Samsung has officially launched its highly anticipated Galaxy S24 series, introducing three distinct flagship models: the Samsung Galaxy S24, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. With pre-orders already underway and the official release date set for January 31st, potential buyers are now faced with the crucial decision of selecting the model that best fits their needs and preferences. While all three phones belong to the Galaxy S24 family, they present significant differences in features, specifications, and price points.
This comprehensive comparison delves into the key distinctions between the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, equipping you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Price and Availability
Image alt text: A hand holding a Samsung Galaxy S24 phone showcasing its sleek design and vibrant display.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series caters to a range of budgets. The standard Samsung Galaxy S24 is the most accessible, starting at $799. This base price includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. A 256GB storage variant is also available for those needing more space.
Stepping up, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus starts at $999. This model offers a bump in base configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as standard. For users requiring even more storage, a 512GB option is also offered.
At the top end of the spectrum, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the premium offering, with a starting price of $1,299. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes standard with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For power users and those who demand maximum storage capacity, 512GB and even 1TB storage options are available at higher price points.
In terms of color options, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus share a similar palette including Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, and Amber Yellow. Additionally, exclusive online colors like Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone Orange are available through Samsung’s official website.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra distinguishes itself with titanium-inspired color options to complement its titanium frame. These include Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Yellow, along with online exclusives in Titanium Green, Titanium Blue, and Titanium Orange.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Design and Display
Image alt text: A lineup of Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra phones highlighting their display sizes and flat screen designs.
A significant design update across the entire Galaxy S24 series is the adoption of flat AMOLED displays, even for the Ultra model, moving away from curved edges. All three models share impressive display attributes, including a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and optimized battery life, and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The bezels surrounding the displays have been significantly slimmed down across all models, resulting in slightly larger screens without increasing the overall phone dimensions.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 features the most compact display at 6.2 inches with FHD+ resolution, and its physical dimensions measure 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches. The Galaxy S24 Plus increases the screen size to 6.7 inches and upgrades the resolution to QHD+, with dimensions of 6.24 x 3.00 x 0.30 inches. These models are designed for comfortable handling, weighing in at 5.93 ounces and 6.95 ounces respectively.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts the largest display at 6.8 inches, maintaining a QHD+ resolution, and measures 6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 inches. Notably, the S24 Ultra incorporates a titanium frame, a shift from previous aluminum frames. While titanium is expected to enhance durability and reduce weight, the S24 Ultra maintains a similar weight to its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, at 8.2 ounces, making it the heaviest in the S24 lineup.
Display protection also differs. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a new Corning Gorilla Armor glass, promising 4x greater scratch resistance compared to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and improved glare reduction. The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus utilize Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. All three models feature back panels constructed from Victus 2 glass for consistent durability. The Ultra model further enhances thermal performance with a 1.9x larger vapor cooling chamber compared to previous generations, crucial for managing heat, especially with the titanium frame.
Exclusively for the Ultra, the S Pen stylus remains integrated, catering to users who value the productivity and creative input offered by a stylus. The S Pen is not compatible with the Galaxy S24 or S24 Plus.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Specs & Performance
Image alt text: A Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus in Amber Yellow color showcasing its sleek design and premium build quality.
Performance differences within the Galaxy S24 series are region-dependent for the standard S24 and S24 Plus. In North America and select regions, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor. However, in regions like the UK, these models will utilize the Exynos 2400 chipset. Importantly, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra exclusively features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy globally. This “for Galaxy” variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is optimized specifically for Samsung devices, promising enhanced performance, particularly in AI processing.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to deliver significant performance improvements across CPU, GPU, and NPU (Neural Processing Unit). Samsung emphasizes “remarkable NPU improvement for incredibly efficient AI processing,” suggesting the Ultra, with its optimized chip, may have an edge in AI-intensive tasks. The new chipsets are also touted to provide “unparalleled gaming performance” with smoother gameplay, improved lighting, and enhanced ray tracing capabilities.
RAM configurations vary across the models. The standard Galaxy S24 starts with 8GB of RAM, while both the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra come with 12GB of RAM as standard, ensuring smoother multitasking and application performance. Storage options also differ, with the S24 offering 128GB and 256GB variants, the S24 Plus offering 256GB and 512GB, and the S24 Ultra extending up to a 1TB option for users with extensive storage needs.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Battery & Charging
Image alt text: A lifestyle shot featuring the Samsung Galaxy S24 series showcasing their diverse color options and sleek designs.
Battery capacity naturally scales with the phone size within the Galaxy S24 series. The Samsung Galaxy S24 houses a 4,000 mAh battery. The Galaxy S24 Plus receives a significant battery upgrade to 4,900 mAh. The Galaxy S24 Ultra leads with the largest battery at 5,000 mAh. While battery size is a factor, real-world battery life is also influenced by display resolution, processor efficiency, and usage patterns. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to bring efficiency improvements that could translate to longer battery life across all models.
Charging speeds also differ. The Galaxy S24 maintains 25W wired charging, similar to its predecessor, achieving a 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes. The Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra both benefit from faster 45W wired charging, capable of reaching a 65% charge in around 30 minutes. All three models support 15W Qi wireless charging. Samsung has not yet detailed wireless charging speeds but wireless charging generally takes longer than wired options.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Cameras
Image alt text: A close-up of the Samsung Galaxy S24 camera system, emphasizing its triple-lens setup and advanced imaging capabilities.
The camera systems are where the Galaxy S24 Ultra significantly differentiates itself from the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus share an identical triple-lens rear camera setup: 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). The front camera for both models is a 12MP lens (f/2.2).
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a more advanced quad-lens rear camera system: 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, OIS, 3x optical zoom). The front camera mirrors the other models at 12MP (f/2.2).
The Ultra’s camera superiority is highlighted by its “Quad-Tele System,” which Samsung claims achieves “optical quality” zoom at 2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x magnifications by cropping high-resolution images down to 12MP. 100x Space Zoom and enhanced “Nightography” features return, leveraging larger pixels and wider OIS for improved low-light performance with reduced noise and motion blur compensation.
All Galaxy S24 models offer Super HDR for more realistic previews, and expanded integration with third-party social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat, ensuring consistent image quality when sharing directly from the camera. While initial specifications suggest the Ultra has a clear camera advantage, real-world testing is needed to fully assess the camera performance across the series.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: AI Features
Image alt text: A person using the AI-powered Circle to Search feature on a Samsung Galaxy S24, demonstrating its intuitive search functionality.
A key selling point across the entire Galaxy S24 series is the integration of advanced AI features, branded as “Galaxy AI.” These features are not exclusive to the Ultra model and are available on all three phones, focusing on enhancing user experience and providing intelligent assistance.
“Browsing Assist” summarizes online content for quick information extraction. “Chat Assist,” integrated into the Samsung Keyboard, enables users to adjust the tone and style of their messages in six different modes and offers real-time translation. The “Interpreter” tool within the phone app provides live text translations in 13 languages and 17 dialects.
The Samsung Notes app gains “Transcribe Assist,” which can transcribe, translate, and summarize notes, and even neaten handwriting for S Pen users on the Ultra. “Circle to Search with Google” allows users to circle anything on screen to initiate a Google search, a feature also compatible with the S Pen on the Ultra.
“Galaxy AI editing tools” simplify photo editing. “Edit Suggestions” analyzes photos and recommends enhancements based on user editing habits. “Generative Edit” uses generative AI to fill in missing backgrounds or reframe photos by intelligently extending the image. “Instant Slow-mo” converts standard videos into slow-motion clips without needing to shoot in a dedicated slow-motion mode.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Series: Spec Comparison Table
| Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 Plus | Galaxy S24 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $799 | $999 |
| Display size and resolution | 6.2-inch AMOLED, FHD+ flat screen | 6.7-inch AMOLED, QHD+, flat screen |
| Display brightness, refresh rate | 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400 (Region Dependent) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400 (Region Dependent) |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256GB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery size | 4,000 mAh | 4,900 mAh |
| Charging speed | 25W | 45W |
| Size | 5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches | 6.24 x 3.00 x 0.30 inches |
| Weight | 5.93 ounces | 6.95 ounces |
| Frame Material | Armor Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
| Stylus Support | No | No |
Conclusion: Which Galaxy S24 Model is Best for You?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series offers compelling choices across different price points and feature sets. The Galaxy S24 Plus emerges as a particularly attractive option, incorporating significant upgrades, especially in battery and charging speed, making it a strong contender at its $999 price.
However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the pinnacle of the Samsung flagship lineup. Its exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, titanium frame, and advanced quad-lens camera system position it as the ultimate choice for users seeking top-tier performance and features, albeit at a premium price.
For users prioritizing value and a more compact size, the standard Galaxy S24 offers a balance of features and performance at a more accessible price. Ultimately, the best Galaxy S24 model depends on individual needs and budget. If you desire the absolute best Samsung has to offer without compromise, the Ultra is the clear winner. If you seek a balance of premium features and value, the S24 Plus is exceptionally appealing. And if budget is a primary concern while still desiring a flagship experience, the standard S24 remains a solid choice.
