New Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The Dawn of AI-Enhanced Smartphone Performance

Should you ask an AI to create the ultimate Android smartphone available today, it might propose specifications akin to those of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While AI has continuously empowered smartphones with impressive features, it has now assumed a more central role, enhancing your productivity, facilitating effortless communication, and enabling tasks that once required specialized knowledge. The Galaxy S24 Ultra harnesses the on-device AI prowess of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and this is relevant not just for AI-driven functionalities alone.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra presents a distinctive choice in today’s high-end Android phone segment. With a hefty starting price of Rs. 1,29,999, does it stand as the premier Android smartphone available now? How effective are its generative AI features? Let’s explore!

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Pricing in India

The pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in India starts at Rs. 1,29,999 for the variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. This is roughly Rs. 5,000 more than its predecessor, but Samsung provides several enticing offers that could reduce the effective cost. The variant with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage retails at Rs. 1,39,999, while the top-tier 12GB RAM and 1TB storage variant goes for Rs. 1,59,999.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes in Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Black. Additionally, the company offers online-exclusive shades: Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange.

Your purchase includes a SIM ejector tool and a USB Type-C charging cable. However, it does not come with a charger in the package, so you will need to utilize an existing charger or purchase a new one for quicker charging.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Overview: Design

While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra retains a look similar to last year’s Galaxy S23 Ultra (Review), there are some clear modifications. The overall proportions remain unchanged, but enhancements are evident.

The first thing you will observe is the flat display, a notable shift from the curved screens of earlier flagship models. The impressive 6.82-inch flat screen significantly alters the phone’s overall aesthetics. Furthermore, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has much narrower bezels and a smaller front-facing camera cutout than its predecessor.

This display is safeguarded by Corning’s newest Gorilla Armor glass, which is claimed to be four times tougher than earlier versions and can diminish reflections by 75 percent, according to the manufacturer. The decreased reflectivity is especially noticeable when compared with nearly any other smartphone.

Like Apple, Samsung has incorporated a titanium frame into its top-tier flagship device. The smartphone has a premium feel to it, and the satin finish provides a comfortable grip. However, the use of titanium has not noticeably altered the device’s weight. The rear boasts a frosted panel, though there is no disclosed information regarding the type of glass utilized. The Galaxy S24 Ultra possesses an IP68 rating, indicating it is resistant to dust and can endure immersion in water for up to 30 minutes (1.5m).

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Overview: Specifications and Software

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a stunning 6.82-inch AMOLED display with an LTPO-enabled variable refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120Hz. Samsung also claims a maximum brightness level of 2600 nits, allowing for better visibility even in bright sunlight. The display delivers crisp visuals regardless of the activity. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is compatible with HDR10 and HDR10+, although it does not support Dolby Vision.

To power its extensive array of features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a customized version of Qualcomm’s premium chipset — the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, combined with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage that reaches up to 1TB. Storage cannot be expanded, so select your model wisely. The SIM card tray accommodates two nano-SIM cards. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra supports Bluetooth 5.3 LE and features NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and a USB Type-C charging port.

With a 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy S24 Ultra supports fast charging at 45W. There’s no charger included in the box, and the USB Type-C cable provided is rated for 3A, so you’ll require a 5A cable and a 45W adapter to take full advantage of its charging capabilities.

Running Android 14 with One UI 6.1 straight from the box, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra introduces many new features, notably the suite of powerful AI functionalities branded as Galaxy AI that will soon be available on previous Galaxy smartphone models. A substantial software feature includes seven years of OS updates and security patches, an upgrade over the previous four years for OS updates and five years for security patches in its flagship lineup.

One UI 6.1 introduces various enhancements. The notification shade has a new design, the layout of quick settings has been optimized, and accessing the quick settings menu is possible by swiping down from the right corner. You’ll also experience smoother transitions when minimizing or maximizing applications. Additionally, the always-on display can now showcase notifications, lock screen wallpaper, and widgets.

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The S Pen remains largely unchanged but is now more enjoyable to use alongside Galaxy AI features.

As for the S Pen, no significant modifications have been made. Samsung has slightly altered the design of the clicker, allowing it to protrude a bit more when housed inside the smartphone, though this will only be evident when compared with earlier Ultra models. The flat display enhances the enjoyment and intuitiveness of using the S Pen stylus, which is beneficial when utilizing certain image editing capabilities powered by Galaxy AI.

Galaxy AI Capabilities on Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Galaxy AI was a key focus during Samsung’s inaugural Unpacked event of 2024, where they unveiled the latest flagship Galaxy S24 series smartphones. While many of these generative AI features will eventually reach older Galaxy smartphone models, the on-device AI capabilities of the new Galaxy S24 series make it a compelling upgrade. These AI features are easily accessible throughout One UI 6.1.

Circle to Search, a feature developed in partnership with Google, made its debut on the Galaxy S24 series ahead of Google’s devices. You can simply activate the feature by tapping and holding the Home button. It allows you to select anything visible on the phone’s display by encircling it or sketching on it to locate related search items. It functions across any app or website and is typically quite accurate. You can merge these image searches with text to gather more insights.

Galaxy AI also provides a variety of image editing tools, simplifying Photoshop-like tasks for virtually anyone. You can eliminate objects, recompose shots, and enhance images directly within the Galaxy app. The generative AI can assist in filling in sections of an image background or rectifying a misaligned image. The tool performs admirably most of the time, although there may be occasions when the outcome doesn’t align with your expectations, as is often the case with generative AI.

Removing reflections from an image or shifting objects around without compromising the entire scene feels remarkably impressive. This can be achieved without the need for third-party applications and with minimal learning involved. This is where Galaxy AI excels. All of this AI functionality operates online, requiring an active Internet connection. Images generated via Galaxy AI will display a watermark both on the image and in the metadata. Samsung has been meticulous in safeguarding user privacy while employing its innovative AI features.

Another feature, Live Translate, is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers or those needing to converse with speakers of other languages. It provides two-way, real-time translations during phone calls (both voice and text) within the native Phone app. Powered by on-device AI, privacy concerns are mitigated. Users can also mute the voices of callers while keeping translations intact.

Another engaging tool is Chat Assist, which provides suggestions for translation, grammar, and writing style. Utilizing Google’s Gemini AI model and operating on-device thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, it can check for spelling or grammar errors in your texts. You can switch your writing style to make your message more formal or casual as needed.

Interpreter is yet another AI-driven capability aimed at travelers. This in-person translation feature helps facilitate communication even when you’re not online, as it functions entirely on-device. Samsung Notes includes several AI-enhanced tools for translation, grammar correction, text formatting, and even summarization of longer notes. The app can discern between two speakers, utilizing cloud-based AI features that require an Internet connection. The Voice Recorder app can automatically generate transcripts and summaries using AI.

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These are just a selection of noteworthy AI-driven capabilities in the new Galaxy S24 series devices. When engaging with the Galaxy S24 Ultra or any device within the series, you’ll appreciate how Samsung has integrated its AI innovation throughout its functionality. Such deep OS-level integrations position Galaxy AI as a standout offering, likely to be emulated by other Android manufacturers in the future.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Performance Overview

Sporting a fantastic 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra operates at a resolution of 1440×3120 pixels, with a pixel density of 505 ppi. Two key factors enhancing the viewing experience include the prominently flat screen and the Corning Gorilla Glass Armor, which minimizes reflections, making outdoor visibility significantly better. Enjoying content under bright conditions becomes a delightful experience.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC for Galaxy, which features a higher-clocked prime core. In benchmark tests, the Galaxy S24 Ultra achieved an impressive score of 19,25,011 in AnTuTu and reached 2,236 and 6,813 in single-core and multi-core tests on Geekbench 6, respectively. Performance in graphics was solid, with the device producing satisfactory results in the GFXBench Car Chase test.

In practical day-to-day use, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out as a high-performing device for everyday tasks. Applications launch instantaneously, video editing is effortless, and it handles all your preferred mobile games seamlessly. The device is equipped with an upgraded vapor chamber that is 1.9 times larger than its predecessor, helping maintain lower temperatures during use. Throughout our testing, the device remained comfortably cool even during extensive gaming sessions and video editing tasks.

Battery longevity on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is praiseworthy, even though the battery size remains unchanged while the feature set has expanded. With heavy daily usage, the Galaxy S24 Ultra managed to last a full day without running low on power.

In our HD video loop battery examination, the Galaxy S24 Ultra sustained operation for 23 hours and 2 minutes. With careful handling (and reduced display resolution), you can get this device to last up to two days easily.

Offering 45W fast charging, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is not the fastest option when compared to other Android competitors but still provides robust performance if you have a suitable 45W USB Type-C charger. Utilizing a compatible 45W charger, it can reach 50% battery in approximately 28 minutes, achieving a full charge in about 75 minutes.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Overview: Camera Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a remarkable camera setup, featuring a 200-megapixel primary rear camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, and a new 50-megapixel telephoto lens. Front-facing, it includes a 12-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. This setup largely mirrors the Galaxy S23 Ultra, with the primary addition being the new 5x telephoto lens replacing the previous 10x telephoto camera.

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features impressive camera hardware.

The 50-megapixel lens offers 2x wider optical image stabilization, delivering high-quality shots even at 10x zoom. You can achieve optical-quality zoom between 6x to 10x easily, maintaining excellent image clarity during zooming. The dynamic range is outstanding as well.

The primary 200-megapixel camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is identical to last year’s model, remains a fantastic performer. The refined camera interface facilitates capturing stunning shots with minimal effort. Images are rich in detail and exhibit vibrant colors across various lighting conditions. The night mode allows for impressive low-light shots with reduced noise and smooth textures.

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Similar to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra excels in low-light photography. A range of AI-powered tools included under the ProVisual Engine branding promises improved imaging quality. Overall, the device captures exceptional details in various conditions.

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The Galaxy S24 Ultra is capable of capturing detailed videos in bright settings. The front-facing camera also records high-quality video, with a sufficiently wide field of view to encompass surrounding details. Stabilization functions splendidly, allowing for smooth video capture while walking or running. Despite this, low-light performance isn’t as robust for the telephoto lenses.

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Instant Slow-mo is an innovative generative AI feature on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, capable of transforming any saved video into slow motion. By long-pressing a video, the device can automatically generate additional frames based on motion, efficiently creating a slow-motion effect. The tool performs admirably, even with videos shot or downloaded from other devices.

Final Thoughts
When considering alternatives, Samsung’s own Galaxy S23 Ultra remains a capable option. While the new anti-reflective glass and flat display of the Galaxy S24 Ultra offer noticeable benefits, the previous model still holds a respectable camera system. For those using older Galaxy S series options, the Galaxy S24 Ultra represents a significant upgrade. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 serves as a foldable alternative at a somewhat higher price. If you seek a more premium option, the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at Rs. 1,59,900 in India.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is indeed a premier device in every aspect. If you’re in the market for the finest Android smartphone available today, the Galaxy S24 Ultra should be your top consideration. It boasts an almost flawless display, an impressive array of AI functionalities integrated seamlessly into the UI, a powerful processor that handles everything efficiently, and cameras that consistently deliver on their promises. Furthermore, it is among the most durable smartphones currently available, featuring a commitment to seven years of OS updates alongside seven years of security updates.