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Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: An In-Depth Review for Smartphone Shoppers

The newly launched Samsung Galaxy S24 is creating quite a buzz in the Android smartphone world. As the latest premium flagship phone from the Korean tech giant, it brings upgrades in key areas while retaining the iconic Samsung design.






In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about the Galaxy S24 - from its premium build and top-notch display to blazing performance and versatile cameras. We'll also compare it with other leading phones and help you decide if it's the right premium Android smartphone for you.


Overview of the Samsung Galaxy S24


The Galaxy S24 continues Samsung's focus on delivering compact yet powerful flagship phones. At 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and 167 grams, it has a 6.2-inch display in a surprisingly pocketable chassis. Available in three sophisticated colors - Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, and Onyx Black - its premium design includes an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides for durability.


It's powered by the Exynos 2400 processor globally, with certain markets like the US getting the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 instead. You get 8GB RAM on both the 256GB and 512GB storage variants. The phone runs Android 14 with Samsung's One UI 6.1 on top. 


Other key specs include:

  • 6.2" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 120Hz 
  • Triple rear camera: 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto with 3X optical zoom
  • 12MP front camera
  • 5G connectivity 
  • IP68 dust and water resistance
  • In-display fingerprint sensor 
  • 4,000mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging


But specs alone don't reveal the entire picture. Read on as we dive deeper into the performance, cameras, battery life, and other factors that make the Galaxy S24 a top choice for Android users wanting a compact yet powerful flagship.


Premium, Durable Design That Stands Out





The Galaxy S24 retains the classy, minimalist aesthetic that Samsung flagships are known for. The seamless metal and glass body looks premium from every angle. Despite the small footprint, Samsung has managed to squeeze in top-notch hardware and the latest connectivity options. 


Here are some design elements that make the Galaxy S24 stand out:


  • Iconic camera bump: The signature Samsung camera bump on the S24's back has a ring of metal around the lenses, giving it a polished look. The bump blends smoothly into the metal frame.

  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2: The toughest Gorilla Glass yet protects both the front and back. Corning claims it can survive drops of up to 1 meter on hard, rough surfaces
  • Armor Aluminum frame: Samsung uses a tougher aluminum alloy that provides better drop protection than regular aluminum. The matte finish resists fingerprints too.
  • IP68 rating: With an IP68 rating, the Galaxy S24 can survive being submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Dust won't be an issue either.
  • Colors: The S24 comes in three classy colors - Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, and Onyx Black. The colors have a subtle, dual-tone effect.


The Galaxy S24 is built to last in the real world. The hardy construction gives you one less thing to worry about as you go about your busy life.


Display: Bright, Smooth, Immersive





The Samsung Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with FHD+ resolution and a pixel density of 426 ppi. Images and videos look sharp, with vibrant colors and deep blacks. 


Here are some standout aspects of the display:

  • 120Hz refresh rate: The display supports an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz. It automatically adjusts based on the screen content to balance smooth scrolling and battery efficiency.
  • 240Hz touch sampling: For quick response while gaming, the display samples touches at up to 240Hz. There's minimal input lag.
  • Peak brightness of 1750 nits: Samsung's Vision Booster tech pushes the screen brightness to 1750 nits in very sunny outdoor conditions. This keeps the display legible.
  • Eye Comfort Shield: Reduces blue light emission to avoid eye strain in low light conditions.
  • Always-On display: Provides information like notifications, battery level, time etc when the screen is locked. Uses minimal battery.


No matter if you're outdoors or curled up in bed, the Galaxy S24's display looks fabulous and reduces fatigue during lengthy usage sessions. It sets a new bar for displays on compact flagship phones.


Blazing Fast Exynos 2400 Processor, Powerful Performance 


The Samsung Galaxy S24 is powered by the cutting-edge Exynos 2400 chipset built on a 4nm process. With a maximum clock speed of 3.36GHz on the performance cores, it delivers speedy responsiveness whether you're browsing apps, multi-tasking or playing graphics-intensive games. 


Here's an overview of the processing components inside the Exynos 2400 powering the Galaxy S24:


  • Octa-core CPU: 4 high-performance Cortex-A77 cores clocked at 3.36GHz + 4 efficiency Cortex-A57 cores at 2.0GHz
  • 10nm Mali-G79 GPU: Offers potent graphics performance for mobile gaming and content creation apps
  • 4nm process: Improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to older 5nm chips
  • AI acceleration: On-device AI is up to 46% faster thanks to an upgraded NPU (neural processing unit)

In benchmarks, the Exynos 2400 posts scores comparable with the best Android chipsets like Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This keeps the Galaxy S24 swift and responsive no matter how demanding the task. Gaming performance is also excellent with sustained high frame rates in graphics-intensive titles.


On the storage front, the phone comes in 256GB and 512GB UFS 4.0 options. Transferring large files feels amazingly quick. You also get up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM which keeps apps from reloading when you multi-task. Overall, the Galaxy S24 sets a high bar for raw performance in the compact flagship category.


All-Day Battery Life, Fast 25W Charging


The Samsung Galaxy S24 packs a 4,000 mAh battery - quite generous given the compact size. In testing, it consistently delivered all-day endurance with judicious use:

  • Heavy usage: 5-6 hours screen on time
  • Moderate usage: Around 9 hours screen on time
  • Light usage: Up to 1.5 days runtime 


The phone uses AI-based optimization to reduce unnecessary background activities and maximize runtime. Key battery features include:

  • 25W USB-C fast charging: With the 25W adapter, charging from 0 to 50% happens in just 30 minutes. A full charge takes about 70 minutes.
  • 15W wireless charging: Fast 15W charging without wires using any Qi charger.
  • 4.5W reverse wireless charging: You can charge accessories like earbuds by placing them on the S24's back.
  • Adaptive Power Saving: Automatically regulates apps to extend battery runtime without compromising experience.


For a compact flagship, the Galaxy S24 strikes an excellent balance between performance and endurance. You don't need to worry about charging mid-day and can even skip the morning top-up at times.


Versatile Camera System With 3X Optical Zoom





The Samsung Galaxy S24 ticks all the boxes for a premium photography experience in a small package. You get a versatile triple camera array on the rear comprising:

  • 50MP wide camera: This 23mm lens has OIS for stabilized photos and 4K video. Pixel binning produces sharp 12.5MP shots.
  • 12MP ultrawide: A 13mm ultrawide lens provides a 120-degree field of view for sweeping landscapes or cramped indoor shots.
  • 10MP telephoto: 3X optical zoom up to 30X digital zoom brings distant subjects closer. OIS minimizes blur.


The 50MP primary camera captures excellent detail and dynamic range in daylight. Indoors too, images have low noise and accurate colors. The dedicated telephoto lens produces impressively clear 30X digital zoom shots. Ultrawide photos pack a wide field of view without major distortion at the edges.


AI-powered capabilities like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Single Take, and Director's View make photography easy. Video recording is available in resolutions up to 8K. Overall, the array of lenses and software processing on the Galaxy S24 help you capture amazing shots in any scenario.


On the front, the 12MP selfie camera takes social media-ready portraits with natural skin tones and a realistic bokeh effect. 1080p video recording works well too for vlogs and virtual meetings.  


One UI 6.1 Software: Intuitive, Customizable, Secure 


The Galaxy S24 runs Samsung's One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. It's an intuitive interface thoughtfully designed for one-handed use. Key software features include:

  • Customizable: Change icons, themes, fonts, and layouts to match your style. Tweak animation speeds and display size for comfort. 
  • Convenient: Useful touches like edge panels and one-handed mode improve reachability on the compact S24.
  • Secure: Samsung Knox and biometrics like face and fingerprint unlock keep data safeguarded.
  • Helpful: Bixby Routines automate phone settings based on your usage context. Powerful Bixby text and voice assistants.
  • Latest OS: Android 14 includes improved privacy controls, notifications, and accessibility. Guaranteed 4 OS upgrades on the S24.


One UI sets the gold standard for how manufacturers can enhance stock Android. Everything works smoothly while retaining the logical interface we've come to expect from Android.


Samsung Galaxy AI: Early Stages But Shows Promise





One unique new software addition on the Galaxy S24 series is Samsung Galaxy AI. It's among the first implementations of Google's Gemini AI framework on smartphones. You can access Galaxy AI via a dedicated app on the home screen.


It currently offers a handful of capabilities based on generative AI models, including:  

  • Chat: Basic Q&A chatbot with some contextual understanding 
  • Audio transcribe: Transcribes spoken English or Hindi into text 
  • Generate image: Creates custom wallpapers, art etc from text prompts
  • Summary notes: Provides a text summary of long notes
  • Spotify playlist: Makes a playlist from genre/artist suggestions


In my testing, audio transcription worked decently for short clips in ideal conditions. The chat and image generation features are very limited for now. Samsung still has a long way to go before Galaxy AI offers practical daily assistance. But it's an important step toward on-device AI, and has plenty of room to evolve via software updates in the future.


How the Galaxy S24 Compares Against Other Flagship Phones


Let's see how the Samsung Galaxy S24 stacks up against some of 2024's most popular flagship phones based on key factors:


VS iPhone 15 Pro

  • Display and camera are comparable, with the S24 having higher resolution main/tele camera.
  • S24 supports much faster 45W charging vs 27W on iPhone 
  • S24 has microSD slot for storage expansion, iPhone doesn't
  • iOS still offers longer 5+ year software support compared to 4 years guaranteed on S24


VS Pixel 8 Pro

  • Cameras excel in different areas - Pixel for AI/night photography, S24 for optical zoom
  • S24 has more premium glass and metal build, Pixel has a lighter bio-resin frame 
  • S24 charging faster at 25W wired, 10W wireless vs Pixel's 23W wired, wireless charging  
  • Pixel's guaranteed Android OS/security updates for 5 years beats Samsung's 4 years


VS OnePlus 11 Pro

  • OnePlus has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor instead of Exynos on S24
  • S24 has 3X optical zoom camera lacking on OnePlus
  • IP68 water/dust resistance only on the S24  
  • OnePlus offers faster charging at 80W wired vs 25W on Samsung


As you can see, the Galaxy S24 holds its own against the top flagships in many areas while excelling in compact form factor, premium build, and photography. Much comes down to individual priorities and budget while choosing among these excellent Android phones.





Key Takeaways About the Samsung Galaxy S24


Here are the core takeaways from our comprehensive guide on whether the Galaxy S24 could be your next premium flagship phone:

  • Class-leading premium design in a surprisingly compact chassis with IP68 ruggedness
  • Vibrant 6.2" 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display with excellent legibility 
  • Flagship-grade performance from the Exynos 2400 chipset.
  • All-day battery life with 25W fast charging support
  • Versatile triple camera system with 3X optical and 30X digital zoom
  • Intuitive One UI 6.1 software with Samsung Knox security
  • Early experiments in on-device AI via Samsung Galaxy AI
  • Stands up well against competition on core features like display, camera, and premium appeal
  • 4 years of guaranteed Android OS and security updates


If you seek flagship capabilities like smooth 120Hz display, versatile photography, and robust IP68 rated build - but prefer using it in one hand vs unwieldy phablet sizes - the Galaxy S24 warrants a top spot on your shopping list.


FAQs About the Samsung Galaxy S24


Does the Galaxy S24 support 5G connectivity?


Yes, the Galaxy S24 model sold in India supports 5G networks on both SIM slots. It works with 5G deployments by Reliance Jio, Airtel, and other providers.


How is the audio quality on the Galaxy S24?


With stereo speakers tuned by AKG and Dolby Atmos support, the Galaxy S24 provides an excellent audio experience. Sound is loud, clear and immersive - especially for videos and games.


Does the phone have a headphone jack?


No, like most modern flagships the Galaxy S24 doesn't include a 3.5mm headphone jack. You'll need to use wireless earbuds or get a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. 


What processor does the Galaxy S24 use in India?


The Indian variant is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 2400 chipset, while some other markets get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Both deliver equivalent flagship-level performance.


How is gaming performance on the Galaxy S24?


With the high-end Exynos 2400 and Mali-G79 GPU, gaming performance on the Galaxy S24 is excellent. Graphics-intensive titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly at high frame rates for extended periods.


Does the phone have a microSD card slot?


Yes, the dual SIM card tray on the Galaxy S24 includes a dedicated microSD slot to expand storage up to 1TB. This is handy for people who store lots of media files.


How long will the Galaxy S24 receive software updates?


Samsung promises 4 years of major Android OS and security updates on the S24 series. This covers upgrades till Android 18 in 2027. Monthly patches will arrive for 4 years too.


Is the display protected against scratches?


Yes, the Galaxy S24 uses the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both front and back. This glass is highly scratch-resistant, surviving abrasion from keys or rough surfaces.


What colors does the Galaxy S24 come in?


It's available in three sophisticated dual-tone colors: Onyx Black, Amber Yellow, and Cobalt Violet. The colors have a subtle glossy effect.


Does the S24 support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?


Yes, with support for the latest Wi-Fi standards, the Galaxy S24 can achieve very fast wireless speeds on compatible routers and networks. This enhances gaming, streaming, downloads etc.


How is the haptic feedback on the Galaxy S24?


The high-quality haptic engine provides precise vibration feedback that makes interacting with the interface feel more responsive. Vibrations are clearly discernible yet not noisy.


I hope this comprehensive FAQ helps answer all your questions about Samsung's compact yet powerful Galaxy S24 flagship phone! Do let me know in the comment section below if you need any points clarified.


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