The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the latest flagship smartphone in Samsung’s popular Galaxy S series. It offers a premium design with a compact 6.2-inch display, making it one of the more pocket-friendly high-end Android phones available. The S24 features a bright OLED screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing an excellent viewing experience. Under the hood, it packs the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which delivers flagship-level performance for tasks like gaming, multitasking, and AI-powered features.
The phone’s camera system includes a triple-lens setup on the rear, capable of capturing detailed photos and 8K video. Battery life is also impressive, with the 4,000mAh battery lasting over 13 hours in testing. Additionally, the S24 includes Samsung’s latest AI-driven software features, such as improved note-taking, translation, and search capabilities. While it may not have the most distinctive design, the Galaxy S24 strikes an excellent balance between performance, features, and value, making it a top contender in the premium Android smartphone market.
Stunning Display: 120Hz OLED Panel with Vibrant Colors
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features a stunning 6.2-inch OLED display that delivers an exceptional viewing experience. With a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels, the screen offers a crisp and detailed image, providing ample sharpness for most everyday tasks and media consumption.
What truly sets the S24’s display apart, however, is its smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This adaptive technology allows the screen to dynamically adjust its refresh rate based on the content being displayed, ensuring buttery-smooth scrolling, animations, and gameplay, while also conserving battery life when lower refresh rates are sufficient.
The OLED panel used in the Galaxy S24 also boasts excellent color accuracy and vibrant, punchy hues. Whether you’re browsing social media, watching videos, or playing the latest mobile games, the display delivers a truly immersive visual experience. The panel’s peak brightness of 2,600 nits ensures that the screen remains easily visible even in direct sunlight, making the S24 a great companion for outdoor activities.
While the S24’s display may not offer the optional 1440p resolution found on the larger S24 Plus and S24 Ultra models, the 1080p panel is more than adequate for the majority of users. The difference in sharpness is negligible, and the benefits of the 120Hz refresh rate far outweigh the slightly lower pixel density.
Compact and Comfortable Design
One of the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy S24 is its compact and ergonomic design. Measuring 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches and weighing just 5.93 ounces, the S24 is one of the most pocket-friendly premium Android smartphones on the market.
The phone’s flat sides and rounded corners provide a comfortable and secure grip, making it easy to use with one hand. This is a refreshing departure from the increasingly large and unwieldy flagship devices that have become the norm in recent years. For those who prefer a more compact form factor, the Galaxy S24 is a welcome respite from the trend of ever-growing smartphone sizes.
Despite its compact dimensions, the S24 still manages to pack a sizable 6.2-inch display, thanks to the narrow bezels surrounding the screen. This allows Samsung to maximize the screen-to-body ratio, delivering a truly immersive viewing experience without sacrificing the phone’s overall portability.
The use of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back of the device further enhances the S24’s durability, providing robust protection against scratches and shattering. While it may not be as tough as the Gorilla Armor Glass found on the S24 Ultra, the Victus 2 material is still a significant step up from the standard Gorilla Glass used on many mid-range and budget smartphones.
Unparalleled Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor
At the heart of the Samsung Galaxy S24 lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Optimized for Galaxy processor, the most powerful chipset available for Android smartphones in 2024. This cutting-edge SoC delivers unparalleled performance, ensuring lightning-fast app launches, seamless multitasking, and a buttery-smooth user experience.
Benchmark results and real-world usage tests have consistently shown the Galaxy S24 to be a true powerhouse, outperforming even more expensive flagship devices. The phone’s Geekbench 6 scores of 2,260 on the single-core test and 6,893 on the multi-core test are a testament to its raw computing prowess, easily surpassing the performance of the Google Pixel 8 and its Tensor G3 processor.
What’s more, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Optimized for Galaxy chip is specifically tailored for the Galaxy S24, providing an extra boost in performance and efficiency. This optimization ensures that the phone’s performance remains top-notch, even as you push it to its limits with resource-intensive tasks or the latest mobile games.
The benefits of this powerful processor are further amplified by the phone’s 8GB of RAM, which provides ample memory for seamless multitasking and smooth app switching. While the S24+ and S24 Ultra offer 12GB of RAM, the 8GB configuration on the standard S24 model is more than sufficient for the vast majority of users, ensuring a consistently responsive and lag-free experience.
Longevity and Future-Proofing
The impressive performance of the Galaxy S24 is not just a momentary flash in the pan. Thanks to Samsung’s commitment to long-term software support, this phone is poised to remain a top-tier performer for years to come. The company has pledged to provide up to seven years of Android upgrades and security updates, ensuring that your investment in the S24 will continue to pay dividends well into the future.
While it remains to be seen whether the phone’s performance will truly keep pace with Samsung’s ambitious software support timeline, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Optimized for Galaxy processor provides a solid foundation for the S24 to remain a capable and responsive device for the long haul. Compared to the competition, which often falls behind in terms of software updates, the Galaxy S24’s longevity is a significant advantage for those seeking a future-proof Android flagship.
Exceptional Camera System: Triple-Lens Setup with Dedicated Zoom
The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts a versatile triple-camera system that sets it apart from the competition, particularly in the sub-$1,000 price range. Featuring a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a dedicated 10MP 3x optical zoom lens, the S24 offers a level of photographic flexibility that is rarely seen in this segment of the market.
The main 50MP camera is the workhorse of the system, capturing stunning, detailed images in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Samsung has made significant strides in improving the color accuracy and natural rendering of its camera sensors, moving away from the oversaturated, almost neon-like tones that plagued previous Galaxy models.
While the Pixel 8’s camera system may still edge out the S24 in terms of overall image quality and consistency, the Galaxy’s dedicated zoom lens is a game-changer. This 10MP telephoto camera allows you to capture crisp, detailed shots of subjects that are further away, without the quality degradation often seen with digital zoom. For those who frequently find themselves needing to zoom in on their subjects, the S24’s zoom capabilities are a significant advantage over the competition.
The ultrawide lens, on the other hand, provides a unique perspective, allowing you to capture sweeping landscapes or fit more of a scene into the frame. The 12MP resolution may not be the highest in the industry, but the image quality is more than adequate for most everyday photography needs.
Versatile Video Capabilities
In addition to its impressive still photography performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 also excels in the video department. The phone can record video at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, delivering sharp, detailed footage with vibrant colors and excellent dynamic range.
One area where the S24 stands out is its versatile zoom options when recording video. Unlike some other smartphones, which limit you to preset zoom levels, the Galaxy S24 allows you to seamlessly zoom in and out using intuitive gestures, providing a more natural and fluid video experience.
That said, the video stabilization on the S24 is not quite as impressive as its still image capabilities. While it does a decent job of smoothing out minor shakes and jitters, more pronounced camera movement can still result in some noticeable micro-jitters in the final footage. This is a minor nitpick, however, and the overall video quality is still excellent, especially for a smartphone in this price range.
Impressive Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts impressive battery life, thanks to its 4,000mAh battery capacity and the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Optimized for Galaxy processor. In our battery tests, the S24 managed to complete the video streaming test with a respectable 59% of its battery remaining, coming very close to the larger S24 Plus model’s 60% result.
This level of battery performance is particularly noteworthy for a compact flagship smartphone, as smaller devices often struggle to match the longevity of their plus-sized counterparts. The fact that the S24 is able to deliver such stellar battery life while maintaining a sleek and portable form factor is a testament to Samsung’s engineering prowess.
While the Galaxy S24’s charging speed of 25W may not be as fast as the 45W capabilities of the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, it is still more than adequate for most users’ needs. The phone can be charged from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes, and a full charge can be achieved in just over an hour, ensuring that you can quickly top up your device when needed.
The S24 also supports 15W wireless charging, as well as reverse wireless charging at up to 7.5W, allowing you to use the phone as a wireless power bank for compatible accessories or other devices. These features, combined with the phone’s impressive battery life, make the Galaxy S24 a reliable companion for all-day use and beyond.
Cutting-Edge AI Features: Unlocking the Power of Gemini
One of the standout features of the Samsung Galaxy S24 is its integration of the latest AI technology, powered by Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence model. This suite of AI-driven capabilities aims to enhance the user experience in a variety of ways, from real-time language translation to intelligent task automation.
The real-time call translation feature, for example, allows the S24 to seamlessly translate conversations between different languages, making it easier to communicate with people from around the world. While the technology is still in its early stages and can occasionally produce some amusing misinterpretations, like the “cancer” incident mentioned earlier, the underlying capability is impressive and has the potential to become increasingly useful over time.
Another noteworthy AI feature is the “Circle to Search” function, which enables users to quickly perform a Google search by simply drawing a circle around any text or object on the screen. This intuitive gesture-based interaction can save time and streamline the research process, making it easier to find relevant information without having to manually type out queries.
The Galaxy S24’s AI capabilities also extend to task automation and optimization. The phone’s intelligent assistant can suggest relevant actions based on your usage patterns, such as automatically launching your favorite music app when you plug in your headphones or adjusting the display brightness based on the ambient lighting conditions.
While these AI features may not be the sole reason to upgrade to the Galaxy S24, they do represent an exciting step forward in the integration of artificial intelligence into the smartphone experience. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, the S24’s AI capabilities are likely to become an increasingly valuable asset for users.
In terms of software support, the Galaxy S24 benefits from Samsung’s commitment to providing up to seven years of Android upgrades and security updates. This is a significant advantage over many other Android devices, which typically only receive software support for a few years. This extended software support ensures that the Galaxy S24 will remain a viable and secure option for users who plan to keep their device for an extended period.
Overall, the AI features on the Galaxy S24 are a mixed bag. While some of them, like the real-time call translation, show promise, they still require further refinement and improvement to truly shine. However, the phone’s impressive software support and the potential for these AI features to evolve over time make the Galaxy S24 a compelling option for users who value intelligent assistance and long-term device longevity.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is available in the United States with a starting price of $799.99 for the base model with 128GB of storage. Users can also opt for the 256GB variant, which retails for $859.99.
Compared to the larger Galaxy S24+ ($999.99) and the flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra ($1,299.99), the standard Galaxy S24 offers a more affordable entry point into Samsung’s premium smartphone lineup. This makes it an attractive option for those who want a high-performance device without the higher price tag associated with the larger and more feature-rich models.
It’s worth noting that the Galaxy S24 is priced slightly higher than the Google Pixel 8, which starts at $699. However, the Galaxy S24 offers a more powerful processor, a more versatile camera system, and a longer software support window, which may justify the higher price tag for some users.
The Galaxy S24 is widely available through major carriers and retailers in the United States, ensuring that it is easily accessible to consumers. Additionally, Samsung offers exclusive color options on its website, providing users with more customization options beyond the standard color choices.
Overall, the pricing of the Galaxy S24 positions it as a premium flagship device that offers excellent value for the money, especially when compared to the higher-end models in the S24 series.
Comparison to the Competition
When compared to other flagship Android smartphones in the same price range, the Samsung Galaxy S24 emerges as a clear standout. Its combination of powerful performance, versatile camera system, and impressive battery life make it a compelling choice for those seeking the best overall Android experience.
One of the S24’s closest competitors is the Google Pixel 8, which offers a slightly lower price tag of $699 compared to the S24’s $799 starting price. The Pixel 8 boasts excellent camera quality and a clean, bloat-free Android experience, as well as some impressive AI-powered features of its own. However, the S24’s more powerful processor, dedicated zoom lens, and longer software support timeline give it a slight edge over the Pixel 8 for those who prioritize raw performance and future-proofing.
The iPhone 15, Apple’s latest flagship offering, is another potential alternative for those considering the Galaxy S24. While the iPhone 15 may have a slight advantage in terms of camera quality and software optimization, the S24 offers a more customizable Android experience, as well as the benefits of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Optimized for Galaxy processor. Additionally, the S24’s compact design and lower price point make it a more appealing option for those who prefer a smaller smartphone.
For users who require even more power and advanced features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands as the top-of-the-line option in the S24 lineup. With its larger display, S Pen stylus support, and more advanced camera system, the S24 Ultra is aimed at power users and creative professionals. However, the significant price difference between the standard S24 and the Ultra model means that the standard S24 is likely to be the better choice for the majority of consumers.
Conclusion: The Best Android Phone for Most People
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a remarkable achievement, delivering a comprehensive flagship experience in a compact and ergonomic package. Its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Optimized for Galaxy processor, excellent triple-camera system, and stellar battery life make it the best overall Android phone for most people.
While the S24’s charging speed could be faster, and its AI features still have room for improvement, these are minor quibbles in the face of the phone’s many strengths. The stunning OLED display, durable design, and long-term software support further cement the S24’s position as the Android smartphone to beat in 2024.
For those who prefer a more compact flagship device, the Galaxy S24 is an easy recommendation. It offers uncompromised performance, versatile camera capabilities, and a user experience that can rival even the most expensive smartphones on the market. Whether you’re a power user or simply seeking a reliable and future-proof Android companion, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is the clear choice for the majority of consumers.
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