Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: The Ultimate Android Experience

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra brings together a titanium frame, an integrated S Pen and a versatile camera system. This review examines Samsung's published launch specifications and features, covering its design, display, cameras, performance, battery and software. It does not present independently measured performance or battery-life results.

Design and Display

Design: The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a titanium frame and a flat display protected by Corning Gorilla Armor. Its launch colors include Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and Titanium Yellow, with additional online-exclusive colors in selected markets. At 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm and approximately 232g or 233g, depending on the version, it is a large handset; comfort and grip will depend on the user.

Display: The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display has a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels. Its adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, balancing smooth motion and power consumption according to the content. HDR10+ support is available for compatible content. These specifications suit video viewing and gaming, although image quality also depends on the content and viewing conditions.

Camera Capabilities

Rear Camera: The S24 Ultra has four rear cameras: a 200MP wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Samsung also advertises 2x and 10x optical-quality zoom using sensor cropping and processing; these are distinct from the lenses' optical zoom. Nightography and optical image stabilization support low-light photography, but results depend on lighting, movement and settings.

Front Camera: The front camera is a 12MP autofocus camera. Portrait and camera-processing features provide options for selfies, but image detail, skin tones and background separation vary with the scene. This review does not include independent selfie-camera testing.

Performance and Battery Life

Performance: The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy across regions. Samsung's launch configurations pair 12GB of RAM with 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage, subject to market availability. The hardware is designed for demanding apps, multitasking and games; actual responsiveness and frame rates depend on the workload, settings and temperature.

Battery Life: The battery has a typical capacity of 5000mAh. Charging support includes up to 45W wired charging with compatible equipment, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare for compatible devices. The wired charger is sold separately. Battery life and charging speed vary with usage, settings, temperature and charging equipment, so a full day of heavy use cannot be guaranteed from the specifications alone. Power-saving settings can help reduce consumption.

Features and Software Experience

S Pen Integration: The integrated S Pen supports note-taking, drawing and compatible productivity features. Air Actions provide remote controls through supported gestures, and pressure sensitivity helps with writing and drawing. These capabilities are useful for annotation and creative work, but this review does not establish a latency improvement over the previous model.

Software: The S24 Ultra launched with One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. Samsung committed to seven generations of operating-system upgrades and seven years of security updates, with delivery timing varying by market and device. The software supports customization, split-screen multitasking and privacy controls. These are launch details; the installed software version will depend on subsequent updates.

DeX Mode: Samsung DeX provides a desktop-style interface on a compatible external display, with support for a keyboard, mouse and multitasking. Wireless DeX requires a compatible Miracast display. App compatibility and available functions vary; DeX does not turn the phone into a desktop operating system or make every desktop application available.

Connectivity and Audio Experience

Connectivity: The Galaxy S24 Ultra supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. Connection speeds depend on network coverage, service and compatible equipment. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) supports precise nearby finding with compatible accessories. Quick Share handles supported file transfers using Bluetooth discovery and Wi-Fi Direct.

Audio: The S24 Ultra has stereo speakers and supports Dolby Atmos. These features provide options for media playback and spatial-audio processing with compatible content and settings. Sound quality and call clarity depend on the listening environment and connection; this review does not include measured speaker or microphone tests.

Potential Use Cases

Gaming: The chipset and adaptive-refresh display provide a strong specification base for mobile gaming. Game Booster offers gaming-related performance and battery-management controls. Samsung states that the vapor chamber is 1.9 times larger than the S23 Ultra's, helping manage heat during demanding use. This does not guarantee constant high frame rates or a cool handset under every load.

Photography and Videography: The camera system supports a range of focal lengths and shooting options. Video recording reaches up to 8K at 30fps. Pro mode and Super Steady provide additional controls and stabilization options, with availability depending on the selected camera, resolution and mode. Processing can help with difficult scenes, but it does not guarantee professional-quality results.

Productivity: The S Pen can assist with handwritten notes, document annotation and drawing in compatible apps. Samsung DeX offers another way to work with an external display and peripherals. Their usefulness depends on the apps and workflow rather than replacing every laptop task.

Entertainment: The large, high-resolution display and stereo speakers make the S24 Ultra suitable for movies, music and reading. HDR and audio features require compatible content and settings. Viewing time between charges varies with brightness, connectivity and the apps in use.

Health and Safety Features

Health Monitoring: Samsung Health can organize fitness and wellness data, including supported measurements from compatible wearables. The S24 Ultra itself does not have built-in heart-rate, blood-oxygen (SpO2) or ECG sensors. ECG measurement requires a compatible Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health Monitor in a supported market, with applicable device and eligibility requirements. Health features are not a substitute for professional medical assessment.

Safety Features: The phone offers Emergency SOS and emergency information or location-sharing features, subject to configuration, connectivity and regional availability. Fall detection is a feature of compatible Galaxy Watch models, not a built-in fall-detection function of the S24 Ultra handset. Set up and check the available emergency options before relying on them.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra combines a high-resolution adaptive display, four rear cameras, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and an integrated S Pen. Its appeal is strongest for users who value these features and Samsung DeX. The specifications are promising, but purchasing decisions should also consider its size, price and independent testing of camera quality, sustained performance and battery life.

2024/01/23