Samsung Galaxy S24: Everything you need to know

The Galaxy S24 family including the smaller Galaxy S24, larger Galaxy S24 Plus, and premium Galaxy S24 Ultra
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series was an immediate success upon launch. Key highlights of the phones include excellent and innovative Galaxy AI features, premium user-friendly design, plenty of years of guaranteed software updates, and consistently reliable performance.

If you want to read more about the wider Galaxy S24 lineup, my Samsung Galaxy S24 hands-on covers all the bases for what you can expect from all three devices. For a more in-depth look at these phones, we've got a Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review and a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review that can help you decide if these devices are worth buying.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Price and availability

The back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in the Titanium Grey colorway

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Samsung announced the Galaxy S24 family at Samsung Unpacked on January 17, 2024, and the product officially launched on January 31, 2024. As expected, Samsung announced three models: a smaller Galaxy S24, a larger Galaxy S24 Plus, and an ultra-premium Galaxy S24 Ultra. As always, the best Galaxy S24 deals can get you any of these phones for a lot less than the retail price.

The smallest of the bunch, the Galaxy S24, starts at $799 with 128GB of storage and 8GB RAM. You can upgrade to 256GB of storage for an additional cost.

The Galaxy S24 Plus starts at $999 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM with the option to upgrade to 512GB of storage.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is seeing a $100 price increase this year, starting at $1,299 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. Additional storage options include 512GB and 1TB. Samsung isn't selling a model with reduced RAM or storage this year as it has in the past.

Samsung is promising seven years of operating system and security updates on all Galaxy S24 models, a first for the company. That's the same promised schedule Google impressed with when it announced the Pixel 8 series in Fall 2023.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Design and displays

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

All three Galaxy S24 models share a similar design language to their predecessors with fairly minor tweaks here and there. The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus look identical apart from their size, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to evolve the Galaxy Note-style design introduced with the Galaxy Note 10.

The Galaxy S24 got a small size bump from the Galaxy S23 and is now 0.01 inches wider and 0.03 inches taller. It received a small 0.01-inch screen size increase but didn't gain any weight despite sporting a 100mAh larger battery than the previous year's model.

Galaxy S24 Plus is smaller than the Galaxy S23 Plus despite gaining a 0.01-inch-larger screen. More specifically, the body now measures 0.19 inches shorter, 0.07 inches narrower, and 0.05 inches thinner than the Galaxy S23 Plus. The S24 Plus received a 200mAh larger battery than the S23 Plus and weighs 0.04 ounces more because of it.

The camera bumps on these two models are less pronounced this year, and Samsung curved the edges of the frames to make them blend in better with the flat front and back. The result is a design that looks and feels more like a unibody chassis than ever before.

The real big changes came in the S24 Ultra, but you probably wouldn't know it from the numbers. It's now 0.04 inches wider, 0.03 inches taller, 0.01 inches thicker, and 0.03 ounces heavier than the Galaxy S24 Ultra and features a completely flat display alongside a titanium frame.

That titanium frame is said to be much stronger than the Armor Aluminum frame on the S24 and S24 Plus, and the flat screen should make taking notes on the edge of the display far easier. Plus, it means there won't be an awkward gap between the edge of a screen protector and the best Galaxy S24 Ultra cases.

Samsung upgraded the displays of all three models, giving each of them a peak brightness of 2,600 nits as well as LTPO technology capable of scaling from 1Hz to 120Hz dynamically.

The Galaxy S24 Plus also got a resolution bump to QHD+, up from FHD+ on the Galaxy S23 Plus.

All displays use Vision Booster to artificially increase brightness outdoors by flickering the display on and off. Thankfully, Samsung doubled the PWM rate on these phones to 480Hz, making it possible for some PWM-sensitive individuals to use them.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Cameras

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus are, once again, not seeing any camera hardware changes this year but are getting some important software updates. The hardware includes the same triple rear camera array introduced with the Galaxy S22 series: a main 50MP camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera behind a 3x optical zoom lens.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra retains the same 10mp 3x telephoto and 12mp ultrawide camera as those models but now uses an updated 200MP sensor compared to the 200MP sensor in the S23 Ultra. The Ultra also has a brand new 50MP camera with a 5x optical zoom lens.

This 5x lens replaces the 10x lens found in previous Galaxy S Ultra models, signaling a change in strategy from Samsung. The company now claims that the Galaxy S24 Ultra can capture "optical-quality photos" from 1x to 10x. That's a big upgrade from prior years, as the quality between 5x-9x was quite a bit worse than at other zoom levels.

Our Galaxy S24 Ultra camera review proves that Samsung was right and the S24 Ultra delivers the best zoom detail of any phone available in the U.S. right now.

Hands-on with the smaller Samsung Galaxy S24

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Samsung is launching what it calls the ProVisual Engine, an AI-powered set of automated tools that is designed to capture better photos across the entire Galaxy S24 line. Samsung's Galaxy AI runs on the phone's powerful processor and is designed to help users capture better photos and videos with suggested compositions and more intelligent processing.

Samsung swapped out the 10x lens with a 5x lens on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, claiming now that the phone achieves "optical-quality photos" between 1-10x.

Samsung is also debuting Super HDR which shows a more correct preview image in the viewfinder. That includes real-time processing of brightness adjustments, colors, and contrast without having to take the picture and wait for it to be processed.

Samsung has also worked with popular social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat to ensure camera quality in those apps is identical to what comes from the main camera app on the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Specs and performance

Taking notes on a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

While the Galaxy S23 series launched with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets worldwide, Samsung is returning to the split Snapdragon/Exynos strategy with the Galaxy S24 series.

All models of Galaxy S24 Ultra worldwide are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. That's a special version of Qualcomm's latest processor that features improved clock speeds.

The smaller Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus are also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in these countries according to Android Authority:

  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan

Elsewhere in the world, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus will be powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400 processor.

While previous generations of Exynos processors left a lot to be desired, the Exynos 2400 looks like a substantially better processor in every regard. Benchmarks show that it holds its own against the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but we'll have to see if Samsung's new enhanced cooling vapor chambers are able to keep both processors cool during heavy use.

Samsung is splitting between Exynos and Snapdragon again, but all models are capable of running ray-traced games.

The Exynos 2400 features AMD's RDNA 3 architecture which is capable of running games with ray tracing support. Even the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy features ray tracing support. At launch, War Thunder Mobile and Arena Breakout both support ray tracing and Samsung says more ray-traced games are coming soon.

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CategorySamsung Galaxy S24Samsung Galaxy S24 PlusSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Display6.2-inch AMOLED (2,600 nits)6.7-inch AMOLED (2,600 nits)6.8-inch AMOLED (2,600 nits)
ResolutionFHD+QHD+QHD+
Refresh rate120Hz (1-120); 240Hz touch sampling120Hz (1-120); 240Hz touch sampling120Hz (1-120); 240Hz touch sampling
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / Samsung Exynos 2400Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / Samsung Exynos 2400Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Memory8GB RAM / 128GB, 256GB12GB RAM / 256GB, 512GB12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB/1TB storage
Camera 1 (Main)50MP (OIS), f1.8, 85-degree FoV50MP (OIS), f1.8, 85-degree FoV200MP (OIS), Laser Auto Focus (LAF), f1.7
Camera 2 (Ultrawide)12MP, f2.2, 120-degree FoV12MP, f2.2, 120-degree FoV12MP, f2.2, 120-degree FoV
Camera 3 (Telephoto)10MP (OIS), f2.4, 3x optical zoom10MP (OIS), f2.4, 3x optical zoom10MP (OIS), f2.4, 3x optical zoom
Camera 4 (Telephoto)N/AN/A50MP (OIS) 2PD, f3.4, 5x optical zoom
Selfie Camera12 MP (2PD AF), f2.212 MP (2PD AF), f2.212 MP (2PD AF), f2.2
Battery4,000mAh4,900mAh5,000mAh
Charging25W (wired); 15W (wireless)45W; 15W (wireless)45W; 15W (wireless)
ProtectionIP68; Gorilla Glass Victus 2; Armor AluminumIP68; Gorilla Glass Victus 2; Armor AluminumIP68; Gorilla Armor Glass; Titanium frame
ConnectivitySub-6/ mmWave 5G; Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3Sub-6/ mmWave 5G; Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3; UWBSub-6/ mmWave 5G; Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.3; UWB
Dimensions & weight5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 in, 5.93oz6.24 x 3.00 x 0.30 in, 6.95oz6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in, 8.22oz
ColorsCobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Marble Gray, Onyx Black, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire BlueCobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Marble Gray, Onyx Black, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire BlueTitanium Grey, Titanium Black, Titanium Yellow, and Titanium Violet, Titanium Orange, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green

Samsung is working on several new AI tools to increase productivity and ease of use for its users. The company is also bringing these new AI features to its 2023 flagships, so you won't have to upgrade this year to get the new hotness if you just upgraded last year.

Hands-on with the smaller Samsung Galaxy S24

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Samsung upgraded two key specs of the S24 Plus this year, ramping it up to 12GB of RAM and increasing the display resolution to QHD+. That's up from 8GB of RAM and an FHD+ resolution on the Galaxy S23 Plus.

All three models now support LTPO display technology, meaning these displays can scale from 1-120Hz dynamically as needed. Plus, they all ramp up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness.

The S24 and S24 Plus also have larger batteries this time around, with a 4,000mAh battery inside the smaller S24 and a 4,900mAh battery in the S24 Plus. The S24 Plus also supports up to 45W wired charging while the S24 still only supports a maximum of 25W wired charging.

Samsung Galaxy S24: AI all the things

Galaxy AI settings on Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Samsung is going all-in on AI this year, supercharging everything from on-device translation to photo editing, image capture, note-taking, and even phone calls with AI power. Samsung calls its new suite of AI tools Galaxy AI, and it includes eleven total features available on all three new Galaxy S24 models.

Many features are quite similar to ones that debuted on Google Pixel series phones over the past few years, and many even require a Google account or an internet connection to function.

Only three of the eleven new AI functions run on-device without requiring an internet connection:

  • Edit suggestions
  • Photo Ambient Wallpaper
  • Translation features (Calls, Interpreter, Messages)

Demonstrating the AI auto formatting capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The remainder of the Galaxy AI functions require an internet connection in order to work. They are:

  • Auto Format
  • Circle to Search
  • Generate Cover
  • Generative Edit
  • Generative Wallpaper
  • Magic Compose Texting
  • Summary (Samsung Internet, Samsung Notes, Voice Recorder)
  • Writing Assist

Many of these features are extremely useful when needed, including real-time phone call and message translation, assistance with composing messages in texts and emails, document and web page summaries, and even writing assistance in the form of a spell checker, grammar checker, and more.

Additionally, Samsung is using Android 14's generative AI wallpaper, a Magic Editor-like enhancement for Samsung Gallery, the new Google Circle to Search function, and even more.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

On the camera side of things, Samsung's Galaxy AI is being used in the backend to not only suggest image composition changes to take better pictures but also to more intelligently process photos and videos.

Samsung is also introducing a new Instant Slow-Mo feature that uses generative AI to slow videos down to 1/2 or 1/4 speed by pressing and holding on them in the Samsung Gallery app. Videos taken at 120FPS will look better slowed down as it won't need to generate new frames, but this new feature can help add some interesting drama and detail to all videos.

Nicholas Sutrich
Senior Content Producer — Smartphones & VR
Nick started with DOS and NES and uses those fond memories of floppy disks and cartridges to fuel his opinions on modern tech. Whether it's VR, smart home gadgets, or something else that beeps and boops, he's been writing about it since 2011. Reach him on Twitter or Instagram @Gwanatu
With contributions from
  • gd761
    Rumors abound.
    What I'd like to know is IF there will be a 2TB Version for the Ultra then will it get the 16GB RAM or will it get 24GB of RAM since We are going to Expect to pay a Premium Price just for the Increased Storage and either 16GB or 24GB then What Will the 2TB Version Price be?
    Reply
  • The_Woo
    Im stumped! To me the S23U is the top phone and I don't see any specific "wants"...... I guess if I wanted to be picky, a flat screen Ultra and no more shutter lag photos......lol
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    The_Woo said:
    Im stumped! To me the S23U is the top phone and I don't see any specific "wants"...... I guess if I wanted to be picky, a flat screen Ultra and no more shutter lag photos......lol
    Yeah, we seem to have reached peak phone. I think most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the S21U, S22U and S23U.

    Even my Exynos S21U doesn't really have a noticeable performance difference compared to my Snapdragon S23U outside of battery life. The Exynos S22U was a bit of a trash fire though apparently, which is why I probably won't get the S24U.
    Reply
  • dlorde
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    Yeah, we seem to have reached peak phone. I think most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the S21U, S22U and S23U.

    Even my Exynos S21U doesn't really have a noticeable performance difference compared to my Snapdragon S23U outside of battery life. The Exynos S22U was a bit of a trash fire though apparently, which is why I probably won't get the S24U.
    I upgraded from the S23+ to the S24 (I wanted something a bit smaller), and the new Exynos is much better, near enough on a par with the Snapdragon. The screen is better and brighter, and the battery life is much better too, which was a surprise... These are relatively small, but clear improvements. OTOH, I don't think the AI stuff is much more than a gimmick at present, but it has promise.
    Reply
  • Joshua Luther1
    I have the S23U and really want the S24+. The ultra is too big for me and not needed. It's more phone than I need. I don't need the sPen or the super telephoto lens. Although I did use it to photograph the eclipse. But that's not going to happen again anytime soon. I'll just wait for a few more months until I pay down my S23U more.
    Reply