The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a lot of AI features and thanks to the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and Samsung Gauss AI model
The Galaxy S24 series boasts superior photography features, including the S24 Ultra's 200MP main camera.
Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra go live on January 17, 2024.
Samsung Electronics has once again raised the bar in the smartphone market with the unveiling of its Samsung Galaxy S24 series of smartphones at the Samsung Unpacked event in San Jose. The series, comprising the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, and S24, is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to innovation, versatility, and user-focused design and brings the absolute best from the company. This year, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Gen 3 SoC, there are a tonne of new AI features making their way to all the models in the series. Not all markets will have the same configuration for the Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphones, we might see some markets with Exynos processors. That being said, the flagship of the series i.e. the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will sport the Snapdragon Gen 3 SoC in all markets.
“The Galaxy S24 series transforms our connection with the world and ignites the next decade of mobile innovation,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy AI is built on our innovation heritage and deep understanding of how people use their phones. We’re excited to see how our users around the world empower their everyday lives with Galaxy AI to open up new possibilities.”
Galaxy AI makes a splash
With AI features making their way into each and every aspect of our lives, it was only a matter of time before smartphones fully incorporated AI. NPUs or Neural Processing Units have been present in all popular smartphone SoCs for a while. This year, all silicon manufacturers have made tremendous upgrades to their hardware and smartphone manufacturers couldn’t be any happier. We saw how the Snapdragon Gen 3 SoCs unveiled towards the end of October 2023 had several hardware improvements geared for AI use cases and the Galaxy S24 series is one of the first ones to fully take advantage of the SoC’s AI prowess. The Samsung Galaxy S24 series introduces groundbreaking AI features that significantly enhance the user experience, reflecting Samsung’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies into its devices. The series leverages artificial intelligence to provide users with a more intuitive, efficient, and personalised smartphone experience. Samsung had recently unveiled Samsung Gauss, their own generative AI model and a lot of the features of the new Galaxy S24 series rely on Samsung Gauss.
AI Communication features
One of the key AI features in the S24 series is its enhanced communication capabilities. The devices offer live translation and intelligent text and call translations, which are particularly beneficial for global users who frequently interact in multiple languages. This feature not only breaks down language barriers but also makes communication more seamless and efficient. Imagine that you’re travelling overseas and have to order out food from a place that does not have an app. Either you’d have to travel to the restaurant or try your luck hoping that someone spoke a common language. That’s no longer a concern with features such as Live Translate which translates your speech into a language that the receiver might understand and vice versa. At this point, Live Translate supports 13 languages and Hindi is one of them. More Indic languages should make their way to the phones in due time.
There’s also Chat Assist which is way more than the typical autocomplete suggestions that we are used to. Based on your chat inputs, the Chat Assist feature can adjust the tone and provide writing suggestions that are more conversational. There’s even an auto translate feature baked into the Samsung Keyboard with real-time support for 13 languages currently.
The speech-to-text feature also gets a boost with the new Transcript Assist feature that can differentiate between different speakers and attributes transcripts to the right person. If that isn’t enough, then there’s also a summarisation feature which works across meeting transcriptions, notes and even long articles that might be a little tedious to read.
Photo and Video editing features
The series also showcases Samsung’s focus on creativity and content creation. The AI-powered ProVisual Engine is a highlight, especially in the S24 Ultra. It enhances the photography and videography experience by enabling users to capture and edit content with professional-quality results. The engine includes advanced editing tools powered by AI, allowing for automatic enhancements and suggestions that improve the overall quality of photos and videos. Google Pixel devices have exclusively had intelligent features such as the Magic Eraser for a while and now even the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has this feature.
Additionally, the AI features extend to search capabilities, making information retrieval faster and more relevant. One way this works is that you can take any image from your library or from any service or article and then circle it with the S-Pen. The phone will prompt you with a few options, one of which allows you to search the web for the small section that was circled. The AI algorithms can then provide contextual follow-up options as well. Let’s say you’d circled a tourist spot in an image, you can then ask the phone to plan a travel itinerary. The AI algorithms are designed to learn from user preferences and behaviours, providing more tailored search results and recommendations.
Samsung Knox gets passkeys
The integration of AI in the S24 series also extends to user security and privacy. Samsung Knox has been Samsung’s answer to alleviate all concerns relating to security and privacy. The devices are equipped with advanced security features powered by AI, ensuring that personal data and device functionality are protected against unauthorised access and threats. Not all AI features on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 series are based on the local AI model. Some features do require external processing over the internet and you get to choose to disable any features that might carry your personal information off the device for online processing.
Passkeys have been getting quite a lot of attention as a more secure evolution of passwords and Samsung Knox now supports passkeys. Aside from passkeys, the usual set of features such as Knox Vault, Security & Privacy Dashboard, Auto Blocker, Secure Wi-Fi, Private Share, Maintenance Mode and others will be present. Let’s look at the devices starting with the flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The flagship Samsung experience
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra brings the best of what Samsung has to offer. It features a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with a Super Smooth 120Hz refresh rate and Vision Booster technology. Vision Booster can amp the screen brightness up to 2400 nits so ensure visibility. This phone’s dimensions are 79 x 162.3 x 8.6mm, and it weighs around 232g to 233g, balancing ergonomics with a substantial screen size. The weight varies depending on whether the phone supports mmWave or Sub6 networking. It also features IP68 water resistance.
The camera setup is a standout feature, with a 200MP f/1.7 Wide Camera that ends up being the main sensor with OIS and an FOV of 85 degrees, promising unparalleled photo clarity. Complementing this are a 50MP f/3.4 Telephoto Camera with 5x Optical Zoom, OIS and a FOV of 22 degrees; a 10MP f/2.4 Telephoto Camera with 3x Optical Zoom, OIS and an FOV of 36 degrees, a 12MP f/2.2 Ultra-Wide Camera with an FOV of 120 degrees, and a 12MP f/2.2 Front Selfie Camera with an FOV of 80 degrees.
In terms of memory and storage, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers configurations of 12GB + 1TB, 12GB + 512GB, and 12GB + 256GB, catering to varying user needs for space and performance. The device operates on the latest Android 14, enhanced by Samsung’s One UI 6.1, offering a seamless and user-friendly interface.
Network support includes the latest in connectivity with 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth v5.3, ensuring fast and reliable internet and data transfer. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh, supporting wired charging with up to 65% charge in about 30 minutes using a 45W Adapter and 5A USB-C cable. Additionally, the device features Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare, adding to its convenience and functionality.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra being the flagship model, supports all the Galaxy AI features that we’ve mentioned earlier.
Samsung Galaxy S24+: Bridging performance and practicality
The Galaxy S24+ finds its niche in balancing high-end features with practicality. It inherits a lot of the advanced AI capabilities from the Ultra, offering a similar enhanced communication and creative experience. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ showcases a 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, offering sharp, vibrant visuals. It measures 75.9 x 158.5 x 7.7mm and weighs between 196 – 197g depending on networking equipment.
The camera system includes a 12MP f/2.2 Ultra-Wide Camera with an FOV of 120 degrees; 50MP f/1.8 Wide Camera with OIS and an FOV of 85 degrees; and a 10MP f/2.4 Telephoto Camera with 3x optical zoom and an FOV of 36 degrees; plus a 12MP f/2.2 Front Selfie Camera with an FOV of 80 degrees. Memory options are 12 + 512GB, and 12 + 256GB. The camera system, while not as extensive as the Ultra’s, still provides exceptional quality, catering to users who seek a blend of performance and day-to-day functionality. The device runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, and supports 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth v5.3. It features a 4900 mAh battery, supporting wired charging up to 65% in about 30 minutes with a 45W Adapter and 5A USB-C cable, as well as Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare. In India, Samsung Galaxy S24+ will feature the Samsung Exynos 2400 SoC.
Samsung Galaxy S24: The baseline
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz refresh rate and Vision Booster. The dimensions of the device are also more compact at 70.6 x 147 x 7.6 mm. It is also much lighter at 167 to 168 grams depending on networking setup. The smaller screen and reduced battery capacity are the main reasons for the reduced weight. The camera setup is the same as the Galaxy S24+ but the battery drops down to 4000 mAh with fast charging up to 50% in about 30 minutes using a 25W Adapter and 3A USB-C cable. There are three memory and storage variants for the S24 – 8 GB + 512 GB, 8 GB + 256 GB, and 8 GB + 128 GB. This model ensures that users can access Samsung’s innovative technology at a more accessible price point. In India, Samsung Galaxy S24 will feature the Samsung Exynos 2400 SoC.
Pricing and Availability in India
Samsung has strategically priced the Samsung Galaxy S24 series to cater to a wide range of consumers. The S24 Ultra, being the flagship model, is priced at the premium end, reflecting its advanced features and capabilities. It will retail at INR 1,29,999 for the base model with pre-orders starting January 18, 2024. The S24+ and S24 are more affordably priced, offering a balance of performance and value. The Galaxy S24+ will be priced starting at INR 99,999. And lastly, the Galaxy S24 will begin at INR 79,999. The series will be available globally, with specific release dates and availability varying by region. In India, all models are available for pre-orders starting January 18, 2024 and retail sales starting on January 31, 2024. Globally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 whereas the Samsung S24+ and S24 will either feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400 as the SoC. In India, we are getting the Exynos 2400 for both, the Galaxy S24+ and the S24. Full price table below:
| Specifications | Ram Storage | Colors | MOP (INR) |
| Galaxy S24 | 8 GB 256 GB | Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, Onyx Black | 79,999 |
| 8 GB 512 GB | 89,999 | ||
| Galaxy S24 Plus | 12 GB 256 GB | Cobalt Violet, Onyx Black | 99,999 |
| 12 GB 512 GB | 109,999 | ||
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 12 GB 256 GB | Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Black | 129,999 |
| 12 GB 512 GB | 139,999 | ||
| 12 GB 1 TB | Titanium Gray | 159,999 |
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Mithun Mohandas
Mithun Mohandas is an Indian technology journalist with 10 years of experience covering consumer technology. He is currently employed at Digit in the capacity of a Managing Editor. Mithun has a background in Computer Engineering and was an active member of the IEEE during his college days. He has a penchant for digging deep into unravelling what makes a device tick. If there's a transistor in it, Mithun's probably going to rip it apart till he finds it. At Digit, he covers processors, graphics cards, storage media, displays and networking devices aside from anything developer related. As an avid PC gamer, he prefers RTS and FPS titles, and can be quite competitive in a race to the finish line. He only gets consoles for the exclusives. He can be seen playing Valorant, World of Tanks, HITMAN and the occasional Age of Empires or being the voice behind hundreds of Digit videos. View Full Profile
