Samsung Galaxy S24 review
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a compact flagship that offers high-end features in a pocketable form factor. While it doesn't bring many upgrades compared to the more expensive S24 Plus, it does offer refinements such as a brighter and more adaptive screen, and a more powerful chipset that powers new AI functionality. The design of the phone is similar to previous Samsung models, with a flat back made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and separate rings for each camera. The phone's matte aluminum frame is touted to be tougher this year, and the sharp edge where the frame meets the back gives it a subtly different feel in hand. The 6.2-inch OLED display is slightly larger than last year's model and has a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and a 0HZ refresh rate. The new chipset brings LT-P Tech, which means the screen refresh rate is extra adaptive. The phone also supports HDR10+ video. The camera performance has improved thanks to the new chipset and AI processing. During the day, photos from the main camera are excellent with vibrant yet not over-the-top colors and wide dynamic range. Portrait mode gives you three zoom levels, one times and two times are captured on the main camera, while three times portraits are taken with the telephoto camera. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a nice incremental upgrade to last year's model, offering a solid all-around compact flagship experience. However, it may not be worth the premium price, and last year's model provides better value for money.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts a compact form factor that's both pocketable and premium. The phone's matte armor aluminum frame is touted to be tougher this year, and the sharp edge where it meets the back does indeed create a subtly different feel in hand compared to its predecessor. The design is largely unchanged from last year's model, which means you get a flat back of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and separate rings for each camera. The back finish is matte, not glossy this time around, giving the phone a more understated look. While some might find this design uninspired, it's hard to argue with the Galaxy S24's build quality. The IP68 rating ensures dust and water resistance, a standard feature on Samsung's flagships. At 6.2 inches, the OLED display is slightly larger than its predecessor, sporting a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The screen has gotten some extra brightness this year, with a maximum of over 780 nits with the manual slider and boosted to over 1,400 nits in auto mode. The bezels have been slimmed down for an even more immersive experience, and colors are vibrant but realistic. Overall, the Galaxy S24's design is solidly good, if not spectacularly so. It won't turn heads, but it will provide a reliable and comfortable grip that's hard to find fault with.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts a 4,000mAh battery, an increase from last year's model. This larger capacity translates to improved battery life, with our testing showing an overall active use score of 12 hours and 6 minutes. The video playback score also saw a significant improvement, lasting for a decent amount of time. One of the notable aspects of the S24's battery performance is its ability to last throughout the day without needing a recharge. In our tests, the phone managed to stay charged with moderate use until the evening hours. Although we didn't conduct extensive gaming or video playback sessions, it's likely that the S24 can handle such activities for several hours before needing a top-up. Another advantage of the S24 is its 25W charging capabilities. While there's no charger included in the box, using the proper adapter resulted in a quick charge time. We managed to go from 0 to 59% in just half an hour and reach full capacity within an hour and 15 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported on this device. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24's battery life has seen a welcome improvement over its predecessor. The combination of a larger battery capacity and efficient hardware should ensure that users can get through most of their day without needing to plug in. However, as with any phone, individual results may vary depending on usage patterns.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S24's display is a notable improvement over its predecessor. The screen has been slightly enlarged to 6.2 inches, boasting a crisp 1080p resolution and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. One of the standout features of the display is its ability to adapt its refresh rate using Samsung's LTP Tech. This means that the screen can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 120Hz to as low as 24Hz when idle, helping to conserve energy. The display also benefits from an increase in brightness, with a maximum output of over 780 nits when manually set and reaching an impressive 1,400 nits in auto mode. This is a significant improvement over the S23's display, making it easier to use in bright lighting conditions. The colors on offer are vibrant yet accurately represented, and HDR10+ video support allows for stunning contrast and depth. The bezels have been slimmed down ever so slightly, providing an even more immersive viewing experience. This is a subtle but noticeable improvement that adds to the overall enjoyment of using the Galaxy S24. Overall, the display on the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved brightness, adaptability, and accuracy.
Camera
The camera on the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a significant aspect of the device, and while it doesn't bring any groundbreaking changes compared to last year's model, there are some refinements worth noting. The 50-megapixel main camera continues to produce excellent results during the day, with vibrant yet not over-the-top colors, wide dynamic range, and more contrast. The processing is also more laid-back, resulting in a more natural rendition of details. However, there's a bit of extra graininess this time around. The Galaxy S24's portrait mode offers three zoom levels, with one and two times captured on the main camera, while the three times portraits are taken with the telephoto camera. The auto night mode has been improved and is more balanced, but it still struggles to match the exposure and detail of last year's model, which tends to produce brighter images with less noise. The dedicated night mode on the S24 does bring some improvements, restoring highlights and light sources, reducing noise, and boosting shadows. However, fine details may be sacrificed in the process. The three times telephoto camera still suffers from clipped highlights around point light sources and noise in darker areas, although the dedicated night mode can help mitigate these issues. The ultra-wide camera has seen some improvements compared to last year's model, with generally sharper shots, improved noise performance, and more natural-looking skies. However, night mode on this camera also exhibits unreliable auto white balance. One area where the Galaxy S24 excels is in its selfie capabilities, with a 12-megapixel front-facing camera that produces top-class images with excellent detail, low noise, and nice-looking colors. When it comes to video recording, the Galaxy S24 can capture 4K at 60 FPS with all four cameras, and the main camera on the back can also do 8K resolution at 30 FPS. Video quality is thoroughly excellent in good light from all cameras, with vibrant yet realistic colors, proper exposure, and great detail. Low-light video from the main camera has respectable quality, but it's not without its flaws – dynamic range is a bit limited, and noise performance could be better.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the latest compact flagship from the Korean tech giant, boasting high-end features in a sleek and pocketable design. While it's an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, the S23, this year's model still commands a premium price. In terms of value, the S24 falls short of delivering significant improvements that justify its cost. The device's matte armor aluminum frame is slightly tougher than before, but this doesn't exactly scream "game-changer." The display has become slightly larger and brighter, with improved adaptive capabilities, but it's not a drastic departure from what we've seen in the past. The camera upgrades are minor, and the return of the Exynos chipset instead of the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 might disappoint some enthusiasts. While battery life has seen a small improvement, 25W charging feels like an afterthought, especially when compared to other flagships that offer faster charging speeds. Priced in the same realm as its predecessor, the S24 demands a premium of around $1,000 for the base model. Given the incremental upgrades and no significant changes to the overall package, this pricing feels more than justified. For those seeking a compact flagship with top-notch features, the S24 is an excellent choice. However, considering the value proposition, last year's Galaxy S23 seems like a better option in terms of bang for your buck. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a solid upgrade that fails to revolutionize the smartphone landscape. If you're due for an upgrade and crave the latest features from Samsung, the S24 will deliver. However, those on a budget or seeking significant upgrades might want to reconsider their purchase decision.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S24's performance is an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, with some notable changes and improvements. The phone's display has become brighter and more adaptive, with a maximum brightness of over 780 nits in manual mode and 1,400 nits in auto mode. This results in sharper and more contrasty visuals. The chipset, which varies depending on the market, is a significant upgrade. In our review unit, the phone was powered by an Exynos 2400 chip, which provided comparable performance to the Snapdragon variant used in other markets. The chipset enables improved graphics performance for games and advanced AI-based tasks, making it suitable for demanding applications. In benchmarks, the Exynos-powered S24 scored slightly behind phones running on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, this is still a step ahead of its predecessor. Thermal management was an issue during stress tests, with the phone eventually throttling down to 60% of maximum CPU performance. This was done gradually without major dips or spikes. The battery life has seen some improvement, with an overall active use score of 12 hours and 6 minutes. Video playback scores have also shown a significant increase. The phone supports 25 W charging, but no charger is included in the box. Despite this, the battery life should be sufficient for most users' needs. In terms of real-world performance, the S24 feels snappy and responsive, with minimal lag or stuttering. Multitasking is handled well, and demanding applications like games run smoothly. However, there are instances where the phone takes a moment to respond, particularly when launching complex apps or performing resource-intensive tasks.