The Samsung Galaxy S24 / Ultra

[JohnRckr]

I decided to sell my Watch Ultra 2 which is basically a pointless gadget anyway, and it makes me less bound to the ecosystem. I want to give S24U a chance even though I daily drive a MacBook Pro and it is hard to justify since 15PM is better phone in pretty much every way except for display and maybe the S-pen..

 

[mjschabow]

Sim back in pixel 8 pro

S24 ultra just awful feel in the hand and can't get used to coming from iPhone and pixel

Yeah, there are times where I really miss that huge screen. It was so fun to use, but Apple definitely nailed it with the 15 PM. So comfortable to hold and lightweight. I don't even need to put a case on it anymore unless I'm hiking or something.

 

[JohnRckr]

Same! But I do have screen protector and every time it lies on a table it is on the screen.

 

[aggie99]

I decided to sell my Watch Ultra 2 which is basically a pointless gadget anyway, and it makes me less bound to the ecosystem. I want to give S24U a chance even though I daily drive a MacBook Pro and it is hard to justify since 15PM is better phone in pretty much every way except for display and maybe the S-pen..

*Better for you

 

[Bkdodger]

I'm really having a hard time with the S24U ergonomically. It's just really uncomfortable to hold for me . Maybe it's because I have smaller hands since I am a woman, but the ergonomics really kill it for me. The S23U was more comfortable. As much as I love the phone, I am going to stick with my Pixel 8 Pro, which is an immensely comfortable phone to hold. I have not mailed it out yet, thankfully.

But damn is the S24U nice. It's the smoothest phone I've ever used. Not one stutter. It's insane.

(Also, y'all can go ahead and tell me "I told you so," especially my stalkers on here .)

I could definitely understand.. I like the larger phones and found S23U comfortable but I think flat screens are making S24U harder on some ...P8P feels small to me for a larger phone and best phone to hold IMO ...only way to find out is to test drive them daily so you are doing it right ...

 

[Bkdodger]

Ugh that sucks to hear. My S24 Ultra arrives today, and I ordered it partly based on your positive review of it. Too bad it's just a huge sharp edged phone.

I will say I'm running the latest developer beta preview on my Pixel 8 Pro, and this phone is ridiculously smooth and fluid right now, I'm just extremely comfortable and satisfied with it.

I don't even have the s24 Ultra yet and I'm already second guessing why I bought it. But I will remain open-minded and give it a thorough test job for the next couple weeks.

I'm looking forward to you getting set up and using this phone daily... Give it a good run

 

[Djones96]

Not knocking the S24U as I have never used the phone, and I was actually interested in trying one, but in videos it looks very boxy and sharp, and honestly not very good looking IMO.

 

[Harthag]

I will say I am very excited to get the S24 Ultra today.

Any videos or tips on setting it up and tweaking it right away? I definitely will try Good Lock and the custom mods it comes with.

Interested to hear your take. Regarding Good Lock, you should install Home Up, Edge lighting+, sound assistant, and camera assistant. Very handy utilities and utilize them daily.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Can I run the 5G network on this phone without it destroying the battery life like on older phones used to?

 

[rhinosrcool]

Can I run the 5G network on this phone without it destroying the battery life like on older phones used to?

Yes

 

[jamezr]

Can I run the 5G network on this phone without it destroying the battery life like on older phones used to?

curious...do you run 5G network on your P8P or does it diminish the battery life?

 

[Tig Bitties]

curious...do you run 5G network on your P8P or does it diminish the battery life?

I only run 5G on my pixel 8 Pro if I know I'm not around Wi-Fi and need to have perfect connection

But honestly I haven't really tested if it's a battery drainer or not. I just know on previous phones 5G would absolutely tank the battery life. Not sure if the modem and hardware is that much better than the s24 Ultra where it won't matter anymore?

 

[aggie99]

Can I run the 5G network on this phone without it destroying the battery life like on older phones used to?

I run all my phones on 5g with no issue. The Qualcomm modems are much easier on the battery though than the Exynos one the Pixel has. Battery life will not be an issue. This thing is a battery beast. However make sure you give it a few power cycles before you make judgement. It is right there with, if not longer lasting than my 15 PM which has been my most recent daily driver. Coming from a P8P it will be a huge leap in battery life.

 

[aggie99]

I only run 5G on my pixel 8 Pro if I know I'm not around Wi-Fi and need to have perfect connection

But honestly I haven't really tested if it's a battery drainer or not. I just know on previous phones 5G would absolutely tank the battery life. Not sure if the modem and hardware is that much better than the s24 Ultra where it won't matter anymore?

When you are connected to wifi, regardless of if 5g is turned on or off, you should see very minimal drain due to 5g. The 5g modem is essentially idle unless your wifi signal cuts out as most carriers now have Wi-Fi calling. I don't see it necessary to ever switch 5g off.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Came in the mail today but I have no time to really play with it until maybe later tonight.

Very quick impressions. Just looking at it and feeling it. It's definitely a beautiful looking phone and high quality feeling piece of tech.

UPDATE:

Just going through the main start up and setup, and the phone looks amazing, and the screen beautiful. This full screen squared off look seems so Star Trek or futuristic.

 

[jamezr]

I only run 5G on my pixel 8 Pro if I know I'm not around Wi-Fi and need to have perfect connection

But honestly I haven't really tested if it's a battery drainer or not. I just know on previous phones 5G would absolutely tank the battery life. Not sure if the modem and hardware is that much better than the s24 Ultra where it won't matter anymore?

I can honestly say I have not had that issue in years with an android or IOS device...

 

[SteveJUAE]

So now I have a Galaxy s9 tablet, a pair of galaxy buds pro 2, a galaxy watch 6 classic and the s24 ultra.

All I need is a GalaxyBook Pro and I will have a complete Samsung ecosystem.

I have to say that I am pretty happy with the quality and price.

I doubt I will get a GalaxyBook because I can't get a deal on one that would make it affordable like everything else I bought at discounts and trade ins.

But it would be nice to have the complete Samsung ecosystem. I might do it some day.....

Nope, you need to get their TV, Robot vacuum and fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, hob, oven, microwave etc

I have had the vacuum for a while now in Thailand but I just refurbed our apartment in UK and for fun I fitted the kitchen with Samsung appliances. I laugh every time when a msg flashes up on the TV that my food is ready, well my nuked Greggs pie for lunch that is. The wife likes it has she does not have to shout down the hall it's ready

I use to have the Galaxy book pro 360 but with link to windows any good laptop works including my MBP16 M2 and my MBP14 M3. No need for Apple airdrop etc with link to windows all my calls, msg, notifications and last 2000 photos are just there instantly from my Fold 5

You may not realise how small the Apple eco is by comparison

 

[Technerd108]

Okay people, let's settle down on the uncomfortable. Lol 😆

Seriously though I actually find the s24 ultra more comfortable than the s23 ultra. In my opinion they are both very large bar phones. About as big as is comfortably possible.

The s24 ultra is actually a few millimeters smaller in length than the S23U and is a few grams lighter. So those are the facts. The feeling is coming from two things. The flat display means the titanium frame is covering more surface area than before as there is no more wrapped glass so it feels flatter on the sides and this might bother some people. I find it easier to grip.

Honestly I don't feel the s24 ultra is any less comfortable than any ultra or Note. They have always been big.

To me the s24 plus is about perfect size and weight if you want a larger screen but not the bulk of the Ultra. Same goes for the P8P. The P8P is the most comfortable large phone on the market. The s24 plus has those beautiful side rails but they are not as comfy as the rounded aluminum frame and wrapped glass back of the P8P.

If I had to choose between the P8P and the s24 plus it would be a really tough call. P8P has better cameras but the s24 plus is better in just about every other way except maybe the software.

But if I had to choose between the s24 ultra and the P8P the choice would be a little easier. I love the P8P and would miss a few things for sure but overall I like the s24 ultra better, at least for now.

In my personal opinion the s24 ultra is big and can be a little uncomfortable at the corners but the benefits of the phone outweigh any negatives. Nothing is perfect and you have to make compromises. If you want the largest most beautiful screen on any bar phone on the market then the s24 ultra is it. If you want the best performance, tons of storage, stylus support with a stylus in the phone, one of the best camera systems, some of the best battery life, and on you have to compromise. All of that stuff takes space.

What I will say is that I was impressed that even when they flattened out the display they still shrunk the overall size and weight of the phone. I think the bezel to screen ratio is just about perfect. I would actually like to see a more flat side but since everyone is already saying that this phone is uncomfortable that would probably be a bad idea.

The reason most OEMs and Apple have rounded corners is because of ergonomics but it is at the cost of more usable screen. Samsung said who cares about comfort, we are making a phone that puts usability above ergonomics. You either hate it or love it. I happen to love it BUT Samsung could round that corner on the Titanium frame just a bit. But either way I will take the squared corners and unique design and get some dimples in my hand where the corners dig into my palm. Lol 😆

 

[Technerd108]

I have a few Samsung appliances if you consider the TV and Oven I have. My condo is pretty dumb on the smart appliances thing. I like it that way.

But it is nice to have my phone as a remote if I can't find the remote. The only problem is the phone remote won't turn the TV on? I have to use the remote to turn the TV on then I can use the phone as a remote? Kind of defeats the purpose if I can't turn it on.

But with my PC, Tab s9,galaxy phone, galaxy buds, and galaxy watch everything works very well together much like Apple. But I can use my buds and watch on my Pixel phone. I can use my s9 with my Pixel and my Pixel watch 2 with my Samsung phone. So I have the Samsung ecosystem but I am not locked into using Samsung unlike Apple. I prefer this even if Samsung integration between devices is not as smooth as Apple.

The biggest problem I had with the Pixel tablet is that the dock and nest capability I would never use and I would have rather preferred just a higher end tablet from Google much like my tab s9. Unfortunately Google went the direction they did. I wanted to go all into the "Google" ecosystem but it is fragmented and incomplete. Using link to Windows on Pixel is not as good as on a Samsung phone. So you need to get a Chromebook to get the same type of integration with your PC if you want to fully utilize the Google ecosystem. Chromebooks that I want to use are expensive for what you get and often times there are certain compromises I can't get over like speakers with low volume, low nits on even higher end Chromebook, etc.

So in my opinion you have Apple or Samsung if you want an interconnected set of comprehensive devices from watches to buds to tablets and phones. I prefer Samsung because I don't feel locked into their devices like I do with Apple. You don't have to lock your customers down in order to provide a feature rich ecosystem for your products.

 

[edubfromktown]

I have a Samsung TV and oven but lets not get carried away. Lol

I've always thought Samsung gear was on the pricey side.

Only S-things I own are 24+, Buds Pro2 and a couple of flash storage devices. Had a Galaxy Chromebook 2 for a little while that was cool though with slightly under powered innards. Returned it in favor of a used HP C1030 i7 16GB beast of a 14" CB.

Got a mishmash of other appliances: Toshiba TV, "dumb" / non-networkable LG refrigerator (that is this year's Consumer Reports #1 pick), KitchenAid, GE, ... etc.

 

[Technerd108]

I've always thought Samsung gear was on the pricey side.

Only S-things I own are 24+, Buds Pro2 and a couple of flash storage devices. Had a Galaxy Chromebook 2 for a little while that was cool though with slightly under powered innards. Returned it in favor of a used HP C1030 i7 16GB beast of a 14" CB.

Got a mishmash of other appliances: Toshiba TV, "dumb" / non-networkable LG refrigerator (that is this year's Consumer Reports #1 pick), KitchenAid, GE, ... etc.

Cost is relative. I never, ever pay MSRP for any Samsung product and generally can trade something in as well so I have found that I can generally buy new stuff at huge discounts.

I got a pair of galaxy buds free when I order a note 10 years ago and used those to trade in and got $80 for the Buds Pro 2 that were also on sale so I paid just under $100 for them. Everything I own with the exception of the Oven has been that way. I even got the TV through Samsung highly discounted.

Samsung is actually the only company I can do this with. Everyone says how great Apple resale value is and it is good but if I trade in my stuff with Apple I still can't afford to buy new unless I wait a long time and save up while with Samsung I don't have to wait and I keep getting new stuff with trade in for cheap.

Cost is a big reason I love Samsung BUT if you don't have anything to trade and don't wait for discounts then I agree they are expensive.

 

[Technerd108]

I feel like this phone charges a lot faster than the s23 ultra?

Am I crazy? It is at least 1/3 less time to charge.

I set the phone down for like 15-20 minutes and it went from 28% to 74%.

Not bad.

 

[sunking101]

Come on guys, I keep asking these questions but nobody bites.😊

How does the camera reproduce dark reds/maroons/burgundies? With every Samsung phone I've had since the Note 8 the camera produces photos with inaccurate reds. How is the S24U in this regard?

Also, is the in-screen fingerprint reader still an inconsistent POS?

Someone please answer! 🤸‍♀️

 

[rhinosrcool]

Come on guys, I keep asking these questions but nobody bites.😊

How does the camera reproduce dark reds/maroons/burgundies? With every Samsung phone I've had since the Note 8 the camera produces photos with inaccurate reds. How is the S24U in this regard?

Also, is the in-screen fingerprint reader still an inconsistent POS?

Someone please answer! 🤸‍♀️

Well, the finger print reader is excellent. I rarely need to re-do it. As for colors, I'll get back to you.

 

[Technerd108]

Come on guys, I keep asking these questions but nobody bites.😊

How does the camera reproduce dark reds/maroons/burgundies? With every Samsung phone I've had since the Note 8 the camera produces photos with inaccurate reds. How is the S24U in this regard?

Also, is the in-screen fingerprint reader still an inconsistent POS?

Someone please answer! 🤸‍♀️

Here are two extremely low light shots. One of a red bowl and the other orange cheese puffs in my messy living room.

Fingerprint sensor is the best I have ever used. Much improved in my opinion. S23 ultra was a mess for me. The P8P was mote accurate and now that has reversed.