The Samsung Galaxy S24 / Ultra

[Tig Bitties]

So to me the S24U is the best, #1 top dog Android phone available today. The only negative would be the camera, it's just nowhere near as good as the Pixel 8 Pro's. Fact.

So if your a bigtime photographer and take pics all the time, especially still shots, the Pixel 8 Pro is still king, it's still the top camera in a smartphone.

But minus the camera, the S24 Ultra is the best Android smartphone in the market.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Another really neat thing I hope future smartphones have. Is this non-glossy, no mirror matte finish of the display.

It's hard to explain until you've seen it in person. It really makes a big difference with reflections, not mirroring back in your face and the overall display just seems and looks much higher quality and has that deep black look of an OLED TV.

 

[Bkdodger]

Bro really happy you enjoy the phone..it's really a great device and the same impression I had with S23 Ultra ..tbh I would go back to Samsung but I use the call features and little extras the Pixel offers too much to leave it ..hopefully the foldable I can jump on if I don't like the new Google Fold ...

 

[Dave245]

So to me the S24U is the best, #1 top dog Android phone available today. The only negative would be the camera, it's just nowhere near as good as the Pixel 8 Pro's. Fact.

So if your a bigtime photographer and take pics all the time, especially still shots, the Pixel 8 Pro is still king, it's still the top camera in a smartphone.

But minus the camera, the S24 Ultra is the best Android smartphone in the market.

Another really neat thing I hope future smartphones have. Is this non-glossy, no mirror matte finish of the display.

It's hard to explain until you've seen it in person. It really makes a big difference with reflections, not mirroring back in your face and the overall display just seems and looks much higher quality and has that deep black look of an OLED TV.

I really hope other companies adopt the anti reflective screen of the S24 Ultra, it’s so noticeable and was one of the first things I noticed when using the S24 Ultra.

It sounds like you have met your perfect match. Have you tried a Samsung smartwatch? I’m not sure what country you are in, but here in the UK we had the Watch 6 free with pre-orders.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

So to me the S24U is the best, #1 top dog Android phone available today. The only negative would be the camera, it's just nowhere near as good as the Pixel 8 Pro's. Fact.

So if your a bigtime photographer and take pics all the time, especially still shots, the Pixel 8 Pro is still king, it's still the top camera in a smartphone.

But minus the camera, the S24 Ultra is the best Android smartphone in the market.

If I had known about what Samsung is doing back in September, I probably wouldn't have gotten the 15 Pro Max. I'm seriously bored of Apple's software and if they don't do anything to liven it up, I might give some thought of going back to Android. I don't want to do that considering I promised myself I would hold on to the phone for at least 3 years, but I'm really starting to get tired of Apple's BS, not to mention the reviewers who worship at the alter of Apple just so they can keep their cushy jobs.

 

[Technerd108]

So I put my SIM card back in my Pixel 8 Pro last night.

Just to really see the difference after having the S24 Ultra for a couple weeks now wanted to see how much I missed the Pixel.

I immediately set up the screens the same way and it was cool to be back on the pixel UI again but after about 5 minutes I just started to think about the big flat screen and just better quality phone in the S24U.

I made some phone calls did some texts serve the internet on the Pixel it was nice and pleasant but after a couple hours I put the SIM card back in the S24 Ultra and it's just a better phone. Period. The screen is just more vibrant more detailed nicer to look at.

The feel of the phone and hand the rectangular shape I thought I would hate cuz I do like the rounded corners on the pixel but I've gotten used to this size and shape The rectangular view looks like a home theater OLED TV in your hands.

The only drawback is still the camera the pixel camera isn't a little better it's significantly better.

Literally that's the only drawback the camera. Other than that the S24 Ultra is just an overall better built better designed better hardware better display better network better modem better Wi-Fi than the Pixel.

Exactly!!

I feel the exact same way. I love the Pixel but once you get used to the squared corner rectangular brick it is just such a game changer but it is subtle. I just love everything about the S24 ultra. I really think Samsung nailed it.

I may change my mind in a few months and revert to the Pixel but I don't see that happening.

The S24 Ultra isn't perfect and there are a few things Samsung should have improved but I could say that with any phone from any company.

Overall to me the way I look at it the S24 ultra camera isn't significantly worse than the Pixel 8 Pro and to me that is a HUGE win for Samsung because before Pixel was just way far ahead of Samsung in close shots specially in motion but now they are a lot better.

 

[Technerd108]

I think the biggest surprise to me is how shocking it is that I actually like One UI 6.1, I dare say both running Android 14. I like Samsung's UI more than a Pixel UI now.

I said the same thing to myself!!! Lol

 

[Technerd108]

I really hope other companies adopt the anti reflective screen of the S24 Ultra, it’s so noticeable and was one of the first things I noticed when using the S24 Ultra.

It sounds like you have met your perfect match. Have you tried a Samsung smartwatch? I’m not sure what country you are in, but here in the UK we had the Watch 6 free with pre-orders.

I did with the pre order of the S24 ultra I got the watch 6 classic for $97! I like it a lot more than my Pixel watch 2 and am considering selling the Pixel watch.

The Galaxy watch has a better and bigger screen with much smaller bezels even with a rotating physical bezel. It doesn't have any pay subscription services yet offer the same features. The performance and battery life are almost identical which is good. I have a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal vs aluminum and GG5. The Galaxy watch 6 classic just looks good as a watch and is well made. I do wish Android watches would adopt a square screen as the round shape sucks but it is all we got for now.

The watch automatically connects to my phone and Chromebook.

I am probably going all in on Samsung as I pre ordered the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360. I am going to sell my Macbook air and other Windows laptops. I have decided to make some big changes mostly because unless you have an iPhone owning a Mac is not as useful to me. It also has mostly to do with economics. I bought a nice Chromebook so I can use the entire Google ecosystem with my Pixel 8 and Pixel watch or if I want to go Samsung can use the Galaxy book, tab s9 11" and watch and phone with Samsung earbuds all together very nicely.

I just love the S24 ultra too much to go to an iPhone and pay a lot more money to have similar specs and products I get with Samsung, Android and Windows and ChromeOS.

Completely off topic. Chrome OS has really improved. I like it a lot. Too bad you I can't get a really good completely up to date Chromebook. But if you go midrange Asus you get decent specs for the cost.

 

[Sensamic]

I would really love to see a smaller Ultra with S Pen and titanium frame. Even if it's with just 3 cameras.

I would have liked to buy the Ultra, but to me these huge phones can become too heavy and unwieldy very soon. For me, the perfect screen size is 6.4/6.5, and nothing heavier than 200 grams.

 

[Dave245]

I did with the pre order of the S24 ultra I got the watch 6 classic for $97! I like it a lot more than my Pixel watch 2 and am considering selling the Pixel watch.

The Galaxy watch has a better and bigger screen with much smaller bezels even with a rotating physical bezel. It doesn't have any pay subscription services yet offer the same features. The performance and battery life are almost identical which is good. I have a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal vs aluminum and GG5. The Galaxy watch 6 classic just looks good as a watch and is well made. I do wish Android watches would adopt a square screen as the round shape sucks but it is all we got for now.

The watch automatically connects to my phone and Chromebook.

I am probably going all in on Samsung as I pre ordered the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360. I am going to sell my Macbook air and other Windows laptops. I have decided to make some big changes mostly because unless you have an iPhone owning a Mac is not as useful to me. It also has mostly to do with economics. I bought a nice Chromebook so I can use the entire Google ecosystem with my Pixel 8 and Pixel watch or if I want to go Samsung can use the Galaxy book, tab s9 11" and watch and phone with Samsung earbuds all together very nicely.

I just love the S24 ultra too much to go to an iPhone and pay a lot more money to have similar specs and products I get with Samsung, Android and Windows and ChromeOS.

Completely off topic. Chrome OS has really improved. I like it a lot. Too bad you I can't get a really good completely up to date Chromebook. But if you go midrange Asus you get decent specs for the cost.

I don’t think I could ever get rid of my MacBook, i really dislike Windows. The Watch 6 is a nice watch, however in my opinion it’s not a patch off the Apple Watch. It’s why I always end up with a dilemma of going back to iPhone.

 

[Dave245]

I would really love to see a smaller Ultra with S Pen and titanium frame. Even if it's with just 3 cameras.

I would have liked to buy the Ultra, but to me these huge phones can become too heavy and unwieldy very soon. For me, the perfect screen size is 6.4/6.5, and nothing heavier than 200 grams.

There’s a rumour, (not sure how true it is tho) that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a 6.9” display.

The boxy design of the S24 Ultra is something I really like. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the flat display but it’a definitely better when using the S Pen.

 

[Technerd108]

I don’t think I could ever get rid of my MacBook, i really dislike Windows. The Watch 6 is a nice watch, however in my opinion it’s not a patch off the Apple Watch. It’s why I always end up with a dilemma of going back to iPhone.

There’s a rumour, (not sure how true it is tho) that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a 6.9” display.

The boxy design of the S24 Ultra is something I really like. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the flat display but it’a definitely better when using the S Pen.

I understand. I didn't say that what I was doing was what I prefer or better but it is more pragmatic a choice for me. I really like Mac OS. I do. However, I hate that after spending thousands on a brand new Mac I get shiny keys in two weeks to a month that doesn't happen on any other brand of laptop I have ever owned. I don't like the auto boot when you open the lid. I don't like the forced feature crippling unless you go up the ladder and pay for more than you need. For example on an iPad Pro Motion is really nice but I don't need a pro tablet. Literally the iPad air 5th gen with pro motion and maybe double the base storage would be perfect. I could go on and on. Getting a BTO and having QC issues repeatedly. I love Apple and when you get a good Mac it can be a nice friend for a long time.

It is just now using an Android phone and feeling like a 3rd class citizen with stuff I paid for just kind of sucks. The idea that this is done for profit makes me even more angry. I didn't like when Apple almost opened the OS up to CSAM scanning. It is one thing to scan your data in the cloud, it is another to can my phone and laptop hard drives. Apple relented but if they went ahead I didn't know what I would do and they lost my trust that day.

So there is a lot. Do I keep something just because the OS is more polished? I can actually do more with a Windows laptop. I am very comfortable with the command line and registry edits. I can wipe Windows and install Linux pretty easy or even use it within Windows if I am afraid of privacy concerns and the like. I can use a USB drive and run Linux. So I am free to do what I want with my hardware. I can even use some apple apps on my PC. I may keep my iPad for basic communication on FaceTime and things like that with family but for all intents and purposes there is no real need for a Mac or Apple products. If I could use any phone I wanted and have a similar yet maybe restricted functionality with my Mac and iPad and I would not feel the same way.

So either I buck up cash, sell everything and go all in on Apple or sell my Mac and older devices and get a really nice Windows laptops, midrange Chromebook, and my other gadgets from Samsung and Google.

I did the math. Since I still owe money on my Pixel 8 and S24 ultra pre orders if I sold them I would not get much money in the balance. Maybe a couple hundred and all gone. Then I sell my Mac and iPad and Windows PC and I may get around $2200 when all my stuff is sold but to replace it in Apple ecosphere without changing my iPad but getting a watch, Macbook m3 14' pro space black, Apple watch 9 or ultra, iPhone Pro Max 15 base model, Airpods pro, it would cost over $3700 and if I got the ultra watch closer to $4k so I would have to spend around $1700 plus the taxes are like $300.

Doing what I am doing now I will have to pay like $600 and I will have a new laptop, the 24 ultra, tab s9 11, Pixel 8 Pro, pixel watch 2, Chromebook, Galaxy watch, Galaxy buds pro 2. Obviously the Apple setup I would prefer and it would work better but I cant afford to spend close or more than $2000 when the tax is included right now. I like to keep up to date with my stuff. It is a hobby and I just can't afford to do so in two platforms anymore at least if one of those platforms is anything Apple.The thing is I would be happy with my Mac and iPad and watch but I would not be happy with the phone. So I will make a compromise either way. If I did something in MacOS or iOS ir IPad OS I couldn't do elsewhere then I would pay more to have Apple with less specs but that isn't the case. I am proficient in any OS so I am fine with Windows.

 

[Neofox]

I don’t think I could ever get rid of my MacBook, i really dislike Windows. The Watch 6 is a nice watch, however in my opinion it’s not a patch off the Apple Watch. It’s why I always end up with a dilemma of going back to iPhone.

I don't think I will ever get rid of my Macbook pro. M chips are just to good. But I'm fine with that it's not like I was using extensively the mac/iphone integration anyway, at least the small benefits are not worth owning an iPhone anymore for me

 

[unclejamaal]

Have Samsung fixed blurry photos of moving objects on the s24 and ultra ? And does the face unlock actually work? I found it never worked on the s23 ultra for me so I sold it on.

 

[The Game 161]

Have Samsung fixed blurry photos of moving objects on the s24 and ultra ? And does the face unlock actually work? I found it never worked on the s23 ultra for me so I sold it on.

It's improved but still a problem in my testing

 

[JohnRckr]

If I had known about what Samsung is doing back in September, I probably wouldn't have gotten the 15 Pro Max. I'm seriously bored of Apple's software and if they don't do anything to liven it up, I might give some thought of going back to Android. I don't want to do that considering I promised myself I would hold on to the phone for at least 3 years, but I'm really starting to get tired of Apple's BS, not to mention the reviewers who worship at the alter of Apple just so they can keep their cushy jobs.

I'm thinking the same..
Waiting for Fold 6 and S25U and then decide.. hopefully iOS 18 brings life into the system..

 

[JohnRckr]

I did with the pre order of the S24 ultra I got the watch 6 classic for $97! I like it a lot more than my Pixel watch 2 and am considering selling the Pixel watch.

The Galaxy watch has a better and bigger screen with much smaller bezels even with a rotating physical bezel. It doesn't have any pay subscription services yet offer the same features. The performance and battery life are almost identical which is good. I have a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal vs aluminum and GG5. The Galaxy watch 6 classic just looks good as a watch and is well made. I do wish Android watches would adopt a square screen as the round shape sucks but it is all we got for now.

The watch automatically connects to my phone and Chromebook.

I am probably going all in on Samsung as I pre ordered the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360. I am going to sell my Macbook air and other Windows laptops. I have decided to make some big changes mostly because unless you have an iPhone owning a Mac is not as useful to me. It also has mostly to do with economics. I bought a nice Chromebook so I can use the entire Google ecosystem with my Pixel 8 and Pixel watch or if I want to go Samsung can use the Galaxy book, tab s9 11" and watch and phone with Samsung earbuds all together very nicely.

I just love the S24 ultra too much to go to an iPhone and pay a lot more money to have similar specs and products I get with Samsung, Android and Windows and ChromeOS.

Completely off topic. Chrome OS has really improved. I like it a lot. Too bad you I can't get a really good completely up to date Chromebook. But if you go midrange Asus you get decent specs for the cost.

I am starting to notice that it is not good to be tied to any single ecosystem.. I see biggest benefit if I would have a Samsung phone because it comes with Android, and a Macbook with M chip, because they are absolutely amazing.

 

[unclejamaal]

It's improved but still a problem in my testing

such a shame.

 

[Dave245]

It's improved but still a problem in my testing

Has the recent software update improved the camera?

 

[Fille84]

Have Samsung fixed blurry photos of moving objects on the s24 and ultra ? And does the face unlock actually work? I found it never worked on the s23 ultra for me so I sold it on.

I have both S24 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro and have taken photos simultaneously, the difference is minor. Sometimes the S24 takes the clearer picture and sometimes the Pixel.

 

[Dave245]

I have both S24 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro and have taken photos simultaneously, the difference is minor. Sometimes the S24 takes the clearer picture and sometimes the Pixel.

People have been complaining about the S24 Ultra camera since launch, has the new update fixed it? The 200mp seemed to have some issues along with the zoom.

 

[Fille84]

People have been complaining about the S24 Ultra camera since launch, has the new update fixed it? The 200mp seemed to have some issues along with the zoom.

I must be one of few who doesn't have any big complaints about the camera. I mean sure there's hopefully room for improvements. One thing I don't like though is low light photos with night mode where it tends to make the photo yellowish when there's a light source in the background. Moving objects in good light is pretty good to me, like I said minor differences between S24 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro. Forget about being able to take clear photos of moving objects in low light, but no phone can do that.

 

[edubfromktown]

I did with the pre order of the S24 ultra I got the watch 6 classic for $97! I like it a lot more than my Pixel watch 2 and am considering selling the Pixel watch.

The Galaxy watch has a better and bigger screen with much smaller bezels even with a rotating physical bezel. It doesn't have any pay subscription services yet offer the same features. The performance and battery life are almost identical which is good. I have a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal vs aluminum and GG5. The Galaxy watch 6 classic just looks good as a watch and is well made. I do wish Android watches would adopt a square screen as the round shape sucks but it is all we got for now.

The watch automatically connects to my phone and Chromebook.

I am probably going all in on Samsung as I pre ordered the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360. I am going to sell my Macbook air and other Windows laptops. I have decided to make some big changes mostly because unless you have an iPhone owning a Mac is not as useful to me. It also has mostly to do with economics. I bought a nice Chromebook so I can use the entire Google ecosystem with my Pixel 8 and Pixel watch or if I want to go Samsung can use the Galaxy book, tab s9 11" and watch and phone with Samsung earbuds all together very nicely.

I just love the S24 ultra too much to go to an iPhone and pay a lot more money to have similar specs and products I get with Samsung, Android and Windows and ChromeOS.

Completely off topic. Chrome OS has really improved. I like it a lot. Too bad you I can't get a really good completely up to date Chromebook. But if you go midrange Asus you get decent specs for the cost.

The Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360 looks intriguing though quite expensive.

The MacBook Air M2 16/1TB can be had for $50 more (sale price) than the GB4 16 MB/512 GB at the moment.

I went cheap and scored an HP C1030 16/128 GB (i7 1.8 GHz) 14" for $150 from a tech liquidator. It works great as my CB daily driver.

 

[Bkdodger]

I don’t think I could ever get rid of my MacBook, i really dislike Windows. The Watch 6 is a nice watch, however in my opinion it’s not a patch off the Apple Watch. It’s why I always end up with a dilemma of going back to iPhone.

I won't ever leave it ..it's the same I don't like Windows .. phone wise if I had to only use one then that would be a big problem deciding haha

 

[jamezr]

I must be one of few who doesn't have any big complaints about the camera. I mean sure there's hopefully room for improvements. One thing I don't like though is low light photos with night mode where it tends to make the photo yellowish when there's a light source in the background. Moving objects in good light is pretty good to me, like I said minor differences between S24 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro. Forget about being able to take clear photos of moving objects in low light, but no phone can do that.

Same here..I have no complaints about the S24U camera. it has been great for me.