Samsung is here with its most potent and AI-packed smartphones yet, the Galaxy S24 series. We can talk about the Galaxy S24 having the brightest display ever (it does), the most potent version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (it does), or even more capable cameras (it does). But today, it is mostly about how Samsung has packed a bunch of AI features into the Galaxy S24 series to make it more useful in everyday life.
Make no mistake, there is more than just AI to talk about with the launch of the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, including seven years of software support, increased durability, and much more, which we'll cover after the break.
The Phones
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays feature peak brightness levels of up to 2,600 nits and refresh rates of 1-120Hz across the board for the first time, with the vanilla S24 sporting a larger 6.2-inch panel with FHD+ resolution. Packing 6.7-inch and 6.8-inch displays, respectively, both the Galaxy S24+ and Ultra boast QHD+ resolution. You will notice and appreciate that all three models have flat displays. In the case of the Ultra, this means that the S Pen will no longer slide off the edge of the display.
All three Galaxy S24 models in the US will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 For Galaxy processor, a chipset specifically tweaked for Samsung's use. The vapor cooling chamber is 1.9 times larger than previously, which should aid in keeping the phone cool during those longer gaming sessions. As the rumors and leaks reported, the Galaxy S24 comes with 8GB of RAM, with the Plus and Ultra featuring 12GB of RAM.
128GB is the lowest storage configuration on offer for the Galaxy S24, with both the S24+ and Ultra starting from 256GB.
Battery sizes for the Galaxy S24 series are as follows: 4,000mAh (S24), 4,900mAh (S24+), and 5,000 (Ultra). Where the Galaxy S24 and S24+ gain in battery capacity, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is somewhat stagnant at the 5,000mAh mark, which is a shame when you consider that other flagships are using new battery technology and launching with 5,500mAh units.
Unfortunately, charging is still typically Samsung level, with the base S24 making do with 25W. The Galaxy S24+ has been promoted to the same 45W charging as the Ultra, and all three models feature 15W wireless charging. I can fully understand Samsung's reticence in following other brands that offer ridiculous charging speeds of 240W, but surely 65W is an acceptable improvement? It's certainly my minimum limit when looking for a new handset.
AI Features Heavily In The Camera Department
The Galaxy S24 and S24+share the same camera setup with a 50MP main lens with OIS and dual pixel autofocus, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, PDAF, and OIS, along with a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree Field-of-View. All three phones sport the same 12MP front-facing camera, which seems a little low compared to what is offered on other flagship smartphones.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera setup is where things get interesting with a 200MP sensor with Super Quad Pixel AutoFocus, OIS, and something that Samsung calls a ‘Super Clear Lens'. There's a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and OIS, plus another telephoto lens with 10MP, 3x optical zoom, and OIS. This is what Samsung calls a ‘Quad Tele System', which offers four levels of magnifications – 2x, 3x, 5-10x, and 100x Space Zoom.
Capture more light in dim conditions with Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger pixel size, now 1.4 um, which is 60% bigger than the previous model. Blur is reduced on Galaxy S24 Ultra with wider optical image stabilizer (OIS) angles and enhanced hand-shake compensation.
When recording videos, both front and rear cameras are equipped with Dedicated ISP Blocks for noise reduction, and Galaxy S24 analyses gyro information to distinguish between the filmer’s movement and the subject’s. This allows more effective noise removal and clear videos in the dark. All-in-all, it sounds rather promising.
The Galaxy S24's camera setup is completed by the 12MP ultra-wide lens found on the other models.
Editing photos is a natural place for AI smarts to make an appearance, and so it is here that the Galaxy AI editing tools promise to make it much easier to make simple edits such as erasing, re-composing, and re-mastering photos. Whether it's suggesting which edits to make, filling in parts of an image's background with Generative Edit, or generating additional frames for a new Instant Slow-mo video, AI can help you tweak your photos to the limit.
How often do you use the sub-par camera abilities of third-party apps such as Instagram or Snapchat? Well, the Galaxy S24's AI-powered camera integrates directly with mobile apps such as Instagram with its Super HDR feature, increasing brightness, color, and contrast to your social media images.
This is all great, but what about privacy and the ability to see what AI did to improve an image? Well, Samsung says that when the ‘Galaxy S24 deploys generative AI to amplify an image, a watermark will appear in the image and the image's metadata'. So you know where to look if someone is trying to pass themselves off as the new David Bailey.
Read: The best pre-order deals for the Galaxy S24 we have found
Software and AI
Whether translating your voice or text conversation to your friend who only speaks Spanish, automatically formatting your nonsensical text into something legible, or helping you fix the photo you quickly snapped by erasing or moving an object, AI is there to help. Buried seamlessly in the One UI 6.1 software, AI is an ever-present in the Galaxy S24 series.
Possibly the biggest software news relating to the Galaxy S24 series is that Samsung has announced it will offer seven years of support (OS and Security) to its latest flagships. This will take the Galaxy S24 series up to Android 21 (if Google doesn't change the naming strategy before then), and equals the search giant's software support for its Pixel 8 series.
Based on Android 14, Samsung's One UI 6.1 is a further evolution of its software, with several features gaining AI smarts to make everyday tasks a breeze:
- Live Translate: Two-way, real-time voice and text translations of phone calls within the native app. No third-party apps are required, and on-device AI keeps conversations completely private.
- Interpreter: Live conversations can be instantly translated on a split-screen view so people standing opposite can read a text transcription of the other person's words. It even works without cellular data or Wi-Fi.
- Chat Assist: This can help perfect conversational tones to ensure communication sounds as intended, like a polite message to a co-worker or a short and catchy phrase for a social media caption. AI built into Samsung Keyboard can also translate messages, emails, and more in real time in 13 languages.
- Android Auto: This will automatically summarise incoming messages and suggest relevant replies and actions, like sending someone your ETA, so you can stay connected while staying focused on the road.
- Transcript Assist: Uses AI and Speech-to-Text technology to transcribe, summarise, and even translate recordings
- Note Assist: Featuring AI-generated summaries, template creation that streamlines notes with pre-made formats, and cover creation to make notes easy to spot with a brief preview.
- Circle to Search: With a long press on the home button, you can circle, highlight, scribble on, or tap anything on Galaxy S24’s screen to see helpful, high-quality search results. If you see a beautiful landmark in the background of your friend’s social media post or a surprising fun fact on YouTube Shorts, you can quickly learn more – without leaving the app you’re in.
Durability
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra is the first smartphone to launch using Corning's Gorilla Armor, which, compared to a typical glass surface, reduces reflection by up to 75%, which enhances readability for the user. Naturally, Gorilla Armor also offers increased durability with Corning's new “Scratch Bot” replicating the micro scratches produced by everyday usage.
One thing you can always count on with Samsung's flagships is that you'll find IP68 water and dust protection across all three Galaxy S24 handsets.
Some Thoughts
While Samsung has once again played it safe in terms of design with the Galaxy S24, which, in my view, is getting to be more than a little bland, the new phones offer a good mix of hardware bumps in the case of the Galaxy S24 and S24+ while the Galaxy S24 Ultra's improvements seem mostly due to its AI-enhanced software tricks.
Thanks to the gain in battery capacity and screen size, the Galaxy S24+ appears quite appealing in what it offers. If you want a big AMOLED screen with high resolution and refresh rate along with the power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor without breaking the bank, the Galaxy S24+ is no longer the compromised middle option.
Charging speeds is still a sore point for Samsung, and it's a shame that the Galaxy S24 still suffers from this glacially slow process. With every new Samsung flagship, we say it will improve next year, so let's carry on that tradition by saying maybe we'll see an improvement with the Galaxy S25. Maybe.
Color Options
The Galaxy S24 and S24+ can be had in Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow colorways while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow. All three models will also be available in a range of custom colors exclusive to Samsung's online store.
Price and Availability
Samsung has priced the Galaxy S24 at $799/£799, the Galaxy S24+ at $999/£999, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra at $1,299/£1249. You can place your pre-order on Samsung.com by clicking the link below:
