Samsung seamlessly integrates innovative AI capabilities with familiar functionalities in its latest devices, showcasing a sophisticated blend of originality and familiarity.
The Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 ingeniously incorporate standout features inspired by Apple and Google, propelling them into the forefront of the AI era.
Drawing unmistakable inspiration from Apple’s flat-edge design and leveraging Google’s AI technology extensively, Samsung distinguishes itself with its unique software ecosystem. However, while these devices offer a compelling amalgamation of influences, they may not represent the epitome of versatility.
While one might be tempted to deem them superior to Google’s Pixel phones, it’s not entirely accurate.
Priced at $799 for the standard Galaxy S24 and $999 for the Galaxy S24 Plus (with only the Ultra model seeing a price increase to $1,299 this year), both non-Ultra models share similar features, differing primarily in screen size.
The disparity between the standard models and the Ultra variant has widened, yet the incentives to upgrade to the Ultra appear less compelling. While the Ultra offers a larger, superior screen, enhanced zoom capabilities, and includes an S Pen as usual, many of its standout features are shared with the more affordable models.
These features encompass the highly acclaimed Galaxy AI functionalities, such as generative photo editing, live language translation during phone calls, and automatic recording summaries. While the performance of these AI features varies from impressive to peculiar, overall, they contribute positively, highlighting the versatility of the device. Notably, Samsung’s software grants capabilities beyond what is currently available on competing devices like the Pixel 8 Pro.
In terms of display and design, Samsung adeptly increases screen real estate in the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus without significant enlargement of the devices. Achieved by slight increases in height and reduction in bezel size, the screens also exhibit improved brightness in direct sunlight, reaching up to 2600 nits. Additionally, the S24 Plus now boasts a 1440p panel, a commendable upgrade from its previous 1080p resolution.
A notable design refinement is the removal of the slight edge curvature, replaced by flat sides reminiscent of iPhones, which enhances grip and handling comfort. Samsung also takes cues from Apple with features like wallpaper dimming for the always-on display, exclusive to the S24 series, and the introduction of widgets for enhanced convenience.
Performance-wise, models purchased in the US are equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets, ensuring smooth operation. Battery performance across all models remains consistent, with larger phones offsetting their increased power consumption with larger batteries. However, the absence of Qi2 support is regrettable, considering the prevailing trend towards MagSafe-esque standards.
Despite advancements, Samsung persists with three-button navigation as the default interface, a feature that may require adjustment for users accustomed to different setups. Nonetheless, investing some effort in customizing the device to personal preferences remains a fundamental step in maximizing user experience.
Camera and Image Quality: Despite radical differences in editing software, the camera hardware remains unchanged from the previous generation in the S24 and S24 Plus. Both models continue to feature a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an actual 3x telephoto zoom, irrespective of the phone size chosen, which is a commendable consistency.
Although there are no new hardware additions, there are several processing updates under the hood. Notably, low-light images captured at 2x zoom now utilize a lossless crop from the sensor’s center, a departure from the digital zoom employed in dim light by the S23 series.
Samsung has also introduced foreground blur in portrait mode, a seemingly minor enhancement that significantly improves the naturalness of photos, avoiding the “cardboard cutout” effect. These subtle adjustments further enhance an already impressive camera system. Samsung’s color processing tends to emphasize vibrant reds and blues, a characteristic that may not appeal to all users but delivers exceptional results when executed well.
In a notable advancement, Samsung has outpaced Google by adopting Ultra HDR, the new image format supported by Android 14. This advanced HDR technology elevates photo quality, allowing images to stand out in ways not achievable with standard dynamic range images. Moreover, Samsung not only enables Ultra HDR image capture but also facilitates editing and sharing of HDR-enhanced photos on platforms like Instagram without losing HDR information. In contrast, while the Pixel 8 series can capture Ultra HDR images, it currently lacks support for HDR editing within its native Photos app or direct sharing to social media platforms.
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