Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: New Flagship Smartphone, AI & much more

Samsung has recently unveiled the new Galaxy S24 Ultra, its latest flagship smartphone. With impressive upgrades to the camera, performance, and software, it builds upon the strong foundation of last year’s S23 Ultra model. The S24 Ultra features a brand new 200MP main camera, upgraded chipset, and new AI capabilities. Samsung is aiming to continue pushing the boundaries of smartphone innovation and deliver the most premium Galaxy experience yet with the S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Design and Display

The Galaxy S24 Ultra shares a nearly identical design to last year’s S23 Ultra, featuring the same signature contours and a massive camera block on the back.

Both models boast a high-end 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED display running at 3200 x 1440 resolution with variable 120Hz adaptive refresh rates.

The only subtle design difference is the S24 Ultra manages to shave off a bit of weight, coming in at 200g compared to the S23 Ultra’s 233g. This makes the S24 Ultra ever so slightly more portable.

Overall, the display and design remain familiar for Samsung fans, retaining the premium fit and finish expected from the brand’s Ultra line of flagships.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Display

The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution of 3120 x 1440 and a pixel density of 500 ppi, which is identical to the S23 Ultra (Samsung). Both models use Samsung’s latest display technology with support for HDR10+ and a variable refresh rate from 1-120Hz enabled by Adaptive Sync. This allows the screen to automatically adjust the refresh rate based on the content being viewed to optimize battery life without sacrificing performance. The aspect ratio remains 20:9, the same as the S23 Ultra. While the displays are nearly identical on paper, Samsung says the S24 Ultra has a brighter screen that is easier to see outdoors. However, both models offer stunning image quality and fluid scrolling and animations thanks to the high resolution and fast refresh rates.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera Upgrades

One of the biggest changes on the S24 Ultra is the new massive 200MP main camera sensor, a big jump up from the 108MP main sensor on the S23 Ultra. According to Samsung, the larger sensor can capture more light and detail which results in sharper images, especially in low light scenarios. Early camera samples show noticeable improvements in night photography with less noise compared to the S23 Ultra.

The S24 Ultra can also record video in up to 8K resolution at 30fps, matching the video capabilities of the S23 Ultra. For steadier videos, the S24 Ultra has improved Super Steady stabilization when recording in 4K or 1080p modes.

Aside from the main sensor, the S24 Ultra retains the same 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP 3x telephoto cameras found on the S23 Ultra. However, the higher resolution telephoto has been upgraded – there is now a 50MP periscope telephoto capable of 5x optical zoom compared to the 10MP periscope with 10x optical zoom on the S23 Ultra. This should allow for more detailed zoomed-in shots.

To optimize image processing, Samsung has enhanced the AI capabilities of the S24 Ultra. Scene optimization can now recognize more categories of photos like pets, food, sunrise/sunsets, etc. The AI also helps improve portraits with better depth and more accurate edge detection around complex hair and clothing. Night mode processing is also smarter to bring out more details in low light scenes.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by the newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset from Qualcomm, which delivers faster speeds and improved power efficiency compared to previous models. With a 4nm manufacturing process, the chipset is designed to provide premium performance while using less battery. The S24 Ultra offers configuration options up to 12GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage, giving plenty of headroom for multitasking and storing apps, photos, videos, and files. The increased memory and latest processor should result in exceptional speeds when launching apps, gaming, and using the AI capabilities.

Early benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 show that the S24 Ultra scores considerably higher than the S23 Ultra in both single core and multi core performance. Real world usage is likely to mirror these gains with apps opening instantly and the overall interface feeling incredibly fluid and responsive. The power provided by the S24 Ultra’s cutting edge chipset and generous memory allotments makes the upgrade compelling for those wanting the absolute best performance in a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Battery

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has the same 5000 mAh battery capacity as the S23 Ultra model. Both phones offer all-day battery life that can last over 24 hours of mixed usage based on early hands-on reviews. Samsung made optimizations to the battery performance through the improved AI technology. The phone is able to better manage apps running in the background and optimize power usage for the applications you use most often. While the battery size remains the same, Samsung claims the S24 Ultra’s battery life is improved by up to 20% thanks to the AI enhancements. This should allow the phone to last noticeably longer on a single charge.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Software and AI Features

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes equipped with the latest One UI 6 software based on Android 14 (Samsung). This provides access to some powerful new AI capabilities to enhance the user experience.

One of the most notable AI features is real-time translation in messaging and calls. The S24 Ultra can detect multiple languages and translate conversations into the user’s native tongue (9to5Google). There is also AI-powered visual search to identify objects through the camera and quickly lookup related information.

The AI has photography applications as well, with improved scene optimization and portrait modes. It can also automatically fix blurry photos by enhancing image stabilization. For productivity, the S24 Ultra has AI-driven capabilities to improve audio quality in recordings, generate captions and transcripts, and optimize app experiences.

Overall, the new software and underlying AI brings smarter, more personalized features to streamline workflows and make the S24 Ultra easier to use.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Pricing

Pricing for the Galaxy S24 Ultra has sildy increased compared to last year’s S23 Ultra model. The S24 Ultra starts at a base price of $1,299 for the 128GB model. This represents a $100 increase over the $1,199 starting price for the base S23 Ultra.

While the higher starting price may give some customers pause, Samsung is offering incentives like preorder bonuses and trade-in deals that can help offset the price bump. For example, those who preorder the S24 Ultra can get up to $100 in Samsung Credit to use towards accessories or future purchases.

Additionally, Samsung is offering enhanced trade-in credits of up to $1000 for those trading in eligible older devices. With the right combination of preorder perks and trade-ins, buyers may find the S24 Ultra’s pricing is competitive or even cheaper than the S23 Ultra for their situation.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is set to launch globally in February 2024 (1). This latest flagship smartphone will become available for pre-order beginning on January 20 through Samsung’s website and carrier partners ahead of general retail availability the following month.

Those who pre-order the S24 Ultra will be able to receive additional preorder bonuses like store credit. Samsung is also offering attractive trade-in deals, allowing customers to save up to $1,000 on the S24 Ultra by trading in an eligible older device.

The global rollout will start on February 18, when the S24 Ultra officially goes on sale in markets like the United States, Canada and Korea. Other regions like Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East will get the S24 Ultra by the end of February 2024.

With its cutting-edge upgrades to the camera, performance, AI capabilities and software, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will likely be one of Samsung’s most popular flagship models this year. The pre-order and trade-in incentives will make the S24 Ultra more affordable for those looking to upgrade to Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone.

Global NEWS Cover‘s Verdict: Is the S24 Ultra Worth Upgrading To?

For photographers and those interested in the latest AI capabilities, the S24 Ultra delivers notable upgrades over the S23 Ultra. The significantly improved 200MP camera system, enhanced low-light and portrait photography from the AI processing, increased zoom capabilities, and new AI features like live translations all make the S24 Ultra a worthwhile upgrade.

However, for S23 Ultra owners without strong photography needs or interest in bleeding-edge AI tech, sticking with their current device likely makes more sense. While the S24 Ultra is certainly Samsung’s most advanced smartphone to date, especially for photographic creativity, it’s not an essential upgrade for every S23 Ultra user. That said, as a brand-new premium Samsung phone with top-of-the-line performance and features, the Galaxy S24 Ultra represents an outstanding option for tech enthusiasts looking for one of the best Android devices available.

Check other reviews about Infinix Smart 8 HD, Xiaomi Redmi 13C, iPhone 15 by Global NEWS Cover.