Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: A Comprehensive Look

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, released in early 2024, has been a significant player in the smartphone market. With its robust features and advanced technology, it has garnered attention from tech enthusiasts and casual users alike. In this article, we'll delve into its key aspects, compare it with the newer Galaxy S25 Ultra, and provide pricing details for both Indian and international markets.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a sleek design with a flat glass screen and a titanium build, enhancing durability and reducing glare. Its dimensions are 6.4 by 3.1 by 0.34 inches, making it a substantial device that feels premium in hand. The inclusion of a built-in S Pen is a nod to users who appreciate note-taking and drawing capabilities on the go.

Display Features

Equipped with a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the S24 Ultra offers a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals and an immersive viewing experience. This high-resolution screen is ideal for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, delivering efficient performance for multitasking and demanding applications. It comes with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, catering to various user needs. The device also supports Qi2 wireless charging, although the implementation requires magnetic cases, which some users might find cumbersome.

Camera Capabilities

The camera system is a highlight of the S24 Ultra. It features a 200-megapixel main sensor, providing exceptional detail in photographs. The Nightography Zoom enhances low-light photography, allowing users to capture clear images in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, AI-driven features like Generative Edit and Live Translate offer intelligent photo editing and real-time translation, respectively.

AI Innovations

Samsung has integrated significant AI enhancements into the S24 Ultra. The Galaxy AI introduces features such as Circle to Search and Browsing Assist, which streamline search and translation functions. These tools are particularly beneficial for travelers and researchers, enhancing the overall user experience.

Battery Life

The device houses a 5,000mAh battery, supporting 45W wired charging and 25W wireless charging. This substantial battery capacity ensures that users can go through a full day of heavy usage without frequent recharging.

Price in India and International Markets

At launch, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was priced at Rs 1,29,999 in India for the base variant. However, prices can vary across different regions:

United States: $1,300 (approximately Rs 1,08,079)
United Kingdom: £1,249 (approximately Rs 1,31,668)
Dubai (UAE): 5,099 AED (approximately Rs 1,15,418)
China Mainland: 10,199 Yuan (approximately Rs 1,19,076)
Hong Kong: HK$9,898 (approximately Rs 1,05,211)
Vietnam: 33,990,000 VND (approximately Rs 1,15,062)
Singapore: $1,928 (approximately Rs 1,19,304)
Thailand: ฿46,900 (approximately Rs 1,09,552)
Canada: $1,799.99 (approximately Rs 1,10,897)
Australia: $2,199 (approximately Rs 1,20,028)

It's noteworthy that while the Galaxy S24 Ultra appears to be up to Rs 20,000 cheaper in markets like the US, Hong Kong, Canada, and Thailand, these are official retail prices for the base model. Additional discounts and offers, even in India, could bring down the price significantly. For instance, combining bank offers and discounts, one can acquire the Galaxy S24 Ultra with 512GB storage for around Rs 1,17,999 in India.

Comparison with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

In early 2025, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 Ultra. While it shares some similarities with its predecessor, there are notable differences:

Design: The S25 Ultra features flat edges, a departure from the curved design of the S24 Ultra. It is also lighter, weighing 218g compared to the S24 Ultra's 232g.
Display: Both models have a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the S25 Ultra introduces ProScaler technology, enhancing image and video sharpness by 40%.
Performance: The S25 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, offering a 40% increase in Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance, a 37% boost in CPU performance, and a 30% enhancement in GPU capabilities over the S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
Camera: The ultra-wide camera has been upgraded to 50MP from the 12MP sensor on the S24 Ultra. It retains the 200MP main sensor but introduces 10-bit HDR video recording by default and the new Audio Eraser feature for noise removal.
S-Pen: The new S-Pen accompanying the Galaxy S25 Ultra loses Bluetooth capabilities, affecting features like air actions and its use as a camera trigger button. However, the new S-Pen is reportedly better for taking notes, thanks to its finer tip.

While the Galaxy S25 Ultra offers these enhancements, the S24 Ultra remains a compelling choice, especially considering potential price differences and individual user needs.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands as a powerful and feature-rich smartphone, offering a blend of high-end hardware and innovative software features. Its advanced camera system, robust performance, and AI-driven functionalities make it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra introduces some upgrades, the S24 Ultra continues to provide excellent value, particularly for users who may not require the latest enhancements.

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