The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung's most ambitious smartphone yet, packed with cutting-edge features including a 200MP camera, S Pen stylus, and powerful AI capabilities. After extensive testing, here's everything you need to know about Android's premium flagship.

Design and Build Quality

Samsung refined the S24 Ultra's design with a flatter display and titanium frame, borrowing elements from its competitor while maintaining its identity.

Key Design Features:

The switch to a flat display is divisive - some prefer it for reduced accidental touches, while others miss the premium curved aesthetic. The matte back is excellent at resisting fingerprints.

Display Excellence

The S24 Ultra features one of the best smartphone displays available:

Display Specifications:

The Gorilla Armor coating significantly reduces reflections compared to previous models. Peak brightness of 2,600 nits makes this the brightest smartphone display, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Samsung finally delivers Snapdragon processors globally (no Exynos in most markets), resulting in exceptional performance:

Specifications:

Performance Benchmarks:

Real-world performance is flawless. Gaming at maximum graphics settings shows no lag or frame drops. Video editing, photo processing, and heavy multitasking are handled effortlessly. The vapor chamber cooling prevents thermal throttling even during extended gaming sessions.

S Pen Functionality

The S Pen remains a key differentiator, making the S24 Ultra more than just a phone:

S Pen Features:

Who benefits from S Pen:

The S Pen experience on the S24 Ultra feels more natural than ever, with reduced latency making writing feel like pen on paper.

Camera System Analysis

Samsung's camera arsenal is impressive, especially the telephoto capabilities:

Camera Specifications:

Photo Quality:

Main Camera: The 200MP sensor produces exceptional detail with good dynamic range. Photos are sharp, colors are vibrant (sometimes oversaturated), and low-light performance is excellent thanks to pixel binning.

Telephoto: This is where the S24 Ultra dominates. The dual telephoto system provides:

The 5x periscope telephoto is the star - producing sharp, detailed photos that rival dedicated cameras. Wildlife photography, concerts, and sports benefit immensely.

Low Light: Night mode is excellent across all lenses. The main sensor captures clean images with minimal noise in challenging lighting. The telephoto cameras maintain quality even in dim conditions.

Video Capabilities:

Video stabilization is superb. Handheld 4K60fps footage looks gimbal-smooth. Audio recording through multiple microphones captures clean sound with good directionality.

Galaxy AI Features

Samsung integrated numerous AI features throughout the S24 Ultra:

Circle to Search: Long-press the home button and circle anything on screen to search for it. Works across all apps and is surprisingly useful for identifying products, translating text, or learning about objects.

Live Translate: Real-time translation during phone calls in 13 languages. Both parties can speak their native language.

Chat Assist: Helps compose messages with different tones (professional, casual, friendly) and translates messages.

Note Assist: Formats, summarizes, and translates notes in Samsung Notes app.

Photo Editing AI:

The AI features are genuinely useful, not just gimmicks. Circle to Search becomes second nature quickly.

Battery Life

The 5,000mAh battery delivers solid all-day performance:

Battery Specifications:

Real-World Battery Life:

The efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip helps maximize battery life. Most users will comfortably get through a full day. Power users might need a midday top-up.

Charging Speed: 45W charging reaches 65% in 30 minutes and 100% in about 65 minutes. While faster than previous models, it lags behind Chinese competitors offering 100W+ charging.

Software: One UI 6.1

Samsung's One UI 6.1 (based on Android 14) is feature-rich and polished:

Key Features:

Update Promise:

One UI is less bloated than previous versions, though Samsung still includes duplicate apps (Samsung Internet vs Chrome, Samsung Gallery vs Google Photos). Most can be disabled.

5G and Connectivity

Comprehensive connectivity options:

The unlocked version supports all major US carrier bands and works internationally.

Pricing and Value

Unlocked Pricing:

The S24 Ultra is expensive but includes features iPhone doesn't:

Who Should Buy the S24 Ultra?

Perfect for:

Skip if you:

Alternatives to Consider

iPhone 15 Pro Max: Better video, iOS ecosystem, simpler interface - $1,199+

Google Pixel 8 Pro: Cleaner Android, better AI, superior photo processing - $999

OnePlus 12: Faster charging, less expensive, good performance - $799

Samsung Galaxy S24+: Similar features without S Pen, smaller, cheaper - $999

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the most complete Android flagship available. The combination of exceptional display, powerful performance, versatile camera system, built-in S Pen, and 7-year update commitment makes it a no-compromise device.

The telephoto cameras are the best in any smartphone, making this the ideal choice for photography enthusiasts. The S Pen adds productivity capabilities no other phone can match. AI features are thoughtfully implemented and genuinely useful.

Is it worth the $1,300 price tag? If you want the absolute best Android experience and will use the phone for 3-5+ years, absolutely. The unlocked version offers maximum flexibility and better long-term value than carrier versions.

Rating: 9.5/10

Pros: Best smartphone display, incredible zoom cameras, S Pen productivity, powerful performance, 7-year updates, comprehensive features

Cons: Very expensive, large and heavy, slower charging than competitors, Samsung bloatware