It’s rare to see a new flagship phone appear almost indistinguishable from its predecessor. This is a surefire way to convince consumers that there is little reason to upgrade.
But when phones like the Samsung S24 Ultra arrive with top-notch features and performance, it becomes clear that it’s not just the outer shell that defines a device. It has the same 6.8-inch display as the S23 Ultra, weighs about 1 gram differently, has nearly the same display resolution, and has the exact same 200MP main lens, 10MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultra-wide lens.
However, it is in the camera part that the specs start to diverge, and the specs change completely inside the camera.
First, instead of a 10MP f4.5 periscope lens completing the quad-camera array, the S24 pushes this up to a 50MP telephoto with an f3.4 aperture. This means that much more light is captured by the camera sensor, giving you a much clearer image when you zoom in.
We were amazed at the camera array’s performance at up to 50x digital zoom. At that level it started to get blurry, even though DSLRs can provide sharp images with no problem when zoomed in. In his performance, he approached DSLR cameras.
Never before has it been possible to see such detail in a magnified image on a smartphone.
But the real magic comes after the photo is taken.
The S24 Ultra represents the debut of Samsung’s new Galaxy AI sub-brand, consisting of a wide range of artificial intelligence features built into the device, which will also be rolled out to other current Samsung smartphones. What’s different about the Ultra is that it runs on the first AI chip built into a Samsung phone, namely his Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, compared to the second-generation chip in the S23 Ultra. Both use an ultra-thin 4nm manufacturing process, which is today’s most advanced chip size, but the new process is the first to be optimized for demanding AI processes.
And those processes really need to be seen. Smooth multitasking is a given and expected. AI features in photos will not work. Images can now be improved, altered, and completely transformed to an extent that previously required paid applications such as Photoshop.
Three AI tools stood out.
- Generative Editing: Users can erase or move objects in images, fill in missing parts, and straighten images with little knowledge of the original “error” other than a small watermark in Galaxy AI I can.
- Instant Slow Motion: Simulates slow motion by generating additional frames between existing frames based on motion already detected in the video.
- Galaxy Enhance-X app: Remove blur and adjust brightness.
- Photo Assist: Analyzes images and specifically identifies and removes window reflections. Or erase the shadow on the face.
Some of these features can be replicated on current iPhones, but not as seamlessly or to the same quality as Galaxy AI allows.
Of course, that might be because it’s displayed on one of the best displays on the market. With a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, a density of 505 pixels per inch (ppi) and a brightness rating of 2600 nits, there’s nothing quite like it on the market. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a ppi of 460 and a maximum brightness of 2000 Nit.
This kind of display is very power-hungry, so it’s good news that the S24 Ultra has a large 5000 mAh battery, just like its predecessor.
How long will it take?
RRP: R29,999 for the 256GB version.
Why is it important?
Next year, AI capabilities will be the biggest demand or expectation as consumers discover nearly unlimited online tools to interact with and create content. That demand will extend to smartphones, and many users will find themselves needing to download separate apps to interact with content more effectively. With a little help from Galaxy AI, many of these features are built natively into the S24 Ultra, ready and waiting.
What is the biggest negative point?
- AI features may require a subscription fee after the first year, but details are not yet clear.
- It looks good, but it’s bulky. When placed in a protective case, it is too bulky for the average pocket.
- Battery and charging features remain unchanged from previous versions.
What is the biggest advantage?
- Amazing camera performance.
- Amazing AI features for image manipulation.
- Samsung has promised to update Android for at least five years.
- Although it is a huge device, the titanium frame makes it strong and durable.
- The ambiance is enhanced by an anti-reflective coating, commensurate with the premium price tag.
*Arthur Goldstuck is the founder of World Wide Worx and editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter and his Instagram (@art2gee).