Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Why Buy Anything Else?

Marques Brownlee
26 Jan 202418:30
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe Samsung S24 Ultra is hailed as the ultimate Android slab phone for 2024, offering a 6.8-inch quad HD AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery, and a versatile camera system with a 200MP primary sensor. It boasts a refined design, improved performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and a multitude of AI features. With seven years of software updates promised, the S24 Ultra aims to outshine competitors, including the iPhone, with its advanced features and sleek design.

Takeaways
  • 📱 The Samsung S24 Ultra offers a comprehensive package with the best hardware and software, making it a top choice for Android users.
  • 💰 With a $1,300 price tag, the S24 Ultra is a premium phone that aims to deliver the highest quality in all aspects.
  • 🖥️ It features a class-leading 6.8-inch quad HD AMOLED display with a flat design and improved brightness, offering an exceptional screen experience.
  • 🔋 The phone comes with a 5,000mAh battery, maintaining the high performance of previous models while getting thinner and keeping the S Pen.
  • 🚀 Performance-wise, it pairs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12GB of RAM, making it a multitasking powerhouse.
  • 📷 The camera system is versatile, with a 200MP primary sensor and improved telephoto capabilities, offering a 5X optical zoom with a 50MP sensor.
  • 📸 The S24 Ultra has AI-driven features for photo editing, including the ability to erase reflections, add background blur, and adjust horizons without cropping.
  • 🔍 Samsung has partnered with Google to integrate AI features and improve the software experience, offering seven years of security and major software updates.
  • 📲 The phone includes features like Circle to Search, which allows users to search directly from the screen with a single gesture.
  • 📱 The S24 Ultra is designed to compete with the iPhone, adopting features like a new always-on display and lock screen widgets.
  • 💸 While the S24 Ultra is a high-end option, Samsung also offers more affordable models like the S24 Plus and S24, providing similar experiences at lower price points.
Q & A
  • What is the price range of the Android slab phone discussed in the script?

    -The price range discussed is $1,300.

  • What are some of the key features of the S24 Ultra mentioned in the script?

    -Key features include a 6.8-inch quad HD AMOLED display, a 5,000mAh battery, 45 watt wired charging, 25 watt wireless charging, a 200 megapixel primary camera, and a 50 megapixel 5X telephoto camera.

  • How does the S24 Ultra's screen compare to other high-end phones?

    -The S24 Ultra has one of the best screens, with a class-leading 6.8-inch quad HD AMOLED display, a flat design, and a brightness of up to 2,600 nits.

  • What improvements have been made to the S24 Ultra's battery life compared to previous models?

    -The S24 Ultra maintains a 5,000mAh battery while being thinner and including the S Pen, offering long days with no problems and the ability to last up to two full days with high brightness use.

  • How does the S24 Ultra's performance stack up against other flagship phones?

    -The S24 Ultra pairs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12 gigs of RAM, making it a multitasking champ and offering great high-end performance.

  • What are the camera specifications of the S24 Ultra?

    -The S24 Ultra has a 200 megapixel primary camera, an ultra-wide camera, and two telephoto cameras, one with a 3X zoom and the other with a 5X zoom, which is an upgrade from the previous 10X camera.

  • What software and AI features does the S24 Ultra offer?

    -The S24 Ultra offers a variety of AI-driven features, including an AI-powered Gallery app for photo editing, live phone call translation, improved Voice Recorder app with speaker labels and summaries, and a new Circle to Search feature.

  • How does the S24 Ultra's camera system perform in terms of utility?

    -The camera system checks every box in terms of utility, offering a versatile primary camera, a meaningfully wider ultra-wide, a smooth 3X telephoto, and a more powerful 5X telephoto with improved resolution.

  • What is the S24 Ultra's approach to software updates and security?

    -Samsung is promising seven years of security updates and seven generations of major software updates for the S24 Ultra, ensuring it will be up to date until 2031.

  • How does the S24 Ultra compare to the iPhone in terms of design and features?

    -The S24 Ultra has adopted several iPhone-like features, such as a titanium color with titanium rails, a flattened screen and sides, boxier corners, a max 5X telephoto lens, and an always-on display that shows the full wallpaper.

  • What are some of the unique AI features of the S24 Ultra's camera and gallery app?

    -The S24 Ultra offers AI features like HDR shooting in Google's new ultra HDR format, native quality photo and video uploading pipelines for Instagram and Snapchat, and a Magic Editor for advanced photo editing.

Outlines
00:00
📱 Samsung S24 Ultra: The Ultimate Android Experience

The script opens with a discussion on the value of spending $1,300 on an Android phone in 2024, specifically the Samsung S24 Ultra. It highlights the phone's ability to combine the best features from other high-end phones, offering top-tier hardware and software. The evolution of Samsung's Ultra phones is mentioned, from focusing on numbers and specs to a more refined and comprehensive package. The S24 Ultra is praised for its design, which, despite similarities to the previous year's model, offers significant improvements under the surface.

05:03
🖥️ Unmatched Display and Battery Life

The paragraph emphasizes the S24 Ultra's impressive display, featuring a 6.8-inch quad HD AMOLED screen with a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate. It notes the new flat design and increased brightness, making it one of the best-looking phones. The battery life is also a highlight, with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W wired and 25W wireless charging, offering long-lasting performance even with heavy use.

10:03
🚀 Performance and Stylus: The S Pen and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

This part of the script discusses the phone's performance, mentioning the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB of RAM for multitasking. The S Pen is highlighted as a unique feature for note-taking and drawing, with the S24 Ultra being the only high-end phone with a stylus. The gaming performance is also praised, with rate tracing and a larger vapor chamber for cooling, making it a versatile device for various uses.

15:05
📸 Camera Capabilities and Software Features

The camera system of the S24 Ultra is detailed, including its 200-megapixel primary sensor and various telephoto lenses. The script discusses the camera's utility and aesthetic qualities, as well as new features like HDR shooting and AI-driven photo editing. The software aspect is also covered, with the phone offering a range of AI features, partnerships with Google, and a commitment to long-term software updates, challenging the traditional preference for iPhones or Pixels.

📱 iPhone-like Features and Value for Money

The script concludes by comparing the S24 Ultra to the iPhone, noting similarities in design and features. It mentions the new titanium color, flattened screen, and always-on display. The S24 Ultra is positioned as a peak slab phone, offering a comprehensive package. However, it also acknowledges that while the S24 Ultra is a fantastic device, it comes at a high price, and there are more affordable options within Samsung's lineup that still provide a great experience.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡S24 Ultra
The S24 Ultra is a high-end Android smartphone from Samsung, which is the main focus of the video. It is described as having the best hardware and software features, making it a top choice for consumers with a $1,300 budget. The phone is highlighted for its advanced display, battery life, performance, camera system, and AI features, setting the standard for smartphones in 2024.
💡AMOLED display
AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes, a type of display technology used in the S24 Ultra. It is known for its high contrast, deep blacks, and energy efficiency. In the context of the video, the S24 Ultra's AMOLED display is praised for its 6.8-inch quad HD resolution, 120Hz LTPO refresh rate, and brightness up to 2,600 nits, making it one of the best screens available on any phone.
💡S Pen
The S Pen is a stylus designed for Samsung's Galaxy Note and Ultra series phones, allowing users to write, draw, and interact with the device in various ways. In the video, the S Pen is mentioned as a unique feature of the S24 Ultra, which adds to its versatility and appeal for users who value note-taking and precision input.
💡Battery life
Battery life refers to the amount of time a device can operate on a single charge. The S24 Ultra is noted for its 5,000mAh battery, which provides long-lasting performance, enabling users to have full days or even two days with moderate usage. This is a key selling point for those prioritizing longevity in their smartphones.
💡Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a high-performance mobile platform (system-on-chip) developed by Qualcomm, powering the S24 Ultra. It is associated with efficiency gains and strong multitasking capabilities. In the video, it is mentioned alongside 12GB of RAM, emphasizing the phone's superior performance for gaming and everyday tasks.
💡Camera system
The camera system of the S24 Ultra is highlighted for its versatility and quality, featuring a 200-megapixel primary sensor, ultra-wide, and two telephoto lenses. The video discusses the practicality and aesthetic appeal of the camera setup, noting improvements in optical zoom and image processing, which are important for photography enthusiasts.
💡HDR photography
High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is a technique that allows for a greater range of luminosity and detail in photos. The S24 Ultra shoots in HDR by default, using Google's ultra HDR format, which enhances specular highlights and dynamic range differences for more dramatic and visually appealing images.
💡AI features
Artificial Intelligence (AI) features in the S24 Ultra include various software enhancements that improve user experience, such as photo editing tools, live phone call translation, and voice recognition. The video emphasizes the practicality of these AI-driven functions, which are designed to make everyday tasks easier and more efficient.
💡Software updates
Software updates are crucial for maintaining a smartphone's security and functionality. The S24 Ultra promises seven years of security updates and seven generations of major software updates, ensuring the device remains up-to-date and compatible with the latest apps and services for an extended period.
💡Competition with iPhone
The video discusses how Samsung's S24 Ultra competes directly with Apple's iPhone, particularly the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It mentions design elements and features that Samsung has adopted from the iPhone, such as the titanium color, flattened screen, and always-on display, as part of its strategy to attract users who might otherwise consider Apple's devices.
💡Value for money
The concept of value for money is addressed in the context of the S24 Ultra's high price point. The video suggests that while the S24 Ultra offers a comprehensive set of features, there are less expensive alternatives within Samsung's lineup, such as the S24 Plus and the regular S24, which still provide a significant portion of the Ultra's capabilities at a lower cost.
Highlights

The S24 Ultra has the best features from every high-end phone.

The phone has a 6.8-inch quad HD AMOLED display with 2,600 nits brightness.

The display is completely flat with thin bezels and an anti-reflective coating.

The S24 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery with 45 watt wired and 25 watt wireless charging.

The phone offers six hours plus screen-on time and can last up to two days with moderate use.

Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 12GB RAM for high performance.

The S Pen is a unique feature for note-taking and drawing.

The camera system includes a 200MP primary sensor and a 50MP 5X telephoto lens.

The S24 Ultra has a new Magic Editor for photo editing with AI features.

Samsung has partnered with Google for AI features and software updates.

The phone offers seven years of security updates and major software updates.

The S24 Ultra has a titanium color with titanium rails, similar to the iPhone.

The phone has an always-on display that shows the entire wallpaper.

Samsung's S24 Plus offers similar features at a lower price point.

The S24 Ultra is considered a peak slab phone with a comprehensive feature set.

The phone includes AI-generated wallpapers and other AI features.

The S24 Ultra is a reliable, fast, and versatile phone that checks all the boxes.

The only downside is the high price tag of $1,300.

Transcripts
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