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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra In-Depth Review: A Complete Evolution of the AI Imaging Flagship

After two weeks of hands-on experience, I’ll be taking a comprehensive look at this “king of Android phones” from the perspectives of design, AI features, and camera performance.

Design Overhaul: A Perfect Union of Titanium Frame and Flat Display

The most striking change at first glance is the upgraded feel brought by the new titanium frame. The “Titanium Gray” variant we tested reflects a refined metallic sheen under light, while the store-exclusive “Cat’s Eye Green” features a matte finish—both offering distinct aesthetics. The phone is a bit slimmer and a gram lighter than the previous model, now measuring 8.6mm thick and weighing 233g. Though still heavier than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the improved weight distribution makes it more comfortable to hold.

Perhaps the most welcome change is the shift to a fully flat display, marking a departure from the curved screens of past models. This resolves issues like tricky screen protector application and accidental touches, while also improving overall durability. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display remains top-tier, with a resolution of 3120×1440 and an adaptive refresh rate from 1–120Hz—delivering industry-leading color accuracy and smoothness.

Galaxy AI: Intelligent Tools from Editing to Real-Time Translation

The Galaxy AI system on the S24 Ultra showcases Samsung’s deep expertise in on-device AI. Image editing, in particular, is remarkable. In one test, we moved a person in an office photo from the right side to the center—AI not only filled in the original background seamlessly but also intelligently generated matching objects inside the bookshelf. When relocating a potted plant, the system even generated a stone ornament that fit the scene.

The translation feature, however, is more modest for now. While it supports real-time voice translation in 13 languages, Chinese is currently limited to Simplified, and the translation accuracy hovers around 70%, with tone and nuance still sounding mechanical. Hopefully, this will improve with future software updates. Notably, Samsung adds watermarks to all AI-generated content—reflecting its commitment to responsible AI use.

Imaging System: A Versatile Mobile Photography Powerhouse

Camera capabilities remain the Ultra series' defining strength. The S24 Ultra is equipped with a quad-camera system, including a 200-megapixel main camera (f/1.7), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera (f/2.2), a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera (f/2.4), and a 50-megapixel 5x periscope telephoto camera (f/3.4).This configuration enables everything from ultra-wide shots to 100x digital zoom.

In daylight, the 10x zoom can clearly capture license plates across a river. In nighttime testing, the large sensor paired with AI noise reduction kept 10x zoom shots impressively clean. The new 5x periscope lens deserves special mention—it uses pixel binning to achieve optical-grade 10x zoom, making it ideal for concerts and sports events.

Portrait mode also shines, with the 3x zoom and f/2.4 aperture delivering smooth, natural background blur. AI algorithms intelligently optimize skin tones without the over-processed “plastic” look. On the video side, it supports 8K at 30fps, with improved stabilization to meet professional content creation demands.

Performance and User Experience: Flagship Power, No Compromises

Under the hood, the S24 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. It easily scores over 2 million on AnTuTu benchmarks. In real-world use, Genshin Impact runs at over 59fps on max settings, with excellent thermal control.

The signature S Pen remains a standout feature, offering a realistic writing feel with a 0.7mm fine tip and 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. New gesture-based shortcuts improve workflow—such as text selection and instant search, or PDF annotation. IP68 water and dust resistance ensures dependable performance in any environment.

Conclusion

All things considered, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands at the pinnacle of the Android landscape. Its titanium design reflects premium craftsmanship, the flat screen enhances usability, and its camera system continues to lead the industry. Meanwhile, Galaxy AI sets a new benchmark for intelligent interaction on mobile devices. While features like AI translation still need refinement, the overall experience is truly impressive.

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