The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the flagship device in Samsung’s 2025 Galaxy S lineup, following in the footsteps of its predecessors while introducing new features and improvements that continue to push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. As a powerhouse device, the S24 Ultra is designed for users who demand the best in performance, photography, and display quality. But does it truly live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Build Quality
- Dimensions: 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 234g
- Material: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), Glass back, Aluminum frame
- Colors: Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, Cream
Why It’s Great:
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra maintains the premium feel that we’ve come to expect from Samsung’s flagship smartphones. It’s sleek, sophisticated, and designed with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for added durability. The glass back and aluminum frame create a sturdy yet elegant feel, while the rounded corners and thin bezels provide a refined, modern look. The available colors, especially the Phantom Black and Green, are stylish and polished, making the device stand out without being too flashy.
What Could Improve:
The phone is slightly heavier than its competitors, which could be a bit cumbersome for users who prefer lightweight devices. However, this extra weight is likely due to the larger battery and powerful components, which may be a trade-off for some.
Display: The Best in the Business?
- Screen Size: 6.8 inches
- Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate
- Resolution: 3088 x 1440 (WQHD+)
- Peak Brightness: 1750 nits (peak)
- HDR: HDR10+
Why It’s Great:
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is absolutely stunning. With its QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, it delivers crisp, vibrant colors and super-smooth scrolling. Whether you’re watching movies, browsing social media, or playing high-performance games, the display remains consistent and visually stunning. The HDR10+ support ensures that content with high dynamic range looks fantastic, especially in bright settings, with peak brightness reaching a remarkable 1750 nits, making it easily readable under direct sunlight.
What Could Improve:
While the display is near-perfect, the notch (or hole-punch for the front camera) could be distracting to some users. That said, it’s a small trade-off for the overall visual experience.
Performance: Speed and Power
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (USA) or Exynos 2400 (Global)
- RAM: 12GB/16GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
- OS: Android 14, One UI 6.0
Why It’s Great:
With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or Exynos 2400 for global markets), the Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers exceptional performance across the board. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or running demanding apps, the device is fast, responsive, and capable of handling everything with ease. The 12GB or 16GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking, and with storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB, there’s plenty of space for apps, photos, videos, and more.
The device also runs Android 14 with One UI 6.0, which offers a smooth, user-friendly experience with useful customization options and the latest Android features.
What Could Improve:
Despite the impressive performance, some users might still prefer more uniformity between Snapdragon and Exynos variants in terms of performance. The battery life on the Exynos version may slightly fall short of the Snapdragon model’s performance, though this difference is subtle.
Cameras: Professional-Grade Photography
- Rear Cameras:
- 200MP primary camera (f/1.7)
- 12MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
- 10MP telephoto camera (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom)
- 10MP periscope telephoto (f/4.9, 10x optical zoom)
- Front Camera:
- 12MP (f/2.2)
Why It’s Great:
Samsung continues to push the envelope with its camera technology. The 200MP primary sensor captures an astonishing level of detail, allowing for sharp, vivid shots even in low-light conditions. The 12MP ultra-wide and dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom) give users incredible versatility when it comes to framing and capturing distant subjects.
For professional-grade telephoto shots, the 10x optical zoom on the periscope lens is a standout feature, offering more clarity and less pixelation compared to digital zoom. The 12MP front camera is perfect for selfies and video calls, offering good dynamic range and sharpness.
What Could Improve:
While the camera system is impressive, night mode could still use a bit of fine-tuning to compete with other phones like the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which is often considered superior in low-light performance. Additionally, some users may find the zoomed-in shots (especially at 10x) a bit too shaky without a tripod or stabilization aid.
Battery Life and Charging
- Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
- Charging: 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging
- Battery Life: 1.5 days of moderate use
Why It’s Great:
The 5000mAh battery on the Galaxy S24 Ultra is designed to keep you going throughout the day. With 45W fast charging, you can go from 0 to 50% in about 20 minutes, and a full charge takes just under an hour. The addition of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches adds a layer of convenience to this device.
What Could Improve:
Battery life has seen incremental improvements, but heavy users may still find themselves needing to charge halfway through the day, especially with the high refresh rate display and demanding applications. The 45W fast charging could be more competitive if it were even faster than the current rate.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Deliver?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is, without a doubt, one of the best smartphones of 2025, delivering unmatched performance, a stunning display, and top-tier camera technology. For users who prioritize photography, display quality, and powerful hardware, the S24 Ultra is a fantastic choice.
While the device is a bit on the heavier side and doesn’t offer huge leaps in battery life or night photography over its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is still a must-have for anyone seeking the ultimate smartphone experience.
For tech enthusiasts, creators, and gamers, this device delivers on all fronts, making it well worth the investment if you’re looking for cutting-edge performance in a sleek, premium package.
