All you need to know about Galaxy S24 Ultra

Have you ever wanted the most powerful phone possible? Samsung’s S-series Ultra has been that gadget for a number of years, and the company is making an equally significant investment in the Ultra for 2024. With a new titanium finish, an abundance of AI features, and an increased starting price of $1,299 (up from the already exorbitant $1,199), the Galaxy S24 Ultra is now available.

The construction of the Ultra is among its most obvious new features. Similar to Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro, this year’s model boasts a titanium frame, which Samsung claims enhances durability. Although titanium is heavier than aluminum, you can use less of it because of its greater durability. Samsung, in contrast to Apple, hasn’t utilized this material to try and make the phone lighter. In this case, Samsung has just gone for the durability factor. The S24 Ultra weighs about the same as the S23 Ultra (8.22oz or 232 grams) which makes it slightly heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The display is the other significant update up front. Similar to the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch 1440p display, but it finally does away with the Note series’ curved edges in favor of a flat panel. Unlike the S24 and S24 Plus, which had a straight edge, this device still has a small curvature to its edge, but the possibility of inadvertently running your S Pen over the side of the display is been decreased.

Oh, and the AI. Almost every AI function found on other flagship phones to date is present in Samsung’s new phone series. Google’s Gemini basic models are operating on the S24 Ultra, S24 Plus, and S24 devices, along with a plethora of local and cloud-based artificial intelligence technologies. That’s fantastic news, since Google requires you to purchase the larger Pixel 8 Pro in order to access all of its AI features.

The S24 series features a few new generative AI-powered picture and video editing tools, which are represented by a star icon across the user interface that much resembles Google Bard. Photo subjects can be selected and resized, moved, or completely removed from the frame by circling them. In addition, you have the option to crop your picture or use AI to fill in the image’s boundaries by adjusting the horizon level. I’m saving that one for my fellow corrupt photographers.

After spending a few minutes experimenting with these tools, they seem to be about average: occasionally stunning, but occasionally prone to adding absurd things to your picture. But the most amazing capability I witnessed being shown was for movies rather than still images.

A new Circle to Search tool from Google is one of the system’s other features; it’s quite self-explanatory. The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, as well as the S24 series, are the first phones to support it. Simply circle the object you want to search for on the screen by long-pressing the navigation handle or the home button in any app, and Google will take care of the rest. I had hoped to trick it into “identifying” a fake plant, but that didn’t work out. I found out via Google that I could get this decor item for $9 at Walmart. Translation is at the heart of some AI functions. During phone calls, there’s a feature that serves as an interpreter, translating what you say into the other person’s language in real time and vice versa. Thirteen different languages are supported.

Additionally, text exchanges can be translated into another language. This feature is included into the Samsung keyboard app and is compatible with all chat services. In order to make your message sound more formal or more casual, the keyboard can also make text suggestions based on what you’re writing.

The S24 and S24 Plus only come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor in the US, however the Galaxy S24 Ultra will include the chipset in every location where it is sold. Exynos chipsets will be used in other regions of the world, but Samsung assures us that this will not affect the AI capabilities. It is also receiving an upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 in terms of connectivity.

In contrast to the S24 and S24 Plus, which are exclusive to the US, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be marketed in every area with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor. Although Samsung assures us that this would not affect the AI capabilities, they will use an Exynos chipset in other parts of the world. Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 is being upgraded for better connectivity.

The S24 Ultra will start at $1,299 for 256GB and ships starting January 31st. Preorders are available starting today.

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