The Samsung Galaxy S24 / Ultra

[Technerd108]

I really don't understand why anyone would switch away from the s24 Ultra? Honestly I have had this phone since launch and generally use two phones and have a Pixel 8 Pro as well and I have barely picked up the P8P since I got this phone.

This is still the only phone with Gorilla glass armor with AR coating and enhanced scratch resistance over other glasses. It still is the only smartphone with a rectangular screen and no cut offs in the UI because of rounded corners, S Pen, great cameras, great SOC and performance, battery life, etc.

I literally have no complaints. I would like better color reproduction in gradients but other than that I have had no issues. Software has been great as well which is very different for me as I generally prefer Pixel UI but OneUi has improved a lot to the point I like it. I would still prefer Pixel UI on the s24U but OneUI isn't bad anymore.

I have upgraded yearly for many, many years and I have no intention to do so now. The new s25u is going to have slightly rounded corners like every other bar phone on the market which I really don't like. I love my brick shaped phone and I don't want rounded corners ever so I will be keeping this phone. In fact, if these rumors on the s25u are true I may feel like the s24 ultra is really like the Note 10 which was my favorite all time phone and now this s24 u may just take it's place and I may keep it for a few years.

The Pixel 8 Pro and watch are both going to be sold and I will be buying an iPhone 17 with the money from resale and some gift cards I have which should knock off at least $1k taken all together. I think the iPhone 17 pro might finally be the one I return to iPhone. More ram across the line, usb c, generative ai, and all the Apple hardware goodies.

However, the s24 ultra is really going to be hard for me to leave. We will see if Apple catches up but for now I honestly even with my itch to switch due to my ADHD but I just don't see anything on the market now better than what I have now!

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I really don't understand why anyone would switch away from the s24 Ultra? Honestly I have had this phone since launch and generally use two phones and have a Pixel 8 Pro as well and I have barely picked up the P8P since I got this phone.

I haven't understood it either. This thread has basically died, yet I can't find another forum that talks about Android or the Ultra as much as this and Reddit did. People really do have a lot of money laying around to switch from one pro phone to the next in a short amount of time. I'm still paying off the 24 Ultra through T Mobile so I'm pretty much stuck with it until I pay it all off. I still don't trust Google as a company too, so that makes Samsung or Apple more reasonable choices.

Are there youtubers that people follow that are as good as Zollotech was for Apple. I was recommended Sakitech and I've been following him since I got the Ultra, but man his videos are clickbait BS and I'm starting to not be a fan. A lot of the other youtubers kind of just ramble a lot (Jimmy is Promo, HowTo Men), and a lot of the great Android youtubers (Thao, Created by Ella, Hayl's world, even though she has clickbait too) are really just hardware. I would love someone on the software side who doesn't spend their entire video talking about AI or image creation. For example, I asked today what the update was for and got a nice response, and I remember a video talking about the inclusion of the AI tab in the settings, but I think I am looking for something a little more centralized, if that makes sense. Android feels like they don't get the news love like I see for most Apple Youtubers.

 

[Fried_Gold]

This is still the only phone with Gorilla glass armor with AR coating and enhanced scratch resistance

Enhanced scratch resistance didn't help me when I dropped my phone on my dining room floor, massive scratch across the whole screen and I'd only had it 24 hours.

 

[Fille84]

I did try Pixel 9 Pro. And sure it was a nice phone but honestly I prefer the pictures coming out of the S24U more, a warmer tone that I just prefer. And that anti reflective screen is just something I can't be without. And if I know myself I will buy S25U when it comes out and that is just a few months away.

 

[danb1979]

The S24U is a superb device; just wasn't for me... Much prefer the Pixel ecosystem and in fairness; I did only use the S24U for point n shoot pictures; but they were only as good as my Pixel Fold and now 9 Pro Fold...

If Samsung's foldables were that bit better/wider; I'd be running one of those probably, but they're not...

 

[yui4]

The S24U is a superb device; just wasn't for me... Much prefer the Pixel ecosystem and in fairness; I did only use the S24U for point n shoot pictures; but they were only as good as my Pixel Fold and now 9 Pro Fold...

If Samsung's foldables were that bit better/wider; I'd be running one

of those probably, but they're not...

Software aside, how does hardware between samsung and Pixel compare?

 

[danb1979]

Software aside, how does hardware between samsung and Pixel compare?

Different; as 2 completely different phones

The S24U vs the P8P would be very heavily towards the S24U, a much better made phone IMO

But the 9 Pro Fold (and Pixel Fold) are much better put together than the P8P and the 9 Pro Fold is a more premium feeling device, lovely in the hands; cold hard metal feel etc

 

[Fried_Gold]

Sim card is back in my S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 is back to being my OTT spare phone.

 

[danb1979]

Sim card is back in my S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 is back to being my OTT spare phone.

I was really tempted to use my S24U as my business mobile; but £900 via bank transfer, plus still to receive the £300 cashback won me over 😂

TBH my N20U is doing the job perfectly - just wish I could find a decent screen protector for it

 

[Fried_Gold]

I was really tempted to use my S24U as my business mobile; but £900 via bank transfer, plus still to receive the £300 cashback won me over 😂

TBH my N20U is doing the job perfectly - just wish I could find a decent screen protector for it

Yeah it would have been overkill but I can't say much when my Pixel 9 is my spare phone in the drawer. 😂

 

[yui4]

Different; as 2 completely different phones

The S24U vs the P8P would be very heavily towards the S24U, a much better made phone IMO

But the 9 Pro Fold (and Pixel Fold) are much better put together than the P8P and the 9 Pro Fold is a more premium feeling device, lovely in the hands; cold hard metal feel etc

I should've stated i meant samsung fold 6* not s24U

 

[yui4]

I was really tempted to use my S24U as my business mobile; but £900 via bank transfer, plus still to receive the £300 cashback won me over 😂

TBH my N20U is doing the job perfectly - just wish I could find a decent screen protector for it

LϟK 4 Pack Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G with 2 Pack TPU Screen Protective Film and 2 Pack Camera Lens Protector - Bubble Free Ultrasonic Fingerprint High Definition https://amzn.eu/d/hVuoVOf

 

[yui4]

LϟK 4 Pack Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G with 2 Pack TPU Screen Protective Film and 2 Pack Camera Lens Protector - Bubble Free Ultrasonic Fingerprint High Definition https://amzn.eu/d/hVuoVOf

I've always found these decent on curved screens. Obviously not glass but good quality

 

[danb1979]

LϟK 4 Pack Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G with 2 Pack TPU Screen Protective Film and 2 Pack Camera Lens Protector - Bubble Free Ultrasonic Fingerprint High Definition https://amzn.eu/d/hVuoVOf

Crap; don't fit. Already tried them and sent them back

I'm good at fitting screen protectors, these were beyond useless and curled up at the corners quite quickly after fitting (no case on)

I'm not desperate, it's an old phone and not overly precious about it, but wanted to protect the screen if I can

 

[danb1979]

I should've stated i meant samsung fold 6* not s24U

Ah... In that case I've no idea as not been anywhere near the Z Fold 6

 

[Harthag]

I haven't understood it either. This thread has basically died, yet I can't find another forum that talks about Android or the Ultra as much as this and Reddit did. People really do have a lot of money laying around to switch from one pro phone to the next in a short amount of time. I'm still paying off the 24 Ultra through T Mobile so I'm pretty much stuck with it until I pay it all off. I still don't trust Google as a company too, so that makes Samsung or Apple more reasonable choices.

Are there youtubers that people follow that are as good as Zollotech was for Apple. I was recommended Sakitech and I've been following him since I got the Ultra, but man his videos are clickbait BS and I'm starting to not be a fan. A lot of the other youtubers kind of just ramble a lot (Jimmy is Promo, HowTo Men), and a lot of the great Android youtubers (Thao, Created by Ella, Hayl's world, even though she has clickbait too) are really just hardware. I would love someone on the software side who doesn't spend their entire video talking about AI or image creation. For example, I asked today what the update was for and got a nice response, and I remember a video talking about the inclusion of the AI tab in the settings, but I think I am looking for something a little more centralized, if that makes sense. Android feels like they don't get the news love like I see for most Apple Youtubers.

That's why I love Floss' reviews. Love him or hate him, his reviews focus on day-to-day user experience and software.

Cost of a new phone is very dependent on when you buy it. Best Buy was offering $999 for my S24+ plus $200 gift card for trade in toward the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Because I'm a moron I canceled it to re-order a different color and lost out on the initial promo, and only got $660 for it, plus the $200 gift card.

I can't remember the last time I straight up paid full price out of pocket for a new phone, Apple or otherwise.

I do miss some features of the S24+. The AI photo tools allowed me to take a person or object out of a photo and paste it into another photo. That was awesome and I really miss that on the Pixel. But, Add Me on the Pixel is also a game changer, which I didn't have on the Galaxy. I also miss live custom video lock screen wallpaper as well as Good Lock. OneUI is my favorite flavor of Android and it isn't even close.

*Edit- after using the S24+ for 8 months, switching from that to the Pixel feels similar to when I switched from iOS to that S24+. Samsung isn't perfect but the features and customization options in OneUI are endless. Simple quality of life things like quickly selecting multiple apps and placing them into folders. I still haven't found a way to do it on the Pixel as quickly as the Galaxy. Samsung Sound Assistant doesn't have any equal. The Samsung ecosystem of Watch + phone + Buds is just as seamless as Apple. I don't use a Mac other than my Mini at the office as a BlueBubbles server. This is the first time I've ever felt that Samsung's ecosystem is just as good as (and actually better, for me than) Apple. Can't say that I've ever missed a Samsung phone after switching from it, until now. I'm not about to return the Pixel and re-buy Samsung, my point is Samsung has come such a long way from even a couple years ago, never thought I'd compare the experience to Apple.

 

[yui4]

I got the update yesterday with the new AI stuff but software still says 6.1 and August security.

There's mention of 6.1.1 everywhere online so I'm surprised that isn't on mine

 

[MarkX]

I got the update yesterday with the new AI stuff but software still says 6.1 and August security.

There's mention of 6.1.1 everywhere online so I'm surprised that isn't on mine

You have the 6.1.1 update, I read that it still shows as 6.1 though and should change when you get the September security update.

 

[Technerd108]

Enhanced scratch resistance didn't help me when I dropped my phone on my dining room floor, massive scratch across the whole screen and I'd only had it 24 hours.

That would happen to any phone without a sapphire crystal or something of similar hardness in terms of scratching but in terms of cracking the gorilla armour is about the best you can get.

It sucks when you drop your phone no matter what you own and it really depends on the height, angle and surface dropped because if you hit just the frame and then it rests on back it is possible to only have light scratches and then you can drop the same phone the same way but it hits at a different angle and completely destroys the phone.

The enhanced scratch protection is for things like keys and light sand that is what is most commonly causing scratches on the phone but it is not guarantee of being scratch proof.

In any event I am sorry for your experience. Hopefully you had some type of insurance and was able to get a replacement. Happens to all of us at some point. I have dropped so many phones I always use cases even though I hate them because I will drop a phone multiple times over it's lifetime with me.

 

[Technerd108]

Software aside, how does hardware between samsung and Pixel compare?

Historically these two have had very different software experiences but recently Google has been sharing some of the Pixel software with Samsung. One UI is not as different from Pixel UI as it has been in the past which is a good thing in my opinion. I think despite some forced installed apps you still have more flexibility with OneUI and a lot more customization. If simple and clean are more important than customization and tons of options then Pixel UI is better still.

I have had the P8P since launch and the S24U since launch. The P8P was the best Pixel ever and the screen was a lot better than previous gen. The Tensor G3 is a decent processor but it struggles when compared to the SD 8 gen 3 in the s24U. Battery life is considerably better on the s24u than the P8P but the P8P is much better than P7P.

Hardware on the S24U from build quality to screens to speakers to processor, ram and storage are all better on the s24U. Storage is UFS 4.0 on S24U vs UFS 3.1 still on the P9 too and ram is faster on s24u. Literally in every metric the s24u is significantly better than the P8P. This is why I have barely used the P8P since I got the s24 U.

I have no idea how much better the P9 series is but I have a strong suspicion that the s24u still has better hardware across all areas.

In my opinion the s24U is the best phone of 2024 by a significant margin.

 

[Dave245]

Has anyone tried the Buds Pro 3? If so how do they compare to previous buds and the AirPods Pro 2 (those that have had the Pros 2).

I’m intrigued by the blade light as it’s called. Does it serve a purpose, or is it just a light that’s there for no reason?

 

[Harthag]

Has anyone tried the Buds Pro 3? If so how do they compare to previous buds and the AirPods Pro 2 (those that have had the Pros 2).

I’m intrigued by the blade light as it’s called. Does it serve a purpose, or is it just a light that’s there for no reason?

I have the Buds3 Pro. Can't say I've ever used the blade lights. I think they pack more punch than the Buds2 Pro, very nice sound. I also like the sound better than the APP2, much better actually.

I don't notice a difference between SSC codec on S24+ and AAC on the Pixel. Just typical streaming on Apple Music and YT music. I do notice significant audio delay when watching YouTube on the Pixel with the Buds3 Pro. I haven't tried setting the BT to LE audio and will try that later today. Never had any audio delay issues on the S24+.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I have the Buds3 Pro. Can't say I've ever used the blade lights. I think they pack more punch than the Buds2 Pro, very nice sound. I also like the sound better than the APP2, much better actually.

I don't notice a difference between SSC codec on S24+ and AAC on the Pixel. Just typical streaming on Apple Music and YT music. I do notice significant audio delay when watching YouTube on the Pixel with the Buds3 Pro. I haven't tried setting the BT to LE audio and will try that later today. Never had any audio delay issues on the S24+.

Do the buds fit in the ear? I know everyone's ear is different, but I'm considering trading in the Airpod Pro 2 for the Samsung Buds but I don't know about the fit. I tried the earfun buds and they kept falling out that I had to return them. I feel like with the Airpod Pro 2, I can't use all the features I paid for because it is an apple product.

 

[lpolarityl]

Any idea when we will get the vertical app drawer back in Good Lock?

 

[Tulani]

Do the buds fit in the ear? I know everyone's ear is different, but I'm considering trading in the Airpod Pro 2 for the Samsung Buds but I don't know about the fit. I tried the earfun buds and they kept falling out that I had to return them. I feel like with the Airpod Pro 2, I can't use all the features I paid for because it is an apple product.

Why don't you get "over the ear" headphones than continue to struggle with these finicky buds whose lifespan is limited as battery degrade?