As expected, Samsung has just officially presented its new high-end smartphones, the Galaxy S24. Premium models, equipped with the latest technologies, and which give pride of place to AI.
The start of the year at Samsung invariably marks the arrival of its new Galaxy S smartphones, the South Korean’s most prestigious range. An arrival with fanfare during its Galaxy Unpacked conference that it is possible to see or rewatch on the brand’s YouTube channel).
After a very successful S23 series last year, here come the three new models for 2024, the S24, S24+ and the standard bearer, the S24 Ultra. Premium smartphones marketed at premium prices, from 899 euros for the S24 to 1829 euros for the best-off S24 Ultra. And straight away, we see that Samsung has not given in to the temptation to increase prices. On the contrary, the vast majority of the Galaxy S of 2024 display prices lower than those of last year (between approximately thirty and fifty euros). A good starting point.
Prices are therefore falling a little but the features of these smartphones are becoming more numerous. But it is not on the hardware side that we see the biggest changes. The most notable developments of the 24 series of the Galaxy S range can be found on the software side with, of course, the star of artificial intelligence, the real star of 2023 and which will continue to be talked about this year Again. Widely used in Google’s Pixel 8 smartphones, it seems to be leading the way in these new Galaxy S. So much so that in certain aspects, these S24s present a fairly pronounced air of Pixel adapted with Samsung sauce. And the similarities don’t stop there. The Korean seems to be following the American also in terms of the lifespan of its products. Samsung is indeed aligning itself with Google and promising 7 years of software updates and security patches. If it was certainly not the worst student in the field, Samsung still scores points. Enough, we hope, to motivate the competition which does not always shine on this point. It remains to be seen whether this 2024 vintage will be enough for Samsung to regain first place on the podium of smartphone manufacturers, since it was Apple which took it in 2023.
Samsung Galaxy S24: an almost unchanged design
Take a Galaxy S23 and put it next to a brand new Galaxy S24. The game of seven differences will quickly come to an end as the design changes are minimal. All models inherit the design of previous versions (already from the Galaxy S22). The S24 and S24+ retain an aluminum frame and adopt Corilla Victus 2 glass on the back. The dimensions also change very little (147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm for the S24 and 158.5 × 75.9 × 7.7 mm for the S24+).
The main difference is noticed on the edges, which are flatter. The S24 Ultra benefits from a few additional tweaks compared to its predecessor. The most obvious concerns the screen. While until now it still had a slight curvature on the sides, it is finished. The S24 Ultra has a completely flat Amoled panel and has thinner borders than before. Its size changes slightly from 163.3 x 78 mm to 162.3 x 79 mm.
Wider and yet thinner than the S23 Ultra with 8.6 mm thick compared to 8.9 mm previously. Large hands are therefore always required to handle this machine, as are the large and sturdy pockets to carry it around with its 233 g. The S24 Ultra finally stands out from its little brothers by the use of titanium instead of aluminum for the frame and the more resistant Gorilla Glass Armor. Finally, the S-Pen stylus remains faithful to the large smartphone. No technical developments on that side. It is only a little thinner than that of the S23 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24: new chips and new screens
While little has changed in the design of smartphones, some notable changes have been made on the technical side. First of all, the screens. On the S24 and S24+ it is 0.1 inch gained with diagonals of 6.2 inches and 6.7 inches. The S24 Ultra retains the largest display with 6.8 inches (without curved edges, remember). All models feature a new Oled panel. This offers peak brightness at 2600 nits according to Samsung. A nice progression compared to the 1750 nits offered last year. So as not to make anyone jealous, the three models feature an LTPO panel allowing a refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz. A specificity reserved for the S23 Ultra last year.
Behind the screen, the differences begin to be felt. Indeed, unlike last year’s S23 range where all models (in Europe) were based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, the S24 range loses its homogeneity. Thus, the S24 and S24+ are equipped with an in-house Exynos 2400 processor while the S24 Ultra is equipped with Qualcomm’s latest flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. A chip whose performance we have already been able to appreciate during the test of the Nubia Redmagic 9 Pro tested at the end of the year. We can’t wait to see how this SoC has been optimized for Samsung. For the Exynos, it’s a different story. These processors have never really stood out for their performance and efficiency. We will have to wait until the tests to find out what this 2400 model, indicated as faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 according to Samsung, is capable of.
As for the battery, capacities are increasing… but not for all models. the S24 gains 100 mAh more compared to its predecessor with now a 4000 mAh battery and the S24+ gains 200 mAh with a 4900 mAh battery. Only the Ultra model does not evolve and retains a 5000 mAh battery. In terms of recharging, it’s not a panacea either. The S24 is compatible with 25 W charging while the S24+ and S24 Ultra can count on 45 W charging. Powers which remain well below what Chinese competitors can offer (120 W or more).
Samsung Galaxy S24: little change in the photo
The S24s, and in particular the Ultra model, the most high-end, were eagerly awaited in the photography field. If the latter indeed marks some improvements, the S24 and S24+ hardly change compared to the S23 and S23+. We still benefit from a 12 Mpx ultra wide angle (f/2.2), a 50 Mpx wide angle (f1.8) and a 10 Mpx x3 optical telephoto lens (f/2.4). The front selfie camera also remains the same with a 12 Mpx sensor (f/2.2).
It is therefore on the S24 Ultra that the differences are the most notable compared to its predecessor. We retain a 12 Mpx ultra wide angle (f/2.2) and a 200 Mpx wide angle (f/1.7) present in a new version, a 10 Mpx x3 optical telephoto lens (f/4.9) and a new telephoto lens x5 periscopic lens of 50 Mpx where on last year’s S23 Ultra we had a x10 telephoto lens of 10 Mpx. The optical zoom level is halved but the sensor capacity multiplied by five on this last element. This configuration thus makes it possible to obtain more widely spread optical zoom levels (x2, x3, x5, x10) and above all to benefit from better results in X10. It is even possible to film in 8K with 5x zoom. And, of course, Samsung, like Google, adds AI processing to polish it all up.
Samsung Galaxy S24: AI on all levels
The technical specifications of these new S24s mark an evolution in tune with the times but do not cross a technological milestone either. To seduce, Samsung wanted to place its arguments elsewhere by calling on artificial intelligence in all directions like its partner and nevertheless competitor, Google with its Pixel 8. Here, AI is used for many tasks. Here is a little overview of what the Galaxy AI, the in-house artificial intelligence, is capable of.
Instant translation
This is one of the functions widely highlighted by Google on its Pixels which we find on the Galaxy S24 but this time signed by Samsung. It allows conversations or written texts to be translated on the fly without the operation going through online servers (cloud). The process can also be implemented in SMS using Samsung’s virtual keyboard but also, more impressively, during telephone conversations. Your contact will be notified that a translation is being carried out. He then speaks in his language and the message is immediately translated orally. The operation works both ways. Currently, thirteen languages are supported.
Transcription Assistant
This tool is designed for those who are tired of taking notes. During a meeting, for example, simply trigger the voice recorder. The assistant is then able to recognize up to ten different speakers. It converts the exchanges into text, ensures its formatting and even allows you to summarize the content of the conversation.
Notes Assistant
The S24 Ultra is still equipped with an S-Pen for taking notes, for example. Built-in AI helps convert these handwritten notes into typescripts with character recognition. That was already available. But it pushes the envelope further by allowing automatic formatting, a summary and obviously translation of what is written.
Summary Wizard
For those who are too lazy to read a long article on a website, the wizard will summarize the content in a second. It is built into the home internet browser and does not work in Chrome. The assistant can also be activated in notes.
Message Assistant
This module is dedicated to SMS. All you have to do is write a message as you usually do and then ask the assistant to put their hand on it. It can then modify the form and tone depending on the interlocutor (depending on whether the missive is addressed, for example, to your spouse or your hierarchical superior), automatically correct mistakes, etc.
Research assistant
This tool was developed with Google. It works like Google Lens but opens up a wider range of action. Whatever content is displayed on the screen, simply circle what arouses your curiosity with your finger or stylus to start a search. On an image representing the interior of a living room displayed in a message for example, simply circle a chair to see the corresponding references found on the Web. This technique therefore avoids taking screenshots and then sending them to Google Lens. The feature is disabled for all sensitive apps (like banking apps) and streaming apps that prevent screenshots.
Image editing
Obviously, Samsung could not ignore AI for image correction. She is well at work for all the retouching that can be applied to photos (magic eraser, etc.) while being carried out locally. Only generative retouching which requires adding new elements that do not exist in the image goes through the cloud.
Samsung Galaxy S24: price and availability
Announced on January 17, the S24 range will be available from January 31. Pre-orders are now open until January 30. As usual, Samsung is offering introductory offers. We thus benefit from a storage capacity multiplied by two offered for all models and a bonus of up to 100 euros trade-in for an old smartphone. Here are the prices for the S24 range.
- Galaxy S24 8-128 GB: 899 euros
- Galaxy S24 8-256 GB: 969 euros
- Galaxy S24+ 12-256 GB: 1165 euros
- Galaxy S24+ 12-512 GB: 1289 euros
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 12-256 GB: 1469 euros
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 12-512 GB: 1589 euros
- Galaxy S24 Ultra 12 GB-1 TB: 1829 euros