Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Is This AI Phone Worth It?

Samsung’s Ultra series has consistently represented the peak of its smartphone engineering, a no-compromise device for users who demand the absolute best. With the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung introduces a new philosophy, infusing its flagship with a suite of AI-powered tools called Galaxy AI. This move shifts the conversation from just hardware specifications to how intelligent software can redefine the user experience.

The S24 Ultra stands as the most premium offering in Samsung’s 2024 lineup, positioned above the standard S24 and S24+. While it shares some DNA with its siblings, it carves its own path with a distinct design, an integrated S Pen, and the most advanced camera system Samsung has ever produced. The key changes from the S23 Ultra include a new titanium frame, a flat display with superior anti-reflective properties, an upgraded 5x telephoto lens, and, of course, the headline-grabbing Galaxy AI features.

This review tackles the crucial questions for potential buyers: Are these changes significant enough to justify an upgrade from the already excellent S23 Ultra? Is the S24 Ultra the definitive Android flagship of the year? We’ll examine every aspect of the device, from its new design to its AI-driven software, to help you decide if this powerhouse phone is the right choice for you.

Design and Build: Flat, Strong, and Refined

Samsung has made a few pivotal changes to the S24 Ultra’s design that significantly enhance its usability. The most notable is the switch to a titanium frame, a move that follows Apple’s lead but delivers a tangible sense of premium quality and improved durability. This frame, combined with the new Gorilla Glass Armor on the front and back, makes the S24 Ultra feel more robust than its predecessors. The glass is not only tougher but also dramatically reduces reflections, a major quality-of-life improvement.

The device’s dimensions are slightly wider and thinner than the S23 Ultra, but the most impactful change is the move to a completely flat display. This decision, a departure from the curved edges of previous Ultra models, is a win for practicality. It makes using the integrated S Pen stylus across the entire screen far more comfortable, eliminating the accidental slips and distortions that occurred near the curved edges. The phone feels solid and substantial in hand, though its weight and size mean it’s still firmly a two-handed device for most people.

Its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance ensures it can withstand the elements. Aesthetically, the S24 Ultra is available in a range of sophisticated, muted colors like Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, and Titanium Violet, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints well. The seamless integration of the S Pen, housed neatly within the phone’s body, remains a key differentiator that no other flagship can match.

Display: Brighter, Flatter, and Simply Stunning

The display on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is, without exaggeration, one of the best ever put on a smartphone. The 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel is a masterpiece of mobile screen technology. Its QHD+ resolution delivers incredible sharpness, and the LTPO technology allows the refresh rate to dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring buttery-smooth scrolling while conserving battery life during static viewing.

What truly sets this screen apart is its peak brightness, now reaching an astounding 2,600 nits. This makes outdoor visibility exceptional, even under direct sunlight. Combined with the new Gorilla Glass Armor’s anti-reflective properties, which cut glare by up to 75%, the S24 Ultra provides a viewing experience that is second to none.

The Always-On Display is functional and customizable, and the color accuracy is top-notch, with vibrant, true-to-life tones that make photos and videos pop. The display supports HDR10+, but the absence of Dolby Vision support remains a minor omission compared to some rivals. However, for sheer visual brilliance, clarity, and real-world usability, the S24 Ultra’s display is the new benchmark.

Performance and Hardware: A Snapdragon Powerhouse

At the heart of the Galaxy S24 Ultra lies the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, a custom-tuned version of Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset. Paired with 12GB of RAM and available with storage options up to 1TB, this phone is an absolute performance monster. In real-world use, it handles everything with effortless speed. Apps open instantly, multitasking is seamless, and navigating the One UI interface is fluid and responsive.

Samsung has also significantly upgraded the cooling system, equipping the S24 Ultra with a vapor chamber that is nearly twice the size of the one in the S23 Ultra. This improvement is noticeable during intensive tasks like high-end gaming or extended 4K video recording. The phone manages heat exceptionally well, maintaining peak performance for longer without significant throttling.

Benchmark scores place the S24 Ultra at the top of the Android pack, but it’s the consistent, lag-free daily performance that truly impresses. Whether you’re a heavy gamer, a power user juggling multiple demanding apps, or just someone who values a smooth and fast experience, the S24 Ultra delivers in spades.

Battery Life and Charging: An All-Day Champion

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery, and thanks to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the LTPO display, its endurance is outstanding. In mixed usage scenarios involving browsing, social media, photography, and some gaming, the phone comfortably lasts a full day and often pushes into a second. Even with heavy use, you can be confident it will get you through from morning to night.

When it comes to charging, the S24 Ultra supports 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. While the 45W speed isn’t the fastest on the market, it’s reasonably quick, taking the battery from empty to around 65-70% in 30 minutes. A full charge takes just over an hour. The continued absence of a charger in the box remains a point of contention for a device at this price point.

Samsung’s power management features are robust, with adaptive battery settings that learn your usage patterns to optimize consumption. Overall, the battery life is a major strength, making the S24 Ultra a reliable companion for even the most demanding days.

Camera System: Versatile, Powerful, and Smarter

The camera system on the S24 Ultra is a versatile and powerful tool, anchored by a 200MP main sensor. It’s joined by a 12MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a new 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens. This new 5x lens replaces the 10x lens from the S23 Ultra, a change that has proven to be a smart upgrade.

In daylight, the main camera captures stunning photos with excellent detail, dynamic range, and vibrant yet natural colors. The higher resolution of the new 5x telephoto sensor allows it to produce sharper, more detailed shots at 5x zoom and also delivers impressive 10x images through sensor cropping.

Low-light performance is exceptional, with the phone capturing bright, clean images with minimal noise. The zoom capabilities remain a highlight. While the optical reach tops out at 5x, the digital zoom is usable up to 30x, and the “Space Zoom” goes all the way to 100x for novelty shots.

Video recording is superb, with support for up to 8K resolution. The stabilization is excellent across all lenses, resulting in smooth, professional-looking footage. Galaxy AI introduces several new editing tools, such as Generative Edit, which allows you to move or remove objects in photos, and Instant Slow-mo, which can turn any video into a slow-motion clip.

Software and Features: The Rise of Galaxy AI

The S24 Ultra runs on One UI 6.1, based on Android 14. The user interface is clean, feature-rich, and highly customizable. The headline feature, however, is Galaxy AI. This suite of AI-powered tools is integrated throughout the OS and includes:

• Circle to Search: A collaboration with Google that lets you circle anything on the screen to perform a search.
• Live Translate: Provides real-time two-way voice and text translation during phone calls.
• Chat Assist: Helps you refine the tone of your messages, from professional to casual.
• Note Assist: Automatically formats, summarizes, and translates your notes in the Samsung Notes app.

The most significant promise from Samsung is the commitment to seven years of OS and security updates, matching Google’s pledge for its Pixel phones. This is a massive step forward for longevity and value. The S Pen remains a unique and powerful tool for productivity and creativity, and other features like stereo speakers and Ultra Wideband support round out a comprehensive package.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Best-in-class Display: The bright, anti-reflective screen is unmatched.
• Exceptional Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy is incredibly fast and efficient.
• Outstanding Battery Life: Easily lasts a full day of heavy use.
• Versatile and Powerful Camera: The new 5x telephoto lens is a smart upgrade, and photo quality is superb.
• Galaxy AI Features: Offers genuinely useful and innovative software tools.
• Seven Years of Updates: Unprecedented software support for a Samsung device.
• Premium Design: The titanium frame and flat display are both practical and elegant.

Weaknesses:

• High Price: It’s one of the most expensive smartphones on the market.
• Bulky Size: Its large size and weight may not be for everyone.
• 45W Charging: Not the fastest charging speed available in this segment.
• AI Dependence on Cloud: Some AI features require an internet connection and may be paywalled in the future.

Final Verdict: The Complete Package

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a phenomenal device that excels in nearly every category. It’s a powerhouse of performance, a photography champion, and a productivity tool unlike any other, thanks to the S Pen. The move to a flat, anti-reflective display is a massive improvement, and the promise of seven years of software updates provides incredible long-term value.

Who is this phone for?
This phone is for the power user, the mobile photographer, the digital creative, and anyone who wants the most capable Android phone available. Its combination of top-tier hardware and intelligent software makes it a tool for both work and play.

Is it worth the upgrade?
For owners of the S23 Ultra, the decision is nuanced. The flat screen, brighter display, and AI features are compelling, but the S23 Ultra remains a fantastic phone. The upgrade is meaningful but not essential. For those coming from an S22 Ultra or older device, the S24 Ultra will feel like a generational leap forward.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra successfully delivers on its promises. It’s more than just an incremental update; it’s a refined and intelligent flagship that sets a new standard for what a premium smartphone can be.