Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Sparking a New AI Revolution

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is supercharged with AI features and powerful hardware.

If you'd ask AI to come up with the best possible Android smartphone right now, chances are that it might suggest specifications similar to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While AI has been powering a set of great features in smartphones all this while, it has now taken the driver's seat to help you stay more productive, communicate easily, and do things that previously needed expert know-how. The new Galaxy S24 Ultra makes the most of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's on-device AI capabilities, and that's not just for AI-powered features alone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a unique offering in the premium Android smartphone market right now. With a wallet-crashing starting price of Rs. 1,29,999, is it the best Android smartphone you can buy right now? How well do those generative AI features work? Let's find out!

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Price in India

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra prices in India start at Rs. 1,29,999 for the 12GB RAM, 256GB storage variant. That's about Rs. 5,000 higher than its predecessor, but Samsung is offering a bunch of exciting offers that can bring down the effective price. The 12GB RAM, 512GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 1,39,999, while the high-end 12GB RAM, 1TB storage variant is available for Rs. 1,59,999.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Black. The company offers Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange colour options as online exclusives.

In the box, you get a SIM ejector cable and a USB Type-C cable for charging. There's no charger in the box, so you'll need to use the one you already have, or you will have to buy a new one if you want faster charging.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Design

While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra isn't quite radically different from last year's Galaxy S23 Ultra (Review), there are some noticeable changes. The Galaxy S24 Ultra carries the same overall proportion but with some refinements.

You'll first notice the flat display, an interesting change from the curved panels in the previous flagship models. The massive 6.82-inch flat display alone greatly impacts the overall look of the smartphone. The Galaxy S24 Ultra also features much thinner bezels and a smaller front-facing camera cutout than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The display is protected by Corning's new Gorilla Armor glass that's supposed to be four times stronger than previous offerings. It can also reduce reflections by 75 percent, according to the company. The reduced reflectivity is prominently noticeable when you compare it with just about any other smartphone out there.

Samsung, just like Apple, has added a titanium frame to its top-end flagship smartphone. The smartphone feels premium, and the satin finish offers a decent grip. However, the use of titanium has had zero impact on the weight of the device. At the back, you get a frosted back panel, but there's no official word on the type of glass that's been used there. Galaxy S24 Ultra has an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-resistant and withstands water for up to 30 minutes (1.5m).

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Specifications and software

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a gorgeous 6.82-inch AMOLED display with an LTPO-enabled dynamic refresh rate of 1-120Hz. Samsung also promises a maximum brightness level of 2600nits, making the smartphone easier to use even under bright sunlight. The display offers sharp visuals no matter what you're doing. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra supports HDR10 and HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision.

To power the giant list of features, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a custom version of Qualcomm's high-end chipset - Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, supported by 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage of up to 1TB. There's no way to extend storage, so choose your variant wisely. The SIM card tray can handle two nano-SIM cards. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra supports Bluetooth 5.3 LE and comes with NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB) and a USB Type-C port for charging.
Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. There's no charger in the box, and the USB Type-C cable included with the phone is rated at 3A, so you'll need a 5A cable and a 45W adapter to max out the charging.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra runs Android 14-based One UI 6.1 out-of-the-box. One UI 6.1 brings many new features, most notably the Galaxy AI suite of powerful AI features that will also arrive on older Galaxy smartphone models shortly. One of the major software highlights includes seven years of OS updates and security patches. Samsung previously offered four years of OS updates and five years of security patches on its flagship series.
One UI 6.1 brings several tweaks of all sizes and shapes. The notification shade has been redesigned, there's a better layout for quick settings, and you can access the quick settings menu by swiping down from the right corner. You'll notice smoother animations when minimising or maximising apps. The always-on display can now show notifications, lock screen wallpaper and widgets.