Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review
The S24 Ultra suits designers, note-takers, and Samsung ecosystem loyalists who value the S Pen and multi-lens camera more than battery longevity and charging speed. Everyone else should weigh the weight penalty and slower charging against what they're paying; for that price, lighter flagships with bigger batteries exist.
This review is written with AI assistance from Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The S24 Ultra is Samsung's flagship Android phone with a larger-than-life screen, a 200MP main camera built for precision, and the speed you expect from a top-tier chipset. For a global-south buyer eyeing a flagship, it's a capable all-rounder if you value the stylus and the camera system; just prepare for a heavy phone and modest battery gains over last year's model.
Design & build
The S24 Ultra feels like a device built to last. Titanium frame, Gorilla Armor glass on front and back, and IP68 rating all say Samsung is betting on durability over thinness. At 8.6mm and 232g, though, it's thick and weighty by 2024 standards—rivals keep flagships under 220g. The width (79mm) also makes one-handed reach awkward. The stylus slot is genuinely useful if you sketch or take notes, and the haptic feedback when docked adds polish. But the mass works against the phone in pocket comfort and sustained hand use.
Display
The 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED is excellent. At 505 ppi and 2600 nits peak brightness, colour and sharpness are assured, and the LTPO panel scales the refresh rate intelligently to preserve battery. The DX anti-reflective coating on Gorilla Armor really does cut glare more than the usual oleophobic finishes; side-by-side with rivals, text remains legible in sunlight where others wash out. The 120Hz response is smooth across all apps. This is the one area where the weight and thickness almost make sense—Samsung has room for a genuinely premium panel.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is flagship-class silicon, and the S24 Ultra uses it well. Apps open instantly, multitasking is fluid, and gaming framerates stay consistent without the phone throttling to cooler clocks mid-session. For day-to-day use—email, browsing, video calls—performance ceiling is not a constraint here. Thermal management is competent; the phone runs warm but not dangerously so under sustained load. Against rivals with the same chip, there's no gap. By generational standards, this is the horsepower expected of a £600+ phone.
Software
Android 14 and One UI 8.0 ship together, and Samsung promises seven major Android upgrades, which matches Google's Pixel and beats most others. One UI remains feature-rich but leans toward Samsung services (SmartThings, Buds integration, Samsung Pay). Bloatware isn't severe, but you'll find apps you won't use. The S Pen gets tight software integration: gesture controls, note-taking with OCR, and app launcher shortcuts. If you own a Galaxy tablet or watch, the ecosystem pulls you in. The software is solid; it's not a weakness.
Camera
The camera system is the S24 Ultra's signature. The 200MP main sensor with 0.6µm pixels and multi-directional PDAF excels at detail and cropping. Photos are sharp, and the f/1.7 aperture gathers light well in indoor scenes without excessive grain. The 3x and 5x telephoto lenses deliver real optical zoom (not digital cropping), useful for framing without stepping backward. The 12MP ultrawide captures a wide field but feels a touch soft at edges compared to the main camera—this is a minor trade-off. In good light, images are crisp and punchy. In dim rooms or at night, performance is solid but not class-leading; you'll see some noise and colour shift at 400 ISO and above. Video maxes at 8K but most users will shoot 4K, where stabilization is strong. The camera doesn't innovate, but it executes consistently.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery runs full duty about a day on typical mixed use—social apps, messages, some video, moderate gaming. It's not exceptional for the size; the weight doesn't buy much battery endurance. Heavier phones from rivals fit 6000+ mAh cells. The 45W wired charge takes roughly an hour for a full fill, and 65% in 30 minutes is respectable, but competitors regularly hit 65–100W, so refueling is slower than the standard. Wireless charging at 15W is adequate. For a £600 phone in 2024, charging speed is a legitimate compromise against the alternative options.
Value & verdict-context
The S24 Ultra is a capable flagship, but it's a refinement of last year rather than a leap. The display, camera, and stylus integration are strong; the weight, modest battery life, and slow charging are genuine friction points. If you live in a region with good Samsung service coverage and already own Galaxy devices, the ecosystem tie-in justifies the cost. If you're switching from iPhone, the deeper customization and file system access will feel liberating. But if you prioritize light phones with fast charging and all-day battery stamina, this unit falls short. A buyer in the global south with a tight budget might find better value in the Galaxy S24 base model or a Pixel at lower tier; this one is for those who specifically want the stylus and the three-lens camera setup.
Verdict
The S24 Ultra suits designers, note-takers, and Samsung ecosystem loyalists who value the S Pen and multi-lens camera more than battery longevity and charging speed. Everyone else should weigh the weight penalty and slower charging against what they're paying; for that price, lighter flagships with bigger batteries exist.
- 200MP main camera with multi-directional autofocus delivers sharp, detailed shots even when cropped
- 6.8-inch QHD+ display at 505 ppi with Gorilla Armor glass resists fingerprints better than rival coatings
- S Pen integration runs deeper than competitors' stylus offerings, with gesture recognition and app shortcuts built in
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 handles multitasking and heavy gaming without thermal throttle for daily use
- Weighs 232g—noticeably heavier than most rivals, tiring to hold for extended reading or video
- 45W charging is standard now; phones at this price regularly hit 65–100W, so you're waiting longer than you need to
- 5000 mAh battery brings only marginal gains over last year; a full day is typical, not standout
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, January 24 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2(~88.5% screen-to-body ratio), Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min15W wireless (Qi)4.5W reverse wireless |
| Software | Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0 |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2) |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra support 5G?
Yes. The Galaxy S24 Ultra supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Galaxy S24 Ultra use?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the Galaxy S24 Ultra have?
A 6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2(~88.5% screen-to-body ratio) Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak), 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy S24 Ultra battery?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min15W wireless (Qi)4.5W reverse wireless.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has NFC.
Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra water resistant?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) rating.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra support a microSD card?
No, the Galaxy S24 Ultra does not support expandable storage.
Does the Galaxy S24 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the Galaxy S24 Ultra does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S23 Ultra
iPhone 16 Pro Max
