, display screen brightness and determination, RAM, Galaxy AI options and storage choices (besides 1TB is reserved just for the Ultra). The Ultra is product of titanium as a substitute of aluminum, has an ever-so-slightly greater battery, homes an S Pen and, in fact, has higher cameras (on paper).But now that the Ultra is $1,300, it prices $300 greater than the S24 Plus. While I want to check the S24 Plus extra to see if that $300 hole is value it or not, the Plus has already made an impression on me after simply a few days.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Come in Yellow, Violet, Gray and Black
See all images During my testing, the S24 Plus lasted two days on a single cost, ending the second day at 11 p.m. with the battery at 11%. The S24 Plus has a bigger 4,900-mAh battery than final yr’s S23 Plus, which has a 4,700-mAh battery. The first day of use concerned a whole lot of downloading, having the display screen on at full brightness for a photoshoot within the morning after which conserving the display screen at full brightness for a video shoot within the afternoon. And that was all whereas making an attempt out new options like Circle to Search all through the day. The Plus’ battery ended the primary day at 38%.The second day was a bit extra regular when it comes to my workflow. I attempted extra new AI options. The telephone can increase a photograph’s body to point out components that had been reduce off, and it may erase an object from a picture. I’m obsessive about conserving the horizons on my images stage (sorry, my dad was an architect) so with the ability to straighten a photograph after which use the S24 Plus’ onboard AI, referred to as Generative Edit, to create new edges appeared too good to be true. The outcomes weren’t nice, however they weren’t horrible both.I had the same expertise utilizing the identical Generative Edit device on images. The untouched picture under is of my CNET colleague Mariel Myers. My unique picture of Mariel. Patrick Holland/CNETTake a glance under at one other model of the picture. Using the edit device, I moved the striped pillow, enlarged it and repositioned it above Mariel’s head. I additionally straightened the picture, then let the AI do its factor. The outcomes? For higher or worse, it is apparent that one thing has been altered, but it surely’s nonetheless enjoyable. The fill across the picture’s edges and the background fill the place the sofa pillow was look off. Note that the underside left nook now has a tiny AI watermark to let you realize that the picture was altered. The picture’s EXIF knowledge additionally features a “Modified with Generative edit” label. Can you inform one thing is completely different? And I’m not speaking concerning the large floating pillow. Patrick Holland/CNETI did yet one more model, which you’ll see under. This time I moved the espresso cup from the desk, enlarged it and positioned it above Mariel’s head. The S24 Plus did a greater job filling issues in right here. The a part of the desk the telephone’s AI generated to fill in the place the espresso cup was seems to be first rate on a primary look. If you look nearer although, you’ll be able to inform one thing was altered on that nook. More AI photo-editing enjoyable. Patrick Holland/CNETLet’s come again to the Circle To Search characteristic. It ought to actually be referred to as Circle To Buy — it is like having Google Lens constructed proper into the display screen. If there’s a picture being proven on an internet site, app or social feed you’ll be able to circle it, or part of it, to start out an on the spot Google search.I got here throughout a photograph of a canine carrying sun shades whereas on Instagram (which I instantly appreciated in fact). I pressed and held the house button for a second, then circled the canine within the picture. Search outcomes for bulldogs populated the underside of the display screen. I attempted the characteristic once more on the identical picture, this time circling the canine’s sun shades. The search outcomes confirmed that the glasses had been from Prada (this was clearly a elaborate canine) and included a number of completely different choices to purchase them. And no, although I used to be tempted, I didn’t.The S24 Plus has the identical cameras on the again because the S23 Plus: a trio of huge, ultrawide and telephoto lenses. The foremost digicam has a 50-megapixel sensor. Below are a number of images I took with the primary digicam and as you’ll be able to see in good lighting, photos look nice. No shock there. Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus foremost digicam. Patrick Holland/CNET Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus foremost digicam. Patrick Holland/CNET Shot on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus foremost digicam. Patrick Holland/CNETSo after two days, I can solely come to at least one conclusion concerning the Galaxy S24 Plus: I’ve much more testing to do. My full impressions shall be coming quickly in a future overview. I’m hopeful that I’ll have the ability to clear up my Ultra vs. Plus conundrum, too.Editors’ observe: CNET is utilizing an AI engine to assist create some tales. For extra, see this put up. Watch this: Samsung Reveals Its New S24 Series Phones and Their AI Chops
06:47 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs vs. Galaxy S24 Plus, Galaxy S24 Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 PlusSamsung Galaxy S24 Display measurement, tech, decision, refresh fee 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.7-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.2-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh ratePixel density 501 ppi509 ppi416 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in.6.24 x 3 x 0.3 in.5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3 in.Dimensions (millimeters) 163 x 79 x 8.6 mm158 x 76 x 7.6 mm147 x 71 x 7.6 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 233 g (8.22 oz.) 197 g (6.95 oz.)168 g (5.93 oz.)Mobile software program Android 14Android 14Android 14Digital camera 200-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto)50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)50-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (telephoto)Front-facing digicam 12-megapixel12-megapixel 12-megapixel Video seize 8K8K8KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3RAM/storage 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB8GB RAM + 128GB, 256GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneBattery 5,000 mAh4,900 mAh4,000 mAhFingerprint sensor Under showUnder showUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneSpecial options Titanium body, 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and mud resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units; built-in S Pen; UWB for locating different units; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Armor cowl glass2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and mud resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units; 45W 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 mud resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 6EUS value begins at $1,300 (256GB)$1,000 (256GB)$800 (128GB)UK value begins at £1,249 (256GB)£999 (256GB)£799 (128GB)Australia value begins at AU$2,199 (256GB)AU$1,699 (256GB)AU$1,399 (256GB)