Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Android's AI-Powered Flagship

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Android’s AI-Powered Flagship

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra represents the pinnacle of Android smartphones, packed with AI-powered features, a versatile camera system, and the productivity-focused S Pen. After extensive testing, here’s our comprehensive review of this flagship device.

Design and Build Quality

The S24 Ultra maintains Samsung’s premium design language with subtle refinements:

Build Specifications:

  • Titanium frame with Gorilla Glass Armor
  • 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
  • IP68 water and dust resistance
  • S Pen integrated into the body
  • Available in Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow

Physical Characteristics:

  • Dimensions: 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm
  • Weight: 232g (heavier due to titanium and large battery)
  • Premium feel with excellent build quality
  • Flat display design improves S Pen usability

The titanium construction feels premium and provides better durability than previous aluminum frames.

Display: Visual Excellence

The display is one of the S24 Ultra’s strongest features:

Display Specifications:

  • 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 2X (3120 x 1440)
  • 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz)
  • Peak brightness: 2,600 nits
  • HDR10+ support
  • Always-on display with customizable options

The screen is incredibly bright, making it easily readable in direct sunlight. Colors are vibrant yet accurate, and the 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and responsive touch input.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Power

Performance is flagship-level across all scenarios:

Processor and Memory:

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (overclocked version)
  • 12GB RAM standard
  • Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
  • No microSD expansion
  • Excellent thermal management

Real-World Performance:

  • Smooth multitasking and app switching
  • Excellent gaming performance with sustained framerates
  • Fast app loading and camera processing
  • No noticeable lag or stuttering

Camera System: Versatile Photography

The quad-camera system offers tremendous versatility:

Camera Specifications:

  • Main: 200MP with OIS (f/1.7)
  • Ultra-wide: 12MP (f/2.2)
  • Telephoto 1: 10MP with 3x zoom (f/2.4)
  • Telephoto 2: 50MP with 5x zoom (f/3.4)
  • Front: 12MP (f/2.2)

Camera Performance:

  • Excellent detail and dynamic range
  • Outstanding zoom capabilities (up to 100x Space Zoom)
  • Great low-light performance
  • AI-enhanced scene optimization
  • Pro video features with 8K recording

The camera system is particularly strong for zoom photography, offering usable results even at extreme magnifications.

S Pen: Productivity Powerhouse

The integrated S Pen remains a unique selling point:

S Pen Features:

  • 4,096 pressure levels
  • Air Actions for remote control
  • Note-taking directly on locked screen
  • Samsung Notes integration
  • Screen-off memo functionality
  • Translation and text extraction tools

The S Pen experience is smooth and natural, making it genuinely useful for note-taking, sketching, and precise navigation.

AI Features: Galaxy AI Integration

Samsung introduces comprehensive AI capabilities:

Key AI Features:

  • Circle to Search: Search anything on screen
  • Live Translate: Real-time conversation translation
  • Note Assist: AI-powered note organization and summaries
  • Photo Edit: AI object removal and enhancement
  • Transcript Assist: Meeting transcription and summaries

These AI features work well and add genuine utility, though some require internet connectivity.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is solid for a large flagship:

Battery Specifications:

  • 5,000 mAh battery capacity
  • 45W fast wired charging
  • 15W wireless charging
  • 4.5W reverse wireless charging
  • No charger included in box

Real-World Battery Life:

  • Heavy usage: 6-8 hours screen-on time
  • Moderate usage: Full day with 20-30% remaining
  • Excellent standby time
  • Fast charging provides 0-70% in about 45 minutes

Software: One UI 6.1

Samsung’s One UI continues to improve:

Software Features:

  • Based on Android 14
  • 7 years of OS updates promised
  • Extensive customization options
  • Good Lock modules for advanced tweaking
  • DeX mode for desktop-like experience

One UI feels mature and polished, though some may prefer stock Android’s simplicity.

Pros and Cons

Pros ✅

  • Outstanding display quality and brightness
  • Versatile camera system with excellent zoom
  • Integrated S Pen functionality
  • Premium titanium build quality
  • Strong performance and gaming capabilities
  • Comprehensive AI features
  • Long software support commitment
  • Good battery life for the size

Cons ❌

  • Very expensive ($1,299+)
  • Large and heavy design
  • No microSD card expansion
  • Some AI features require internet
  • Bixby still less capable than Google Assistant
  • Charging speeds lag behind some competitors

Who Should Buy This?

Ideal for:

  • Power users who want maximum features
  • Note-taking enthusiasts and creative professionals
  • Mobile photography enthusiasts
  • Business users needing productivity tools
  • Android users wanting the best Samsung experience

Consider alternatives if: You prefer smaller phones, want better value, or don’t need S Pen functionality.

Alternatives to Consider

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max: For iOS users wanting similar flagship features
  • Google Pixel 8 Pro: For pure Android experience and computational photography
  • OnePlus 12: For better value with similar performance

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5 stars

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is an exceptional Android flagship that successfully combines premium build quality, outstanding cameras, unique S Pen functionality, and useful AI features. While expensive, it offers tremendous value for power users who can utilize its comprehensive feature set.

Best for: Android enthusiasts and power users who want the ultimate Samsung smartphone experience.

Check Samsung’s website and major retailers for current pricing, trade-in deals, and carrier promotions.