The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Is AI the Future of Android?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is more than just a powerful Android phone; it’s a glimpse into the future of mobile technology, powered by the transformative potential of AI. While AI has been quietly enhancing features in smartphones for years, it now takes center stage, dramatically transforming how we interact with our devices. The Galaxy S24 Ultra leverages the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s on-device AI capabilities to boost productivity, simplify communication, and unlock features that previously required expert knowledge. But with a price tag starting at Rs. 1,29,999, is the Galaxy S24 Ultra worth it? We delve into the details to find out.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Price in India
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s starting price in India is Rs. 1,29,999 for the 12GB RAM, 256GB storage variant. This represents a Rs. 5,000 jump over its predecessor, but Samsung offers tempting deals to offset the cost. The 12GB RAM, 512GB storage variant costs Rs. 1,39,999, while the top-of-the-line 12GB RAM, 1TB storage option is available for Rs. 1,59,999.
Color options include Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Black, with Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange available as online exclusives. The box includes a SIM ejector tool and a USB Type-C cable, but no charger. You’ll need to use an existing charger or purchase one separately for fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Design
While the Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t stray too far from the design of its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra (Review), there are notable refinements. It maintains a similar overall proportion but boasts a flat display that stands out from the curved panels of earlier models. This flat display significantly impacts the phone’s aesthetic, along with the considerably slimmer bezels and a smaller front-facing camera cutout compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The display is protected by Corning’s new Gorilla Armor glass, promising to be four times stronger than previous iterations. Samsung claims it reduces reflections by 75%, evident when comparing it to other smartphones.
Following in Apple’s footsteps, Samsung has incorporated a titanium frame into its high-end flagship. The smartphone exudes premium build quality, and the satin finish provides a secure grip. Notably, the use of titanium has not impacted the device’s weight. A frosted back panel graces the rear, though the specific glass type used remains undisclosed. The Galaxy S24 Ultra holds an IP68 rating, meaning it’s dustproof and can withstand water immersion for up to 30 minutes (1.5m).
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Specifications and Software
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra showcases a stunning 6.82-inch AMOLED display with LTPO-enabled dynamic refresh rate, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. Samsung also guarantees a peak brightness of 2600nits, making the device comfortable to use even in bright sunlight. The display delivers sharp visuals regardless of the content being viewed. The Galaxy S24 Ultra supports HDR10 and HDR10+ but falls short of Dolby Vision.
Powering the extensive feature set is a custom version of Qualcomm’s high-end chip – Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, coupled with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage options ranging up to 1TB. Storage expansion isn’t possible, so choosing the right variant upfront is crucial. The SIM card tray accommodates two nano-SIM cards. Connectivity features include Bluetooth 5.3 LE, NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and a USB Type-C port for charging.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 5,000mAh battery, supporting 45W fast charging. While a charger is absent from the box, the included USB Type-C cable is 3A rated. For maximum charging speeds, a 5A cable and a 45W adapter are needed.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra ships with Android 14-based One UI 6.1 out-of-the-box. One UI 6.1 introduces numerous improvements, most notably the Galaxy AI suite. This suite of powerful AI features will eventually be rolled out to older Galaxy phones, though the on-device AI capabilities of the Galaxy S24 series make it a compelling upgrade. Samsung makes these AI features readily accessible throughout One UI 6.1. A significant software highlight includes seven years of OS updates and security patches. Previously, Samsung offered four years of OS updates and five years of security patches for its flagship series.
One UI 6.1 brings a slew of enhancements, ranging from subtle changes to more significant features. The notification shade has undergone a redesign, quick settings have a new layout, and they can be accessed by swiping down from the right corner of the screen. App animations are smoother, especially when minimizing or maximizing apps. The always-on display now supports notifications, lock screen wallpaper, and widgets.
Galaxy AI features on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Galaxy AI was a major talking point during Samsung’s first Unpacked event of 2024, where the company unveiled its latest Galaxy S24 series smartphones. While many of these generative AI-powered features will eventually trickle down to older Galaxy phones, the on-device AI capabilities of the new Galaxy S24 series remain tempting reasons to upgrade. These AI features are seamlessly integrated into One UI 6.1.
Circle to Search, a feature developed in collaboration with Google, arrived on the Galaxy S24 series before Google’s own devices. Simply tap and hold the Home button to activate it. This feature allows you to select anything on the screen by surrounding it in a circle or scribbling on it – the phone will then search for relevant items. It works across any app or website and consistently hits the mark. You can even combine these image searches with text for additional information.
Galaxy AI also introduces a collection of image editing tools that make Photoshop-level adjustments effortless for anyone. Within the Galaxy app, you can remove objects, recompose images, and remaster them, all on the fly. Generative AI steps in to fill in parts of an image background or fix wonky images. This tool largely delivers excellent results; however, like most generative AI, it occasionally produces outcomes that deviate from expectations.
The ability to remove reflections in photos or seamlessly reposition objects without compromising the overall composition feels like magic. This is achievable without a third-party app and requires zero learning curve. Here’s where Galaxy AI truly excels. All this AI magic happens online, so an active internet connection is required. Images generated with Galaxy AI bear a watermark on the image and in the metadata. Samsung has prioritized privacy while developing these AI-powered features.
Live Translate, another member of the Galaxy AI suite, is invaluable for frequent travelers or those needing to communicate across language barriers. It provides real-time, two-way translation (voice and text) during phone calls within the native Phone app. Powered by on-device AI, privacy is not a concern. You can mute the caller’s voice while retaining the translation.
Chat Assist is another notable addition. It offers translation, grammar, and writing suggestions. Backed by Google’s Gemini AI model, it operates on-device thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. You can check for spelling or grammatical errors in your text messages. Switch writing styles for a more professional or casual tone.
Interpreter caters to travelers. This in-person translator function facilitates communication even when offline, as it operates entirely on-device. Samsung Notes now boasts a range of AI-powered features for translating, grammar correction, text formatting, and generating summaries of longer notes. It can even automatically distinguish between multiple speakers. This feature relies on cloud-based AI, necessitating an active internet connection. The Voice Recorder app can now automatically generate transcripts and summaries using AI.
These are just a few of the standout AI-powered features available on the Galaxy S24 series. Using the Galaxy S24 Ultra or any model in the series, it becomes clear how Samsung has infused its AI magic throughout the entire feature set. These deep OS-level integrations make Galaxy AI stand out and will undoubtedly inspire other Android OEMs to follow suit.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a remarkable 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, boasting a 1440×3120 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 505 ppi (pixels per inch). The flat display and Corning Gorilla Glass Armor contribute significantly to the excellent viewing experience. The glass’s reduced reflectivity makes the smartphone remarkably readable in bright sunlight, making outdoor content consumption a pleasure.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra draws power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC for Galaxy, featuring a higher-clocked prime core. In benchmarks, the Galaxy S24 Ultra attained 19,25,011 points on AnTuTu and scored 2,236 and 6,813 in single-core and multi-core tests, respectively, on Geekbench 6. The Galaxy S24 Ultra managed fps in the GFXBench Car Chase test, demonstrating its graphics capabilities.
In real-world use, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra shines as an ultra-performer in everyday tasks. Apps launch instantly, video editing is effortless, and mobile gaming is lag-free thanks to the phone’s impressive performance. The device features an upgraded vapor chamber that’s 1.9 times larger than its predecessor. Samsung states this helps keep the device cooler for longer. Even during demanding tasks like extended gaming and video editing sessions, the device remained comfortably cool in our tests.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Battery Life
Battery life on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is incredibly impressive considering the battery size hasn’t changed, while the list of supported features has expanded. Even with heavy daily usage, the Galaxy S24 Ultra easily lasted an entire day with a substantial amount of battery remaining.
In our HD video loop battery test, the Galaxy S24 Ultra ran for 23 hours and 2 minutes. With conscious usage (including lowering display resolution), you can potentially stretch battery life to two days.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers 45W fast charging, which might not be the fastest compared to other Android OEMs, but it’s still quite respectable if you can obtain a compatible 45W USB Type-C charger. Using a 45W charger, a 5A-rated cable, I could charge the device to 50% in roughly 28 minutes and achieve a full charge in approximately 75 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 200-megapixel primary rear camera, supplemented by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera. The front hosts a 12-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. These specifications primarily align with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, except for the introduction of a new 5x telephoto camera, replacing the 10x telephoto camera in its predecessor.
The 50-megapixel sensor, featuring 2x wider optical image stabilization, delivers exceptional image quality at 10x. You can achieve optical-quality zoom shots from 6x to 10x, effortlessly zooming in or out without compromising image quality. Dynamic range is also excellent.
The primary 200-megapixel camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, inherited from its predecessor, remains a phenomenal shooter. The sleek camera interface makes capturing breathtaking photos effortlessly. Images are rich in detail with vivid colors in diverse lighting conditions. Night mode excels in low-light scenarios, capturing images with minimal noise and smooth textures.
Samsung has integrated a suite of AI-powered tools under the ProVisual Engine branding, aiming to enhance image quality. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra captures stunning details regardless of the shooting environment.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra can record videos in 8K at up to 30fps using both the primary rear camera and the 5x telephoto camera. All the Galaxy S24 Ultra camera sensors can shoot in 4K at up to 60fps. The primary camera also supports 4K video capture at 120fps for slow-motion videos. You can fine-tune settings in Pro Video mode. The smartphone records audio at a 256kbps bit rate and supports HDR10+ video capture. All cameras benefit from video stabilization.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra shoots brilliant, detailed videos in daylight. The front-facing camera also captures high-quality video with a sufficiently wide field of view to capture plenty of surroundings. Stabilization performs flawlessly, allowing me to record videos while walking and running without any jitters. In low light, the Galaxy S24 Ultra can shoot decent videos using the primary or ultra-wide cameras. However, the same cannot be said for the telephoto lenses.
Instant Slow-mo, another generative AI feature on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, works with any video saved on your phone. Long-press on a video, and the phone can automatically generate frames based on movements, instantly transforming any video into slow-motion. The feature operates surprisingly well, even on videos downloaded or captured on another device.
Verdict
When considering alternatives, Samsung’s own Galaxy S23 Ultra from last year remains a solid option. While you might miss out on the new anti-reflective glass on the flat display or the titanium frame of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the previous model still has a respectable camera setup. For users on older Galaxy S series models, the Galaxy S24 Ultra constitutes a significant upgrade. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 presents another alternative if you’re seeking a foldable device at a somewhat higher price point. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also stands as a more expensive option, with prices starting at Rs. 1,59,900 in India.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a true ultra-device in every sense. If you’re looking to get the best Android smartphone money can buy right now, look no further than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It offers a nearly perfect display, an abundance of AI-powered features cleverly integrated across the user interface, a powerful processor that handles everything with ease, and cameras that consistently deliver on their promise. It’s currently one of the longest-lasting smartphones available, backed by Samsung’s assurance of seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security patches.
