The Samsung Galaxy S24 / Ultra

[Sensamic]

One more that joins the club, but with the S24+ (coming from the S23+). It's a nice little improvement, not a huge one, but I got almost 500€ selling the phone (cost me 800€) with the Samsung offer and I will be paying this new phone over the next 18 months with no interests or fees, so not bad. The 7 years of promised updates convinced me to make the jump now, instead of waiting and losing value on my S23+, which I loved.

The brighter screen outdoors also was an important factor for me, since I live in a sunny place. All in all, I got the 512GB + free Buds FE for 700€, in black. I wanted the violet one, but was not available.

 

[Technerd108]

One more that joins the club, but with the S24+ (coming from the S23+). It's a nice little improvement, not a huge one, but I got almost 500€ selling the phone (cost me 800€) with the Samsung offer and I will be paying this new phone over the next 18 months with no interests or fees, so not bad. The 7 years of promised updates convinced me to make the jump now, instead of waiting and losing value on my S23+, which I loved.

The brighter screen outdoors also was an important factor for me, since I live in a sunny place. All in all, I got the 512GB + free Buds FE for 700€, in black. I wanted the violet one, but was not available.

It is a really sweet phone. I actually think it is a pretty BIG upgrade for the plus specifically. Having quad HD screen is huge in my opinion. Having 12gb ram is huge in my opinion. Armor Aluminum is great. Bigger battery is great, decent chipset outside US and same 8 gen 3 as in the Ultra in the US and other areas.

It is a stunning phone with the smallest bezels I have seen. Kind of a redesign at least along the edge and I really like it. They call it flat edge display.

I ended getting the Ultra but I was really torn because I also got the plus. I ultimately returned it. I have a secondary phone very similar footprint to the s24 plus so I went Ultra and for a few other reasons but honestly it was a really hard decision because the screen, the performance, battery life, new flat edge design and much more comfortable footprint all make the plus a really great phone.

The Plus doesn't feel inferior just a bit smaller. I would like to see a $100 price bump on next year's plus and get the same camera as the ultra. Thus giving us an Ultra and Ultra regular size. They should have s25, s25 ultra, s25 plus and s25 Ultra. Then we would have a great line closer to Apple where you have the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 plus, iPhone Pro, iPhone Pro Max.

Then of you got the Ultra or the plus the main differences would be s pen and larger screen. It would give you a Ultra option in a smaller footprint and I think there is a big market there for Samsung. A little smaller and lighter yet premium phone. The Plus should also get Titanium next year, maybe call it Plus Ultra or Ultra plus?? Give it a $200 price difference between the ultra.

Anyways, a bit off tangent. I just think the s24 plus is the sleeper hit of 2024. You got a good deal and a great phone! I hope it serves you well and you enjoy it!

 

[h.gilbert]

I'm thinking of getting an S23/4 Ultra. Are there any interesting benefits/uses of the S-pen? I don't think I've ever used a phone with a stylus but at least I know it'll come in useful for annotating notes.

 

[Dave245]

I'm thinking of getting an S23/4 Ultra. Are there any interesting benefits/uses of the S-pen? I don't think I've ever used a phone with a stylus but at least I know it'll come in useful for annotating note.

The S-Pen can be really useful, there’s the Penup app for drawing and colouring. It can be used for Notes and the button on the side can be used to take photos. There are so many different uses, in fact there are YouTube videos just on that subject.

 

[Technerd108]

I'm thinking of getting an S23/4 Ultra. Are there any interesting benefits/uses of the S-pen? I don't think I've ever used a phone with a stylus but at least I know it'll come in useful for annotating note.

It really depends. Some people love the s pen and use it for a remote camera shutter, drawing, notes, etc.

For me, it has been a life saver during a couple of family emergencies and I needed to fill out a bunch of online or PDF documents. I would have had to go home or use a computer or tablet but with the Ultra I was able to annotate the documents and send them back in minutes in real time as things were happening. This has happened more than once in the previous year.

If you are ever in a situation like thar the s pen is priceless.

I am sure there are more examples but I thought mine might be a little more rare use case but important if you need it and with emergencies you never know.

 

[SteveJUAE]

I'm thinking of getting an S23/4 Ultra. Are there any interesting benefits/uses of the S-pen? I don't think I've ever used a phone with a stylus but at least I know it'll come in useful for annotating note.

If you use SPen in conjunction with side palm swipe to take screen shot you can annotate things very quickly and often far clearer and quicker than typing

 

[valinda]

One more that joins the club, but with the S24+ (coming from the S23+). It's a nice little improvement, not a huge one, but I got almost 500€ selling the phone (cost me 800€) with the Samsung offer and I will be paying this new phone over the next 18 months with no interests or fees, so not bad. The 7 years of promised updates convinced me to make the jump now, instead of waiting and losing value on my S23+, which I loved.

The brighter screen outdoors also was an important factor for me, since I live in a sunny place. All in all, I got the 512GB + free Buds FE for 700€, in black. I wanted the violet one, but was not available.

 

[valinda]

Just got the Caseology Nano Pop case in purple.

I like to show the blue color of my phone but I have one clear case on order from Itskins which should be perfect.

Most clear cases yellow as soon as they hit UV light. They add some blue in the plastic and it helps but most of the inexpensive clear cases yellow within a month.

I like a case that actually protects the phone but isn't one of those inner tpu and outer Polycarbonate cases that also add a lot of bulk.

The nano pop case is a thick opaque purple tpu case with a hard plastic plate over all of the cameras. One of the few cases that offer this level of camera protection and don't leave a huge hole and space where the cameras are.

It has a dual layer of flexible TPU. All of the cutouts line up and it is easy to get to the s pen while still offering decent corner protection.

I would like a little more edge protection but it is not bad.

Overall this is the absolute best case I have found for the s24 ultra. It is light, slim, and comfortable to grip yet still offering a decent level of protection.

They have a few colors and they have another case called Parallax that has a similar design and different colors. I prefer the clean look of the Nano Pop but for under $20 I don't think you can find a better case.

I will update in a few months to let everyone know how well it holds up.

Caseology Nano Pop Case Compatible with Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Case, [Dual Layer Silicone Case] Military Grade Drop Tested (2024) - Light Violet

Inspired by the dual toned visuals of fresh fruit, Nano Pop is just as bold and fresh. This case stands out from the rest with a vivid contrasting two tone color scheme. Beyond just looking good, Nano Pop is also redesigned with a protective inner defense pattern offering drop defense featuring C...

www.amazon.com

I have the Torras clear case on my s23 ultra for months, and it has not turned yellow so far.

 

[Technerd108]

I have the Torras clear case on my s23 ultra for months, and it has not turned yellow so far.

Thanks for the info! Might try it out. Is it protective of the cameras, sides and screen?

 

[Technerd108]

So I did a little more testing on the Pixel 8 Pro color banding and turns out it has a similar issue as the s24 ultra. Most noticeable in red gradient and green. The P8P is not as bad but it does have a similar issue as does the s23 ultra and back to the Note 10! This is searching posts on the internet so who knows how valid the claims are but there is a history of poor color banding on Samsung display using 8 and 10 bit tech.

Makes me a little less hopeful of a fix but at least I know this is not unique to this phone. Google and Samsung should improve this.

 

[MarkX]

Have been using the regular S24 256gb with exynos for the last few days and no issues. The phone is fast fluid and has decent battery life.

Yesterday took the phone off charge at 8am and went to bed around 11pm with 29% remaining - 5 hours and 1 min SOT. That also included streaming music for around an hour on a run.

I'm happy with my purchase and the processor difference from the US version doesn't bother me 1 little bit.

 

[valinda]

Thanks for the info! Might try it out. Is it protective of the cameras, sides and screen?

It is protective enough for me. For the S23, the case protrudes just a little above the camera lens. I think they try to keep it on the slimmer side. My screen has the curved edges, so they can't have to much of an edge on the sides.

 

[Sensamic]

It is a really sweet phone. I actually think it is a pretty BIG upgrade for the plus specifically. Having quad HD screen is huge in my opinion. Having 12gb ram is huge in my opinion. Armor Aluminum is great. Bigger battery is great, decent chipset outside US and same 8 gen 3 as in the Ultra in the US and other areas.

It is a stunning phone with the smallest bezels I have seen. Kind of a redesign at least along the edge and I really like it. They call it flat edge display.

I ended getting the Ultra but I was really torn because I also got the plus. I ultimately returned it. I have a secondary phone very similar footprint to the s24 plus so I went Ultra and for a few other reasons but honestly it was a really hard decision because the screen, the performance, battery life, new flat edge design and much more comfortable footprint all make the plus a really great phone.

The Plus doesn't feel inferior just a bit smaller. I would like to see a $100 price bump on next year's plus and get the same camera as the ultra. Thus giving us an Ultra and Ultra regular size. They should have s25, s25 ultra, s25 plus and s25 Ultra. Then we would have a great line closer to Apple where you have the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 plus, iPhone Pro, iPhone Pro Max.

Then of you got the Ultra or the plus the main differences would be s pen and larger screen. It would give you a Ultra option in a smaller footprint and I think there is a big market there for Samsung. A little smaller and lighter yet premium phone. The Plus should also get Titanium next year, maybe call it Plus Ultra or Ultra plus?? Give it a $200 price difference between the ultra.

Anyways, a bit off tangent. I just think the s24 plus is the sleeper hit of 2024. You got a good deal and a great phone! I hope it serves you well and you enjoy it!

Of the 3, I agree the Plus is the one that has improved the most versus last year model, but in the end, these flagships phones are so so good nowadays that most improvements aren't earth shattering.

For me, the extra screen resolution is nice, but with the S23+ I never thought it needed more PPI. I'm probably keeping the S24+ with FHD+ just to have more battery, which to me is the biggest selling point today in a phone. Same happens with the RAM, I believe 8GB is plenty enough for a phone, at least for now. Future proofing is great, no doubt.

I'm actually disappointed with the aluminium frame. My S23+ was barely 5 months old and somehow got a small scuff on the frame, on the bottom. I've been SUPER careful with the phone all this time, so no clue how it got it. This new one, the S24+, will stay 99% of the time with a case just for peace of mind 😅

I'm still in the first 24 hours of owning the S24+, but right now I'm very happy with the upgrade. I really hope to keep this phone for more than 3/4 years. Haven't had a phone longer than 2 years for ever. It's time for me to change that. This phone, with 512GB storage, 12GB RAM, big bright 120Hz screen, almost 5000mah battery, AI features, good processor, triple camera setup with 3x optical zoom, and 7 years of promised updates SHOULD help me achieve this goal. I mean, what more could I possible need? Seriously? Do I really need more RAM, storage or battery? As long as this phone doesn't slow down heavily, I see no need to upgrade in years. For this, I also have to be extremely careful and keep the phone in good condition. In 6 months/1 year this phone will lose a lot of its value, so it's not worth it to me to sell it soon for anything else.

Oh, and this new app some other member of this forum showed me, called Local Send, is AMAZING and has solved almost all of my issues with file transfers to my iMac. It has been super important for me to stay with Android and not go back to iOS.

This S24+ has SO MUCH hardware, that I'm probably skipping buying a new tablet for the foreseeable future. I was considering buying the next iPad Pro 11 or 12, but I think it would be overkill for my needs.

 

[Sensamic]

By they way, I got the official Samsung silicone case in orange, and it is definitely very different from last years official silicone case for the S23+. I got that one also. The new one feels more plasticky, but it has better grip. On the inside it's super weird, with blue dot patterns. It looks like it is dirty Not a fan of that. Good thing is it was "only" 20€. Last year the official silicone case for S23+ was 35€ when I bought it, and the Apple ones are just insanely expensive. I really like how Samsung accessories and phones get deep discounts over time, or in this case, just in the first month of release! It really does make you value buying their products.

 

[Tig Bitties]

My simple homescreen setup:

 

[Tig Bitties]

Ringke clear matte back case:

 

[Bkdodger]

Ringke clear matte back case:

I’ve always liked Ringke cases ..it looks good. How ya liking the handling ?

 

[yui4]

I've been back on the s24 ultra for a short while now. After initially going back to ios I decided that I only have 6 months or so before the next iPhone so may as well give the s24 a good go before swapping back.

The new phone buzz has gone and I'm just using it like I would my iPhone. No issues to report, it's been running like a champ

 

[Sensamic]

Just installed my glass screen protector and, thank goodness, it went perfectly. I always hate this part when buying a new phone.

 

[Technerd108]

I've been back on the s24 ultra for a short while now. After initially going back to ios I decided that I only have 6 months or so before the next iPhone so may as well give the s24 a good go before swapping back.

The new phone buzz has gone and I'm just using it like I would my iPhone. No issues to report, it's been running like a champ

Why not get the iPhone 16 and keep the Ultra? Then you can have the best of both worlds whenever you feel like it?

I understand that it may be a cost thing, some people just don't like having 2 phones, or any other reason. But if you have a back up phone it can become very useful in emergencies, loss or theft, or catastrophic damage to one of your phones. You have little to no down time. Just a consideration.

Otherwise sounds like a good plan. Using one OS for a while intensely for several months and switching to another is in my opinion a great way to enjoy mobile devices. Never gets boring! It also gives you a unique perspective on hardware and software.

 

[Technerd108]

Ringke clear matte back case:

Rinke and Spigen are my go to daily cases. Always have one on hand whenever I get a new device. They are quality, with attention to detail and good materials for a decent price. Some of the best consistent value cases in the market for almost any phone!!

I also like Tech21, Caseology, and Itskins in terms of quality and price. Tech21 is better for iPhones but they also have sweet cases for Galaxy phones too but on the pricier side, they also don't age well. I think they should cost in the $20-$30 range not $40 and up but otherwise great cases!

 

[Technerd108]

Of the 3, I agree the Plus is the one that has improved the most versus last year model, but in the end, these flagships phones are so so good nowadays that most improvements aren't earth shattering.

For me, the extra screen resolution is nice, but with the S23+ I never thought it needed more PPI. I'm probably keeping the S24+ with FHD+ just to have more battery, which to me is the biggest selling point today in a phone. Same happens with the RAM, I believe 8GB is plenty enough for a phone, at least for now. Future proofing is great, no doubt.

I'm actually disappointed with the aluminium frame. My S23+ was barely 5 months old and somehow got a small scuff on the frame, on the bottom. I've been SUPER careful with the phone all this time, so no clue how it got it. This new one, the S24+, will stay 99% of the time with a case just for peace of mind 😅

I'm still in the first 24 hours of owning the S24+, but right now I'm very happy with the upgrade. I really hope to keep this phone for more than 3/4 years. Haven't had a phone longer than 2 years for ever. It's time for me to change that. This phone, with 512GB storage, 12GB RAM, big bright 120Hz screen, almost 5000mah battery, AI features, good processor, triple camera setup with 3x optical zoom, and 7 years of promised updates SHOULD help me achieve this goal. I mean, what more could I possible need? Seriously? Do I really need more RAM, storage or battery? As long as this phone doesn't slow down heavily, I see no need to upgrade in years. For this, I also have to be extremely careful and keep the phone in good condition. In 6 months/1 year this phone will lose a lot of its value, so it's not worth it to me to sell it soon for anything else.

Oh, and this new app some other member of this forum showed me, called Local Send, is AMAZING and has solved almost all of my issues with file transfers to my iMac. It has been super important for me to stay with Android and not go back to iOS.

This S24+ has SO MUCH hardware, that I'm probably skipping buying a new tablet for the foreseeable future. I was considering buying the next iPad Pro 11 or 12, but I think it would be overkill for my needs.

Well your new phone has a treatment the s23 plus didn't have which is called armor Aluminum. It is 15% more scratch resistant than normal Aluminum used last year. So it should be improved. However, I agree to use a case!

I really don't understand all the criticism with the s24 series? They are all great phones. I think the s24 plus got the most meaningful upgrades from the previous generation but the Ultra got a lot of good stuff too. What I see is a key this year is no longer do you have to sacrifice performance or most features of the Ultra in the plus. That to me is a pretty big deal.

I may not have gotten the plus this year but it is always a serious consideration for me and the only things that held me back in the past was the screen resolution which I can see a difference and the extra ram. We are paying a decent premium over the s24 and should get more ram. I think ultimately the Ultra should have 16gb ram, plus 12gb, regular 8gb. But I think what they did this year is excellent for everyone. No matter what device you got, there are significant upgrades in my opinion this year. Screens, 8 gen 3 or Exynos 2400, bigger batteries, new edge design, aluminum armor or Ti armor on all devices.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Not too impressed with the camera. Took some portrait shots quickly of people and dogs and objects and there's lots of light bleed, and they just look a bit washed out.

I had the Pixel 8 Pro nearby and took similar shots from the same spot.

Holy cow. The P8P took amazing portrait photos, and the S24U looked very dated to not good.

 

[sunking101]

Not too impressed with the camera. Took some portrait shots quickly of people and dogs and objects and there's lots of light bleed, and they just look a bit washed out.

I had the Pixel 8 Pro nearby and took similar shots from the same spot.

Holy cow. The P8P took amazing portrait photos, and the S24U looked very dated to not good.

I've never been impressed with the S23U camera. At all.
Also the UI is crap. It would be handy to have an optical zoom indicator for starters. I'd like to be able to ram it up to full optical zoom without having to judge it carefully as the optical zoom is just a part of the regular zoom and digital zoom slider.

Also macro is pants and deep reds come out looking much lighter than they should.

 

[Technerd108]

I've never been impressed with the S23U camera. At all.
Also the UI is crap. It would be handy to have an optical zoom indicator for starters. I'd like to be able to ram it up to full optical zoom without having to judge it carefully as the optical zoom is just a part of the regular zoom and digital zoom slider.

Also macro is pants and deep reds come out looking much lighter than they should.

Not too impressed with the camera. Took some portrait shots quickly of people and dogs and objects and there's lots of light bleed, and they just look a bit washed out.

I had the Pixel 8 Pro nearby and took similar shots from the same spot.

Holy cow. The P8P took amazing portrait photos, and the S24U looked very dated to not good.

I am sorry that the camera has not met your expectations.

There is an update coming. Kind of hard to judge P8P released sept/October last year to a phone that hasn't had its first update and has several major changes if you include new sensors and new software. All of it needs some time for tuning. I have used the s24 ultra camera and have been impressed by it compared to the s23 ultra which I never bonded with. Pixel 8 Pro has the best camera on the market for a cellphone from a major player but I honestly feel the s24 ultra is a step up from last year. Closer to the Pixel than last year IMHO.

Interesting how we can have different experiences with the same hardware. I do agree with the s23 ultra. I was rather disappointed with that camera with the exception of zoom. But 10mp always sucked.