Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Reigning King of Android Phones Gets AI-Powered Upgrades

In 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will have a titanium frame, a new Snapdragon Gen 3 chip, and a complete range of AI tools, making it an even more versatile flagship phone.

Samsung’s latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, has been reviewed and the verdict is in the AI capabilities of this device are truly impressive.

For nearly a decade, the Galaxy Note was the undisputed king of Android phones. However, with the retirement of the OG phablet line in 2020, the title passed on to the Galaxy S Ultra. While Samsung’s hardware has always been dominant, the software in Google phones has steadily been outshining anything available from Samsung. But fear not, because armed with a new suite of AI-powered features, the Galaxy S24 Ultra (S24U) has received exactly what it needed to maintain its spot atop the Android battlefield.

Design and Display: Now with Titanium

The S24 Ultra boasts three main areas of improvement: design, cameras, and Samsung’s new AI tools. The major change in its build is the switch to a new titanium frame, following in Apple’s footsteps with the iPhone 15 Pro. While this might not earn Samsung points for originality, the weight remains unchanged from its predecessor due to the previous Ultra’s aluminum chassis. The S24U weighs in at 232 grams, just two grams lighter than the S23 Ultra.

Other subtle changes include a new matte finish, an upgrade to Corning’s Gorilla Armor for enhanced durability, and reduced borders around the display by 42 percent. The display itself remains exceptional, with a 6.8-inch OLED panel, a variable 120Hz rate, and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Samsung’s improved Vision Booster adds an additional 300 nits of perceived brightness, ensuring that everything on the screen looks stunning no matter where you are.

Performance: Setting a New Bar for Speed

Inside the S24 Ultra, you’ll find the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC from Qualcomm. Benchmark scores show that the S24U’s multi-core performance is 30 to 35 percent higher than its predecessor. Whether you’re playing games or switching between apps, the S24U provides an incredibly snappy experience. The phone also features a 92 percent larger vapor chamber, ensuring that it stays cool even under sustained loads. With 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB, the S24U is well-equipped to handle any task.

Cameras: A More Usable 5x Optical Zoom

The S24 Ultra retains three of its predecessor’s cameras: a 200-MP main sensor, a 10-MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12-MP telephoto shooter with a 3x optical zoom. The main upgrade lies in swapping out the previous 10x lens for a 5x optical zoom paired with a higher-res 50-MP sensor. This change reflects the fact that 5x is the most widely used focal length aside from the main camera. Despite the decrease in zoom range, the S24U compensates with its increased sensor resolution, allowing for surprisingly sharp images even with the digital zoom.

In photo comparisons with competing devices, the S24U produces rich, detailed images on par with the Pixel 8 Pro. Low-light performance is impressive as well, with the S24U’s Night Mode rivaling Google’s Night Sight.

Software: Samsung’s Big Push into AI

Samsung’s Galaxy AI features take center stage in the S24 Ultra. Divided into three main categories—text and translation, photography and editing, and search—these AI-powered tools offer a range of functionalities. Whether you need interpreter mode, live translation, chat assistance, or AI-generated edits for images, the S24U has you covered. The AI also enhances the S-Pen’s capabilities, making it more useful for tasks such as transcription.

While Samsung’s AI tools generally function as expected, they lack the polished and streamlined experience of Google’s alternatives. Some features, such as auto-formatting and summarization in the Notes app, have word limits that can be limiting. Additionally, the AI may suggest edits that don’t make sense in certain scenarios. Nonetheless, it’s commendable that Samsung has made a significant push into AI-assisted features, bolstering its flagship handset with software upgrades.

Battery Life: Nearing Two Days of Juice

Thanks to the power efficiency gains from its new processor and a large 5,000 mAh battery, the S24 Ultra delivers impressive longevity. In tests, it lasted over 24 hours, and in real-world usage, it often has more than 50 percent battery remaining after 24 hours. Depending on your usage, the S24U is capable of lasting up to two days without needing to be recharged.

Wrap-Up

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra combines top-of-the-line hardware with AI-powered software upgrades. While AI may seem like a ubiquitous feature these days, Samsung’s AI suite effectively enhances the device’s functionality. With a tough titanium frame, a faster chip, a brighter display, enhanced cameras, and the inclusion of AI tools, the S24U is a commanding device.

However, its price remains a sticking point, starting at $1,300, $100 more than its predecessor. It is also disappointing that Samsung has yet to adopt the Qi 2 wireless charging standard, which has been approved since last year. Nevertheless, the S24 Ultra stands out as a powerful and well-rounded handset, and Samsung’s commitment to software support for seven years reassures users of long-term OS and security updates.

🔗 References: – Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra EventiPhone 15 ProGoogle PhonesPixel Phones Circle to SearchGoogle’s Magic EditorQi 2Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? Have you had a chance to try out its AI features? Share your thoughts in the comments! And don’t forget to share this article on social media! 💻📱