Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra is the pinnacle of Android smartphones, promising a premium experience, blazing-fast performance, and cameras that redefine “mobile photography.” But does it truly deliver in everyday use? After using the S24 Ultra as my daily driver for over a month, I’m here with a comprehensive assessment to help you decide if it lives up to the hype.
Design
The first thing you notice with the S24 Ultra is its build quality. The titanium and glass construction feel reassuringly solid in the hand. I chose the Titanium Black model for a sleek look, but the range of subtle colors adds a touch of personalization. Despite minor scuffs from regular use and a tumble down the stairs, my phone looks as good as new.
The fingerprint sensor is one of the best I’ve ever used – fast, reliable, and it even works when my hands are a bit damp. The dual speakers deliver clear and punchy sound, great for watching movies or catching up on podcasts. For me, the S Pen has become indispensable. From taking notes and signing documents to simply letting my inner doodler loose, it adds another dimension to how I use my phone.
The boxy design with slightly sharp edges takes some getting used to – especially if you prefer curved sides that melt into your hand. However, I found that it doesn’t impact comfort too much during prolonged use.
Display
The S24 Ultra has a breathtaking display. The combination of extremely high brightness (0up to 2600 nits) with a special anti-reflective coating makes outdoor visibility unparalleled. Everything from photos to text remains crisp and clear, even under direct sunlight. Watching movies and shows is a true visual treat, with incredibly vibrant colors, sharp details, and the bonus of HDR10+ support for a stunning dynamic range.
While the transition to maximum brightness in harsh sunlight can sometimes be slightly less smooth, it didn’t impact my overall enjoyment. I was also initially a bit surprised by the lack of Dolby Vision support, but in real-world use, videos still look spectacular. Oh, and I should note that the display boasts the latest Gorilla Glass for maximum protection against those clumsy moments.
Connectivity
With Jio 5G, I experienced consistently strong signals and speedy downloads. I never had connectivity issues, and call quality was exceptional even in noisy environments. It’s the seamless connectivity you’d expect from a flagship.
Battery
Battery life on the S24 Ultra is excellent. With typical usage (a mix of social media, videos, messaging, and an hour or so of light gaming), I routinely got over 8 hours of screen-on time – sometimes even hitting 9+ hours with lighter use. This is true all-day reliability. Overnight standby drain with Always-On Display disabled was also impressively low at just 2%.
While 45W charging isn’t setting world records, it’s still fast enough to top my battery up in a reasonable amount of time. I timed it, and going from empty to 50% took roughly 30 minutes, with a full charge in about an hour. However, enabling Always-On Display does take a noticeable toll on battery life, reducing screen-on time to around 6.5-7 hours. There’s still some room for improvement in the overnight drain with AoD activated, though it’s not a deal-breaker.
Software
Samsung’s refined One UI is incredibly fluid and bug-free. It’s the gold standard for Android software experiences right now. The AI features are some I genuinely appreciate – Chat Assist helped me fix typos on the fly, while Generative AI saved time when quickly editing photos or brainstorming content ideas. Knowing the S24 Ultra will get years of major updates from Samsung makes the investment even sweeter. Of course, there are some pre-installed apps I could do without, but most can be easily uninstalled or tucked away.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is a powerhouse that stays remarkably cool. It handled heavy multitasking, intensive photography sessions, and extended gaming without breaking a sweat. Apps open fast, animations are silky smooth, and everything feels incredibly snappy. There are simply no performance worries with this device.
PROS
- Premium build and surprisingly lightweight: Titanium and glass construction feels reassuringly solid and looks elegant.
- Excellent fingerprint sensor: Fast, reliable, and works in various conditions.
- Powerful speakers: Clear and loud audio for videos, music, and calls.
- S Pen versatility: Adds functionality for notes, creative expression, and productivity.
- Jio 5G and call quality: Strong connectivity and clear voice calls.
- Stunning display: Super bright, anti-reflective coating and support for HDR10+ makes content shine.
- Great battery life: All-day reliability and minimal standby drain on typical days.
- Smooth software experience: One UI is exceptionally refined, fluid, and bug-free.
- Useful AI features: Chat Assist and Generative AI actually save time and offer creative solutions.
- Powerful performance: Handles demanding tasks and games without overheating.
- Versatile camera system: Delivers strong performance across most shooting scenarios.
- Impressive selfies: Takes sharp, vibrant photos with the front-facing camera.
- Excellent video recording: Stable, smooth, and high-quality footage from the main and telephoto cameras.
CONS
- Boxy design: Might be less comfortable than curved sides for some users.
- Occasional brightness transition issues: Sometimes not perfectly smooth when jumping to maximum brightness.
- No Dolby Vision: A surprising omission on a phone at this price point.
- Always-On Display battery impact: Reduces screen-on time noticeably.
- Competition caught up in the camera department: Other flagships offer sharper, more DSLR-like shots.
- Low-light photos could be better: Some unwanted smoothing and loss of finer detail compared to rivals.
Conclusion
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra brings immense value for what it costs. You’re getting an iconic design, an excellent screen, strong battery life, the BEST software experience, fantastic performance, and a camera that’ll satisfy the masses. This is one of those rare phones that can be recommended blindly, knowing that the consumer who’ll buy this will always have a smile on their face. If you really want a no-nonsense flagship, you should definitely check out the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
