When it comes to the new Galaxy S series, all eyes seem to be turning to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, leaving the base model to occasionally go under the radar – so, is the Galaxy S24 worth it? The Galaxy Unpacked January 17th saw the unveiling of the Galaxy S24, with its classy Galaxy form factor getting the AI features that are the next big smartphone trend. However, at first glance, there’s not too much that makes this Galaxy stand out, and you have to dig into the nitty gritty a bit to uncover the hardware and design upgrades that make the S24 worth it over its predecessor, the Galaxy S23.
So, in this article, we will take a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy S24, from its specifications to its pros and cons, and ultimately help you decide if this smartphone could be one worth buying.
Samsung Galaxy S24 specs
Before we delve into whether the Samsung Galaxy S24 is worth it or not, let’s first go over its basic specifications:
Samsung Galaxy S24
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 167g |
| Display | 6.2 inch AMOLED 1Hz to 120Hz |
| Resolution | 2,340 x 1,080, 2,600 nits peak brightness |
| Camera | Rear – 50 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, 3X optical zoom 10 MP telephoto camera Front camera – 12 MP |
| Chipset | US – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / 8GB RAM RoW – Samsung Exynos 2400 for Galaxy 8GB RAM |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | Samsung Exynos 2400 for Galaxy |
| Colors | Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow (Samsung.com exclusive: Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue, Jade Green) |
Pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy S24
To help you make an informed decision, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy S24:
Galaxy S24 Pros
Dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate: The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts a dynamic 1 Hz to 120 Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother and more power efficient display experience compared to the 48 Hz to 120 Hz on the S23. The display is also larger and brighter, seeing an increase from 6.1 to 6.2 inches with even narrower bezels.
More durable: The phone retains its IP68 dust rating, but its new frame is made from a more enhanced Armor Aluminum alongside its Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which Samsung quotes as 10% stronger than before.
Software and hardware: Both Samsung’s One UI 6.1 and Android 14 are promised from launch, and the S24’s new chip offering of either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Exynos 2400 are some of the highest levels of internal tech you can currently get for a smartphone. The new Snapdragon processor doesn’t compromise on performance, and has big CPU and GPU improvements over its Gen 2 predecessor found in many 2023 phones including the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Galaxy AI features: Alongside this optimized software, there are now Galaxy AI features threaded throughout the S24’s interface. To list a few, Live Translate is a speech-to-text real-time translation tool, and there’s also Transcript Assist and Chat Assist for further multi-lingual communication. AI-generated summaries are coming to the Notes app, and generative AI is coming to the Galaxy camera department, bringing impressive AI photo editing similar to the Pixel 8 under the name of ProVisual Engine. Luckily, Samsung has made the same new features available on every S24 model, meaning you get the same capabilities on the base model as you would on the S24 Plus or Ultra.
Bigger battery: A small improvement, but the bigger 4,000 mAh is still an upgrade from the S23’s 3,900 mAh, providing not just a more optimized experience but hopefully a longer battery life too.
Supports 5G: The Samsung Galaxy S24 is equipped with 5G capabilities, providing faster download and upload speeds, improved streaming quality, and better overall connectivity.
Pricing: The pricing for the Galaxy S24 has maintained the same model as the Galaxy S23, with the 128 GB storage variant starting at $799.
If you’ve found yourself sold, here’s everything you need to know about where to buy the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra flagships after the full release date on the 31st of January.
Cons
Not much improvement over the base S23: While the Samsung Galaxy S24 does offer some upgrades compared to the S23, the improvements are not significant enough to warrant an immediate upgrade if you already own the previous model. Of course, Galaxy AI features might draw you in, but when it comes to design, display, rear camera setup, and performance, there isn’t too much that greatly sets the S23 and S24 apart.
S23 will be discounted after the release of the S24: As mentioned earlier, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is often sold at discounted prices, being reduced from its MSRP of $799, due to being an older model. If you’re on a budget or looking to save some money, it might be worth considering the S23 instead of investing in the latest Galaxy.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 support 5G?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is equipped with 5G capabilities, providing faster internet speeds and improved overall connectivity. This is pretty much expected from a new flagship, with the days of 4G being slowly phased out behind us.
How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Samsung Galaxy S24?
Keeping up with Google, who future-proofed the Pixel 8 with guaranteed software updates, Samsung has also committed to providing software updates and OS support for the Samsung Galaxy S24 for seven years. This ensures that you’ll receive the latest features and security patches for an extended period.
Wrapping up
While the decision to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S24 ultimately depends on your specific needs and circumstances, it has to be said that it’s a nifty device. If you’re upgrading from an older model or looking for a high-end smartphone with advanced features, the S24 does offer a compelling package with its new AI features and optimized software. However, if you’re on a budget or content with your current device, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 8 Pro are worth considering.
Of course, there’s still testing to be done on the S24 to fully determine where it sits in the ranks. With more top Android devices yet to hit the market, notably the imminently launching OnePlus 12, it could actually be worth holding off on an upgrade for a little while longer. Moreover, with Apple still leading the competition, not sure the Galaxy S24 takes the cake over getting an Apple iPhone 15, which also has a starting price of $799.
