Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24, the newest iteration in its flagship Galaxy S series, in January 2024. Unlike its extravagant sibling, the S24 Ultra, the S24 champions a more manageable form factor.
This focus on compactness makes it an ideal choice for users who find comfort and practicality in a phone that doesn’t overwhelm the hand.
We took the phone out for a spin and here are our thoughts.
Out of the Box
The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes in a sleek and minimalist package. Inside, you’ll find the device neatly placed, accompanied by a 25W fast-charging power brick, a USB Type-C charging cable, a SIM ejector tool, and a quick start guide. Samsung has opted to omit headphones and a protective case from the package, reflecting a growing trend among premium smartphone manufacturers.
Build
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a blend of elegance and durability. It features a glass front and back protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, paired with an aluminum frame that enhances its premium feel. The phone measures 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.3 inches and weighs just 167 grams, making it sleek and lightweight.
The IP68 rating ensures it is dustproof and can withstand water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, adding to its robustness.
The design is minimalistic yet sophisticated, with a seamless integration of form and function. The front is dominated by the display, which has minimal bezels, achieving a high screen-to-body ratio.
The sides are smooth with the volume rocker and power button conveniently placed on the right edge. The bottom houses the SIM tray, the USB Type-C port, primary microphone, and a stereo speaker.
The back of the Galaxy S24 is clean and elegant, with a subtle Samsung logo near the bottom and a neatly arranged triple camera module that protrudes slightly but is not obtrusive.
Screen and Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, boasting a peak brightness of 2600 nits. This makes it exceptionally clear and vibrant, even in direct sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and an enhanced gaming experience. The screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels combined with HDR10+ support delivers stunning visuals with rich colors and deep contrasts.
The camera setup on the Galaxy S24 is designed for versatility and high performance. The triple camera system includes a 50 MP wide lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens.
This combination allows for capturing detailed photos in various scenarios, from close-ups to expansive landscapes. The main camera features optical image stabilization (OIS), ensuring sharp and steady shots even in low-light conditions.
Video recording capabilities are impressive, supporting up to 8K at 30fps, providing cinematic quality footage. The 12 MP front camera is equally capable, offering clear and detailed selfies and supporting 4K video recording.
Performance, Storage, and Battery
The Galaxy S24 is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400 chipset, depending on the region. Both variants ensure top-tier performance, enabling smooth multitasking and gaming. The device is available in multiple configurations, offering up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. The lack of a microSD card slot is mitigated by the generous internal storage options.
The 4000 mAh battery, though not the largest, benefits from Samsung’s power-efficient hardware and software optimizations, offering a full day of use under typical conditions. The Galaxy S24 supports 25W wired charging, capable of charging the device to 50% in just 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices on the go.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 combines a premium design, vibrant display, versatile camera system, and powerful performance, making it a top choice for anyone looking for a high-end smartphone.
Communication, Connectivity, and Sensors
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is designed to keep you connected wherever you are. It supports a wide range of network technologies including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, and 5G, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity across various regions and network conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for users who frequently travel or live in areas with diverse network availability.
For local connectivity, the Galaxy S24 features Wi-Fi 6e, the latest standard that offers faster speeds and better performance in congested areas, enhancing your internet browsing and streaming experience. Bluetooth 5.3 is included, providing improved range, speed, and efficiency for connecting to peripherals like headphones, smartwatches, and other devices. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also supported, enabling convenient features such as contactless payments and quick pairing with other NFC-enabled devices.
The Galaxy S24 includes a USB Type-C 3.2 port, which supports high-speed data transfer, video output via DisplayPort 1.2, and OTG (On-The-Go) functionality, allowing you to connect USB peripherals like flash drives and keyboards directly to the smartphone. This versatility enhances the device’s usability in various scenarios, from professional presentations to personal entertainment.
In terms of sensors, the Galaxy S24 is well-equipped with an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that provides secure and fast unlocking. It also features an array of other sensors including an accelerometer for motion detection, a gyroscope for orientation and rotational motion sensing, a proximity sensor for detecting when the phone is near your face during calls, a compass for navigation, and a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Additionally, the Samsung DeX and Samsung Wireless DeX features allow you to connect the Galaxy S24 to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, transforming it into a desktop-like workstation.
This enhances productivity by providing a full desktop experience powered by your smartphone, perfect for multitasking and running multiple applications simultaneously.
Overall, the Galaxy S24’s comprehensive communication, connectivity, and sensor suite makes it a versatile and powerful device for both everyday use and professional tasks.
Our Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a robust and stylish smartphone that delivers on multiple fronts. Its sleek design, with a glass front and back protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an aluminum frame, exudes premium quality and durability. The lightweight and slim profile make it comfortable to handle, while the IP68 rating ensures it can withstand dust and water exposure.
The 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display is a highlight, offering stunning visuals with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or browsing, the display’s clarity and color vibrancy enhance your experience.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the versatile camera system. The Galaxy S24’s triple camera setup includes a 50 MP wide lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens, allowing for impressive shots in various conditions. The main camera’s optical image stabilization ensures sharp images, even in low light, while the 12 MP front camera is perfect for detailed selfies and 4K video recording.
Performance is top-notch with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400 chipset, depending on the region. Multiple configurations with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage provide ample space and smooth multitasking. However, the lack of a microSD card slot might be a limitation for those needing extra storage flexibility.
The 4000 mAh battery offers a full day’s use under normal conditions, and the 25W wired charging gets you to 50% in just 30 minutes. Additionally, 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging add convenience, allowing you to charge other devices on the go.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a well-rounded device that balances performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, making it a strong choice for anyone looking for a premium smartphone. Its few drawbacks, like the absence of a 3.5mm jack and expandable storage, are minor compared to its many strengths.