Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review: A technological marvel redefined

With many improvements, it's hard not to wonder if this phone might be the ultimate Android phone of 2024 this early into the year.

Sleek design with a flat-screen display

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a pinnacle of smartphone design, merging aesthetic elegance with unparalleled functionality. Its chassis, a harmonious blend of cutting-edge technology and premium materials, features a robust titanium frame that distinguishes it from its predecessors and competitors alike. This transition not only lends the device an air of sophistication but also enhances its durability. The design ethos extends to the meticulous placement of ports and buttons, ensuring ease of use without compromising the sleek profile. 

The Galaxy S24 Ultra's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its thoughtful design nuances. The device's flat display, a significant departure from the curved screens of its predecessors, not only contributes to a more immersive viewing experience but also reduces accidental touches, enhancing user interaction. The symmetrical bezel design further amplifies the visual appeal, offering users more screen real estate in a sophisticated package. Carefully considering the placement and responsiveness of physical buttons, such as the power and volume keys, ensures they are easily accessible, enhancing the device's ergonomic appeal. 

Integrating an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance further exemplifies the meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped to handle the rigours of everyday use without sacrificing its elegant design.

The ports on the Galaxy S24 Ultra are thoughtfully designed to cater to the needs of modern users, providing a balance between functionality and form. The USB-C port, strategically positioned for optimal accessibility, supports fast charging and quick data transfer, catering to the demands of power users and professionals alike. Furthermore, the device's support for wireless charging and reverse wireless charging adds a layer of convenience, allowing users to charge their devices and accessories easily.

6.8-inch screen featuring a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra display features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel; it brings a visual feast to the eyes with vibrant colours, deep blacks, and outstanding clarity. The 6.8-inch screen, boasting a resolution of 3088 x 1440 pixels, ensures that the content looks crisp and immersive whether browsing, watching videos, or gaming. Adopting Vision Booster technology is particularly noteworthy, dynamically adjusting the display brightness based on ambient conditions, reaching an impressive peak brightness that makes outdoor visibility under direct sunlight a non-issue. This, combined with HDR10+ support, ensures that the viewing experience is bright, rich in detail and colour accuracy, setting a new standard for mobile displays.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra's 120Hz adaptive refresh rate is a feature that enhances the fluidity of motion on the screen, making scrolling through web pages or navigating the UI exceptionally smooth. This high refresh rate does not come at the expense of battery life, thanks to the intelligent adjustment that reduces the rate when high refresh rates are unnecessary, such as when viewing static images. Furthermore, the device's screen is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Armor, offering increased durability and scratch resistance. This ensures that the Galaxy S24 Ultra's display remains pristine, maintaining its visual integrity over time. The meticulous engineering behind the display technology of the Galaxy S24 Ultra reflects Samsung's commitment to providing users with a superior viewing experience that sets a benchmark in the smartphone industry.

The meticulous calibration of the display ensures accurate colour reproduction, catering to the needs of photography enthusiasts and professionals who demand colour accuracy for photo editing directly on their devices. Additionally, the screen's enhanced touch sensitivity and the integration of an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display bolster security and ensure that interactions are intuitive and seamless. 

Superior performance with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor

The performance of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, anchored by the advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, is proof of its engineering prowess. This chipset ensures that the device delivers top-notch efficiency and speed, effortlessly handling a diverse range of tasks from high-resolution gaming to complex multitasking with ease. The inclusion of 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM complements the powerful processor, facilitating a seamless and fluid user experience even under the most demanding conditions. Storage is no less impressive, with options extending up to 1TB, providing ample space for all your apps, media, and documents while ensuring quick access and transfer speeds.

Connectivity features of the Galaxy S24 Ultra are equally forward-thinking, supporting the latest 5G networks for rapid data download and streaming speeds. It also incorporates Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for enhanced wireless connectivity, ensuring stable connections with various devices and networks.

Moreover, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's battery life and charging capabilities are designed to match its high performance. The device houses a robust battery that supports fast charging, enabling users to quickly power up their device and stay connected throughout the day.

Enhanced photography with 200MP and ProVisual Engine technology

The photographic capabilities embedded within the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra epitomise the brand's relentless pursuit of excellence in mobile photography. Equipped with a sophisticated quad-camera array, spearheaded by a 200MP primary sensor, this device can produce images of remarkable detail and vibrancy across a spectrum of lighting scenarios. Complementing this, a 50MP telephoto lens, capable of 5x optical zoom, facilitates the capture of detailed images from afar without compromising on quality. Including an ultra-wide lens alongside an additional telephoto lens augments the compositional flexibility, allowing for a broad range of photographic expressions. Enhanced by Samsung's proprietary ProVisual Engine technology and augmented with AI-driven optimisations, the system ensures optimal settings for each captured scene, elevating the output's quality to professional standards. Moreover, the capability to record video in 8K resolution reinforces the S24 Ultra's utility to photography enthusiasts and professional videographers, underscoring its position as a formidable tool in mobile imaging.

AI features introduced to the Galaxy S24

The Galaxy S24 Ultra distinguishes itself through its hardware and extensive AI features, designed to make the smartphone experience more intuitive and personalised. Samsung has seamlessly integrated Galaxy AI across the device to enhance various functionalities, from the camera system to real-time language translation, making everyday tasks more straightforward and efficient. The AI-driven camera features, including scene optimisation, object eraser, and an advanced night mode, drastically improve photo quality by automatically adjusting to the ideal settings for each situation. This intelligent automation ensures users can capture professional-grade photos and videos without manually tweaking settings, making high-quality imaging accessible.

One of the standout AI features is the innovative Circle to Search, powered by Google, which allows users to effortlessly search for information by simply circling an object or text on their screen. This feature exemplifies the Galaxy S24 Ultra's commitment to enhancing productivity and simplifying information retrieval, making it a breeze to identify landmarks, translate text, or shop for products online. Additionally, the AI-enhanced S Pen transforms handwritten notes into digital text, offering features like automatic summarisation to boost productivity. These advancements in AI technology not only elevate the Galaxy S24 Ultra's user experience but also redefine what we expect from our smartphones, offering a glimpse into the future of integrated and interactive technology.

The verdict: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra seamlessly blends unrivalled performance, cutting-edge technology, and a user-centric design into a package that justifies its premium price. Its standout features, from the groundbreaking 200MP main camera sensor to the suite of AI enhancements, position it not just as a device but as a comprehensive tool for both creativity and productivity. 

Integrating such high-calibre specifications in a device that combines a visually stunning display with a robust titanium frame showcases Samsung's dedication to offering users unparalleled quality and functionality. 

At its starting price point of S$1928, the Galaxy S24 Ultra transcends the conventional expectations of a smartphone, offering an exquisite blend of sophistication, power, and innovation. As such, the S24 Ultra stands as a symbol of the future of smart technology, redefining what is possible in a handheld device and offering users a glimpse into the future of integrated and interactive mobile technology.