The smartphone market in 2024 is more competitive than ever, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of technology to deliver devices that stand out. At the forefront of this race is Samsung with its latest flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Positioned as the most advanced Android smartphone available, it comes packed with cutting-edge hardware, AI-powered software enhancements, and premium build quality. But with a starting price of $1,299, consumers rightfully question whether it justifies the cost.
This in-depth review examines every aspect of the S24 Ultra—from its titanium-reinforced design to its 200MP camera system—to help you determine if this is the right flagship for your needs. We’ll compare it to key competitors, analyze real-world performance, and assess whether the upgrades over the S23 Ultra are substantial enough to warrant an upgrade.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Yet Practical
Samsung has refined the S24 Ultra’s design language, keeping the boxy, industrial aesthetic introduced with the S22 Ultra but enhancing it with higher-grade materials. The most notable change is the shift from aluminum to titanium for the frame, making the phone lighter (233g vs. 234g on the S23 Ultra) while improving structural rigidity.
Key Design Improvements:
- Titanium frame (same material used in high-end watches) for better durability
- Flatter edges for improved grip and reduced accidental touches
- Matte glass back that resists fingerprints better than glossy finishes
- Thinner bezels (now symmetrical on all sides) for a more polished look
- IP68 rating retained, ensuring protection against dust and water submersion
The S Pen slot remains integrated, a signature feature for the Ultra series, though it’s worth noting that this adds some thickness compared to sleeker rivals like the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
How Does It Feel in Hand?
Despite its large 6.8-inch display, the S24 Ultra is surprisingly manageable due to the redesigned curvature along the sides. The titanium frame provides a reassuring heft without feeling overly heavy, and the matte texture ensures a secure grip. However, one-handed use is still challenging, and most users will need two hands for comfortable operation.
Display: The Best Smartphone Screen Just Got Bett
The S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, maintaining Samsung’s reputation for having the best smartphone screens in the industry. This year’s model introduces several key upgrades:
Display Specifications:
- Resolution: 3088 x 1440 (QHD+)
- Refresh Rate: 1-120Hz LTPO (adaptive)
- Peak Brightness: 2,600 nits (HDR), 1,750 nits (typical)
- Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (more scratch-resistant)
- Color Accuracy: 100% DCI-P3, factory-calibrated
What’s New in the S24 Ultra’s Display?
- Anti-Reflective Coating
- Samsung has applied a new anti-reflective layer, reducing glare by ~75% compared to the S23 Ultra.
- This makes the screen far more usable in direct sunlight, a common pain point for previous models.
- Adaptive Color Tone
- The display now automatically adjusts white balance based on ambient lighting, similar to Apple’s True Tone.
- This reduces eye strain and ensures more natural-looking colors in different environments.
- Higher Peak Brightness
- At 2,600 nits, this is the brightest smartphone display available, surpassing even the iPhone 15 Pro Max (2,000 nits).
- This improves HDR video playback and outdoor visibility significantly.
Real-World Usage Impressions
- Media Consumption: Watching Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+ in HDR is a breathtaking experience, with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and incredible detail.
- Gaming: The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay in titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact, with minimal motion blur.
- Reading & Productivity: The reduced blue light emission and adaptive color tuning make long reading sessions more comfortable.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 & Next-Gen AI Processin
The S24 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in most regions), which brings substantial improvements in CPU, GPU, and AI performance.
Benchmark Scores (vs. Competitors)
| Device | Geekbench 6 (Single/Multi) | 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | AnTuTu v10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| S24 Ultra | 2,300 / 7,100 | 4,200 | 1,850,000 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 2,900 / 7,400 | 3,800 | N/A |
| Pixel 8 Pro | 1,800 / 4,500 | 3,100 | 1,200,000 |
Real-World Performance Testing
- Multitasking & RAM Management
- With 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X RAM, the S24 Ultra keeps 20+ apps open without reloading.
- DeX mode runs smoothly even when connected to a 4K monitor.
- Gaming Performance
- Genshin Impact runs at 60fps (Max settings) with minimal throttling.
- Ray-traced games (like War Thunder Mobile) show ~30% better performance than the S23 Ultra.
- AI & Machine Learning
- Live Translate works offline, converting speech in real-time during calls.
- Generative AI wallpapers are created on-device, avoiding cloud delays.
Camera System: The Ultimate Mobile Photography Tool
The S24 Ultra’s camera setup is one of the most versatile on any smartphone, with key improvements in zoom, low-light, and computational photography.
Camera Hardware Breakdown
| Lens | Specification | Key Improvements |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 200MP (f/1.7) | Better HDR, 2x faster focus |
| Telephoto 1 | 50MP (5x optical) | Improved stabilization |
| Telephoto 2 | 10MP (3x optical) | Wider aperture (f/2.4 → f/2.2) |
| Ultra-Wide | 12MP (120° FOV) | Reduced distortion |
| Front | 12MP (f/2.2) | Better skin tones |
Photo & Video Quality Analysis
- Daylight Photography
- The 200MP mode captures insane detail, useful for cropping.
- Colors are more natural compared to the oversaturated look of past Samsung flagships.
- Low-Light Performance
- The new Nightography algorithm reduces noise significantly.
- Astrophotography mode now supports 15-second exposures.
- Zoom Capabilities
- 5x optical zoom is sharper than the S23 Ultra’s 10x (due to higher resolution).
- 100x Space Zoom remains a gimmick, but 10-30x shots are usable.
- Video Recording
- 8K@30fps with improved stabilization.
- 4K@120fps slow-motion is now supported.
Battery Life & Charging: All-Day Endurance
The 5,000mAh battery provides excellent longevity:
Battery Test Results (Screen-On Time)
| Usage Scenario | SOT (Hours) |
|---|---|
| Mixed (5G/Wi-Fi) | 8-9 |
| Gaming (120Hz) | 5-6 |
| Video Playback | 12+ |
Charging Speeds
- Wired: 45W (0-100% in ~65 mins)
- Wireless: 15W (slower than competitors)
- Reverse Wireless Charging: 4.5W (for earbuds, watches)
Software: One UI 6.1 & AI Features
The S24 Ultra runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1, featuring:
✔ 7 years of OS updates (matching Google’s Pixel policy)
✔ Galaxy AI tools (real-time call translation, AI-generated edits)
✔ Enhanced DeX mode (better multi-window support)
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
✅ Worth It If:
- You need the best Android hardware
- You use the S Pen regularly
- You prioritize camera versatility
❌ Not Worth It If:
- You own an S23 Ultra (upgrades are minor)
- You prefer smaller/lighter phones
- You want faster charging
FAQs
Q: Does the S24 Ultra support satellite connectivity?
A: No, unlike the iPhone 15, Samsung has not added satellite SOS.
Q: Is the S24 Ultra’s display better than the iPhone 15 Pro Max?
A: Yes—higher brightness, better anti-reflective coating, and more accurate colors.
Q: How durable is the titanium frame?
A: More scratch-resistant than aluminum, but still susceptible to dents if dropped.
Q: Does the S24 Ultra overheat?
A: Rarely—the new cooling system keeps thermals in check.
Q: Is the 200MP camera useful?
A: Mostly for cropping—default shots use pixel-binning for 12MP/50MP outputs.
