Every year , it becomes harder to determine asmall and thick phonethat still offer a short ton of features and baron . Most headphone fall into that “ go big or go home ” family , go forth those who prefer a more practical size in the detritus . gratefully , Samsung did not do that with the new Galaxy S24 .
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the smallest of the S24 batting order , which also let in the Galaxy S24 Plus and theGalaxy S24 Ultra . But do n’t be fooled by the small size of the S24 — this headphone still packs good deal of performance , and it also has all those fancy AI smartness that Samsung made a big mickle of .
So , how does the Galaxy S24 fare in daily usage ? Let ’s plunk in .
Samsung Galaxy S24: design
For the most part , the Galaxy S24 looks like to last year’sGalaxy S23 . They both have flat displays , the same triple - lens column camera module , and the same antenna mark on the frame . But there are some notable differences .
First , the S24 now has a directly - edged frame , like to theiPhone 15 , rather than the rounded edge like before . The skeletal frame now also has a matte finale rather than glossy . surely , it does look like Samsung is a aper because the S24 basically reckon like an iPhone 15 , but that ’s not a sorry thing . It feels more elegant and refined .
The front and back drinking glass use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 , and the back still has a matt finish , so it ’s moderately resistant to fingerprint . However , I do find that it feels slick and slippy , so I would opt to use it with a good , grippy case .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
For my review unit , I perplex Marble Gray , which is a very tripping gray color — not my favourite . The S24 come in three other standard colors : Onyx Black , Cobalt Violet , and Amber Yellow . There are also three Samsung.com exclusive colour : Jade Green , Sapphire Blue , and Sandstone Orange . Most of the colour lineup is too sick and boring for my liking , and I think Sandstone Orange and Cobalt Violet are the only good colors due to their high saturation level .
Samsung Galaxy S24: display
While the displays are also like between the Galaxy S24 and its herald , there is one big rising slope this year . Samsung is now using an LTPO AMOLED panel , which is more power effective with the always - on display . By using LTPO , the refresh pace can get as low as 1Hz when jobless , whereas the S23 could only get down to 24Hz when not in use .
away from that , there are other differences with the display on the Galaxy S24 . This yr , Samsung has somewhat kick downstairs up the display to 6.2 inches from the 6.1 - inch screen door of its predecessor . This means the chassis is a tittle magniloquent and narrower than last class , and the bezel have slimmed down slightly . At first , I was disquieted that the difference would be noticeable , but after using the S24 for the retiring week , it has been negligible .
The Galaxy S24 ’s display front corking .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
The 6.2 - inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display also reaches up to 120Hz refresh pace and has 2,600 nits of peak brightness . For comparability , the S23 was only able-bodied to get 1,750 nits . The resolution is 1080 x 2340 pixels with a 416 pixel per inch ( ppi ) density . funnily enough , the ppi is slightly less than the S23 , but again , the remainder is negligible .
I found the S24 display to be bright and vivid , even with the instinctive video display mode pick out . Colors really protrude , blacks are ample and deep , and any text is crisp and tart . I also sleep with how it can reach 2,600 nit of acme cleverness — that ’s even more than my iPhone 15 Pro . When I ’m outdoors in the Southern California Lord’s Day , the S24 exhibit is still promiscuous to see . Scrolling and transitions are pantry smooth thanks to that adaptive 120Hz refresh pace .
Despite the lower compactness than its predecessor , the S24 show still looks bully . And it even has a 120Hz refresh rate , despite being the base model . Apple could see a thing or two from that .
Samsung Galaxy S24: performance and software
Samsung fit the total S24 lineup with Qualcomm ’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip . This slenderly overclocked reading of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is optimized specifically for Samsung ’s Galaxy gadget , so it means better operation and efficiency .
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has Android 14 and One UI 6.1 layered on top . For the lowly simulation S24 , Samsung gave it 8 GB random memory with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage . Despite having less Aries than its bombastic sib ( both the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra have 12 GB RAM ) , the base S24 is still plenty fast and capable for the average user .
I ’ve used my S24 modestly in the past workweek for my daily chore . This includes check personal and work emails , Microsoft Teams messages , various social medium accounts , interpret and watching videos , and snapping photograph . I experience no lag or stutter in my use , and switch between apps is unlined .
The Galaxy S24 never got too red-hot to habituate when doing normal labor . However , I did notice it jump to get warm when I was outside consume a slew of picture in prompt ecological succession . But it never became too hot to hold .
I usually prefer stock Android versions that come on Google Pixel devices , but Samsung ’s One UI is n’t too bad . It ’s pretty uncomplicated and straight to use , though it may take a bit of getting used to if you have n’t used it before . Samsung also promises seven class of software package upgrade for the S24 , so if you bribe one now , you’re able to expect to keep it until Android 21 , wear you wo n’t advance during that time .
But one of the large package features of the S24 batting order is Galaxy AI , which is a master of ceremonies of AI - power tool that are either very useful and fun to utilize or will make you rub your head .
My best-loved Galaxy AI feature is easily Circle to Search .
My best-loved Galaxy AI characteristic is easily Circle to Search . With a simple motion of a foresightful press on the shopping centre button or the sailing bar ( depend on whether you have button or gesture navigation ) , you may tap , circle , or scribble anywhere on the concealment to look something up . It ’s like Google Lens , but it ferment no matter what app you ’re in .
With Circle to Search , you could easily look up anything that may enchant your eye while you use your phone , and the results so far have been pretty good . It ’s one of those features I did n’t know I needed until I tried it , and I find it super useful when I add up across cool products or interesting things I just need to know more about . It definitely beats me taste to imagine at something with a manual Google search .
Circle to Search is not exclusive to Samsung Galaxy S24 , though , as it became uncommitted on the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Prothrough a Feature Drop on January 25 .
Another utile Galaxy AI feature is the Generative Edit puppet . This can remove unwanted and perturb elements from photos , or you’re able to use it to resize and straighten out images and satisfy out the blanks with productive AI . Results are quite good — no one would jazz it was AI unless they take stock the minuscule details .
like to the Google Pixel 8 serial , Galaxy AI also fetch in reproductive AI wallpaper . It ’s middling much thesame prompts that you ’ll regain on the Pixel 8 , so the results can grade from unspoiled to interesting to just plain weird . My takings with these reproductive AI wallpaper is that sometimes you get great resultant , but the resolution is not totally high timbre and has some pixelated bits , which bothers me . Your mileage may change here .
Other Galaxy AI features include resilient Translate , a actual - time voice and text translation tool . Interpreter is what you ’d utilise if you are talk to someone else in person and have the S24 in between you and the other soul to translate your voices in real prison term .
There is also Chat Assist , which can help give your type - out message a different flavor — more professional , for example . However , this requiresyou to use the nonremittal Samsung Keyboard that many people may not wish using , and the issue can be quitelaughable and downright awful .
But chaffer Assist does have a handy grammar and trance hinderance that is more utilitarian than making yourself sound like an automatise automaton trying to be a human being . Note Assist is also a lineament to help arrange and summarize your notes . I do n’t exactly typecast out long notes on my phones ( I prefer using a computer for such things ) , so I do n’t see myself using that feature too much , either .
Basically , some of the characteristic in Galaxy AI are useful , such as Circle to Search and the generative redaction photo puppet . But the relief are either useful in sure lot or just something you ’ll never really need to touch . I ’m not sure if one or two tiptop useful AI features warrant a whole phone , though . Samsung apparently does n’t think so , as Galaxy AI is eventually coming to last year ’s Galaxy S23 handsets .
Samsung Galaxy S24: cameras
There have n’t been many changes to the base model Galaxy S24 camera from its predecessor . In fact , they are pretty much the precise same lenses : a 50MP main camera , a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optic rapid climb , and a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 120 - degree playing area of view . The front is still a 12MP selfie television camera .
One of my big issues with previous Samsung phones was the pic . It was n’t that the cameras were big , but Samsung has a tendency to make colour in pic oversaturated and vivid , to the pointedness where sometimes it does n’t wait realistic or lawful to life . While some hoi polloi like it that way , I prefer images that are a bit more naturalistic and true to biography — if I require to make something drink down a bit more , I ’ll do it in the editing process .
gratefully , it seems like Samsung has eventually better the colors in exposure taken with the S24 line of credit , at least from what I ’ve remark . While the color are still fairly lustrous , they ’re a bit more realistic and exact to what you see in reality .
paradigm that I ’ve strike so far have been quite telling . They still pop but are more accurate with the colouring than before . The photographic camera capture all of the fine details , raciness , and texture , and even unaired - ups have been skilful . I also discover that the hide tint feel more realistic this time around , too , as it does n’t make my selfies look orangish so far . It ’s also quite fast to capture photo , as I prove it out while my daughter was play with a bubble wand . It can quickly focus and capture the minute as soon as you intercept that shutter button .
I do feel that it still fight a tiny bit with lowlight photos , as my figure of a sushi dinner party in a palely lit restaurant came out a bit noisy / distorted than I ’d like .
I ’ll still be testing out the cameras on the S24 in the coming days , but so far , I ’m quite happy with the resultant . Even though the hardware did not change from the S23 , the S24 definitely handles the colour profile better .
Samsung Galaxy S24: battery and charging
The Galaxy S24 has a 4,000mAh battery at heart , which is just a smidge more than the 3,900mAh cell in its predecessor . However , do n’t be arse around by the minuscule electric battery size ( compared to its larger brethren ) — it will still last quite a while thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ’s efficiency .
I ’ve been using the Galaxy S24 for over the past week , and a single heraldic bearing will typically last me more than a daylight , depending on the usage . Again , I primarily use it for eternal scrolling through societal media , email , substance , telecasting streaming , reading , and raft of photos . After a full charge and a single day of moderate to heavy use , I ’d still have at least 20–30 % of battery left , which could get me partly into the next twenty-four hours before I have to plug it in .
Unfortunately , the Galaxy S24 only supports up to 25W level f number , which is on par with Apple ’s iPhone 15 line . I care that the S24 would have faster charging like its larger siblings , as the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra have up to 45W firm charging . Samsung does not include a charging adapter in the boxful , but you do get a USB - ascorbic acid cable .
It ’s a turn surprising that Samsung did n’t follow the new Qi2 wireless charging standards , which would have add magnetised alignment to make tuner charging easier . Wireless charging is still available , but it ’s capped at 15W , which is n’t extremely tight compare to theOnePlus 12 , which can charge wirelessly up to 50W. There is also reverse wireless charging , still up to 4.5W.
Samsung Galaxy S24: price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is available globally as of January 31 . you could buy it directly from Samsung.com , along with major retail merchant like Amazon , Best Buy , Walmart , and more . It ’s also available from carriers like AT&T , Verizon , and T - Mobile .
While all retail merchant will have the received colors ( Onyx Black , Marble Gray , Cobalt Violet , Amber Yellow ) , there are three exclusive colors for Samsung.com only : Jade Green , Sapphire Blue , and Sandstone Orange . The Galaxy S24 starts at $ 800 for the 8 GB RAM/128 GB store model or $ 860 for the 8 GB RAM/256 GB storage version . Various mass can bring the price down .
For the same price , however , you could also attend into the OnePlus 12 , which has also just come out . Though the OnePlus 12 is much larger with a 6.8 - inch curved LTPO AMOLED display , it offers a long ton of bang for your buck . It also uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 , has at least 12 GB RAM with 256 GB starting repositing , and the triple - crystalline lens Hasselblad camera is very telling with a 50MP main electron lens , 64MP periscope telephoto television camera with 3x optic rapid growth , 48MP ultrawide camera , and 32MP selfie television camera . It also has incredibly dissolute 80W wired charging in the U.S. ( 100W elsewhere ) , 50W radio receiver charging , and a monumental 5,400mAh barrage fire that will last for at least two full days .
Samsung Galaxy S24: verdict
Even though the Galaxy S24 is the sister of the S24 lineup , it ’s still packed with power . If the larger sizes of the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra do n’t appeal to you , but you do n’t want to miss out on the latest and greatest that Samsung has to provide , then the S24 is still a skilful buy .
Galaxy AI is one of the big selling points of the entire card , and though I would n’t quite say it’sthereason to elevate , some of the AI features do come in handy . I ’m mostly referring to Circle to Search and the generative photo redaction tool , but the live translate and interpreter features will also be handy in specific situations .
And while the tv camera hardware has n’t changed , the software behind the image processing has unquestionably been finely - tuned . It ’s better now , in my opinion , with less “ burned into your retinas ” colour and more realistic hues .
The Galaxy S24 is a good speech sound to have on your shopping list .
There ’s also a circle to like about the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy microprocessor chip , especially great power efficiency . Even though the S24 only has a 4,000mAh jail cell , it has great battery life story , all things considered . Plus , the public presentation with Android 14 and One UI 6.1 is fast , snappy , and antiphonal enough for pretty much anything you throw at it .
If you ’re due for an upgrade this year , the Galaxy S24 is a right earphone on your shopping list . It ’s not a must - have upgrade if you already have a Galaxy S23 , but if you ’re upgrading from an older exemplar , there ’s a mass to like here .