Samsung S24 Ultra Long Term Review - ONE YEAR LATER!

S24 Ultra Long-Term Review: One Year Later

Key Concepts:

• S24 Ultra build quality and design
• Snapdragon Gen 3 performance and modem
• One UI 6 bloatware and customization
• Android app optimization issues
• Camera processing and image quality
• Dual-wielding with iPhone

Build Quality and Design

• Samsung significantly improved build quality with the S24 Ultra, using titanium.
• The phone feels premium and sturdier than previous models (S21 Ultra, S22, S23).
• The design is clean and modern, the best iteration of its model.
• The reviewer feels less worried about dropping it compared to previous Samsung phones.

Snapdragon Gen 3 Performance

• The Snapdragon Gen 3 chip handles all tasks (gaming, demanding apps, multitasking) with ease.
• The phone has been a daily carry and accompanied the reviewer on trips (Manchester with Snapdragon, match event with Manchester United, Snapdragon Summit in why).
• Apps open instantly, games run smoothly, and the phone is generally snappy.
• The Qualcomm modem performs better than the same modem in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, especially in 5G areas.
• The reviewer mentions the phone has an ultra-wide band antenna, but isn't sure if it affects 5G quality.

Display and Other Features

• The display is described as "Chef kiss," with bright and vibrant colors.
• The phone includes the S Pen and USBC fast charging.
• Overall, the S24 Ultra has been a consistently enjoyable phone to use.

One UI 6 and Software

• One UI 6 is considered bloated with too much pre-installed bloatware from Samsung and Google.
• The reviewer dislikes being forced to use Samsung services and prefers the option to choose which services to use during setup.
• The lack of customization in choosing services is a frustration.

Android App Optimization

• Despite the powerful hardware, some Android apps are laggy, janky, and prone to crashing, especially social media apps like Twitter and Instagram.
• This is attributed to developers prioritizing platforms that generate the most revenue.
• The reviewer believes app quality should be better given the advanced hardware capabilities (120Hz refresh rate displays, fast chips).

Camera Performance

• The camera has impressive specs (200MP sensor, 100x zoom), allowing for detailed moon shots.
• However, image processing can be overly aggressive, leading to washed-out colors, especially with vibrant colors like orange, yellow, and red.
• This makes it difficult to use the phone for shooting thumbnails with accurate colors.
• Portrait mode sometimes misses details.
• The reviewer prefers more natural image processing for easier editing.

Overall Impression and Dual-Wielding

• Despite the complaints, the S24 Ultra has been a genuinely enjoyable phone.
• The reviewer usually switches from Samsung phones to Pixels, but this year, the S24 Ultra was preferred over the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
• The S24 Ultra has been dual-wielded alongside the iPhone, with Android being used more frequently than in previous years (60/40 split).
• The reviewer is a "tech person" who uses both iOS and Android based on their strengths.
• The S24 Ultra is not perfect, but it has been a reliable and versatile device.

Conclusion

The S24 Ultra has been a surprisingly positive experience for the reviewer, offering excellent performance, a premium build, and a vibrant display. While software bloat, app optimization issues, and camera processing are areas for improvement, the phone has become a daily driver and a strong competitor to the iPhone. The reviewer is excited to see what the S25 Ultra will bring.