The Samsung Galaxy S24 / Ultra

[Dave245]

Google is the absolute worst of you have a hardware problem. And what company of the major three has the most problematic hardware? Google.
But I have had good and terrible customer service from every company. Apple and Samsung have been best in my experience. Once Samsung sent me a $250 credit after they screwed up giving me a credit on a trade in. So they gave me the trade in price then a month later sent another $250 credit. I had to spend time calking and speaking with a supervisor but it worked. Same with Apple, HP, Microsoft Surface, and on and on.

First level customer service is designed to give the company the best outcome. Second level is generally where you get a better resolution. It sucks companies have taken this approach but there are scammers who return things in scams or abuse the system. Those people have ruined it for us honest people.

So as much as Apple gets put on a pedestal and in a lit of ways there is a valid reason, Apple is no different now in trying to peddle off resolutions that work in their favor over a happy customer. They have a physical location which is good but they will offer similar solutions as any other retailers at first. They didn't used to act like this and were much more customer oriented in terms of after sale support. Apple is still the best but considering the cost of their products I have felt a depreciable difference in customer service at Apple over the years. So the equation I pay more but I get better service has changed a bit.

So compared to Google Apple is king. Compared to Microsoft store not so much. I have gotten better after sales support through Microsoft and the store than Apple but I digress.

I think in terms of after sales hardware support and out of warranty support all companies can do a lot better.

Did you have the phone plugged in? Sometimes plugging into USB port of PC or Mac will wake it up. Or just being plugged in. Just something to try beforehand it goes back.

I don’t have any experience with Google Pixel devices, I’ve never owned a Pixel. The one thing i will say about Samsung, they are really good at returns. I’ve sent back a few phones and always got the refund. I’ve recently returned my S24 Ultra, i should receive my refund sometime in the upcoming week.

Apple chat is a pain as well, it’s not just Samsung. On the rare occasion i’ve had an issue, it’s better to just call (at least here in the UK) and speak to someone who will often help.

I don’t think Samsung should be trying to make Tig pay for another phone, not everyone has that kind of money. To pay for 2 phones (that are over $1000) with no guarantee that they will accept the defected first phone and issue the refund, is asking a lot. I also understand the point that companies also don’t want to get scammed, they are after all in the business of making money.

 

[JohnRckr]

Damn Tig Bitties really pushing me away from trying the Ultra

 

[MarkX]

@Tig Bitties While it's annoying, 1 dead phone shouldn't dissuade you or anyone else for that matter getting the S24 Ultra!

It's just pure bad luck nothing more, it's not like anyone else on here has had the problem you've had. What I mean is it's not a widespread issue. Send the phone back and get another

 

[Fille84]

Damn Tig Bitties really pushing me away from trying the Ultra

Really? Have you heard of more people with this issue?

 

[JohnRckr]

Really? Have you heard of more people with this issue?

Hmmm, good point.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Honestly, Apple does the same: You have to purchase the replacement device before being able to go through with the replacement. I think it's standard practice.

Hopefully your new phone will be better. Lemons happen.

Yep,

Whilst it's a sorry tale of @Tig Bitties getting a defective device I have had not a dissimilar issue with Apple and my MBP M2 that the screen was defective on the 3rd day

Apple will not ship a replacement before receiving the old device and I was expected to wait 7 to 14 days, or I could re-order immediately and get it within 48 hours and get a refund on receipt of the defective unit.

Alternatively I could do a 9 hour round trip and subject to stock try and get a replacement unit, but not guaranteed as they would not hold stock

IMO Apple and Samsung are no different in these cases

When I had an issue with my Fold 2 usb charging port Samsung sent a motor bike courier the next day, gave me a loan Note and retuned my device fixed 2 days later

My wife's Flip had a defective screen protector fixed on the spot in an hour at local store

Apple in UAE would not even look at my MBA as I had not bought it from them and had to mail it in to some repair centre with an up front repair inspection fee of $150

Apple would not honour peeling reflective coating on my kids MBA's

Crap happens

 

[Tig Bitties]

I know I'm just one in a million with a bad S24 Ultra, it's rare but defective phones happen.

But I will say my first night with the phone working I was extremely impressed. OneUI 6.2 was way better than I could've imagined. And the build quality and design of the phone was top tier.

So what happened to me is extremely rare, and probably happens to every phone brand and model out there in very one off cases.

Would I recommend the S24U to others? Yes absolutely.

 

[Bkdodger]

Yup unfortunately happens to every brand ..it's good to see you did have a great experience with it on the first day ..Samsung does some things right for sure

 

[SteveJUAE]

If Google or Samsung really want to go toe to toe with the Mighty fruit then they are going to need physical locations all over just like Apple.

I know they all want everything to be digital, online, by chat, but we as customers have to push back.

The reason I have a Pixel is despite Googles support and customer service. If I was buying on service or support Google would be dead last in my personal experience.

If Google and Samsung had stores like Apple does all over every major city depending where you live it would make a huge difference from a customer relationship standpoint. But in the Android world it is simply not possible for every OEM to have the physical presence Apple does. It is a huge investment on Apple's part.

Part of the cost of Apple products has to do with offering retail locations and sales and support staff.

From a buyers perspective in my situation it boils down to cost vs risk. How many times do I have hardware issues with a particular companies products? What is the difference in cost to me? What makes sense from this angle?

If I pay hundreds less or even closer to $1k less buying from Samsung say for a phone than Apple. Then say I buy Apple Care or Samsung care. Cost is almost the same and supposedly next day replacement is guaranteed. So either way I am paying much much less and while I don't have access to a Samsung store to exchange my device I can send it in and get a replacement the next day afterwards. So I have negated most of the risk and cost is significantly lower than Apple and I actually prefer the ultra vs Pro Max.

So far, in my personal risk benefit cost analysis Pixel is a bad choice. I get very poor resale value for my Pixel devices which is a big problem cost wise when upgrading. On top of that, if you do have a hardware problem, God help you connect with anyone who can help you and you can’t call and talk to anyone. It is either chat or email which in my opinion sucks. The resolutions offered are generally canned responses that don't even answer the question.

I always end paying more for Google products, get underwhelming specs(until the Pixel 6 and up) and have a higher chance of defects. Sometimes I have bought a product that I spent a decent amount on to be discontinued a year later(Pixel slate Chrome tablet anyone?)

With Samsung I generate get the best specs and pay the least. Hardware is generally good and support is at least able to receive a phone call. Apple is also better in this regard but less of a cost benefit. In other words I pay more for Apple and buy less often, have to save up for a purchase, but tend to keep Apple products for longer because of this. So far Apple products offer excellent performance and despite a lack of some features work well for as long as I keep them and when I do sell I get more money back but it is not as significant as in the past. Apple is now discounting or allowing 3rd party sellers to discount new products which never used to happen which hurts resale value. So Apple is just more expensive overall but still manages to deliver an experience I feel is worth the extra cost.

Which is why I am a Samsung customer and Apple customer mostly. I have always loved true vanilla Android and Pixel is a really good phone to have if you like a pure Google Android experience. Nothing beats it. Which is why despite Google I am still their customer. In terms of phones I am waiting for iPhone 16/17 when the hardware and software really meet. I will probably get an iPhone over a Pixel next year or the year after depending on how those future devices and Apple's implementation of AI solidify. I am pretty sure Apple is going to wow us with its generative AI. Apple could upstage Google of they do it right and until then iPhone doesn't offer me anything unique and doesn't have basic call screening like my Pixel and Samsung phones.

So it just depends I may end up back on iOS with a phone but Apple needs to offer a few things to rip me from the Ultra. I would like a similar size screen. Pencil support. Good AI features like better call screening than Samsung and at least as good conversationally as Pixel. We get that and really good a18/19 then I am back in baby. 😆

The problem I have with Google is using anything other than a Pixel phone in their ecosystem is poorly implemented. So there is no real benefit of having multiple Pixel devices when they don't sync with my PC, current Pixel tablet sucks compared to tab s9 11", I am not buying a Chromebook, I also will probably sell my Pixel watch 2. My galaxy watch 6 classic is so much better. When the watch 7 comes out I will trade my watch 6 and sell the Pixel watch. I get all the same health tracking features but I don't have to spend nearly $100 a year to use it. It is a great watch but the screen is too small for me compared to the Galaxy.

At least with Samsung everything works together like Apple and syncs with my PC so it is a very similar experience to Apple ecosystem but you aren't locked in. You can have other brand devices and they all work together. I can use my Pixel watch in my Galaxy phone and it is exactly like on my Pixel and same with Galaxy watch. Try using any other brand with Apple like a Samsung tablet and Mac? I am not talking peripherals. So at the end of the day I feel my money is better spent with Apple or Samsung than Google although I find Pixel phones a lot of fun and really like the UI.

Apples legendary support is so country specific that many forget if the live in one of the prime countries how poor it can be elsewhere in the world

Unless you country has at least 1 Apple store (forget about approved resellers) there is no 14 days return for example. many countries only have a support number and mail-in service

Many if not most approved resellers overseas offer no warranty support or assistance on any make

In many countries even if bought online from Apple, they pay considerably more than US and receive a fraction of the support you typically see posted here about the US and maybe UK

Samsung support is often as good and if not better in Asia

@Tig Bitties was correct in saying your often better buying local from bestbuys or equivalent or even a carrier with an unlocked no contact phone (I did even from At&T when I was in the US), unless your Apple store is just a few miles away. Even in the US your local Apple store could be 100's of miles away, its a big country

 

[rhinosrcool]

What the hell are you insinuating at towards me? You think I'm making this up? It's a fake story from me?

Are you ***** serious? How dare you say that to me. I really liked the phone. Last night I was smiling ear to ear in excitement with it.

I wake up this morning. The phone's dead on the table, made no sense of whatsoever. I've never seen that in 20 years of owning smartphones.

Why would I make a story up like this? This is the last thing I want to deal with. I've got a massive headache and stressed out dealing with this today. This is zero fun whatsoever, and never in a million years would I want this to happen. I was going to keep the phone long term. Until it suddenly died overnight or I don't know what happened to it?

Tig Bitties, I am so sorry I posted my stupid remarks doubting your problem with Samsung. This is no excuse, but I had a very troubling day at work and took it out on you. Over the years, I have really enjoyed your posts on here. You are way more knowledgeable than me on these topics. It's got to be very frustrating to have to deal with a bad experience and then have some idiot on the internet act as though it didn't happen. Never have I posted on someone's veracity. I never will again. Hopefully, you get this sorted out. Whether you get another Samsung device or not, I hope to read more of your posts, especially on Android. Again, please accept my apologies and hopefully we can continue on with our love of electronic devices.

 

[atiffarooq]

Tig Bitties, I am so sorry I posted my stupid remarks doubting your problem with Samsung. This is no excuse, but I had a very troubling day at work and took it out on you. Over the years, I have really enjoyed your posts on here. You are way more knowledgeable than me on these topics. It's got to be very frustrating to have to deal with a bad experience and then have some idiot on the internet act as though it didn't happen. Never have I posted on someone's veracity. I never will again. Hopefully, you get this sorted out. Whether you get another Samsung device or not, I hope to read more of your posts, especially on Android. Again, please accept my apologies and hopefully we can continue on with our love of electronic devices.

Fair play, and good of you to apologise.

Hope you get a resolution and can give the S24U another go @Tig Bitties - I'm rotating between it and the P8P as my Android phone (also have the Apple 14PM as my daily driver). I'm considering swapping out and moving to one of the Android devices as my main phone.

Seriously been impressed with the S24U.

 

[sunking101]

I've had loads of problems with Apple kit in the past, far more than with any other brand including cheapies but where they do score strongly is with their support. I've never had any trouble getting problems rectified with Apple.

However, in my experience you're far less likely to need any support from the other manufacturers so there is that...

 

[edubfromktown]

Apples legendary support is so country specific that many forget if the live in one of the prime countries how poor it can be elsewhere in the world

Unless you country has at least 1 Apple store (forget about approved resellers) there is no 14 days return for example. many countries only have a support number and mail-in service

Many if not most approved resellers overseas offer no warranty support or assistance on any make

In many countries even if bought online from Apple, they pay considerably more than US and receive a fraction of the support you typically see posted here about the US and maybe UK

Samsung support is often as good and if not better in Asia

@Tig Bitties was correct in saying your often better buying local from bestbuys or equivalent or even a carrier with an unlocked no contact phone (I did even from At&T when I was in the US), unless your Apple store is just a few miles away. Even in the US your local Apple store could be 100's of miles away, its a big country

In the past I had a <1 week-old iPhone with a locked up camera. I had to argue at the store with a manager to obtain a new replacement. They were set on tossing me a refurb and hustling me out of the way.

No doubt all of the manufacturers have been scammed many times and we all suffer the procedural warranty replacement pain as a result.

Even trade-in's can turn in to stressful headaches, with all the thievery. I photograph mine front and back, with screen powered on after reset, getting boxed and on my digital scale before shipping it. Haven't had a problem yet thankfully.

Ideally, in the US it might be best to order direct from Samsung and pickup from Best Buy (assuming it is possible to swap a defective phone for a new replacement). I noticed local pickup was an option for a little while during the S24 pre-order. Not sure if they offer that at other times.

 

[jamezr]

@Tig Bitties While it's annoying, 1 dead phone shouldn't dissuade you or anyone else for that matter getting the S24 Ultra!

It's just pure bad luck nothing more, it's not like anyone else on here has had the problem you've had. What I mean is it's not a widespread issue. Send the phone back and get another

exactly! last year for the P7P it took me 3 devices before I got one that was free of issues. That did keep me from getting and enjoying the P7P and this year getting the P8P

 

[Zito Abroad]

If any of you bothered to get a Galaxy Watch with your purchase, Samsung just got FDA approval for sleep apnea detection on their watch. That's incredible news. The update arrives Q3 this year. I can see it now, the Galaxy CPAP. Lol

 

[Tig Bitties]

I'm done crying over my dead S24U LOL. Shipping it back via FedEx tomorrow.

But I am curious, what happened to it? What type of hardware failure? I'm a pretty tech smart guy, and just wondering it worked perfectly fine and great the first day, so what caused it to just literally have it's soul and life sucked away and kill it overnight? Not bitching about Samsung or anything, I'm just genuinely confused what kind of hardware issue it could've been?

It would've made more sense if the phone was dead out of the box, not even turning on once. But to work fine day, and dead the next, stumps me.

 

[sunking101]

I'm done crying over my dead S24U LOL. Shipping it back via FedEx tomorrow.

But I am curious, what happened to it? What type of hardware failure? I'm a pretty tech smart guy, and just wondering it worked perfectly fine and great the first day, so what caused it to just literally have it's soul and life sucked away and kill it overnight? Not bitching about Samsung or anything, I'm just genuinely confused what kind of hardware issue it could've been?

It would've made more sense if the phone was dead out of the box, not even turning on once. But to work fine day, and dead the next, stumps me.

Maybe the battery. One of the cheapest yet most essential components in the device.

 

[Bkdodger]

Maybe the battery. One of the cheapest yet most essential components in the device.

That’s what I was thinking myself …something faulty related to battery or it’s connection

 

[edubfromktown]

I'm done crying over my dead S24U LOL. Shipping it back via FedEx tomorrow.

But I am curious, what happened to it? What type of hardware failure? I'm a pretty tech smart guy, and just wondering it worked perfectly fine and great the first day, so what caused it to just literally have it's soul and life sucked away and kill it overnight? Not bitching about Samsung or anything, I'm just genuinely confused what kind of hardware issue it could've been?

It would've made more sense if the phone was dead out of the box, not even turning on once. But to work fine day, and dead the next, stumps me.

Forrest Gump would say: Lemon is as lemon does.

Could be a number of things from display cable fail to power issue. Just sucks, regardless

I dropped my 24+ last night and started sort of freaking out, thinking about your debacle

May the mobile phone godz smile favorably down upon you for your next acquisition!

 

[Technerd108]

If any of you bothered to get a Galaxy Watch with your purchase, Samsung just got FDA approval for sleep apnea detection on their watch. That's incredible news. The update arrives Q3 this year. I can see it now, the Galaxy CPAP. Lol

I got the watch 6 classic and I love it. I got it on pre-order and I added a bunch of stuff way over the free credit. When I did that it reduced the price of other things like the watch 6 classic. I then deleted the items and surprisingly the watch 6 price stayed the same. So for $97 I got it.

I got the Pixel watch 2 on pre-order with the Pixel 8 Pro. It was my first smartwatch and I liked it. However, compared to the watch 6 classic I am now thinking of selling the Pixel watch 2.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the lager screen, same battery life, same performance mostly, all of the same health stuff but no yearly charge of almost $100. I just like the look and feel of the galaxy watch as well. I like some features on the Pixel watch 2 better but the screen is just too small. I think the watch size is fine but the bezels on the PW2 are just too big and it makes the screen impractical. The GW6C on the other hand has about as small a screen as is comfortable for me to use.

I was not expecting to like the GW6C as much as I do. So I figure I will sell the Pixel watch 2 and it will help pay for the stuff I just got from Samsung.

 

[Tig Bitties]

What do we have here? Desperate, before I ship this back to Samsung today I held on the power button all of a sudden it showed a picture on the display 0% battery with the charger plug.

I heard someone else say this. Let the phone die down to 0% and then recharge it. It might work again. I don't know what that means or what that has to do with anything, but I'm charging it now. Let's see what happens.

 

[Bkdodger]

What do we have here? Desperate, before I ship this back to Samsung today I held on the power button all of a sudden it showed a picture on the display 0% battery with the charger plug.

I heard someone else say this. Let the phone die down to 0% and then recharge it. It might work again. I don't know what that means or what that has to do with anything, but I'm charging it now. Let's see what happens.

It's looking more like a battery issue for sure.. definitely get your refund and decide from there if you're going to order a new one..

 

[jamezr]

What do we have here? Desperate, before I ship this back to Samsung today I held on the power button all of a sudden it showed a picture on the display 0% battery with the charger plug.

I heard someone else say this. Let the phone die down to 0% and then recharge it. It might work again. I don't know what that means or what that has to do with anything, but I'm charging it now. Let's see what happens.

If it is a bad battery...I know U Break We Fix does warranty repairs for Samsung.
Might see if Samsung will let them replace the battery for you at no cost. if there is one in your area.

 

[DeepIn2U]

S24 struggles eoth edge detection yet the photo comparison shown has better detail of the fluffy puff of the hat!!?

Man these reviewers really need to start each video of whom pays them a retainer

 

[DeepIn2U]

My Pixel 8 Pro sold on Swappa this morning for $680 which I didn't expect, after fees and shipping more like $620. Still better than the $450 Samsung would've given me!

I returned the Watch 6 Classic that I ordered with the phone, re-ordered the 47mm size instead and took advantage of $200 trade in for my AW6, which is generous (Best Buy offers $70).

My only remaining Apple devices are the 15PM and AirPods Pro 2. The S24+ may finally sway me completely away from Apple for the foreseeable future. I'm really enjoying the phone and the customization options. I stopped iMessage etc cold turkey a week ago and don't care about any media issues. Not my problem, iPhone folks can deal with it.

My issue with ringers and notifications playing over both Bluetooth and phone speaker while earbuds are connected persisted when I did a factory reset of the phone + set up as new. It occured on the P8P and S24+ until I installed Good Lock and Samsung Sound Assistant on the S24+. Seems to be an Android quirk (a big one) thankfully addressed by GL.

The kitchen sink approach Samsung takes is only a bit of a headache on initial set up / accounts / settings. Once done, phone is a champ and I appreciate all of the options. Also, DynamicSpot app is awesome, all of my apps pop up Dynamic Island style which is great for notifications. The funny part is it fades away and just the tiny pinhole remains, unlike the eyesore DI on the iPhone.

IOS: passwords and login credentials in particular any credentials setup using iOS relay.

You'll want to switch the latter to regular login not using relay and then use Chrome to copay your credentials over or screenshot yours to be prepared. They dont come over unless OneUI 6 changed that. It didn't on OneUI 5.7 for me back in August last year.

Absolutely love my Galaxy S23! Never looking back at Apple for any product ever again. Not even rumored foldables no thanks.