Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra initial review: The pursuit of perfection

Every 12 months, it looks like cellphone bulletins — significantly within the U.S. — get much less and fewer thrilling. We’ve begun to see diminishing returns in {hardware} innovation of ordinary slab telephones, and even enormous processing or software program developments now not maintain the load of pleasure they as soon as had. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 sequence matches fairly completely into this description, as my colleague Harish Jonnalagadda wrote shortly after the cellphone sequence’ announcement.But there’s magnificence within the pursuit of perfection. Radical innovation or revolution is not all the time essential, significantly when a product is nearly as good because the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It not often does something new, nevertheless it does do nearly every part extraordinarily nicely. In a nutshell, Samsung took among the finest options of a Google Pixel and put them within the extra dependable {hardware} of a Samsung Galaxy cellphone with out eradicating any of the options Samsung followers know and love.I actually have my nitpicks — the digicam nonetheless struggles to seize movement, I hate the uncomfortable sq. corners, and the PWM charge nonetheless bothers my eyes when there’s not sufficient ambient gentle — however what Samsung delivered within the Galaxy S24 Ultra is nothing wanting pure excellence. It reveals an organization keen to innovate the place it’s a necessity and unwilling to maneuver when it isn’t.It’s the very best new Android cellphone you should buy, however provided that you possibly can afford it.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Price and availability(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Galaxy S24 Ultra ships with a base of 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM for $1,299. Samsung is now not providing the cheaper mannequin with lowered RAM this 12 months because it did with earlier Ultra fashions, though the very best Galaxy S24 Ultra offers can get you upgraded to 512GB or 1TB of storage for lower than you would possibly count on.The Galaxy S24 Ultra ships in Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Yellow, and Titanium Violet colorways at your favourite retailer or provider. Buying from Samsung.com grants entry to Titanium Orange, Titanium Blue, and Titanium Green colorways.All Galaxy S24 telephones include seven years of OS and safety updates, a primary for Samsung telephones.For this preliminary overview, I spent 10 days with an unlocked Galaxy S24 Ultra supplied by Samsung working One UI 6.1.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Design and show(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Galaxy Note’s DNA runs as deeply by way of the Galaxy S24 Ultra because it has for the previous few years, and also you’re both going to like or hate Samsung’s boxy design right here. I discover a big cellphone with sq. corners very uncomfortable, nevertheless it additionally signifies that few telephones look fairly like a Galaxy S Ultra.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySamsung Galaxy S24 UltraDisplay6.8-inch AMOLED (2,600 nits)ResolutionQHD+Refresh charge120Hz (1-120); 240Hz contact samplingProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for GalaxyReminiscence12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB storageCamera 1 (Main)200MP (OIS), Laser Auto Focus (LAF), f1.7Camera 2 (Ultrawide)12MP, f2.2, 120-degree FoVCamera 3 (Telephoto)10MP (OIS), f2.4, 3x optical zoomCamera 4 (Telephoto)50MP (OIS) 2PD, f3.4, 5x optical zoomSelfie Digicam12 MP (2PD AF), f2.2Battery5,000mAhCharging45W; 15W (wi-fi)ProtectionIP68; Gorilla Armor Glass; Titanium frameConnectivitySub-6/ mmWave 5G; Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.3; UWBDimensions & weight6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in, 8.22ozColorsTitanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Yellow, and Titanium Violet, Titanium Orange, Titanium Blue, Titanium GreenSamsung’s addition of a titanium body this 12 months is essentially gimmicky, nevertheless it signifies that the Galaxy S24 Ultra feels much more premium than any earlier Galaxy S Ultra. There’s one thing palpably extra high quality feeling about titanium over aluminum, and the matte texture means it is each simpler to grip and would not appeal to fingerprints like Armor Aluminum on the S22/S23 Ultra.The titanium body feels splendidly premium, and the anti-glare layer on the flat show is nothing wanting perfection.While digicam islands are nonetheless off-center and raised fairly a bit — resulting in wobble when positioned on a desk — the very best Galaxy S24 Ultra circumstances all remedy this downside. If you are like me and usually do not like utilizing circumstances, slapping a Thinborne case on it would make it really feel nearly caseless whereas fixing this annoying downside.Beyond simply the body, Samsung has flattened the show for the primary time within the historical past of the sequence, even when the precise glass itself remains to be barely curved on the edges. A flat show means discovering an incredible display screen protector is straightforward however I’m maintaining one off of mine for a number of causes.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)First off, Samsung’s use of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor signifies that display screen protectors make this perform almost unusable. Samsung can be utilizing a model new era of Corning Gorilla Glass, dubbed Gorilla Armor. As assessments present, this new glass is almost unscratchable except you are rubbing the show towards stone.Beyond that, display screen protectors take away among the best options of the brand new show: the anti-glare filter.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The distinction this anti-glare filter makes is nothing wanting astounding. In the picture above, you possibly can see the Galaxy S24 Ultra with a tempered glass display screen protector put in on the left. The proper facet is what it seems like out of the field.The show is simpler to see, has a greater PWM charge, and options extra pure colours.This is without doubt one of the finest enhancements Samsung has ever added to its shows, and it makes seeing the Galaxy S24 Ultra simpler in any gentle. If extra shows applied this kind of anti-glare filter, we would not be seeing the obnoxious brightness race elevate a lot.However, some have identified that this new anti-glare filter has one massive detrimental impact: washing out colours. So, I in contrast the out-of-the-box vivid configuration between the Galaxy S23 Ultra (left) to the Galaxy S24 Ultra (proper) with a really vivid character on display screen.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Image compression possible adjustments the outcomes a bit, however there isn’t any manner somebody would assume this show is much less vibrant than different Samsung AMOLED shows except they have been evaluating these telephones facet by facet.In reality, even a slight discount in saturation is an effective factor. Samsung’s shows have been so over-saturated for generations now that it is a breath of recent air to see the corporate trending towards extra practical colours out of the field. If you need much more pure colours, you may also change to the pure coloration palette.PWM measurements(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)As anticipated, the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes use of PWM dimming in any respect brightness ranges, and there isn’t any choice to allow DC-like dimming of the show at excessive brightness ranges, as is the case with another new telephones just like the OnePlus 12.However, Samsung did one thing fully surprising this 12 months: they elevated the PWM frequency to 492Hz, up from 240Hz. This is the kind of development we have wanted to see from Samsung for years, and it signifies that they’ve lastly barely exceeded the PWM charge Apple makes use of for its OLED telephones.For me, which means I can use the Galaxy S24 Ultra for substantial quantities of time with out having to put on my astigmatism-correcting glasses throughout the day. At evening or on cloudy days, the flickering show nonetheless negatively impacts me, nevertheless it takes lots longer than when I attempt to use a Galaxy S23 Ultra, which provides me eye aches and complications inside seconds.It’s extremely refreshing to see Samsung make these adjustments, making me eager for the way forward for AMOLED-powered telephones.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra software program, efficiency, and battery life(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)With the Galaxy S24 household, Samsung has firmly declared 2024 to be the 12 months of AI. Thankfully, for anybody who purchased a 2023 Galaxy cellphone, these options are additionally coming to your machine. Galaxy AI encompasses a set of a dozen instruments – some new, some repackaged present ones – that intention to create a extra useful expertise.Most experiences require cloud connectivity to work, although. Worse, Samsung might cost for these cloud-connected experiences in two years except the phrases change. But, will you actually care a lot about these cloud-connected experiences outdoors of some area of interest situations?My guess is, no.Here’s an inventory of the options that work with none web connectivity in any respect:Edit recommendations for photosPhoto Ambient WallpaperTranslation options (Calls, Interpreter, Messages)Instant Slow-Mo(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Funny sufficient, these have been the one options I discovered myself utilizing on any form of common foundation. It’s not that the opposite cloud-connected options are ineffective, it is simply that they are not one thing I care a lot about. These are the options you must be related to the web to make use of.Auto FormatCircle to SearchGenerate CowlGenerative EditGenerative WallpaperMagic Compose TextingSummary (Samsung Internet, Samsung Notes, Voice Recorder)Writing AssistThe lone exception was Google Circle to Search, a function that is not even unique to the Galaxy S24 household within the first place. In brief, all the above options work fairly nicely and are extraordinarily helpful while you want them. I’m glad Samsung added them, and I feel these types of instruments will considerably improve the smartphone expertise going ahead.You’re simply not going to search out your self utilizing them daily, and that is most likely simply wonderful.Ray-tracing on a cellphone is a gimmick. Thankfully, battery life and efficiency right here are usually not.On the efficiency entrance, I can not ask for far more of a smartphone. While the Galaxy S24 helps ray-tracing options, it is largely a gimmick that you just will not see most video games implementing in any manner for a really very long time.It’s a kind of bullet factors on a spec sheet that appears good however has little or no actual worth. The actual use of ray-tracing capabilities on a GPU is one thing like DLSS, which makes use of AI processing to boost graphics and efficiency over what pure silicon enhancements can.The battery lifetime of the Galaxy S24 Ultra is nothing wanting stupendous in each regard. I used to be in a position to pull round two days out of a single cost all through your entire overview interval (10 days, as of this writing), and that is pushing 100% brightness your entire time due to my sensitivity to PWM-dimmed shows.Samsung has lengthy lagged behind opponents on charging velocity, and whereas I fully agree with my colleague Namerah about Samsung’s want to extend charging speeds, having two-day battery life helps me overlook about this plea even just a bit bit.A 30W charger (the S24 Ultra helps as much as 45W) was ready so as to add 36% battery in 20 minutes (30% to 66%), which is greater than sufficient cost to get me by way of one other 24 hours of use. Still, it is onerous to search out this acceptable when the OnePlus 12 goes from beneath 15% to 100% battery in the identical time-frame.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Cameras(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Cameras have lengthy been one in all my favourite elements of the smartphone expertise, however Samsung telephones have not often graced my record of favourite smartphone cameras. That adjustments with the Galaxy S24 Ultra which now earns the highest spot for me, regardless of one main setback.Let’s get this out of the way in which first: the Galaxy S24 Ultra nonetheless struggles to seize good photographs of issues in movement. Whether it is a squirmy pet, a hyper child, or one thing else transferring, it is possible the S24 Ultra may have a tough time capturing an image that is not blurry.Samsung nonetheless struggles to seize objects in movement, however the remainder of the digicam expertise makes up for this missing space.Ignore all these occasions Samsung stated it “fixed” its digicam. It did not, and it is past irritating to see the Pixel 8 Pro pummel the S24 Ultra so handily on this explicit space.Image 1 of twoTesting the movement seize capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra utilizing the minimal processing possibility(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Testing out movement seize capabilities of the Google Pixel 8 Pro foremost digicam sensor(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)I’ve repeated the above take a look at one million occasions in one million totally different conditions and it by no means makes a distinction. Samsung wants to repair this and it wants to repair it now. It’s embarrassing, significantly contemplating how totally the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s digicam trounces the competitors in many of the remainder of the assessments.With that out of the way in which, let’s rapidly go over the remainder of the assessments. Check out my Galaxy S24 Ultra digicam overview if you need all of the nitty-gritty particulars.Image 1 of 8A 10x telephoto digicam pattern from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 10x telephoto digicam pattern from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 5x telephoto digicam pattern from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 5x telephoto digicam pattern from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 5x telephoto digicam pattern from the Google Pixel 8 Pro(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 3x telephoto digicam pattern from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 3x telephoto digicam pattern from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)A 3x telephoto digicam pattern from the Google Pixel 8 Pro(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s telephoto cameras win in each lighting situation I examined them in. The result’s a clearer, extra detailed photograph that appears higher from each angle. We anxious concerning the change from a 10x optical lens to a 5x optical lens when the cellphone was introduced, however the brand new 50MP sensor behind the optics greater than makes up for the distinction.The remainder of the digicam expertise is fairly much like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, although, which is essentially an excellent factor. Samsung improved the processing on the primary sensor so it seems extra prefer it got here from a correct digicam as an alternative of a smartphone, and video seize is nearly as good as you’d count on from a Galaxy S Ultra cellphone.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: competitors(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)At this value degree, the one actual competitors for the Galaxy S24 Ultra within the U.S. is the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s an unimaginable cellphone with a tremendous digicam, Apple’s long-term software program help (that Samsung lastly matches), and that ecosystem that folks particularly change to Apple for.Thankfully, Samsung challenges all of those key factors with its Galaxy ecosystem of merchandise, interoperability with almost all Samsung electronics in the marketplace, and deep ties and partnerships with firms like Google. No cellphone in the marketplace can compete with the iPhone like a Samsung Galaxy can, however that additionally means Samsung has stiff competitors on this value bracket.On the Android facet, almost all the very best Android telephones price a lot lower than a Galaxy S24 Ultra. The OnePlus 12 launched for $799 with the identical quantity of RAM and storage as Samsung presents at $1,299. Its digicam would not match Samsung’s usually — portrait mode being the most important exception — however OxygenOS is a incredible expertise and a UI that I want over Samsung’s One UI.Likewise, the Pixel 8 Pro presents the Pixel expertise with updates straight from Google, quarterly Pixel Feature Drops, and main software program updates, in addition to the very best digicam for folk with squirmy youngsters and pets. But Pixels have lengthy had reliability points, and the inner Tensor G3 processor is not precisely the very best in the marketplace.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)You can purchase this if…You need the very best Android cellphone ever made.A high-quality digicam is necessary to you.You like to carry on to your cellphone for years.You should not purchase this if…You have youngsters or pets that do not maintain nonetheless for photographs.You’re extraordinarily PWM-sensitive.You’re not comfy with spending $1,300 or extra on a cellphone.Anyone utilizing a Galaxy S23 Ultra proper now should not hassle upgrading. The new anti-glare filter is unimaginable, and I hope to see it on extra Samsung telephones sooner or later, however S23 Ultra house owners can at the least partly replicate the impact with an anti-glare display screen protector in the intervening time.The upgraded PWM charge on the S24 Ultra is an enormous deal for the longer term. You could also be okay with out it if the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s display screen would not offer you eye aches or complications.But there’s one thing to be stated about Samsung’s worth right here, regardless of the value. A $1,300 beginning value is not any laughing matter, nevertheless it’s additionally the primary time Samsung has promised to maintain the cellphone up to date and related for seven years. That, alone, may be well worth the improve for anybody who likes to carry on to their telephones for some time.S23 Ultra house owners should not hassle upgrading, however everybody else ought to critically contemplate this as the very best new premium decide.On a extra private notice, I’ve been so pleasantly shocked with the Galaxy S24 Ultra since I began utilizing it ten days in the past, and I can not wait to place extra time into this machine. Last 12 months, I used to be prepared to maneuver on from the most recent Samsung machine due to how its shows made me really feel sick, and now I can lastly use one once more with out ache.Not solely that, however Samsung’s wonderful developments in digicam high quality imply that I’ll now not attain for the Pixel 8 Pro simply to take an incredible image. My son is sufficiently old now to the place he’ll truly maintain nonetheless for an image, so my foremost grievance concerning the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s digicam should not maintain a lot weight for my private life anymore.On high of that, One UI 6.1’s new AI options are genuinely intriguing, and I can not wait to check extra of the interpretation options after I go to Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress in lower than a month. Until then, I’ll be enjoying round with Instant Slow-Mo as typically as humanly attainable and utilizing Galaxy AI to take away undesirable reflections and shadows from photographs.For now, there’s little doubt in my head that that is the very best premium Android expertise cash should buy, significantly when you’re within the U.S. and do not have an excessive amount of alternative.