The Samsung Galaxy S24 series has officially landed, introducing three compelling flagship smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and the top-tier Galaxy S24 Ultra. With pre-orders live and the release date set for January 31st, the burning question for many is: which Galaxy S24 model is the right choice? While all three carry the S24 moniker, significant differences set them apart.
This comprehensive comparison dives deep into the specifications, features, and distinctions between the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. By understanding these key differences, you can make an informed decision and select the Samsung Galaxy S24 model that perfectly aligns with your needs and preferences.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Key Specifications at a Glance
To kick things off, let’s break down the core specifications of each model in a side-by-side table. This overview provides a clear picture of the hardware differences that define each Samsung Galaxy S24 phone.
| Feature | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 Plus | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $799 | $999 | $1,299 |
| Display | 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED Flat | 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED Flat | 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED Flat |
| Refresh Rate | 1-120Hz Adaptive | 1-120Hz Adaptive | 1-120Hz Adaptive |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Main, 12MP Ultrawide, 10MP Telephoto (3x) | 50MP Main, 12MP Ultrawide, 10MP Telephoto (3x) | 200MP Main, 12MP Ultrawide, 50MP Telephoto (5x), 10MP Telephoto (3x) |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 45W | 45W |
| Dimensions | 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches | 6.24 x 3.00 x 0.30 inches | 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 inches |
| Weight | 5.93 ounces | 6.95 ounces | 8.22 ounces |
| Colors (Standard) | Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow | Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow | Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series is currently available for pre-order, with official sales commencing on January 31st. The most accessible entry point into the S24 family is the standard Samsung Galaxy S24, starting at $799. This base model offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. A 256GB storage variant is also available for those needing more space.
Stepping up, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus begins at $999, featuring a standard configuration of 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For users with extensive storage needs, a 512GB version is also offered.
At the premium end, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra commands a starting price of $1,299. This flagship comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For power users and content creators, the S24 Ultra also presents 512GB and a massive 1TB storage options.
Color choices vary slightly across the models. The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus share a common palette including Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow. Additionally, Samsung’s online store exclusives offer Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone Orange.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra distinguishes itself with titanium-inspired colors that complement its titanium frame. These include Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow, along with Samsung.com exclusives in Titanium Green, Titanium Blue, and Titanium Orange.
Design and Display: Flat Screens Across the Board
A notable design shift across the entire Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup is the adoption of flat AMOLED displays, even for the Ultra model. This consistency in display design extends to a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits for all three phones. Furthermore, all models benefit from significantly reduced bezels, resulting in larger screen real estate without increasing the overall phone dimensions.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 sports a 6.2-inch FHD+ resolution display, housed in a body measuring 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches and weighing 5.93 ounces. The Galaxy S24 Plus increases the display size to 6.7 inches with a sharper QHD+ resolution, with dimensions of 6.24 x 3.00 x 0.30 inches and a weight of 6.95 ounces.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts the largest display at 6.8 inches, maintaining the QHD+ resolution. It measures 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 inches and weighs 8.22 ounces, making it the heaviest of the three. The Ultra distinguishes itself with a titanium frame, intended to enhance durability while reducing weight. However, it maintains the same weight as its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Durability is further enhanced on the S24 Ultra with Gorilla Armor glass, promising four times greater scratch resistance compared to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, along with reduced screen glare. The S24 and S24 Plus utilize Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and all three models feature back panels constructed from Victus 2 glass.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra also incorporates a significantly larger vapor cooling chamber, 1.9 times bigger than previous iterations. This aims to optimize performance and manage heat dissipation effectively, particularly with the titanium frame.
Exclusively for the Ultra model, the S Pen stylus returns, catering to users who appreciate the Galaxy Note experience. Unfortunately, the S Pen is not compatible with the S24 or S24 Plus.
Performance and Specs: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Power
In North America and select regions, the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are powered by the customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra also exclusively features this optimized Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor.
This “for Galaxy” variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is anticipated to deliver enhanced performance compared to the standard Gen 3 chip, although the exact performance uplift remains to be seen. Samsung emphasizes “remarkable NPU improvement for incredibly efficient AI processing,” suggesting the Ultra might hold an edge in AI-driven tasks.
While some regions may see the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus equipped with the Exynos 2400 chipset (like in the UK), Samsung confirms the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy will be standard across all S24 Ultra models globally.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is expected to bring significant improvements in CPU, GPU, and NPU performance, alongside enhanced power efficiency. This translates to smoother gaming experiences, improved lighting and ray tracing in games, and fuels the advanced AI capabilities of the S24 series.
RAM configurations differ slightly. The standard Galaxy S24 comes with 8GB of RAM, while both the Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 Ultra offer 12GB of RAM. Storage options start at 128GB for the S24, and 256GB for the Plus and Ultra, scaling up to 256GB and 512GB respectively. The Galaxy S24 Ultra extends storage further with a 1TB option for users demanding maximum capacity.
Battery Life and Charging: Varied Capacities and Speeds
Battery capacity varies across the Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup. The Galaxy S24 features a 4,000 mAh battery, which is reasonable for its size and display resolution. The Galaxy S24 Plus steps up to a larger 4,900 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra leads with a 5,000 mAh battery. While larger numbers suggest longer battery life, real-world performance will depend on optimization and usage patterns. The efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip are expected to contribute to improved battery performance across all models.
In terms of charging, the Galaxy S24 is limited to 25W wired charging, similar to its predecessor. This allows for a 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes. The Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra benefit from faster 45W wired charging, enabling them to reach a 65% charge in the same 30-minute timeframe. All three models support 15W Qi wireless charging.
Camera Capabilities: Ultra Leads with 200MP and Advanced Zoom
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus share an identical triple-lens rear camera system. This setup includes a 50MP main lens (f/1.8, OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV), and a 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom). All models feature a 12MP front-facing camera (f/2.2).
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a more advanced quad-lens rear camera array. This includes a 200MP main lens (f/1.7, OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV), a 50MP telephoto lens (f/3.4, OIS, 5x optical zoom), and a 10MP secondary telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom).
The Ultra’s camera system stands out with its “Quad-Tele System,” enabling “optical quality” zoom at 2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x magnification. This is achieved by cropping high-resolution images down to 12MP to simulate zoom levels. Samsung’s 100x Space Zoom and Nightography features also return, enhanced by larger pixels and wider OIS for improved low-light performance.
All Galaxy S24 models support Super HDR for realistic previews and improved integration with social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat, ensuring consistent image quality when sharing.
Galaxy AI Features: Consistent Across All Models
A significant advantage for all buyers is that the Galaxy AI features are uniformly available across all three Samsung Galaxy S24 models. Rumors of AI exclusivity for the Ultra proved unfounded, meaning users of the S24 and S24 Plus will also benefit from Samsung’s suite of AI-powered tools.
These AI features focus on enhancing user experience through intelligent assistance. Browsing Assist summarizes online content, while Chat Assist, integrated into the keyboard, offers text rewriting in various styles and tones, along with translation capabilities. The Interpreter tool provides live text translations in 13 languages and 17 dialects within the phone app.
Samsung Notes app gains Transcribe Assist, which can translate, transcribe, and summarize notes, and even neaten S Pen handwriting. Circle to Search with Google allows users to circle on-screen content for instant Google search results, also compatible with the S Pen on the Ultra.
Galaxy AI editing tools streamline photo editing with Edit Suggestions that analyze photos and learn user preferences. Generative Edit can fill in missing image areas using generative AI, and Instant Slow-mo converts standard videos into slow-motion clips without needing a dedicated slow-motion mode.
Which Samsung Galaxy S24 Model is Right for You?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series offers compelling choices at different price points. The Galaxy S24 Plus emerges as a particularly attractive option with significant upgrades that bridge the gap to the Ultra, especially considering its $999 price.
However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the pinnacle of the lineup. Its optimized Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip, titanium frame, and advanced quad-lens camera system solidify its position as the ultimate Samsung flagship. This top-tier experience comes at a higher cost.
For users seeking the best Samsung has to offer without budget constraints, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the definitive choice. If you prioritize value and a balance of premium features without the top-end price tag, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus offer excellent alternatives, each providing a taste of the flagship experience in a more accessible package.
