We’ve already gone hands-on with both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the smaller two Galaxy S24 devices, but if you want to know what makes these devices tick, you’re in the right spot. Here’s everything you need to know about Samsung’s latest smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series: Availability and price

Let’s talk about when you can get the new Samsung Galaxy S24 phones. You can preorder them right after they were announced on January 17th, 2024. The Galaxy S24 starts at $800, and the Galaxy S24+ starts at $1,000. If you preorder from Samsung’s website before January 31st, you get a free storage upgrade. The phones will be available in stores on January 31st.

Now, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a bit different. It’s also available for preorder and will launch on January 31st, but it’s more expensive compared to last year’s model. The starting price for the Galaxy S24 Ultra is $1,300 in the US. Keep in mind that this is quite a high price for a non-foldable smartphone. The price goes up if you want more storage, and there’s no microSD card slot for extra storage, so you have to choose the right amount when you buy it.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series: Design and specs

In the typical fashion, Samsung has differentiated the design between the two smaller phones and the larger phablet model in the new Galaxy S24 lineup. The Galaxy S24 Ultra maintains a striking resemblance to its predecessor, with notable changes being a flat display and the incorporation of titanium throughout its body. This shift in materials results in a matte finish along the chassis, addressing the concerns of grease and grime that were associated with the shiny metal finish of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 and S24+ present a more familiar appearance. Although these devices feature slightly larger displays – 6.2 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively – the overall body closely mirrors last year’s models, thanks to reduced bezels around the display. All three phones boast a peak brightness of 2,600 nits and support dynamic refresh rates ranging from 1 to 120Hz. Notably, the Galaxy S24+ sees an enhancement with a bump to QHD+ resolution.

In terms of design, the smaller two phones exhibit flat edges reminiscent of the iPhone, while the Ultra aligns with the previous Samsung smartphone generations. With a thickness of 8.6mm, the Ultra is slightly thinner than its predecessor. Minor design adjustments include changes to the button designs, a new speaker grill at the bottom, and a flatter S Pen top, although it still protrudes enough to rock back and forth when standing upright. While these changes are minimal, they offer a welcome shift in design compared to previous generations.

Now, diving into the specifications, all three phones in the US employ Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with “for Galaxy” branding. Outside the US, the Ultra exclusively uses this chipset, while other regions feature the Exynos 2400. The potential impact on performance and battery life due to this difference remains uncertain, as Exynos chips historically tend to perform slightly less optimally than their Qualcomm counterparts.

Examining the spec sheets further reveals familiar features. The smaller phone comes with 8GB of RAM, while the two larger devices boast 12GB. The Galaxy S24 starts with 128GB of storage, and the Plus and Ultra models begin at 256GB. Notably, the non-Ultra variants see increased battery sizes, with capacities of 4,000mAh and 4,900mAh in the regular and Plus models, respectively. The Ultra retains a 5,000mAh battery. While these improvements are notable, owners of the S23 might find them less impressive.

Turning to color options, Samsung introduces four new matching colors for the titanium-framed models: Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow. The gray model bears a resemblance to Apple’s natural hue for the iPhone 15 Pro, and the yellow adds a refreshing change to the color palette.

For the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus, the color options follow Samsung’s usual naming scheme: Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow. While these colors mirror the Ultra lineup, the absence of the titanium frame alters their dynamic appearance. Additionally, three exclusive colors – Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone Orange – are available through Samsung’s web store.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Software

With most major Android phones running One UI 6, the Galaxy S24 lineup is set to receive the latest One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. The notable introduction in One UI 6.1 is the launch of Galaxy AI, marking a significant focus on artificial intelligence. What’s even more impressive is Samsung’s new software policy, aligning with Google’s commitment of seven years of upgrades, initially introduced with the Pixel 8. This means that the Galaxy S24 devices will continue to receive software updates until 2031, which is quite noteworthy.

The array of AI features introduced in this phone is extensive and, frankly, a bit challenging to keep up with. Live Translate is a standout feature, allowing users to engage in phone calls with individuals speaking different native languages. While early testing shows promise, a final judgment will be reserved until further exploration.

Samsung’s features appear to be directly aimed at competing with current Pixel functionalities. Interpreter facilitates translated conversations with a split-screen view, akin to the Pixel 8’s Magic Compose. Chat Assist, integrated into Samsung’s keyboard, assists in conveying tone, resembling the Pixel 8’s Magic Compose. Note Assist in Samsung Notes helps organize drawings and doodles, while Transcript Assist in Recorder aims to position the S24 Ultra as the go-to phone for aspiring journalists.

A noteworthy collaboration between Samsung and Google introduces Circle to Search, initially available on the Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 8 series. This feature allows users to activate a quick shortcut from the navigation bar to highlight anything on the phone and instantly find additional context. From addresses to photos, this tool appears powerful, although it’s not exclusive to a particular device.

The long-term sustainability of these features as essential ways to interact with smartphones remains uncertain, but it is evident that AI is the focal point for Samsung this year.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Cameras

The Galaxy S24 Ultra continues the trend set by its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, with a robust 200MP primary camera. Enhanced processing, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), coupled with larger pixels on the primary sensor, promise improved low-light performance and better support for capturing motion—addressing a notable weakness in the S23 Ultra. However, the most significant change is in the telescope lens. On paper, it might not seem like an improvement, as Samsung replaced the 10x 10MP lens from the previous year with a larger 50MP 5x optical zoom lens. While the digital zoom capability still reaches 100x, real-world testing will be essential to compare the performance of these two generations.

Conversely, the Galaxy S24 and S24+ exhibit fewer changes, with the hardware maintaining a relatively consistent design year over year. However, improved processing has the potential to enhance the overall performance of these lenses, and a more thorough evaluation will be necessary once the phones are available for hands-on testing. As anticipated, AI has also made its way into the camera features. Exciting additions include Generative Edit and a new Instant Slow-mo feature that utilizes AI to slow down existing videos. The promise of removing reflections from images taken through windows adds another intriguing dimension, provided these features deliver as expected.