Samsung Galaxy S24
The Good Stuff
- Sturdy compact design with matte finish
- Good durability
- Impressive OLED display
- Impressive battery life
- Impressive stereo speakers
- Superior performance
- Includes Galaxy AI
The Bad Stuff
- No ultra wide band support
- Charging capped at 25W
- Entry model but pricey
- Charger sold separately
Samsung Galaxy S24
“The Samsung Galaxy S24 is undeniably a phenomenal smartphone, boasting a sleek design, a stunning display, blazing-fast performance, a versatile camera system, and long-lasting battery life.”
The Samsung Galaxy S24 arrives with the weight of expectation on its shoulders. Each year, the tech giant aims to push the boundaries of smartphone innovation, leaving users wondering: can they top themselves yet again? After spending the past couple of weeks with the S24, I have a clear answer: yes, they have. But amidst the undeniable polish and power, a question lingers: are we reaching a point of feature fatigue in the flagship phone market?
Overview
Craving a phone that fits in your pocket and doesn’t weigh you down? Look no further than the new Samsung Galaxy S24! This phone strikes the perfect balance between compact size and powerful features. This includes an improved design, faster performance, better cameras, bigger battery and the new ‘Galaxy AI’.
It’s not quite as tiny as other mini phones, but at 6.2 inches, it’s a breath of fresh air compared to the giant screens dominating the market. Starting at a price tag of less than US$300, the S24 smartphone is worth looking
Design and Display: Familiar Yet Refined
The S24 maintains the sleek, minimalist aesthetic that’s become synonymous with the Galaxy line. The chamfered edges and glass back feel luxurious, while the new matte black finish is a welcome departure from the fingerprint-magnet gloss of years past.
The display remains a stunner, boasting a vibrant AMOLED panel with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for butter-smooth scrolling and animations. While the size and resolution haven’t dramatically changed, the S24 boasts improved brightness and viewing angles, ensuring crisp visuals even under harsh sunlight.
Performance and Software: A Speed Demon
The heart of the S24 beats with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with ample RAM and storage options. This translates to blazing-fast performance, whether you’re juggling multiple apps, blasting through demanding games, or editing high-resolution photos.
Samsung’s One UI 5.1 runs flawlessly, offering a familiar yet refined experience with subtle enhancements like improved notifications and customizable widgets. Thankfully, pre-installed bloatware is kept to a minimum, and updates promise to keep the S24 feeling fresh for years to come.
Specs
Display: 6.20″ Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1080x2340px resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 416ppi; Always-on display. |
Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) – US/Canada, Exynos 2400 – (Global): Octa-core – US/Canada; Adreno 750 – US/Canada. |
Storage Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.1 – 128GB only, UFS 4.0. |
OS/Software: Android 14, One UI 6.1. |
Rear camera: 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, 24mm, 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 10 MP (telephoto), f/2.4, 70mm, 1/3.94″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | 12 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video. | Front camera: 12 MP (wide), f/2.2, 26mm, Dual Pixel PDAF. |
Video capture (Rear): 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | Video capture (Front): 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps. |
Battery: 4000mAh; 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised), 15W wireless (Qi/PMA), 4.5W reverse wireless. |
Connectivity/Misc: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 7 (SD 8 Gen 3); Wi-Fi 6E (Exynos 2400); BT 5.3; NFC. | Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support). |
Camera: Capturing Every Moment, Masterfully
The Samsung Galaxy S24’s camera system represents a significant upgrade. The 200MP main sensor delivers exceptional detail and vibrant colors, while the improved telephoto lens allows for crisp close-up shots even at high zoom levels.
The low-light performance is truly impressive, capturing usable photos and videos even in dimly lit environments. Samsung’s AI-powered scene optimization adds a layer of polish, automatically adjusting settings for optimal results depending on the scenario.
Battery Life and Charging: Powering Through the Day
The S24’s 4,000mAh battery is a beast, easily providing a full day of heavy usage on a single charge. For more moderate users, two days could be a realistic possibility. The improved 25W fast charging ensures that even when you run low, getting back to 100% is a quick affair. Wireless charging is also supported, although at a slightly slower rate.
Connectivity and Features: All the Bells and Whistles
The S24 comes equipped with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a flagship phone. 5G connectivity is blazing fast, Wi-Fi 6E ensures seamless internet access, and Bluetooth 5.3 keeps peripherals connected flawlessly.
The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, while the facial recognition is equally convenient and secure. Water resistance, a long-standing Galaxy staple, makes the S24 a worry-free companion for any weather condition.
Samsung has even upped the ante with a new “Extreme Mode” that allows the phone to function in temperatures as low as -40°C, ideal for adventurers and extreme sports enthusiasts.
The Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is undeniably a phenomenal smartphone, boasting a sleek design, a stunning display, blazing-fast performance, a versatile camera system, and long-lasting battery life. It checks all the boxes, pushing the boundaries of what a phone can do. However, amidst this abundance of features, a question creeps in: are we reaching a point of feature fatigue?
For early adopters and tech enthusiasts, the S24 is a dream come true. Its power and capabilities are second to none. But for the average user, one might wonder if all these bells and whistles are truly necessary.
The hefty price tag might also give some pause. Ultimately, the S24 is a testament to Samsung’s engineering prowess and design sensibility. It’s a powerhouse polished to perfection. But whether it’s the phone you need, or simply the phone you want, is a question you’ll have to answer for yourself. If you like Samsung Galaxy S24 review, please leave a comment below. Until next time. 😀