The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is positioned as the brand’s ultimate flagship for 2024, but this time the spotlight is not solely on raw hardware power. Instead of simply pushing chipsets, camera zoom numbers, or premium build bragging rights, Samsung is leaning heavily into software innovation—specifically Galaxy AI. The result is a smartphone that feels familiar on the outside yet introduces a new layer of capability that separates it from traditional spec-driven flagships.
Design and Build: Titanium, Flat Display, and Stronger Glass
Samsung finally joins the titanium trend, and although Apple may have gotten there first, the Galaxy S24 Ultra still benefits from the material’s premium feel, lighter weight, and durability. The design looks cleaner, more industrial, and perhaps slightly more serious compared to its predecessor.
One notable change is the completely flat display. Samsung has eliminated the curved edges that defined the Ultra line for years. The move delivers symmetry, a tighter aesthetic, and a more practical experience for note-taking using the S Pen, although fans of subtle screen curves may miss the touch of luxury they offered.
Glass durability is significantly improved through Corning Gorilla Glass Armor, which demonstrates real-world toughness rather than marketing numbers. Scratch resistance hits level 7 with deeper marks at level 8 on the Mohs scale—something very few phones can claim. Reflectivity is also reduced, making the screen easier to read in brighter environments.
Peak brightness now reaches 2600 nits, maintaining Samsung’s dominance in OLED panel quality with excellent contrast, color vibrancy, and overall visual clarity.
Performance and Longevity: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 + 7 Years of Support
Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and paired with 12GB RAM, performance is unsurprisingly strong. Gaming delivers stable high frame rates, multitasking is effortless, and thermal management has been improved via an upgraded cooling chamber.
What truly elevates this device is Samsung’s promise of 7 years of software updates—not just security patches, but full OS upgrades. This aligns the S24 Ultra with Google’s Pixel support commitment and positions it as a long-term investment rather than a yearly upgrade product.
Battery endurance is excellent. The 5000mAh cell comfortably pushes through heavy use and casual tasks barely dent the charge. The only missing piece is a built-in battery health feature in OneUI 6, which would complete the longevity story.
Camera: Subtle Refinement Instead of Radical Change
The Galaxy S24 Ultra does not attempt dramatic camera reinvention. Instead, it focuses on refinement. The biggest change is the telephoto system—transitioning from a 10x optical lens to a more practical 5x optical zoom with improved stabilization and a larger sensor. In reality, the results are impressive. Hybrid zoom performance at 10x remains competitive and frequently better than before thanks to improved OIS and processing.
Overall image quality remains within Samsung’s signature profile:
- High detail retention
- Strong, vivid color processing
- Excellent dynamic range
- Consistently reliable results in bright or backlit conditions
- Front camera video reaches 4K 60fps and remains one of the best setups for vlogging and content capture.
The takeaway: it’s not revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to be. Samsung’s flagship camera system is already among the best and stays that way.
Galaxy AI: The Real Game-Changer
This is where the S24 Ultra justifies its existence beyond traditional hardware upgrades. Galaxy AI isn’t a gimmick. It genuinely changes how the phone is used.
Key features include:
Circle to Search
Users can highlight anything on screen—images, video frames, social media content—and instantly search with Google without screenshots or app switching. It feels natural, fast, and becomes instantly addictive.
Instant Slow Motion
A simple press on any video creates AI-generated slow motion, inserting frames intelligently. The effect is surprisingly accurate and visually smooth.
AI Photo Editing Tools
Objects can be moved, backgrounds filled, and perspective issues corrected. Quality lands at a solid 7 out of 10—not Photoshop level, but extremely convenient.
AI Summaries and Translation
Text summary tools work well, though currently still limited in language capability. Real-time translation for calls and chat—once fully rolled out—may be one of the most practical communication features introduced this generation.
However, AI also comes with uncertainty. Samsung has stated Galaxy AI is free until 2025. Beyond that, potential subscription requirements could frustrate buyers who already paid premium flagship pricing. If Samsung expects consumers to believe AI is integral to the device, locking it behind long-term paywalls would feel like a betrayal unless handled carefully.
Verdict: A Smarter Flagship for the Long Haul
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is not a reinvention of the Ultra formula—it’s an evolution. It brings:
- Stronger materials
- A brighter, more durable flat display
- Best-in-class performance
- Excellent cameras
- Real, meaningful AI innovation
- Industry-leading 7-year OS support
It also introduces a new philosophy: smartphones are no longer just about raw specs. They’re about intelligence, longevity, and capability over time.
Is it worth upgrading if already using the S23 Ultra? Maybe not for everyone. But as a flagship in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Ultra stands as one of the strongest and most future-ready devices available, proving that great hardware means more when paired with forward-thinking software.
This isn’t just another fast phone—it’s a flagship built to stay relevant far beyond a standard upgrade cycle.