Galaxy S24 Ultra long-term review | Still the BEST of Android?

Galaxy S24 Ultra Long-Term Review Summary

Key Concepts:

• Iterative design
• Titanium frame
• Anti-glare display
• S Pen integration
• Ultrasonic fingerprint reader
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• One UI 6.1
• Camera downgrade (10x to 5x zoom)
• Battery longevity
• AI features
• DeX mode
• Flagship benchmark

Design and Build Quality

• Titanium Frame: The move to titanium is considered an iterative design change primarily for premium market positioning, with no significant difference in user experience.
• Durability: Despite the titanium frame, the back glass is still susceptible to scratches. A case is recommended.
• Flat Screen: The return to a flat front screen is a significant improvement, enhancing usability.

Display

• Anti-Glare: The anti-glare glass is exceptional, providing excellent viewing angles and reduced reflections in various lighting conditions. It's considered a top-tier display, potentially the best on an Android phone.
• Smudging: The display is prone to smudges and requires frequent cleaning.
• Comparison: The Pixel 9 Pro XL could potentially surpass the S24 Ultra's display if it had a non-glossy panel and better Gorilla Glass protection.

S Pen

• Utility: The S Pen remains a unique and valuable tool, unmatched by other flagship phones.
• Usage: The reviewer's usage is limited to note-taking and screenshot annotation.

Biometrics and Audio

• Fingerprint Reader: The in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader is fast, accurate, and reliable in all lighting conditions. It can be used with the screen off.
• Speakers: The speakers deliver clear and loud audio, suitable for calls, videos, and gaming.

Performance and Software

• Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy ensures smooth performance for gaming and multitasking.
• RAM: 12GB of RAM is sufficient, although more would be preferable.
• Productivity: The large screen and DeX mode enhance productivity, allowing for comfortable multitasking and a desktop-like experience.
• One UI 6.1: Android 14 with One UI 6.1 is reliable and feature-packed, with regular updates. The reviewer has grown to appreciate One UI.
• AI Features: One UI 6.1 brings more AI features, some tied to Samsung's applications.

Camera

• Zoom Lens Downgrade: The replacement of the 10x optical zoom lens with a 5x zoom lens and digital crop results in softer images at higher zoom levels compared to the S23 Ultra. This is considered a step down.
• Overall Performance: The camera system performs admirably, and most users may not notice the difference.
• Ultra-Wide and Telephoto: The ultra-wide and 3x telephoto lenses deliver consistent results with matching colors and contrast.
• Video: The auto video mode offers excellent stabilization, particularly at 4K 30/60 FPS. 8K video is more challenging to process and less flexible.
• Advanced Video Features: The lack of advanced video options like a log profile is a drawback for professional videographers. Samsung should consider adding this in future models (S25 Ultra).

Battery

• Longevity: The 5,000 mAh battery provides 7+ hours of screen-on time with heavy usage, allowing for a full day of use.
• Charging: Fast charging is supported, but the lack of support for ch2 wireless charging is a missed opportunity. 45W wired charging is available.

AI Features

• AI Tools: The AI tools, including on-the-fly translation and AI eraser, are impressive. The AI eraser is considered better than Google's Magic Eraser.
• Other Features: Tap and hold for slow-motion video and Circle to Search are also notable AI features.

Overall Assessment

• Comprehensive Flagship: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a comprehensive flagship smartphone, embodying efficiency, speed, and performance.
• Benchmark: It sets the benchmark for other Android phones released throughout the year.
• Value: While expensive at launch, the S24 Ultra has seen discounts, making it more accessible.
• Competition: The OnePlus 12 and Pixel 9 Pro are strong contenders for the best Android device of 2024.

Conclusion

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a very good phone and a comprehensive flagship, but it may not be the absolute best Android phone of the year due to iterative improvements over its predecessor and strong competition from other manufacturers. Its strengths lie in its display, S Pen integration, performance, battery life, and AI features. The camera's zoom lens downgrade is a notable drawback.