Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade in 2024?

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra is the company’s latest flagship phone, packed with upgrades like a brighter display, better cameras, and AI-powered features. But with its high price tag (starting at $1,299), is it really worth upgrading from the S23 Ultra or older models?

In this simple, easy-to-understand review, we’ll break down:
✅ Design & Build Quality
✅ Display & Performance
✅ Camera Upgrades (200MP vs 108MP)
✅ Battery Life & Charging
✅ New AI Features (Are They Useful?)
✅ Who Should Upgrade?

Let’s find out if the S24 Ultra deserves your money in 2024.

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1. Design & Build: Looks Familiar, But More Durable

The S24 Ultra looks almost identical to the S23 Ultra, with a few small changes:

✔ Flat Display (No Curved Edges) – Easier to use with a stylus.
✔ Titanium Frame – Lighter and stronger than aluminum.
✔ Matte Glass Back – Less fingerprint smudges.

What’s the Same?

• S Pen (still built-in)

• IP68 Water Resistance (survives drops in water)

• Same Size & Weight (6.8-inch screen, 233g)

Verdict: If you liked the S23 Ultra’s design, this is a minor but nice upgrade.

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2. Display: Brighter Than Ever (2,600 Nits Peak!)

The S24 Ultra has one of the best smartphone screens in 2024:

✔ 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1440p resolution)
✔ 120Hz Refresh Rate (super smooth scrolling)
✔ 2,600 Nits Peak Brightness (easier to see in sunlight)
✔ Anti-Reflective Coating (better outdoor visibility)

How Does It Compare?

Verdict: The S24 Ultra has the brightest display on any phone right now.

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3. Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Fastest Android Chip)

The S24 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, making it one of the fastest phones in 2024.

✔ 12GB RAM + Up to 1TB Storage (great for multitasking)
✔ Cooler Than S23 Ultra (better heat management)
✔ Gaming Performance – Runs Genshin Impact at max settings smoothly.

Benchmark Scores (Geekbench 6):

• S24 Ultra: 7,200 (Multi-Core)

• S23 Ultra: 5,800 (Multi-Core)

• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 7,400 (Multi-Core)

Verdict: If you want the best Android performance, this is it.

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4. Cameras: 200MP vs 108MP – Big Upgrade?

The S24 Ultra keeps the same quad-camera setup but improves processing:

Camera Improvements:

✔ Better Zoom (5x & 10x shots look sharper)
✔ Improved Night Mode (less noise in low light)
✔ AI-Powered Editing (remove objects, enhance details)

Sample Shots:

• Daylight Photos: Almost identical to S23 Ultra.

• Zoom (10x+): S24 Ultra is sharper.

• Portrait Mode: Better edge detection.

Verdict: If you zoom a lot, the S24 Ultra is better. Otherwise, not a huge upgrade.

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5. Battery Life: Same 5,000mAh, But More Efficient

The S24 Ultra has the same 5,000mAh battery as the S23 Ultra but lasts longer thanks to the more efficient chip.

✔ 6-8 Hours Screen Time (heavy use)
✔ 45W Fast Charging (0-100% in ~65 mins)
✔ Wireless Charging + Reverse Wireless

Battery Test (YouTube Playback):

• S24 Ultra: 10 hours

• S23 Ultra: 9 hours

• iPhone 15 Pro Max: 11 hours

Verdict: Slightly better than S23 Ultra, but not a game-changer.

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6. New AI Features (Are They Useful?)

Samsung added Galaxy AI to the S24 Ultra. Some useful features:

✔ Live Translate (real-time call translation)
✔ Circle to Search (Google Lens-like search)
✔ AI Photo Editing (remove shadows, resize objects)
✔ Note Assist (summarize long notes)

Problem: Some features require a Samsung account and may not work offline.

Verdict: Helpful, but not a must-have yet.

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7. Should You Upgrade? (Final Verdict)

✅ Upgrade If:

✔ You have an S22 Ultra or older
✔ You need the brightest display
✔ You use zoom a lot (5x-10x shots)
✔ You want the fastest Android phone

❌ Don’t Upgrade If:

✔ You have an S23 Ultra (not a big jump)
✔ You don’t care about AI features
✔ You’re happy with your current battery life

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Final Rating: 8.5/10

👍 Pros:

• Best Android performance

• Brightest display

• Better zoom camera

• AI features (future-proof)

👎 Cons:

• Expensive ($1,299+)

• Similar design to S23 Ultra

• AI features still limited

Best Alternatives:

• S23 Ultra (cheaper, almost as good)

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (better video, longer updates)

• OnePlus 12 (cheaper flagship)

  

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What do you think? Will you upgrade to the S24 Ultra? Let us know in the comments! 🚀